This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled.
Home
>
English Grammar
>
Grammar
>
Parts Of Speech
>
Prepositions
>
Preposition Pairings – Quiz 1
Preposition Pairings Quiz 1 (10 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of preposition pairings in English, focusing on common adjective-preposition combinations, noun + preposition pairs, and identifying correct prepositions for verbs. It also tests the ability to recognize and analyze prepositional verbs and idiomatic expressions.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
Which of the following sentences uses an incorrect preposition?
A) "He insisted on doing everything himself.".
B) "Haggis consists of meat, onions, oatmeal, and spices.".
C) "Consult a doctor if you suffer with bronchitis.".
D) "I don't really care for chocolate.".
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C uses the preposition "with" incorrectly. The correct preposition to use with "suffer" in this context is "from". Therefore, the sentence should read: "Consult a doctor if you suffer from bronchitis."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct usage of "on".
Option B:
Correct usage of "of" to indicate composition.
Option C:
Incorrect use of "with"; should be "from".
Option D:
Correct usage of "for" with "care".
2.
Which of the following sentences contains a preposition paired with an adjective?
A) "She went to the park to walk her dog.".
B) "Anna is preparing dinner for her family.".
C) "I feel responsible for what happened.".
D) "Something flew over the pond.".
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C, "I feel responsible for what happened," contains the preposition "for" paired with the adjective "responsible." This pairing is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No preposition-adjective pair.
Option B:
No preposition-adjective pair.
Option C:
Correct: "for" with "responsible."
Option D:
No preposition-adjective pair.
3.
What does a prepositional idiom require to be considered an idiomatic prepositional phrase?
A) A verb.
B) An adverb.
C) A noun.
D) A preposition.
Show Answer
Explanations:
A prepositional idiom requires a noun to be considered an idiomatic prepositional phrase because the noun completes the meaning of the idiom, making it function as a single unit with a specific and often untranslatable meaning. For example, "on time" is not just a combination of two words but has a distinct meaning that cannot be broken down.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Verbs are not required for an idiomatic prepositional phrase; the focus is on the noun completing the idiom's meaning.
Option B:
Incorrect. Adverbs are not necessary to form an idiomatic prepositional phrase, as the emphasis is on nouns providing the specific meaning.
Option C:
Correct. Nouns are essential in forming idiomatic prepositional phrases because they complete the idiom's meaning and function together with the preposition.
Option D:
Incorrect. While a preposition is part of an idiomatic phrase, it alone does not make up for the noun needed to form a complete idiomatic prepositional phrase.
4.
Which of the following sentences contains a noun + preposition combination?
A) "I walked in and ordered a drink.".
B) "It's OK to take pride in your home country.".
C) "My nephew is interested in joining a club.".
D) "Did you look in the cupboard?".
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is B) "It's OK to take pride in your home country." This sentence contains a noun + preposition combination: "pride in". In this phrase, "pride" is the noun and "in" is the preposition.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No noun + preposition combination.
Option B:
Contains a noun + preposition combination: "pride in".
Option C:
No noun + preposition combination.
Option D:
No noun + preposition combination.
5.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a prepositional verb?
A) "He looked at the sky.".
B) "I'm responsible for cleaning the office.".
C) "Let's drink to your good fortune.".
D) "She begged for his forgiveness.".
Show Answer
Explanations:
Prepositional verbs are verb phrases that include a main verb and a preposition, which together have a different meaning than the sum of their parts. In option B, "I'm responsible for cleaning the office," there is no prepositional verb because "responsible" does not combine with any preposition to form such a phrase.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Contains "looked at," which is a prepositional verb.
Option B:
Does not contain a prepositional verb.
Option C:
Contains "drink to," which is a prepositional verb.
Option D:
Contains "begged for," which is a prepositional verb.
6.
Which of the following prepositions is most commonly paired with adjectives?
A) Outside.
B) About.
C) Around.
D) Over.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "about" is most commonly paired with adjectives in English to indicate a general reference or discussion of something, such as "an interesting about topic." This usage helps to express that the adjective describes what the noun is generally related to or concerned with.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Outside - Typically used to denote physical location or separation.
