Exercise in grammr 64
Name the Preposition the following sentences, and tell the word which each governs:
- Little Jack Horner sat in a corner.
Answer: in governs corner
- Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard.
Answer: to-cupboard
- The lion and the unicorn fought for the crown.
Answer: for-crown
- Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Answer: on-wall
- Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town.
Answer: through-town
- She sat by the fire, and told me a tale.
Answer: by-five
- Rain, rain, go to Spain, and never come back again.
Answer: to-Spain
- A fair little girl sat under a tree.
Answer: under-tree
- Such a number of rocks came over her head.
Answer: of-rocks, over-head
- John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown.
Answer: 0f-credit renown
- “Will you walk into parlour?” said the spider to the fly.
Answer: into-parlour, to-fly
- Into the street the Piper step.
Answer: into-street
- I can never return with my poor dog Tray.
Answer: with-dog
- He worked and sang from moon till night.
Answer: from-moon, till night
- They all ran after the farmer’s wife, who cut off their tails with a carving knife.
Answer: after-wife, with knife
- One day the boy his breakfast took, and ate it by a purling brook which through his mother’s orchard ran.
Answer: by-brook, through-orchard
- Old John with white hair does laugh away care, sitting under the oak, among the old folk.
Answer: with-hair, under-oak, among-folk
- They rise with the morning lark, and labour till almost dark.
Answer: with-lark, till-dark
- By the Nine Gods he swore.
Answer: by-gods
- Under a spreading chestnut-tree the village smithy stands.
Answer: under-chestnut tree
- He goes on Sunday to church, and sits among his boys.
Answer: on-Sunday, to-church, among-boys
- I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, from the seas and the streams.
Answer: for-flowers, from-seas, steams
- Her arms across her breast she laid.
Answer: across-breast
- Mine be a cot beside the hill.
Answer: beside-hill
- Around my ivied porch shall spring each fragrant flower that drinks the dew.
Answer: around-porch
- One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.
Answer: of-life, without-name
- I tried to reason him out of his fears.
Answer: out of-fears
Exercise in Grammar 65
Distinguish the Prepositions from Adverbs in the following sentences:
- Come down.
Answer: down-adverb
- We sailed down the river.
Answer: down-preposition
- The man walked round the house.
Answer: round-preposition
- He sat on a stool.
Answer: on-preposition
- The carriage moved on.
Answer: on-adverb
- The soldiers passed by.
Answer: by-adverb
- The man turned round.
Answer: round-adverb
- We all went in.
Answer: in-adverb
- He is in the room.
Answer: in-preposition
- He hid behind the door.
Answer: behind-preposition
- I left him behind.
Answer: behind-adverb
- She sat by the cottage door.
Answer: by-preposition
- The path leads through the woods.
Answer: through-preposition
- I have read the book through.
Answer: through-adverb
- The storm is raging throughout.
Answer: without-adverb
- We cannot live without water.
Answer: without-preposition
Exercise in Composition 66
Form sentences to illustrate the use of the following words (1) as Prepositions, and (2) as Adverbs: Behind, up, by, along, in, about, beyond, under, before, after.
- There is a garden behind the house. (Preposition)
- The dog was running behind. (Adverb)
- It is difficult to climb up the hill. (Preposition)
- Lift you head up. (adverb)
- He arrived by air. (preposition)
- He hurried by without a word. (Adverb)
- He walked along the road. (Preposition)
- We were asked to move along. (adverb)
- There was nobody in the room. (Preposition)
- Come in please. (Adverb)
- What do you know about him. (Preposition
- The children were rushing about. (Adverb)
- I went beyond the museum. (Preposition)
- What is beyond. (Adverb)
- I have pout the key under the bed. (Preposition)
- He pulled up the covers and crowded under. (Adverb)
- He was brought before the magistrate. (pre[position)
- I have read that book before. (Adverb)
- I can meet him after four 0’clock. (Preposition)
- Two months after he resigned from his job (Adverb)
Exercise in Composition 67
Fill blanks with suitable Prepositions:
- The dog ran — the road.
Answer: Along
- The river flows — the bridge.
Answer: Under
- The work was done — haste.
Answer: In
- He is afraid — the dog.
Answer: Of
- I am fond — music.
Answer: Of
- He goes — Sunday — church.
Answer: on, to
- He died — his country.
Answer: for
- The steam-engine was invented — James Watt.
Answer: by
- The burglar jumped — the compound wall.
Answer: over
- The village was destroyed — fire.
Answer: by
- What is that — me?
Answer: to
- It cannot be done — offence.
Answer: without
- He spoke — me — Urdu.
Answer: to, in
- They live — the same roof.
Answer: under
- I have not seen him — Wednesday last.
