P REPOSITION position isa word which shows the relationship between two ats indicating their position. a The book is on the table. an shows the relationship between the book and the table. some of the important prepositions are listed below. prepositions SHowING TIME . At in : Aris used with a definite point of time in mind. 1 go to my Department at 7.30. a.m. everyday. He will come at Holi. Inis generally used to denote a specific time, period, month, year. I play chess in the evening. I shall come in the next month. Exception: Af is used with noon. He comes at noon for lunch. On, by On is used with days and dates. He was born on the 9th of July. I teach Wordsworth on every Monday. By refers to the latest time by which an action will be over. The meeting will break by 4 p.m. 3. For, since For denotes a period of time and is used with the perfect continuous tense. Thave been working in Magadh University for the last 27 years. Since shows the point of time. It also indicates continuity. India has been independent since 1947. 4. From From refers to the starting point of an action. He is joining the new firm from the Ist of May. n278 Objective English for Competitive Examinations Prepositions SHOWING Postion 1. At, in At refers to an exact point. . He lives at Anugrahapuri. In refers to a big area. He lives in Bihar. Between, among | Between is used to distinguish two persons and things, The property was divided between Ram and Shyam, Among is used for more than two persons or things. The food was distributed among the ten boys in the family, Amongst Amongst is also used with more than two persons or things but is always used before a vowel. Divide the oranges amongst us. Above, wader below Above is used for higher than. The aeroplane was flying high in the sky, in fact, above the clouds. Below is used for lower than. His output is below ours. Under, over Under is used for vertically below. We sit under the tree when we have no class. Order indicates something vertically above. There is a separate room above the garage. Beneath Beneath shows a lower position, The ground was soiled beneath her. Prepositions Suowinc Direction 2. 3: To is used to indicate mov. The children go to the Towards points out Particular direction. The Lion ran towards the hunter. Into indicates a movement inside something. The thief entered into the Toom. ement from one place to another. school every morning.Preposition 279 Ar indicates aim, The hunter aimed at the bird. For denotes direction. I shall start for Patna today. . Off refers to separation. He was thrown off from the car during the accident. From refers to a point of departure. We feel unhappy when we depart from our parents. . Against shows pressure. I rested my arms against the wall. Along shows the same line, I walked along the shore. Across means from one side. Iran across the road. . Before denotes face-to-face. I was standing before my wife. . Behind means at the back of someone or something. My daughter stood behind me. . Beside means by the side of. The security guard sits beside the officer. }. After refers to a sequence. The child came running after the mother. Stock or PREPOSITIONS (Some Important Prepositions) aene Cer aw A + abound with 10. admit to (hospital, place, class, absolve from (blame) etc.) abstain from 11. averse to according to 12. affiliate toAvith accordance with 13. afflict with accuse of 14, afraid of accustomed to 15. agree to/on 16, aimat acquaint with acquit of 17. allegation about280 Objective English for Competitive Examinations 18. alude to 19. alternate with 20. alternative to 21. appear for (examination)/at 22. angry with 23. apply to (body) 24, appreciation of 25. apprise of 26. approximate to 1. begin on 2. belief in 3. bereft of 4. beset with 5. beware of 6. blink ar 1. compare with/to 2. compatible with 3. complain of 4. comply with 5. compliment on 6. compared of 7. concur in 8. condole with 9. conducive to * 10. confer on 11. confirmation of - 12. confirm to - 13, congratulate on “1, deal with (somebody)/in (goods) 2. debar from 3. decide on 4, deliberate on 5. delight in arraign against arrest in arrive at/in ashamed of aspire to/after/at associate with assure of attribute to averse from/to blow down (the roof)/off? over (pass off) boast of break off bungle over busy with busy in (market, store)/ at (shop) conscious of consist of (to denote the sub- stance)/in (define the subject) contiguity with converge on convict of co-opt to cope with correspond with cost of credit with criticism of cure of denude of depart to departure for depend on/upon deprive of derive from BinPra eee derogate from derogatory 10 desist from despair of detrimental fo devoid of die of (disease)/from (other causes) differ from (to be different from)/with (to disagree) ). difficulty in > ai. different of effort in election to embroil in emphasis on employ in enamoured of enreach on endow with fed up with fill with (enthusiasm)/in (a form) fire at (when not hit)/on focus on give to glad of grapple with 1, hanker after identical with *2. impose on 3. incur on 13, 14, 15, ePrIAH Preposition 281 disabuse of . disagree with . disgusted with . discourse with . dispose of |. dissociate from divest of divide into dressed in due to (used after a noun, not after a verb) . enlarge on 10. sell, engage in entrust to entrust (somebody) with essential 1o expostulate with extend to . forbid to . fraught with . fritter in . full of . good at |. gratitude for . guilty of hostility to/in/on hand (in possession of) indict for indifferent to indulge in282. Objective English for Competitive Examinations PRN AMVAwWHH eee infatuated with “15. infect with 16, infest with 217. information on 18, ingratiate (oneself) with 19, inquire into (matter)/of(per- * 20. son)/about, after (thing) 21. insensible to «22, insist on J . jealous of 3. . jeer at 4. K ._ key of (the door)/to (a problem) -2. L lash at 5. lay siege to “6 . leave for 7. level against 8. M . married to 3, . meddle with 4 N . neglect offin 3, . Nominated to ce) + oblivious of a . Operate on : 5. . opinion on P + part fromlwith ~ 10, Pay acall on sii Persevere in 12. Persist in LB. plan for a 14, plead for +15, pleased with “16. prefer to “7 preference for “18, interest in | intimate to intoxicate with intrigue with intrude on invest with (poweryiin (bank) investigation of involve in . jump at . just to knock at live on long for look at/to lure into meeting for motive in/ for noted for overcome with owing fo (not after a noun) present with prevent from preventive for priority to probe into prohibit from proud of Provide with Put outloffrecoil from reconcile to remand to remonstrate with repent of sail for satiate with satisfied with sentence fo shoot at sick of side with sparing of square with stickler for stricture on subsist on . take up tamper with taste offfor tear offlup testify to thank for throw at unequal to (the task) vest with/in view with wait for ways of wide of wish for R 6. wh +8. 9, ~10. s 13. “14, v5. “16. “17: Y 18, + 19. 20. “21. sale. 23. Preposition replete with reply to Tesearch on Tesolve on/to responsibility of subversive of succeed in sue for superior to supply with sure of surprised at susceptible to suspect of sympathise with sympathy for tinker ar tire of trace 10 trample on translate into try to vote for (a candidate) witness of wonder at write in/with284 Objective English for Competitive Examinations Words Taking More than One Preposition A large number of words are always followed by a fixed Preposition, Example: insist on; prevent from; fond of. But certain words take several Prepositions according to the changing meanings of the word. Here isa select list of such words. 1. Accompany: A. By (for living being). The Prime Minister was accompanied by the members of his Cabinet. B. With (subtle things). His lecture was accompanied with subtle analysis of concepts, 2. Accountable: A. To (an authority or a person). All of us are accountable to God. B. For (action). We are accountable to our God for our deeds and misdeeds. 3. Angry: . A. At (A thing). Ram is angry at Shyam’s bad conduct. B. With (a person). Ram is angry with Shyam. C. For (for a cause). He is angry with me for my remark. 4. Annoyed: With (a person). He is annoyed with his younger brother. At (something). He is annoyed with his friend at his laziness. 5. Answerable: To (a person). The servant is answerable to the master. For (something). We are answerable to our parents for our conduct. 6. Appeal: To (person). He appealed to the judge for his release from jail. For (thing). He appealed for his release from the prison. 