Test your Verbal Ability skills with practice questions on English prepositions, focusing on choosing and using the correct prepositions in sentences.
Question 1
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The meeting is scheduled ______ Monday.
A
on✓✗
B
at✓✗
C
in✓✗
D
of✓✗
Explanation
Days and dates take "on". "At" is used for clock times, and "in" for months and years.
Question 2
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The train leaves ______ 6:30 in the evening.
A
on✓✗
B
in✓✗
C
of✓✗
D
at✓✗
Explanation
A clock time takes "at". "On" is for days and dates, and "in" for longer periods.
Question 3
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She was born ______ 1998.
A
on✓✗
B
at✓✗
C
in✓✗
D
of✓✗
Explanation
Years, months and seasons take "in". "On" is for days, and "at" for clock times.
Question 4
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The keys are ______ the table.
A
on✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
into✓✗
D
from✓✗
Explanation
Something resting on a surface takes "on". "Into" shows movement, and "of" and "from" do not show position.
Question 5
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

He has been absent ______ three days.
A
since✓✗
B
from✓✗
C
for✓✗
D
by✓✗
Explanation
A length of time takes "for". "Since" needs a starting point such as "Monday", and "from" and "by" do not fit this pattern.
Question 6
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The prize was divided ______ the two winners.
A
among✓✗
B
in✓✗
C
with✓✗
D
between✓✗
Explanation
"Between" is used for two people or things, and "among" for more than two. "In" and "with" do not express sharing here.
Question 7
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

She is good ______ mathematics.
A
at✓✗
B
on✓✗
C
for✓✗
D
to✓✗
Explanation
Skill in a subject is expressed by "good at". The other prepositions do not form this expression.
Question 8
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Children depend ______ their parents.
A
in✓✗
B
at✓✗
C
with✓✗
D
on✓✗
Explanation
The verb "depend" always takes "on". The others are not used with it.
Question 9
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

We discussed about / the budget / in today's meeting.
A
We discussed about✓✗
B
the budget✓✗
C
in today's meeting.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Discuss" takes a direct object, so "about" must go: "We discussed the budget". The other two parts are correct.
Question 10
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The team reached at / the venue / before noon.
A
The team reached at✓✗
B
the venue✓✗
C
before noon.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Reach" takes a direct object, so "at" must go: "reached the venue". "Arrived at" would need the preposition, but "reached" does not. The other parts are correct.
Question 11
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The manager was angry / on his assistant / for the delay.
A
The manager was angry✓✗
B
on his assistant✓✗
C
for the delay.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
A person takes "angry with", so it should be "with his assistant". "For the delay" gives the reason and is correct.
Question 12
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

She is married / with a doctor / from Chennai.
A
She is married✓✗
B
with a doctor✓✗
C
from Chennai.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
The correct expression is "married to", so it should be "to a doctor". The other two parts are correct.
Question 13
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

He prefers tea / than coffee / in the morning.
A
He prefers tea✓✗
B
than coffee✓✗
C
in the morning.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Prefer" takes "to" when comparing two things: "prefers tea to coffee". "Than" is not used with "prefer". The other parts are correct.
Question 14
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The match was called ______ because of the rain.
A
up✓✗
B
at✓✗
C
off✓✗
D
with✓✗
Explanation
"Call off" means to cancel, which fits the sentence. "Call up" means to telephone or summon, and "at" and "with" do not form a phrasal verb with this meaning.
Question 15
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

He has been living / in this city / from 2015.
A
He has been living✓✗
B
in this city✓✗
C
from 2015.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
With the present perfect continuous, a starting point takes "since", so it should be "since 2015". The other two parts are correct.
Question 16
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The director is responsible / for the decision / taken last week.
A
The director is responsible✓✗
B
for the decision✓✗
C
taken last week.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Responsible for" is correct, and "taken last week" correctly describes the decision. The sentence has no error.
Question 17
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Please submit the form ______ Friday; we cannot accept it after that.
A
by✓✗
B
since✓✗
C
during✓✗
D
for✓✗
Explanation
A deadline for a single action takes "by", which means "not later than". "Since" looks back from the present, and "during" and "for" need a period of time.
Question 18
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The shop stays open ______ 10 p.m. every day.
A
by✓✗
B
since✓✗
C
until✓✗
D
for✓✗
Explanation
An action that continues up to a point takes "until". "By" is for a deadline, "since" for a past start, and "for" needs a length of time.
Question 19
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

He fell asleep ______ the lecture.
A
for✓✗
B
since✓✗
C
between✓✗
D
during✓✗
Explanation
"During" is followed by the name of an event or period, such as "the lecture". "For" needs a length of time, "since" a starting point, and "between" two points.
Question 20
Choose the pair that correctly fills the two blanks, in order.

