Vipra ShrivastavaSenior Manager - Content
Preposition has the power of changing the meaning of a sentence if used incorrectly. For communication in English, knowing the usage of correct preposition is critical or it may lead to miscommunication and misinformation. Let's understand Preposition.
What is Preposition?
Preposition is a set of words that indicate relationship between noun/pronoun and object to make a meaningful sentence. It mostly indicates location of the object (at the window) or time of action (in the evening). The most common prepositions are at, by, for, from, in, of, on, to and with.
Some other widely used prepositions are after, before, about, within, without, near, off, out of, until, above, below, beneath, under, across, against, among, around, behind, beside, between, close to, because of, down, during, except, along, inside, outside, instead of, into, on top of, onto, over, past, since, through, toward, until, up, upon.
Merriam Webster defines Preposition as: “function word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form a phrase which usually expresses a modification or predication”.
For example – “The fruit basket is on the table.” The cab is about to reach in two minutes.” “The newspaper stall is across the road.”
Also Read:
Free CAT Mock Test
| CAT_Mock_Test_1 | CAT_Mock_Test_1_Solutions |
| CAT_Mock_Test_2 | CAT_Mock_Test_2_Solutions |
Types of Prepositions
Simple Prepositions: Words such as in, at, on, under, over, for, off, etc. are referred to as Simple Prepositions. These prepositions define location.
Examples of Simple Prepositions:
- Nikhil sat on the ground.
- The fruits are in the fridge.
- The cat was sleeping under the table.
- The baby fell off the bed in sleep.
- Samuel drove over the bridge.
- She dropped her phone at the beach.
- The farmland belongs to
- They were walking by the lake.
Double Prepositions: When two Simple Prepositions are used together, it is called Double Prepositions. Some examples of Double Preposition are, into, onto, upon, out of, from within, etc.
Examples of Double Prepositions:
- Once upon a time, there lived a brave king.
- The puppy climbed onto the bed.
- It is up to you by when you want to finish the task.
- The music came from within the wedding event.
- She never goes to the supermarket without a carry bag.
- The monkey sat atop the chimney.
- The bud turned into a flower.
- I was unable to get free from the meeting early.
Compound Prepositions: Compound Prepositions, also known Complex Prepositions, consist of two or more words, to explain the situation. Expressions like Compound Prepositions are on behalf of in addition to, in the middle of, etc.
Examples of Compound Prepositions:
- I attended the wedding on behalf of my parents.
- Our car broke down in the middle of
- Diya sat across from
- Tina has to go to dance class in addition to her regular kick-boxing class.
- He picked up the pencil from beneath the couch.
- Aside from singing, she also performs ballet.
- Mia is waiting for John in front of the café.
- The sky will be clear today according to weather bulletin.
Also Read:
Participle Prepositions: Participle Prepositions are the ones which have endings such as -ed and -ing. For example, words such as during, concerning, considering, provided, etc. are called Participle Prepositions.
Examples of Participle Prepositions:
- She is interested in anything concerning stray animals.
- He works at a store during the day and studies at night.
- The dog kept following him home.
- All the students were at the party including
- The principal was asking questions regarding her low attendance.
- Considering his cooking skills, he did a great job in baking the cake.
- He was excited with the prospect of meeting celebrities.
- The teacher said no cheating during the test.
Phrase Prepositions: Also known as prepositional phrases, this type indicates relationship between an object and the object’s modifier, such as: at home, on time, after the class and before the dawn.
Examples of Phrase Prepositions:
- I will reach the theatre on time.
- The cricket match was canceled after the heavy rain.
- Anna found her doll under the bed.
- Rhea loved the gifts from her grandparents.
- He succeeded in climbing the tree with a little help.
- We met to practice dance before final performance.
- She spilled the soup on the clean floor.
- According to his wishes, his birthday celebration will be a small affair.
Also Read:
Explore exams which ask questions on VARC Prep Tips for MBA
Select your preferred stream
Preposition Exercises with Answers
Listed below are some preposition exercises with answers for practice. Attempt these questions to understand the correct usage of preposition.
Q 1: There is a surprise gift ___ the box.
A: (a) inside (b) in (c) on (d) above
Q 2: My sister lives in the apartment __.
A: (a) around (b) upstairs (c) over (d) above
Q 3: In comparison __winter, summer is better for picnics.
A: (a) with (b) to (c) for (d) as
Q 4: Ira compared her performance __ other participants.
A: (a) to (b) between (c) among (d) with
Q 5: The thief was caught __ the store.
A: (a) at (b) over (c) by (d) in
Q 6: Danny walked __ the street to visit the pharmacy store.
A: (a) on (b) to (c) down (d) near
Q 7: We found the perfect venue __ the wedding.
A: (a) of (b) for (c) to (d) off
Q 8: The train went __ the tunnel.
A: (a) through (b) in (c) around (d) under
Q 9: I received this plant as a gift __ a colleague.
A: (a) by (b) from (c) through (d) of
Q 10: I haven’t been to a carnival __ 2001.
A: (a) for (b) ever (c) over (d) since
Q 11: They went for a walk by the sea.
