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.
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

2) Underline the correct preposition.

3) Complete the sentences with a suitable
1. I’m really ashamed at /on/of his behaviour. preposition given in the box on the right.
2. Ted can’t come – he’s short of/in/with money. 1. Jane came ________ Ann’s diary when
she was cleaning her room.
3. Doctors say she would benefit of/from/with
a change in her diet. 2. The Greens ran______ some their old friends
4. What do the letters BBC stand by/for/with? when they were visiting Paris.
5. My mother’s always complaining about/of/on 3. They are aware _____the danger.
the clothes my sister wears.
4. He was responsible_______ the accident.
6. Did Jill and Ann decide on/about/of where to
go for their holiday? 5. Other girls were jealous ____ her good looks.
6. Peter was extremely good_____playing
7. I’m very suspicious with/by/of job adverts
basketball.
that offer a large salary.
7. Dan was ten minutes late ____ school.
8. Have you arrived on/at/of the decision about
the new teacher yet? 8. She’s fed up ____ this job.
ON
9. Jake’s got the advantage with/of/on speaking 9. We finally succeeded_____ getting
that piano up the stairs. IN
Chinese.
OF
10. I don’t want the kids getting addicted 10. Sometimes you just have to rely
on/by/to stupid TV programmes. _____ your own judgment. INTO
11. We are very worried _______ our ACROS
11. The key for/to/on good organization is not S
leaving everything to the last minute. future.
12. It was becoming obvious _____ FOR
12. The police are looking down/into/over the
her parents that she needed help. TO
woman’s disappearance.
13. I want to see you achieve what WITH
13. A lot of people are concerned of / about / on
you are capable _____. AT
global warming.
ABOUT
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