7. Arrive: At (small place). He arrived at the railway colony. In (big place). He arrived in India, 8. Attend: To (duties, lessons, work), I attend to my duties sincerely. On (service). Children attend on parents. 9. Authority: On (subject). Mr. Suresh is an authority on modern physics.15. Preposition 285 ahs The District Magistrate has authority over the Blind: Of (Physical). He is blind of one eye. 2 Kelsi Parents are blind to the faults of their children. With (to make correspondence). He communicated with us on that matter. To (to convey). He communicated his opinion to me. Compare: With (similar things). Shakespeare is compared with Kalidasa. To (dissimilar things). Life is compared to a battle. Compete: With (person). I cannot compete with the young man. For (a thing). They compete for a prize. Complain: To (person). He complained to the Magistrate. Against (a person). He complained to the Magistrate against Shyam. About (a thing). He complained to the Magistrate against Shyam about his misconduct. Confer: On (to give). The Presid him. With (a person). I shall confer with him about important topics. Die: Of (a disease). He died of cholera. From (a cause). He died from overwork. By (sword or violence). He died by a sword. Differ: With (person). I differ with you. From (things). India differs from Japan. Disqualified: From (action). He was disqual For (post or thing). He was Inspector. Entrust: . With (in case of a person), I cannot entrust him with my money. To (in case of thing). I cannot entrust my money to him. lent conferred the title of Bharat Ratna on ified from running the race. disqualified for the post of Police20. 21. 23. 24. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Objective English for Competitive Examinations Familiar: With (person). | am familiar with the Chief Minister, To (subject). I am familiar to French language. Fight: With (person). We fought with the English. For (thing). We fought with the English for freedom. Grateful: To (person). I am grateful to Ram. For (thing). I am grateful to Ram for his help. Heir: Of (descendant). A son is usually the heir of the father. To (thing). He was a heir to a big fortune. Indebted: To (person). I am indebted to my friend. For (thing). I am indebted to my friend for his help. . Indignant: With (person). He was indignant with his friends. A (thing). The teacher was indignant at his carelessness. Live: On (to exist). A man lives on food. By (to depend on, to believe in). A terrorist lives by the gun. Part: From (persons). He parted from his friends. With (things). He cannot part with his money. Responsible: To (person). He was responsible to the boss. For (thing). We are responsible to God for our actions. Taste: Of (experience). Now you will have a taste of new work. For (interest). | have no taste for painting. Tired: Of (mental). I am tired of poverty. With (physical). 1 am tired with working for five hours continu- ously.Preposition 287 pirction: Choose the most appropriate Preposition: 1, The peasant refused to grovel the feet of this master. (A) on (B) about (C) upon (D) at (E) by 2, Itis dangerous to intrude the enemy’s camp. (A) in (B) into (C) on (D through (E) by 3, President Saddam Hussain has lived th gun all his life. (A) with = (B) for = (C) by (D) on (E) through 4, The mother was anxious the safety of her son. (A) at (B) about (C) for (D) upon (E) with 5, A good judge never jumps the conclusion. (A) to (B) at (C) on (D) ‘for (E) with 6. He was killed _____a highway man a dagger. (A) by; for (B) by; with (C) in; for (D) with; for 7. My uncle was afflicted a serious illness and was almost confined bed more than two months. (A) by; on; for (B) by; on; since (©) with; to; for (D) to; to; since 8. Finding myself short money, I wrote my uncle help. (A) of; to; for (B) in; to; to (C) with; to; for (D) to; to; about 9. The boys looked the old kite maker the same indifference as they showed ______ the shoemaker. (A) to; with; for (B) on; in; to (C) at; in; to (D) at; with; to 10. Itis a long time I saw my friend who lives his parents the neighbouring town. (A) when; at; of (B) since; with in (C) when; for; in (D) since; for; of. 11. He was advised to abstain__alll alcoholic drinks. (A) in (B) at (C) from (D) by 12. Itis not always easy to sympathise ____ an unfortunate man. (A) with (B) for (C) by (O)at 13. He had to repent ___ what he had done. (A) at (B) of (©) over (D) for288 Objective English for Competitive Examinations 20. 