Answer: since
- I have known him — a long time.
Answer: for
- The moon does not shine — its own light.
Answer: by
- This is a matter — little importance.
Answer: of
- I am tired — walking.
Answer: of
- He has not yet recovered — his illness.
Answer: from
- I shall do it — pleasure.
Answer: with
- God is good, — me.
Answer: to
- I will sit — my desk to do my lesson.
Answer: at
- I am sorry — what I have done.
Answer: for
- O God! Keep me — sin.
Answer: from/off
- I bought it — fifteen rupees.
Answer: for
- He broke the jug — a hundred pieces.
Answer: into
- It has been raining — yesterday.
Answer: since
- I have been working hard — arithmetic.
Answer: at
- We suffered — your neglect.
Answer: from
- The exercise was written — me — a Camlin pen.
Answer: by, with
- “Will you walk — my parlour?” said the spider — the fly.
Answer: into, to
- It is ten o’clock. — my watch.
Answer: by
- There is nothing new — the sun.
Answer: under
- Do not cry — spilt milk.
Answer: over
- You, boys, must settle it — yourselves.
Answer: by
- The public are cautioned — pickpockets.
Answer: against
- They drove — Mumbai — Pune.
Answer: from, to
Exercise in Grammar 68
Explain the force of the Preposition in:
- I will do it for all you may say.
Answer: for concession
- This work is beyond his capacity.
Answer: beyond-excess
- I would do anything before that.
Answer: before-time,
- After this I wash my hands of you.
Answer: after-time, of separation
- It is cool for May.
Answer: for -contrast
- She made grand preparations against his coming.
Answer: against-anticipation
- It was all through you that we failed.
Answer: through-cause
- He was left for dead on the field.
Answer: for-supposition
- All that they did was piety to this.
Answer: to-reference
- The lifeboat made straight for the sinking ship.
Answer: for-direction
- I shall do my duty by him.
Answer: by-direction
- He married for money.
Answer: for-purpose
- A man is a man for all that.
Answer: for-contrast
- Nothing will come of nothing.
Answer: of-origin
- With all his faults I still like him.
Answer: with-concession
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:
- Temperance and employment are conducive — health.
Answer: to
- A policeman rescued the child — danger.
Answer: from
- Dogs have antipathy — cats.
Answer: to
- He promised not to do anything repugnant — the wishes of his parents.
Answer: to
- He is not the man to allow anyone to encroach — his rights.
- Answer: onSome of the members of the Assembly complained — increased military expenditure.
Answer: of
- Even the enemies admit that he is endowed — rare talents.
Answer: with
- He inspires respect — his friends.
Answer: in
- Our path is beset — difficulties.
Answer: with
- He was not able to give a satisfactory explanation — his absence.
Answer: for
- His illness is a mere pretext — his absence.
Answer: for
- He has been very much indulgent — his children.
Answer: to
- This discussion is hardly relevant — the subject.
Answer: to
- Contentment is essential — happiness.
Answer: to
- Early rising is beneficial — health.
Answer: to
- He is not likely to do anything detrimental — our interests.
Answer: to
- His benefactions must redound — his credit.
Answer: to
- Only graduates are eligible — the post.
Answer: for
- He is capable as a leader, but intolerant — opposition.
Answer: of
- Boys over sixteen are debarred — competing.
Answer: from
- Father Damien consecrated his life — ameliorating the lot of leper.
Answer: to
- That rule is not applicable — your case.
Answer: to
- A public man should be tolerant — criticism.
Answer: of
- He is willing to make a concession — the demands of his employees.
Answer: to
- I often find him absorbed — thought.
Answer: in
- The accommodation is adequate — our needs.
Answer: to
- The hotel is adjacent — the station.
Answer: to
- The authorship of the book is wrongly ascribed — him.
Answer: to
- Never do anything that is not compatible — public safety.
Answer: with
- His father often connives — his follie
Answer: at
- Some public men are very sensitive — criticism.
Answer: to
- He is addicted — gambling.
Answer: to
- You need not be afraid — being late.
Answer: of
- Death is preferable — disgrace.
Answer: to
- Cats are tenacious — life.
Answer: of
- It is not true that the study of science tends — atheism.
Answer: to
- Some films are an incitement — crime.
Answer: to
- He was angry — me, because he thought my remark was aimed — him.
Answer: with
- The climate of Rangoon does not agree — him.
Answer: with
- His plans are adverse — my interests.
Answer: to
- The question of unemployment bristles — difficulties.
Answer: with
- Although he was bred — the law, he became a successful journalist.
Answer: for
- Generally, the rich are more covetous — money than the poor.
Answer: of
- He is still smarting — rebuke.