Option B:
About - Correct, as it commonly pairs with adjectives for general reference.
Option C:
Around - Usually indicates movement or a circular path.
Option D:
Over - Often used to denote physical position above something or an action of covering.
7.
Which of the following sentences contains a prepositional verb?
A) "I would be honored to give a speech.".
B) "He forgot about daylight saving time.".
C) "She had an allergic reaction to peanut butter.".
D) "Mitch has an obsession with comic books.".
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "He forgot about daylight saving time." contains a prepositional verb pairing of "forgot about". In this case, "about" is functioning as part of the verb phrase to indicate what was forgotten.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
No prepositional verb.
Option B:
Correct. Contains a prepositional verb pairing of "forgot about".
Option C:
No prepositional verb.
Option D:
No prepositional verb.
8.
Which of the following prepositions is most commonly paired with nouns?
A) Along.
B) Without.
C) Of.
D) Up.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "of" is most commonly paired with nouns in English, often used to show a relationship of belonging, origin, or composition. Examples include "a book of stories," "the color of the sky," and "the joy of life."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Along is typically used with verbs like walk, run, travel, etc., to indicate movement in a particular direction or alongside something.
Option B:
Without often indicates the absence of something and can be paired with various nouns but not as frequently as "of" with nouns.
Option C:
Of is most commonly paired with nouns to show possession, origin, or composition, making it correct in this context.
Option D:
Up is often used with verbs and can indicate movement or direction but not as frequently with just a noun.
9.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a preposition with a noun?
A) "My knowledge of comic books is limited.".
B) "Everyone deserves a chance at love.".
C) "The woman's talent for singing is unmistakable.".
D) "Did you laugh at Larry's jokes?".
Show Answer
Explanations:
In option D, "laugh at" is a verb phrase and does not contain a preposition with a noun. The other options all include prepositions paired with nouns: "of comic books," "at love," "for singing."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Contains the preposition "of" with the noun "comic books."
Option B:
Contains the preposition "at" with the noun "love."
Option C:
Contains the preposition "for" with the noun "singing."
Option D:
Does not contain a preposition with a noun; it has a verb phrase "laugh at."
10.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a preposition paired with an adjective?
A) "Is he satisfied with the new employee?".
B) "She's upset about her computer breaking.".
C) "Ken has an obsession with skydiving.".
D) "It would be fun to go on a road trip this weekend.".
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C, "Ken has an obsession with skydiving," does not contain a preposition paired with an adjective. The phrase "with skydiving" includes the preposition "with," but it is followed by a noun (skydiving) rather than an adjective.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Contains "with the new employee," where "with" pairs with the adjective "new."
Option B:
Contains "about her computer breaking," where "about" pairs with the adjective "breaking."
Option C:
Does not contain a preposition paired with an adjective.
Option D:
Contains "to go on a road trip," where "on" pairs with the adjective "road."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are preposition pairings?
Preposition pairings refer to two or more prepositions that commonly appear together in a sentence, often forming idiomatic expressions. These pairs can include noun-preposition combinations like "in charge of" or adjectives with prepositions such as "full of."
Why are preposition pairings important in English grammar?
Understanding and using preposition pairings correctly is crucial for effective communication. They help to convey precise meanings and maintain grammatical correctness, making sentences clearer and more natural-sounding.
How do noun-preposition pairings differ from prepositional verbs?
Noun-preposition pairings typically involve a noun followed by a specific preposition, while prepositional verbs are verb phrases that require a preposition to complete their meaning. For example, "depend on" is a prepositional verb, whereas "a problem with" is a noun-preposition pairing.
Can you give an example of a preposition-adjective pairing?
Certainly! An example of a preposition-adjective pairing is "full of joy," where "of" pairs with the adjective "joy" to describe something completely filled or brimming with that quality.
What are some common challenges in learning preposition pairings?
One challenge is recognizing and remembering the correct pairs, as many idiomatic expressions do not follow simple grammatical rules. Additionally, context plays a significant role in determining which prepositions to use with certain nouns or verbs.