Many nouns, verbs and adjectives are used with
particular prepositions: we say dozens of, die of,
afraid of, and also ability at, apologize for, pleased
with. There are not many rules to help you choose
correctly in these cases, so you have to learn each
expression separately.
Fill in the gaps with the correct preposition. Choose from the list below.
at – in – of – with – from – to – for – into – about – between – on – after
1. Are you interested _________ poetry?
2. I won’t go out! I’m afraid ________ spiders!
3. My handwriting is different _________ my
mother’s.
4. Mrs. Clark is very fond _____ classical music.
5. The 7.30 train was crowded ______ people!
6. She is very good _______ foreign languages.
7. Sometimes Julia is a bit jealous __ her Mum.
8. I need a change in my life! I’m totally bored
______ my life!
9. Sara is excited _____ going to Paris.
10. Michael is brilliant _____ playing chess.
11. Mum was angry ______ me.
12. Parents are responsible ____ their children.
13. My dress is similar ____ yours.
14. My personality is different ______ yours.
15. Anne was angry ____ not going on holiday.
16. Mary is fed up _____ her job.
17. Thomas is keen _____ playing chess with
his father.
18. I am fully aware _____ my duties.
19. Men are hopeless _____ ironing!
20. Sam is a little short _____ money.
21. Your quick response has prevented me ____
falling.
22. That man over there reminds me ____
somebody I know.
23. Alice got married _____ Henry.
24. Sara is used ____ waking up early.
25. There has been a worldwide increase ____
the unemployment rate.
26. The baby’s reaction _____ the vaccine was
extremely alarming.
27. There are many advantages _____ living in
the countryside.
28. My opinion differs ______ yours.
29. There are some differences _____ British
English and American English.
30. Were you invited ____ the party?
31. There’s a slight connection ____ her illness
and the food she has been eating.
32. It’s so typical ____ him to offer roses!
33. You don’t need to help me! I’m totally
capable _____ doing the job myself!
34. Don’t shout _____ me! It was not my fault!
35. You don’t need to shout ___ me! I can hear
quite well.
36. Sally complained ____ her mother _____
Peter’s behaviour.
37. I’m looking _____ my purse. I don’t know
where I left it.
38. I’m looking _____ my two-year-old cousin.
39. Susie is applying ___ her new job this week.
40. I’ve just read a book __ teenage depression.
41. Take good care ____ yourself!
42. Would you please translate this ____
Portuguese?
43. Kevin has succeeded ____ his job.
KEY
1. Are you interested in poetry?
2. I won’t go out! I’m afraid of spiders!
3. My handwriting is different from my
mother’s.
4. Mrs. Clark is very fond of classical music.
5. The 7.30 train was crowded with people!
6. She is very good at foreign languages.
7. Sometimes Julia is a bit jealous of her Mum.
8. I need a change in my life! I’m totally bored
with my life!
9. Sara is excited about going to Paris.
10. Michael is brilliant at playing chess.
11. Mum was angry with me.
12. Parents are responsible for their children.
13. My dress is similar to yours.
14. My personality is different from yours.
15. Anne was angry about not going on holiday.
16. Mary is fed up with her job.
17. Thomas is keen on playing chess with his
father.
18. I am fully aware of my duties.
19. Men are hopeless at ironing!
20. Sam is a little short of money.
21. Your quick response has prevented me from
falling.
22. That man over there reminds me of
somebody I know.
23. Alice got married to Henry.
24. Sara is used to waking up early.
25. There has been a worldwide increase in
the unemployment rate.
26. The baby’s reaction to the vaccine was
extremely alarming.
27. There are many advantages of living in
the countryside.
28. My opinion differs from yours.
29. There are some differences between
British English and American English.
30. Were you invited to the party?
31. There’s a slight connection between her
illness and the food she has been eating.
32. It’s so typical of him to offer roses!
33. You don’t need to help me! I’m totally
capable of doing the job myself!
34. Don’t shout at me! It was not my fault!
35. You don’t need to shout to me! I can hear
quite well.
36. Sally complained to her mother about
Peter’s behaviour.
37. I’m looking for my purse. I don’t know
where I left it.
38. I’m looking after my two-year-old cousin.
39. Susie is applying for her new job this
week.
40. I’ve just read a book about teenage
depression.
41. Take good care of yourself!
42. Would you please translate this into
Portuguese?
43. Kevin has succeeded in his job.