Prepositions are small words but they are important ones. Test your ability to use prepositions correctly with this grammar exercise.
Complete the following sentences using appropriate prepositions.
1She devoted her life ............... helping the poor and the destitute.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "devote something to" a cause or person, so we say "devoted her life to".
2Bad weather didn’t deter us ............... starting our vacation.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "deter someone from" doing something.
3Punishment is not necessarily a deterrent ............... crime.
Wrong!
The noun phrase is "a deterrent to" something unwanted.
4Be wary ............... politicians who claim to be devoted public servants.
Wrong!
The adjective phrase is "wary of" when you mean careful about someone or something.
5I despise anyone who is cruel ............... animals.
Wrong!
The adjective phrase is "cruel to" a person or animal.
6We were devastated ............... the death of our good friend.
Wrong!
The passive adjective phrase is "devastated by" when something causes great sadness.
7The desire ............... fame drove him relentlessly.
Wrong!
The noun phrase is "desire for" something that someone wants.
8Some animals can survive ............... very little water.
Wrong!
The verb phrase is "survive on" when referring to the amount of food, water, or money needed to live.
9She was deprived ............... her membership for nonpayment of dues.
Wrong!
The passive verb pattern is "deprived of" something taken away or denied.
10I deposited 100 dollars ............... my savings account.
Wrong!
The verb pattern is "deposit money in" an account.
Exercise complete
0 out of 10
correct answers
Answers
- She devoted her life to helping the poor and the destitute.
- Bad weather didn’t deter us from starting our vacation.
- Punishment is not necessarily a deterrent to crime.
- Be wary of politicians who claim to be devoted public servants.
- I despise anyone who is cruel to animals.
- We were devastated by the death of our good friend.
- The desire for fame drove him relentlessly.
- Some animals can survive on very little water.
- She was deprived of her membership for nonpayment of dues.
- I deposited 100 dollars in my savings account.