21. 22. 23. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29, 30. Take this medicine and you will get rid ___ the bad coig, (A) from (B) over (C) at (D) My cousin has invested a lot of money _____ farming, (A) on (B) for (C) in () into . Give an example pertinent ______ the case. (A) with (B) on (© for ©) to |. The candidates were tense ____ expectancy. | (A) with (B) in (C) on (D) from . My voice reverberated ____ the wallls of the castle, (A) with (B) from (© in (D) on Are not these slums a disgrace the civic authorities, (A) for (B) to (© towards (D) on She could not dissociate herself what she said earlier, (A) off () with (C) from (D) of The reward was not commensurate the work done by us. (A) for (B) on (© with (D) order Such rem*rks are certainly derogatory your reputation. (A) of (B) for (C) with (D) to Our tragic experience in the recent past provides an index the state of lawlessness in this region. (A) of (B) in (© at (@) by . Pakistan is not enamoured___ the bomb for its own sake. (A) with (B) for (©) of (D) by Very often we do not get what we pine. (A) about (B) for (C) at (D) on Your conduct smacks recklessness. (A) of (B) with (C) from (D) in The customer smashed his fist down the table. (A) into (B) at (©) on (D) against He has suffered heavy losses, yet he was rolling wealth. (A) for (B) with (C) from (D) in The peasant refused to bow his master, (A) on (B) about (C) upon (D) to (E) by It is dangerous to enter ———_ the enemy’s camp. (A) in (B) into (C) on (D) through (E) by32. 33. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 41. 42. 43. Preposition 289 . President Saddam Hussain has been familiar his life. —____ 4 gun all (A) with (B) for () through © by (©) on The mother was concer (at (B) shoal of her chil © with (©) for (D) upon A good judge never gropes . (A) to (B) at a the conclusion. © with cn (D) for . In the morning, I simply tak headlines. Ey seh a the newspaper (A) at fay en (©) of () through He thought that his father was not happy him. pene (B) about (©) for (©) at (E) over I was disappointed ____ not finding the doctor in his seat. (A) on (B) from (©) at (D) over (E) in Let this be an example the troublemakers. (A) for (B) about —(C) against. © (D) to (E) with There is no exception this rule. (A) in (B) to (C) for (D) about (E) on Nobody in our group has a genius winning friends and in convincing people. (A) for (B) in © of (D) at If you are averse ___ recommending my name, you should not hesitate to admit it. . (A) about —(B) for (C) to (D) against Tam not obsessed _____ such ideas as you are. (A) in (B) on (C) for (D) with Religious leaders should not delve ___—— politics. (A) in (B) with (C) at (D) into the lives of tribals. What you say has hardly any bearing $ (A) about (B) for (C) on (D), with45. 47, 49. 51. 52. 53. 54, Objective English for Competitive Examinations ; Tam ready to say this__ her face. (A) at (B) in (©) to (D) by (E) on ‘The insects are a great nuisance _____us. (A) with (B) for © @) at (E) upon . She was a devoted wife and looked _____ her husband. (A) after (B) at (©) for (D) to (E) upon He dispensed with the services ____ his dishonest clerk. (A) of (B) by (© for (D) to (E) from . India is committed ______a policy of peaceful existence. (A) for (B) with (©) to (D) of © on No one can stop a man from doing a thing if he is really keen it. (A) in (B) at (C) for (D) on ©) with ). Sometimes we have to put__ with irksome or unpleasant situations. (A) on (B) in (© off (D) up (E) for Tam angry with him ___ his carelessness. (A) at (B) in (©) for (D) of (E) on The rainfall India varies place to place and also from year year. (A) over; with; by (B) of; from; after (C) in; from; to (D) for; with; after (E) None of these Men have made ships that can sail the sea and fly. the air. (A) along; above (B) on; in (C) over; into (D) upon; through (E) None of these The shopkeeper deals grain, but did not deal honestly me. (A) in; with — (B) with; by (C) with; to (D) in; by (E) None of these61. 62. 