A: (a) by (b) near (c) at (d) about
Q 12: The bouquet was placed__ the table.
A: (a) at (b) on (c) in (d) over
Q 13: I will have dinner after I complete my homework
A: (a) before (b) after (c) without (d) during
Q 14: I was asked to participate in the event __ my company.
A: (a) according to (b) on request of (c) on behalf of (d) in response to
Q 15: The truck overturned __ the road.
A: (a) in the middle of (b) across from (c) in front of (d) on the top of
Q 16: The gymnasium is just __ sports room.
A: (a) near (b) opposite (c) across (d) across from
Q 17: Jack has to go to the superstore in addition to the car wash.
A: (a) along with (b) and (c) in addition to (d) also
Q 18: The baby climbed __ the bed.
A: (a) into (b) onto (c) over (d) in
Q 19: It is __the students to choose the game of their choice.
A: (a) by (b) for (c) up to (d) about
Q 20: The fire spread __ the auditorium.
A: (a) within (b) inside (c) in (d) at
Q 21: She never goes out __ make up.
A: (a) before (b) without (c) until (d) along with
Q 22: Train to Calcutta is arriving __.
A: (a) on time (b) in time (c) at time (d) with time
Q 23: She kept her documents __ study table.
A: (a) in the (b) over the (c) under the (d) on the
Q 24: Abbey is interested in everything __ health and fitness.
A: (a) about (b) regarding (c) concerning (d) including
Q 25: The truck was parked__ the gate.
A: (a) Outside of (b) inside of (c) nearby (d) in front of
Q 26: Dina has invested a lot of money __ shares.
A: (a) on (b) in (c) into (d) for
Q 27: It is tough to go __ troubles, but has to stay strong.
A: (a) in (b) from (c) through (d) into
Q 28: I am committed __ my word.
A: (a) to (b) for (c) by (d) with
Q 29. Do you have some fruits _ the refrigerator?
A: (a) On (b) At (c) In
Q 30. Andrew swam_ the raging river and crossed it successfully.
A: (a) In (b) Through (c) From
Q 31. I was coming _ school when I met Bella.
A: (a) From (b) Through (c) To
Q 32: Alena found a snake ___ the garden basket.
A: (a) inside (b) in (c) on (d) above
Q 33: The salon is __.
A: (a) around (b) upstairs (c) over (d) above
Q 34: In comparison __caffeinated drinks, fresh juices are better.
A: (a) with (b) to (c) for (d) as
Q 35: There is no comparison__ sea and mountain.
A: (a) to (b) between (c) among (d) with
Q 36: The store caught fire due to short circuit __the air conditioner.
A: (a) in (b) of (c) with (d) around
Q 37: I went _ the market for fresh ftruits this morning.
A: (a) to (b) in (c) for (d) over
Q 38: The bag was hidded_ the cupboard.
A: (a) under (b) in (c) at (d) around
Q 39: Here are the books that need to be packed _ a box.
A: (a) on (b) by (c) in (d) at
Q 40: The quarrel happened _ two opposing parties.
A: (a) between (b) among (c) in (d) for
Answers:
Q 1: (b), Q 2: (d), Q 3: (b), Q 4: (d), Q 5: (a), Q 6: (c), Q 7: (b), Q 8: (a), Q 9: (b), Q 10: (d), Q 11: (a), Q 12: (b), Q 13: (b), Q 14: (c), Q 15: (a), Q 16: (d), Q 17: (c), Q 18: (b), Q 19: (c), Q 20: (a), Q 21: (b), Q 22: (a), Q 23: (d), Q 24: (c), Q 25: (d) Q 26: (b) Q 27: (c) Q 28: (a) Q 29. (c) Q 30. (b) Q 31. (a) Q 32 (a) Q 33 (b) Q 34 (b) Q 35 (b) Q 36 (a) Q 37 (a) Q 38 (b) Q 39 (c) Q 40 (a)
Download Free VARC Question Bank for Practice |
Read More:
Prepare for Study Abroad Exams:
VARC questions for practice with answers
Check below free PDFs of VARC practice questions with solutions:
| CAT Easy Test Set 1 | CAT Easy Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 1 | CAT Medium Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 1 | CAT Difficult Test Set 1 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 2 | CAT Easy Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 2 | CAT Medium Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 2 | CAT Difficult Test Set 2 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 3 | CAT Easy Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 3 | CAT Medium Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 3 | CAT Difficult Test Set 3 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 4 | CAT Easy Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 4 | CAT Medium Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 4 | CAT Difficult Test Set 4 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 5 | CAT Easy Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 5 | CAT Medium Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 5 | CAT Difficult Test Set 5 Solutions |
| CAT Easy Test Set 6 | CAT Easy Test Set 6 Solutions |
| CAT Medium Test Set 6 | CAT Medium Test Set 6 Solutions |
| CAT Difficult Test Set 6 | CAT Difficult Test Set 6 Solutions |
MBA exams you must check out
Exams for which registrations will start soon
Jan '25 - Apr '25
News & Updates
VARC Prep Tips for MBA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?