Common
Preposition
Prepositional phrases are groups of words that begin with a preposition and end with a noun, pronoun,
or noun phrase.
al Phrases
e.g. We have nothing to do for the moment. (Right now, at this time)
e.g. Under no circumstances should we tell anybody. (We absolutely should not tell anybody)
Sometimes, there are very subtle differences between similar phrases which can cause a little confusion.
e.g. We got there on time. (Punctually)
e.g. We got there in time. (Before it was too late)
The prepositions, at, by, in, and on, are used in many common prepositional phrases.
e.g. We got there late on account of the traffic. (Because of the traffic)
e.g. I didn’t say goodbye because I was in a rush. (Doing things quickly because of a time limit)
Indicate which preposition, at, by, in, or on, is correct in each of the sentences below.
1. The future of the factory is ______ doubt owing to the current economic climate. (Doubtful, not certain)
2. If my boss calls, please let me know _______ once. (Immediately)
3. We could not drive down the road because a tree had fallen and it was ______ the way. (Obstructing)
4. _______ the time we arrived at the cinema, the film had started. (When we arrived)
5. It was a good meeting, and _______ the whole, everybody was satisfied. (Generally speaking)
6. Bicycle thefts in the area are _______ the increase. (Rising)
7. “Could I open the window?”
“_____ all means.” (Yes, of course)
8. The ambassador is attending the meeting ______ behalf of the government. (Representing)
9. We can’t start the project until we get the go-ahead, but ______ the meantime, we should at least
start some preparation. (For the present)
10. It will be difficult but, ______ the end of the day, it will have to be done. (In summary)
11. The audience enjoyed the show, ______ and large. (Generally speaking)
12. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin completely ______ accident. (Not deliberately)
13. She left ______ a hurry and forgot her smartphone. (Quickly)
14. The court case was dismissed ______ the grounds of a lack of credible evidence. (Because of)
15. I am still ______ touch with several of my schoolmates. (Maintaining communication)
16. When I met my wife, it was love ______ first sight. (Immediately)
17. He doesn’t really speak Mandarin but he has learned many expressions ______ heart. (Memorized)
18. The hours before the meeting started were very stressful and everybody was ______ edge. (Nervous)
19. The problem with working for the emergency services is that you are expected to go to work _____
a moment’s notice. (With no prior warning)
20. While communication technology has advanced rapidly, it has ______ no means replaced the need
for effective face-to-face communication. (Certainly not)
Answers
1. The future of the factory is in doubt owing to the current economic climate. (Doubtful, not certain)
2. If my boss calls, please let me know at once. (Immediately)
3. We could not drive down the road because a tree had fallen and it was in the way. (Obstructing)
4. By the time we arrived at the cinema, the film had started.
5. It was a good meeting, and on the whole, everybody was satisfied. (Generally)
6. Bicycle thefts in the area are on the increase. (Rising)
7. “Could I open the window?”
“By all means.” (Yes, of course)
8. The ambassador is attending the meeting on behalf of the government. (Representing)
9. We can’t start the project until we get the go-ahead, but in the meantime, we should at least start
some preparation. (For the present)
10. It will be difficult but, at the end of the day, it will have to be done. (In summary)
11. The audience enjoyed the show, by and large. (Generally)
12. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin completely by accident. (Not deliberately)
13. She left in a hurry and forgot her smartphone. (Quickly)
14. The court case was dismissed on the grounds of a lack of credible evidence. (Because of)
15. I am still in touch with several of my schoolmates. (Maintaining communication)
16. When I met my wife, it was love at first sight. (Immediately)
17. He doesn’t really speak Mandarin but he has learned many expressions by heart. (memorized)
18. The hours before the meeting started were very stressful and everybody was on edge. (Nervous)
19. The problem with working for the emergency services is that you are expected to go to work at a
moment’s notice. (With no prior warning)
20. While communication technology has advanced rapidly, it has by no means replaced the need for
effective face-to-face communication. (Certainly not)