63. |. Tam annoyed him Preposition 291 There was no agreement the great powers a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. (A) between; about (B) among; on (C) in; for (D) with; about (E) None of these |. The problem housing India is a complex one. (A) about; in (B) of; in (C) in; of (DY for; in (©) None of these I must hold discussions you that matter shortly. (A) about; in (B) with; on (C) with; for (D) about; for (E) None of these the topmost branch of the tree sat a monkey making faces_____us. (A) on; at (B) on; to (©) over; to (D) in; for (©) None of these He is labouring a misapprehension, but labouring __ a cause. (A) under; for (B) in; towards (C) by; in (D) with; over (E) None of these what he has done to me. (A) by; in (B) with; against (C) at; for (D) with; for (E) None of these You must apologise him the wrong you have done him. (A) from; against (B) from; on (C) to; for (D) to; against (E) None of these Only the blood-stained road was a witness __ his assassi- nation. (A) of (B) to (C) at (D) on (E) for After high tea, he settled himself his arm chair. (A) on (B) in (C) over (D) at (E) into Minority aspirations cannot forever be kept in check the gun. (A) with (B) from (C) by (D) through (E) under292 Objective English for Competitive Examinations 65. The Indian magpie indulges __a long flight. (A) in (B) with (C) on @) at (E) over 66. Why were the voters disillusioned _____ the Congress Mis the question? (A) at (B) by (C) in () of (E) with 67. A steady mind triumphs __ difficulties. (A) in (B) over (C) at (D) with 68. Ido not agree___ you on this point. (A) to (B) with © in ©) at 69. The thunder was accompanied ___ heavy rains, (A) with (B) by (C) up () through 70. Ibroughthim____ with great difficulty. (A) about (B) in (C) round (D) up 71. Hetumed ______ the proposal without thinking. (A) out (B) up (C) down (D) in 72. The principal called the names of the winners. (A) on (B) at (C) out (D) for 73. Heresembles____ his mother. (A) with (B) in (©) at (D) none of these 74. We must keep something for the rainy day. (A) by (B) for (©) in (D) at 75. The teacher has no control the students. (A) on (B) over (C) with () at 76. Under this heavy load the bridge will give (A) way (B) in (C) out (D) away 71. have been waiting here for him three weeks. (A) for (B) from (©) since (D) on 78. They quarrelled with me ____ the division of the booty. (A) about (B) in (C) above (D) on 79. Good sleep is necessary good health. (A) of (B) for (C) at (D) from 80. Tamused___ such hardships. (A) to (B) at (C) for (D) from 81. Rita is married Bobby. (A) with (B) at (C) between (D) to 82. Let us travel night, it will be cool then. (A) at (B) by ©) in (D) during83. Preposition 293 Twas astonished ___ the sad news. (A) at @) in (C) with (D) to 34. We travelled ____ a boat to reach Dhaka. (A) by (B) on (C) for (D) about 85. the whole, I like the book very much. (A) at (B) from (©) on () in 6. The man robbed me my possessions. (A) of (B) from (C) with (D) on 87. He was vexed Sohan for his behaviour. (A) with (B) upon (C) at (D) to 8, Exercise is beneficial health. (A) towards (B) for (©) to (D) in 9. Ramesh’s mind was attuned music. (A) at () to (C) with (D) on 90. Keep clear wicked boys. (A) of (B) from (C) out (D) with 91. Ram is confident his success. (A) of (B) for (C) about (D) towards 92. Shyam has no control his temper. (A) over (B) in (C) at (D) after 93. You must listen the question first. (A) at (B) to (C) for (D) over 94, Peter’s speech pointed some of our defects. (A) to (B) towards (C) on (D) at 95. Your statement is very much similar ____ mine. (A) to (B) of (C) about (D) on 96. The soldiers rebelled the king. (A) at (B) on (C) with (D) against 97. My relations Preeti are good. (A) to (B) on (C) with (D) against 98. Pawan’s story is devoid ______ truth, (A) from. (B) to (C) of (D) through 99. Ihave a distaste ______ publicity. (A) for (B) about (C) against (D) at There is no hindrance his going there. (A) over (B) to (C) at (D) on294 Objective English for Competitive Examinations 1D 21.C 41.D 61.C 81.p 2.C 22. D 42.D 62. B 82.¢ 3c 23. A 4B.C 63. E 83.4 4.B 24. C 44.E 64. A 84.4 5B 25. B 45. B 65. A 85.C 6.B 26. A 46. A 66. E 86. A TC, 27.D 47.4 67. B 87.4 8A 28. D 48. C 68. B 88. 9D 29. D 49. D 69. A 89. B 10. B 30. B 50. D 70. D 90. A ii. 1 31 A Lee, 71.C OLA 12.4 . 52.C "ac 92. A 3,5 33. D 53. B 2B. D 93. B 14. D 34. A 54. B 74.C 94, B 15. C 35. A 55. B 75. B 95. A 16. D 36. C 56. B 76. A 96. D In A 37.D 57.B TI. A 97.C 18. B 38. B Sh 78. A 98. C 19. B 39. A 59. A 79.B 99. A 20. C 40. C 60. D 80. A 100. B Ast term 2nd term 3rd term 4th term Score