Prepositions Practice
Practise English prepositions of time and place plus tricky dependent prepositions, with instant feedback and a score.
Prepositions Practice
Choose the correct preposition for each sentence, including tricky dependent prepositions.
Getting English Prepositions Right
Prepositions are small words like in, on, at, of and to, and they cause endless trouble because they rarely translate directly from other languages. English has two separate challenges here. The first is prepositions of time and place, where there are patterns you can learn. The second is dependent prepositions, where a particular verb or adjective simply demands a particular preposition, with no rule behind it.
For time and place, the general guide is helpful. Use at for precise points, like at 5 o clock or at the corner. Use on for days and surfaces, like on Monday or on the table. Use in for longer periods and enclosed spaces, like in 1990 or in the room. It moves from specific to general as you go from at to in.
Dependent prepositions are different. Good at, interested in, afraid of, married to, these are fixed pairings you learn as whole chunks. There is no logic to memorise, only the pairing itself, which is why drilling them in context works far better than studying a list.
These small words carry a surprising amount of weight in your accuracy mark, so they are worth the practice.
Common Questions
When do I use in, on and at for time?
Use at for clock times, as in at 6 pm. Use on for days and dates, as in on Monday. Use in for longer periods like months, years and seasons, as in in July or in 1990. The rule moves from specific times to general ones.
What are dependent prepositions?
They are prepositions fixed to a particular verb or adjective, such as good at, interested in, afraid of or depend on. There is no rule that predicts them, so you learn each pairing as a whole chunk through exposure and practice.
Is it different from or different than?
In British English, different from is standard, as in this is different from that. Different than is more common in American English. For IELTS and most formal writing, different from is the safe choice.
Do I say arrive at or arrive to?
Arrive at a place, or arrive in a city or country. Arrive to is incorrect. You arrive at the airport, and you arrive in London. This is a very common error worth fixing early.
Why are prepositions so hard in English?
Because they rarely match your first language and many are fixed by habit rather than rule, especially dependent prepositions. They are also easy to overlook, since they are small. Regular practice in context is the most reliable way to master them.
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