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Gerunds After Verbs + Prepositions – Quiz 1
Gerunds After Verbs + Prepositions Quiz 1 (8 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the correct usage of prepositions following gerunds and infinitives, focusing on proper verb-preposition pairing. It covers prepositional phrases with gerunds and tests understanding of how to use prepositions in verb phrases.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
Mark relies ..... getting financial help from his parents.
A) From.
B) On.
C) With.
D) To.
E) For.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Relies on" is the correct preposition to use after "rely." It indicates that Mark depends on getting financial help from his parents, which means he relies on this source of support.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
From - Incorrect. "Rely from" is not a standard phrase.
Option B:
On - Correct. "Relies on" is the proper construction for this context.
Option C:
With - Incorrect. "Rely with" does not fit grammatically or idiomatically here.
Option D:
To - Incorrect. "Rely to" is not a standard phrase in English.
Option E:
For - Incorrect. "Rely for" is not the correct construction in this context.
2.
I don't want to mess ..... graduating this year.
A) To.
B) For.
C) With.
D) On.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "with" is correct because the phrase "I don't want to mess with graduating this year" implies that the speaker does not wish to engage in or deal with the process of graduating at this time. The gerund "messing" requires a preposition, and "with" fits naturally here.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
To - Incorrect; "to mess" is an infinitive phrase, not a prepositional phrase.
Option B:
For - Incorrect; "for messing" does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option C:
With - Correct; "with graduating" is the proper preposition to use here.
Option D:
On - Incorrect; "on graduating" would imply a specific event or occasion, which is not the intended meaning.
3.
Richard dreams ..... being the best soccer player.
A) About.
B) On.
C) For.
D) In.
Show Answer
Explanations:
A gerund is a verb form that functions as a noun and often follows prepositions to indicate an action. In the given sentence, "Richard dreams about being the best soccer player," the phrase "being" is a gerund used after the preposition "about." This correctly uses the structure where a gerund (verb + -ing) follows a preposition.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The sentence uses "about being" which is appropriate for using a gerund with this preposition.
Option B:
Incorrect. "On being" does not fit the correct structure for a gerund after "on."
Option C:
Incorrect. "For being" is not typically used to introduce a gerund in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. "In being" is not appropriate here as it does not follow the correct preposition-gerund structure.
4.
He borrowed $ 20 ..... his brother.
A) At.
B) To.
C) For.
D) From.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "from" is correct because the sentence indicates that someone borrowed money, which means he received $20 from his brother. The verb "borrowed" requires the preposition "from" to indicate the source of the borrowing.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
At - Incorrect as "at" is not used with borrow.
Option B:
To - Incorrect as "to" does not fit grammatically here.
Option C:
For - Incorrect as "for" would be used to indicate the purpose, not the source of borrowing.
Option D:
From - Correct as it indicates the source of the money borrowed.
5.
I like to listen ..... the radio when I wake up.
A) At.
B) With.
C) To.
D) In.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) To.
The verb "listen" requires the preposition "to" when followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb). For example, "I like to listen to the radio." This construction indicates an activity or action.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
At is not used with the verb "listen" in this context.
Option B:
With is typically used for actions involving tools or means, e.g., "I listen with headphones."
Option C:
To is correct as it introduces the gerund form of the verb (listening).
Option D:
In is not appropriate here.
6.
Paula will keep ..... trying until she succeeds ..... finding employment.
A) In/about.
B) In/on.
C) On/in.
D) On/of.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "on" is used to indicate the action of trying, while "in" is appropriate for the context of searching for something (employment). Thus, "on/in" correctly fills in the blanks.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
In/about - Incorrect. "About" does not fit well with "trying."
Option B:
In/on - Incorrect. "In" is not suitable for indicating trying an action.
Option C:
On/in - Correct. "On" fits the verb "trying," and "in" works well with "finding."
Option D:
On/of - Incorrect. "Of" does not fit well with "trying."
7.
Brandon is interested ..... finding a job in marketing.
A) With.
B) At.
C) For.
D) In.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The preposition "in" is correct because it introduces the gerund (verb form ending in -ing) that describes the area of interest for Brandon's job search, i.e., marketing.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
With is incorrect as it does not properly introduce a gerund.
Option B:
At is typically used with specific locations or times, not suitable for this context.
Option C:
For is often used to indicate purpose but not the area of interest in job searching.
Option D:
In is correct as it properly introduces the gerund "finding" and indicates Brandon's interest in marketing.
8.
She would like to specialize ..... treating wild animals.
A) For.
B) With.
C) About.
D) In.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
D) In.
The phrase "specialize in" is a common collocation used to indicate the area of expertise one focuses on, such as specializing in treating wild animals. This preposition fits grammatically and idiomatically.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
For - Incorrect. "For" does not fit naturally with "specialize."
Option B:
With - Incorrect. "With" is typically used to indicate the means or tools, e.g., specializing with advanced techniques.
Option C:
About - Incorrect. "About" suggests a general topic of discussion rather than a specific area of expertise.
Option D:
In - Correct. "In" is the appropriate preposition to use when specifying an area of specialization, e.g., specializing in treating wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are gerunds after verbs and prepositions?
Gerunds after verbs and prepositions refer to situations where a verb form ending in -ing is used as the object of a preposition or follows certain verbs. These gerunds often describe actions that can be done with or for something.
Can you give an example of a sentence using a gerund after a verb and a preposition?
Certainly! For instance, "I enjoy reading books before bed." Here, 'reading' is the gerund used as the object of the verb 'enjoy' and followed by the preposition 'before'.
How do gerunds after verbs and prepositions differ from simple infinitives?
Gerunds after verbs and prepositions are typically used to describe actions that have already happened or are ongoing, whereas simple infinitives (e.g., 'to read') often indicate future actions or general habits.
Are there any common verbs that frequently use gerunds after prepositions?
Yes, many verbs like 'enjoy', 'practice', and 'consider' commonly take gerunds as their objects or follow them with prepositions. For example, "She practices playing the piano every day."
Why is it important to understand gerunds after verbs and prepositions?
Understanding these structures helps improve sentence construction, clarity, and fluency in English. It allows for more nuanced expression of actions and activities.