Dependent Prepositions

(exercises)
Many nouns, adjectives and verbs need
to be followed by certain prepositions.
I’ve never been afraid of flying.
We depend on his generosity.

1) Match the two parts of the sentences.

1. I find it difficult to believe
about.
2. Her breakfast consists
3. Adam looks very similar
4. The town of Gouda is famous
5. She has a good relationship
6. There’s a great demand
tea.
7. Mary is keen
8. They don’t agree
9. We tend to be scared
10. Sam takes great pleasure
policy.
2) Underline the correct preposition.
1. I’m really ashamed at /on/of his behaviour.
2. Ted can’t come – he’s short of/in/with
money.
3. Doctors say she would benefit
of/from/with
a change in her diet.
4. What do the letters BBC stand
by/for/with?
5. My mother’s always complaining
about/of/on
the clothes my sister wears.
6. Did Jill and Ann decide on/about/of where
to
go for their holiday?
7. I’m very suspicious with/by/of job adverts
that offer a large salary.
8. Have you arrived on/at/of the decision about
the new teacher yet?
9. Jake’s got the advantage with/of/on
speaking
Chinese.
10. I don’t want the kids getting addicted
on/by/to stupid TV programmes.
A. of things we know little
B. in criticising his class.
C. with her students.
D. for cheap houses.
E. in good luck and bad luck.
F. of dry bread and a cup of
G. to his mother, Amy.
H. for its cheese.
I. on tracing her family tree.
J. with the government’s
3) Complete the sentences with a suitable
preposition given in the box on the right.
1. Jane came ________ Ann’s diary when
she was cleaning her room.
2. The Greens ran______ some their old friends
when they were visiting Paris.
3. They are aware _____the danger.
4. He was responsible_______ the accident.
5. Other girls were jealous ____ her good looks.
6. Peter was extremely good_____playing
basketball.
7. Dan was ten minutes late ____ school.
ON
8. She’s fed up ____ this job.
IN
9. We finally succeeded_____ getting
that piano up the stairs. OF
10. Sometimes you just have to rely INTO
_____ your own judgment.
ACROS
11. We are very worried _______ our S
future. FOR
12. It was becoming obvious _____ TO
her parents that she needed help.
WITH
13. I want to see you achieve what AT
you are capable _____.
 leaving everything to the last minute.
12. The police are looking down/into/over
the
woman’s disappearance.
13. A lot of people are concerned of / about /
on
global warming.

KEY

1) 1.E 2. F 3. G 4. H 5. C 6. D 7. I 8. J 9. A 10. B

2) Underline the correct preposition.

1. I’m really ashamed of his behaviour.
2. Ted can’t come – he’s short of money.
3. Doctors say she would benefit from
a change in her diet.
4. What do the letters BBC stand for?
5. My mother’s always complaining about
the clothes my sister wears.
6. Did Jill and Ann decide on where to
go for their holiday?
7. I’m very suspicious of job adverts
that offer a large salary.

8. Have you arrived at the decision about

the new teacher yet?
9. Jake’s got the advantage of speaking
Chinese.
10. I don’t want the kids getting addicted
to stupid TV programmes.
11. The key to good organization is not
leaving everything to the last minute.
12. The police are looking into the
woman’s disappearance.
13. A lot of people are concerned about
global warming.

3) Complete the sentences with a suitable preposition given in the box on the right.

1. across 2. into 3. of 4. for 5. of 6. at 7. for 8. with 9. in

10. on 11. about 12. to 13. of