The letter was written ______ the secretary ______ a blue pen.
A
by, with✓✗
B
with, by✓✗
C
from, with✓✗
D
by, from✓✗
Explanation
In the passive, the doer takes "by" and the tool takes "with". So it is "by the secretary" and "with a blue pen". The other pairs break this rule.
Question 21
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The thief jumped ______ the river to escape.
A
at✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
by✓✗
D
into✓✗
Explanation
Movement from outside to inside takes "into". "At", "of" and "by" do not show this movement.
Question 22
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

______ English, she speaks French and Japanese.
A
Beside✓✗
B
Between✓✗
C
Besides✓✗
D
Beneath✓✗
Explanation
"Besides" means "in addition to", which fits here. "Beside" means "next to", and "between" and "beneath" show position.
Question 23
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The tunnel runs ______ the mountain.
A
through✓✗
B
across✓✗
C
above✓✗
D
beside✓✗
Explanation
A tunnel passes from one side to the other inside something, which is "through". "Across" means over a surface, and "above" and "beside" put it outside the mountain.
Question 24
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

He is suffering with a high fever.
A
by✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
from✓✗
D
No improvement✓✗
Explanation
An illness takes "suffer from". The other prepositions are not used in this expression.
Question 25
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

He is capable to handle the project alone.
A
of handling✓✗
B
for handling✓✗
C
in handle✓✗
D
No improvement✓✗
Explanation
"Capable" takes "of", and a preposition is followed by a gerund, so "of handling" is correct. "For" is the wrong preposition, and "in handle" has a base verb after a preposition.
Question 26
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

All employees must comply to the new rules.
A
by✓✗
B
with✓✗
C
for✓✗
D
No improvement✓✗
Explanation
The verb "comply" takes "with". The other prepositions are not used with it.
Question 27
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

The company has applied for a licence.
A
to✓✗
B
on✓✗
C
at✓✗
D
No improvement✓✗
Explanation
One applies "for" the thing wanted, so the sentence is correct and needs no change. "Apply to" is used for the person or office you write to.
Question 28
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

There has been a sharp increase ______ fuel prices.
A
of✓✗
B
at✓✗
C
over✓✗
D
in✓✗
Explanation
The thing that rises takes "increase in". "Increase of" is used with an amount, such as "an increase of 10%", and "at" and "over" do not fit.
Question 29
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

All members must abide ______ the decision of the board.
A
to✓✗
B
with✓✗
C
by✓✗
D
on✓✗
Explanation
"Abide by" means to accept and follow a rule or decision. The other prepositions are not used with this verb.
Question 30
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The new policy is conducive ______ growth.
A
for✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
with✓✗
D
to✓✗
Explanation
The adjective "conducive" always takes "to". The other prepositions are not used with it.
Question 31
Choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

The manager dispensed ______ the usual formalities.
A
with✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
from✓✗
D
off✓✗
Explanation
"Dispense with" means to do without something, which fits here. The other prepositions do not give this meaning.
Question 32
Choose the pair that correctly fills the two blanks, in order.

I agree ______ you on most points, but I cannot agree ______ this proposal.
A
to, with✓✗
B
with, to✓✗
C
with, at✓✗
D
at, to✓✗
Explanation
One agrees "with" a person and "to" a proposal or plan. So "with, to" is correct. The other pairs break this rule.
Question 33
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

He was accused / for stealing / the company's data.
A
He was accused✓✗
B
for stealing✓✗
C
the company's data.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Accuse" takes "of", so it should be "of stealing". The other two parts are correct.
Question 34
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

The new model is / superior than / its predecessor.
A
The new model is✓✗
B
superior than✓✗
C
its predecessor.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
Latin-origin comparatives such as "superior", "inferior", "senior" and "junior" take "to", not "than". It should be "superior to". The other parts are correct.
Question 35
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

She requested for / a transfer / to the Mumbai branch.
A
She requested for✓✗
B
a transfer✓✗
C
to the Mumbai branch.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
The verb "request" takes a direct object, so "for" must go: "She requested a transfer". The noun form would be "made a request for". The other parts are correct.
Question 36
The sentence below is divided into three parts. Identify the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

Despite of / the heavy rain, / the match continued.
A
Despite of✓✗
B
the heavy rain,✓✗
C
the match continued.✓✗
D
No error✓✗
Explanation
"Despite" is not followed by "of". Use "Despite" alone or "In spite of". The other parts are correct.
Question 37
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that improves it. If no improvement is needed, choose "No improvement".

The person whom I spoke was very helpful.
A
whom I spoke of him✓✗
B
who I spoke✓✗
C
to whom I spoke✓✗
D
No improvement✓✗
Explanation
"Speak" needs "to" before the person, so the relative clause must keep it: "to whom I spoke". The other two options leave out the "to" and do not form a correct clause.
Question 38
Choose the pair that correctly fills the two blanks, in order.

He was charged ______ fraud and accused ______ forgery.
A
of, with✓✗
B
for, of✓✗
C
with, for✓✗
D
with, of✓✗
Explanation
The expressions are "charged with" and "accused of". The other pairs swap or misuse the prepositions.
Question 39
Which of these sentences about the size of a committee is grammatically correct?
A
The committee consists of nine members.✓✗
B
The committee is consisting of nine members.✓✗
C
The committee comprises of nine members.✓✗
D
The committee consists in nine members.✓✗
Explanation
"Consist of" gives the parts of something, and it is a stative verb, so it is not used in the continuous form. "Comprises" takes no "of", and "consists in" has a different meaning.
Question 40
Read the short passage and choose the option that correctly fills the blank.

Staff who work on public holidays get a day off in lieu ______ extra pay. The firm says this keeps its costs under control.
A
to✓✗
B
of✓✗
C
for✓✗
D
with✓✗
Explanation
The fixed phrase is "in lieu of", meaning "instead of". The other prepositions do not form this phrase.
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