Choose The Preposition That Best Completes Each Sentence.

Choose the Preposition That Best Completes Each Sentence: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the correct preposition can be tricky, even for advanced English learners. Prepositions are those small but mighty words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. They indicate time, place, manner, direction, and more. Mastering their usage is crucial for clear and effective communication. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of preposition usage, offering examples and explanations to help you confidently select the best preposition for each sentence.

Understanding Prepositions: A Quick Recap

Before diving into exercises, let's briefly review the core function of prepositions. They connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence, expressing relationships of various kinds. Common prepositions include: on, in, at, to, from, with, by, for, about, through, during, since, until, between, among, above, below, over, under, beside, beyond, across, against, towards, onto, into, out of. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it covers many frequently used prepositions.

The choice of preposition often depends on the context and the specific relationship being expressed. For example, "on" can refer to a surface ("The book is on the table"), while "in" refers to enclosure ("The book is in the bag"). The subtle differences between prepositions can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence.

Common Preposition Pairs and Their Nuances

Several preposition pairs often cause confusion. Let's examine some of the most challenging:

1. In vs. On vs. At

• In: Used for enclosed spaces or periods of time.
  • Example: The meeting is in the conference room.
  • Example: I will finish the project in two weeks.
• On: Used for surfaces or specific days and dates.
  • Example: The book is on the table.
  • Example: The meeting is on Tuesday.
• At: Used for specific points in time or locations.
  • Example: The meeting is at 2 pm.
  • Example: I live at 123 Main Street.

2. Between vs. Among

• Between: Used when referring to two things or people.
  • Example: The secret is between you and me.
• Among: Used when referring to three or more things or people.
  • Example: The secret is among the three of us.

3. Beside vs. Besides

• Beside: Means "next to."
  • Example: He sat beside her on the bench.
• Besides: Means "in addition to" or "apart from."
  • Example: Besides the cake, we also had ice cream.

4. To vs. Toward(s)

• To: Indicates direction or purpose.
  • Example: I am going to the store.
• Toward(s): Indicates movement in a direction. "Towards" is more common in British English.
  • Example: He walked towards the setting sun.

5. Since vs. For

• Since: Indicates a point in time from which something has continued.
  • Example: I've lived here since 2010.
• For: Indicates a duration of time.
  • Example: I've lived here for ten years.

Practice Exercises: Choose the Correct Preposition

Now let's put your knowledge to the test with a series of exercises. Choose the best preposition to complete each sentence. The answers are provided at the end.

Section 1: Basic Prepositions

1. The cat is sleeping ______ the mat. (on/in/at)
2. The party is ______ Saturday. (on/in/at)
3. I met her ______ the library. (on/in/at)
4. The book is ______ the shelf. (on/in/at)
5. He arrived ______ 3 pm. (on/in/at)
6. The meeting is ______ the conference room. (on/in/at)
7. The picture hangs ______ the wall. (on/in/at)
8. I live ______ a small apartment. (on/in/at)
9. I'll see you ______ lunchtime. (on/in/at)
10. The bird perched ______ the branch. (on/in/at)

Section 2: Challenging Prepositions

11. The prize was divided ______ the two winners. (between/among)
12. The secret was shared ______ the three friends. (between/among)
13. He sat ______ his sister at the concert. (beside/besides)
14. ______ the cake, we also had ice cream. (beside/besides)
15. They walked ______ the park. (toward/towards)
16. She drove ______ the city center. (toward/towards)
17. He has lived in London ______ five years. (since/for)
18. She has worked for the company ______ 2015. (since/for)
19. The package was delivered ______ mistake. (by/with)
20. He wrote the letter ______ a pen. (by/with)

Section 3: Contextual Prepositions

21. I’m responsible ______ the project. (for/to)
22. He’s dedicated ______ his work. (to/for)
23. The book is ______ the author. (by/from)
24. She’s looking ______ a new job. (for/to)
25. I rely ______ my friends for support. (in/on)
26. He insisted ______ paying the bill. (on/in)
27. The accident resulted ______ many injuries. (to/in)
28. She’s proficient ______ several languages. (in/on)
29. The building is ______ construction. (under/during)
30. The meeting will be held ______ the week. (during/in)

Answers to Practice Exercises

Section 1:

1. on
2. on
3. in
4. on
5. at
6. in
7. on
8. in
9. at
10. on

Section 2:

11. between
12. among
13. beside
14. Besides
15. toward/towards
16. toward/towards
17. for
18. since
19. by
20. with

Section 3:

21. for
22. to
23. by
24. for
25. on
26. on
27. in
28. in
29. under
30. during

Expanding Your Preposition Knowledge: Advanced Techniques

Mastering prepositions requires more than just memorization; it involves understanding their subtle nuances and how they interact with different verbs and nouns. Here are some advanced techniques to enhance your prepositional prowess:

• Study prepositional phrases: Pay close attention to common prepositional phrases, such as "in spite of," "because of," "instead of," "in addition to," "due to," "on account of," etc. Understanding these phrases as units will improve your fluency and accuracy.
• Consult a dictionary: Don't hesitate to use a good dictionary or online resource to clarify the usage of a particular preposition. Many dictionaries provide detailed explanations and examples.
• Read widely: Immerse yourself in English literature and other texts to observe how native speakers use prepositions in different contexts. This will provide valuable exposure to various prepositional combinations and usages.
• Practice consistently: Regular practice is essential. Engage in writing exercises, actively focus on preposition usage while reading and listening to English content and seek feedback from others on your writing.

By consistently applying these strategies and engaging with the language actively, you'll build a solid understanding of prepositions and use them effectively, boosting your overall English proficiency. Remember, becoming proficient in English involves consistent learning and refinement.

This comprehensive guide provides a robust foundation in choosing prepositions. Remember to continually practice and expand your knowledge to ensure mastery of this critical aspect of English grammar. Good luck!