100 Fill in the Blanks with Appropriate Prepositions

This set of 100 questions is made for students of classes 10–12. The exercises are based on common and tricky uses of prepositions like those found in standard grammar references. Work section by section. Answers are hidden under each section so you can check after attempting the questions.

Time prepositions (10)

We met her ___ the morning of the exam.
The shop opens ___ 9 a.m. ___ weekdays.
He finished the project just ___ the deadline.
The lecture begins ___ five minutes.
She has been studying here ___ 2018.
They will return ___ the course of the week.
We stayed there ___ two nights.
Please submit the form ___ Friday ___ noon.
He was born ___ the year 2005.
The meeting takes place ___ the first Monday ___ every month.

Answers — click to reveal

in
at / on
before
in
since
in
for
by / at
in
on / of

Place prepositions (10)

She left her bag ___ the back of the chair.
The picture hangs ___ the fireplace.
There is a shop ___ the corner of the street.
They live ___ 12 Baker Street.
Keep the vase ___ the centre of the table.
The cat is hiding ___ the bed.
He stood ___ the crowd and shouted.
The keys are ___ my pocket.
They walked ___ the edge of the cliff.
The museum is located ___ the river.

Answers — click to reveal

at / on (either depending on dialect; "on the back of the chair" common)
above / over
on
at
in
under
in / among
in
along
by / on

Movement & direction (10)

She walked ___ the gate and disappeared.
The ball rolled ___ the hill.
They drove ___ the bridge into town.
He jumped ___ the pool.
Put the books ___ the shelf.
The train goes ___ Delhi ___ Agra.
She climbed ___ the ladder carefully.
We sailed ___ the island and anchored.
He ran ___ the finish line.
The bird flew ___ the tree.

Answers — click to reveal

through / out of (context decides; "through the gate" common)
down
over / across (depending on bridge type)
into / over (into the pool is typical)
on / onto
from / to
up
to / towards
past / across (commonly "past the finish line")
into / over (usually "into the tree" not correct — prefer "into" for collision, "over" to fly above; best: "to" the tree)

Note: some items accept more than one preposition depending on nuance; both common answers are listed.

Agent / instrument / means (10)

The letter was written ___ Maria.
The house was painted ___ a brush.
He travelled to school ___ bicycle.
The report was prepared ___ the committee.
She was hit ___ a stray ball.
The cake was cut ___ a knife.
They were saved ___ the timely help of neighbours.
The song was composed ___ him.
The key was turned ___ his hand.
She learnt the news ___ a friend.

Answers — click to reveal

by
with
by / on (by bicycle or on a bicycle — both used)
by
by
with
with / by (both possible; "by the timely help" is idiomatic)
by
by
from

Prepositions with verbs (10)

She apologised ___ being late.
They insisted ___ waiting until dawn.
He succeeded ___ convincing the board.
She is looking forward ___ the holiday.
He is keen ___ joining the club.
They complained ___ the noise.
We agreed ___ the terms.
She dreams ___ becoming a scientist.
He blamed her ___ the mistake.
They laughed ___ his joke.

Answers — click to reveal

for / about (both used; "for being late" common)
on
in
to
on
about
to
of / about (common: "dreams of")
for
at

Prepositions with adjectives (10)

She is afraid ___ the dark.
He is jealous ___ his brother.
They were pleased ___ the result.
She is proud ___ her achievement.
He is famous ___ his paintings.
They are dependent ___ their parents.
She is satisfied ___ the outcome.
He is short ___ patience.
They are similar ___ their approach.
She was absent ___ the meeting.

Answers — click to reveal

of / about (British: "afraid of" is common; "afraid of the dark")
of
with
of
for / with (common: "famous for")
on / upon (commonly "dependent on")
with
of
to / in (common: "similar in")
from (or "absent from")

Prepositions with nouns (10)

He has a habit ___ arriving late.
There is a chance ___ rain tomorrow.
She made an attempt ___ solving it.
He took advantage ___ the offer.
They had no intention ___ leaving early.
There is a difference ___ theory and practice.
He has no respect ___ cheaters.
The issue is beyond the scope ___ this chapter.
There was a delay ___ the train.
They expressed their interest ___ the project.

Answers — click to reveal

of
of
at / in (common: "attempt at" or "attempt to" — with noun, "attempt at" is usual)
of
of
between
for
of
to / in (commonly "delay to" is less common; best: "delay in the train" or "delay of the train" — standard: "delay to the train" used in reports)
in

Idiomatic prepositions (10)

She burst ___ tears when she heard the news.
He is up ___ mischief again.
She is on good terms ___ her neighbours.
He is out ___ work this week.
She is on the point ___ leaving.
They are on the verge ___ an agreement.
He is under the impression ___ being late is acceptable.
She is at a loss ___ words.
He is off ___ a short trip.
They are in need ___ help.

Answers — click to reveal

into
to (or "up to mischief" — "up to" is the phrase)
with
of / from (common: "out of work" or "out of a job")
of
of
that (this is a preposition-like phrase; "under the impression that")
for
on
of

Choose the correct preposition (10)

She excelled ___ / ___ / ___ mathematics. (in / at / on)
They prevented him ___ / ___ / ___ leaving. (from / to / of)
Are you aware ___ / ___ / ___ the change? (of / about / to)
He insisted ___ / ___ / ___ paying the bill. (on / for / with)
She blamed him ___ / ___ / ___ the loss. (for / of / at)
The children were full ___ / ___ / ___ energy. (with / of / at)
He is similar ___ / ___ / ___ his father. (to / with / in)
They succeeded ___ / ___ / ___ the plan. (in / on / at)
The film is based ___ / ___ / ___ a true story. (on / upon / in)
He abstained ___ / ___ / ___ voting. (from / of / on)

Answers — click to reveal

in / at / on → in, at (best: "in mathematics" or "at mathematics competitions" — accept "in")
from
of / about → of / about (both possible; "aware of" most common)
on
for
of
to
in
on / upon → on / upon (both correct)
from

Mixed challenge (10)

She divided the cake ___ five equal pieces.
He spoke ___ behalf ___ the whole team.
They arrived ___ the airport just in time ___ the flight.
She was charged ___ theft ___ the police.
We will meet ___ the corner ___ the school gate.
He consented ___ the proposal ___ hesitation.
The child is prone ___ allergies ___ dust.
She was ashamed ___ her behaviour ___ the party.
He refrained ___ answering the question ___ respect for privacy.
The task is beyond the capacity ___ a single person.

Answers — click to reveal

into / into five equal pieces (or "into five" is standard)
on / of
at / for
with / by (commonly "charged with theft by the police")
at / of (or "at the corner of the school gate")
to / without (common: "consented to the proposal without hesitation")
to / to (prone to allergies to dust — wording: "prone to allergies from dust" better)
of / at (commonly "ashamed of her behaviour at the party")
from / out of (common: "refrained from answering ... out of respect")
of

Saturday, October 4, 2025