Answer: from/over
- He scoffed — the idea of revolution.
Answer: at
- He has reverted — his former post.
Answer: to
- The battle resulted — a victory for the Allies.
Answer: in
- He restored the article — its rightful owner.
Answer: to
- The whole theory rests — no firmer foundation than mere conjecture.
Answer: on
- The ultimate decision rests — the board of directors.
Answer: with
- Only when persuasions failed the police resorted — force.
Answer: to
- Superstitious fears preyed — his mind and made him miserable.
Answer: on
- He piques himself — his artistic taste.
Answer: on
- They now jeered — him whom they had once acclaimed as their hero.
Answer: at
- His followers now began to intrigue — his adversary.
Answer: with
- She interceded — her husband on behalf of the people,
Answer: with
- It is not easy to infer — his account the real state of affairs.
Answer: from
- He died without imparting — anyone the secret of his process.
Answer: to
- His statement was tantamount — a confession.
Answer: to
- The facts point — a different explanation.
Answer: to
- His friends prevailed — him to withdraw his resignation.
Answer: on
- Few boys are not amenable — discipline.
Answer: to
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:
- Silk worms feed — mulberry trees.
Answer: on
- Pavlova excels — dancing.
Answer: from
- The wild boar abounds — some parts of Europe.
Answer: to
- He has no special liking — mathematics.
Answer: to
- Asoka is worthy — remembrance.
Answer: of
- The godown is infested — rats.
Answer: with
- There is no exception — this rule.
Answer: to
- Nothing conduces — happiness so much as contentment.
Answer: to
- Alcohol is injurious — health.
Answer: to
- Oil is good — burns.
Answer: for
- Invalids are not capable — continued exertion.
Answer: of
- The British Parliament is composed — two Houses.
Answer: of
- Do not confide your secrets — everyone.
Answer: to
- He is abstemious — his habits.
Answer: in
- He is ignorant — what he pretends to know.
Answer: of
- Birbal is celebrated — his witty sayings.
Answer: for
- The avaricious man is greedy — gain.
Answer: for
- The Atlantic separates Europe — America.
Answer: from
- Adam assigned — every creature a name peculiar — its nature.
Answer: to
- Temperance and employment are conducive — health.
Answer: to
- A brave boy rescued the child — danger.
Answer: from
- Industry is the key — success.
Answer: to
- The customs were searching — drugs at the airport.
Answer: for
- Elizabeth knew how to inspire her soldiers — hope.
Answer: with
- Long indulgence — vice impaired his once robust constitution,
Answer: in
- Early rising is beneficial — health.
Answer: to
- We should live in a style suited — our condition.
Answer: to
- Examinations act as an incentive — diligence.
Answer: to
- Hard work and perseverance are indispensable — success in life.
Answer: to
- He is too miserly to part — his money.
Answer: with
- He is a clever man, but unfortunately diffident — his powers.
Answer: about
- Suddenly we were enveloped — dense fog.
Answer: in
- Many aspire — greatness, but few attained.
Answer: to
- His income is not adequate — his wants.
Answer: to
- The soil of Pune is favourable — roses,
Answer: to
- I am sick — the whole business.
Answer: of
- A car will be a great convenience — a busy man like him.
Answer: to
- Whoever acts contrary — nature does not go unpunished.
Answer: to
- The accident resulted — the death of five people.
Answer: in
- These derelict houses are reproach — the city.
Answer: to
- The Germans were called baby-killers and their methods of warfare stigmatized as a reproach — civilization.
Answer: to
- The mule was partially relieved — the load,
Answer: of
- America has raised a tariff wall to protect home industries — foreign competition.
Answer: from/against
- The facts point — a different conclusion.
Answer: to
- Your wish is tantamount — a command.
Answer: to
- This state is committed — the policy of total prohibition.
Answer: to
- One is sure — what one sees.
Answer: of
- He is indifferent alike — praise and blame.
Answer: to
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:
- No doubt he has achieved much, but I cannot give him credit — all that he boasts —.
Answer: for-about/of
- The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance — human achievement.
Answer: to
- He is indebted — his friend — a large sum.
Answer: to, for
- What Dr. Arnold mainly aimed —, was to promote the self-development of the young minds committed — his charge.
Answer: a,t to
- He was so much enamoured — her that he forgot his duties — his children.
Answer: of, to
- It is difficult to agree — those critics who ascribe the work of Shakespeare — Bacon.
Answer: with, to
- In his autobiography he refers — his abhorrence — animal diet.
Answer: to, of
- He conversed — us — subjects — varied interest.
Answer: with, on/about
- The accident happened — him — a late hour and — an out-of-the-way place.
Answer: to, at, in
- A cashier is liable to, render account — the money received — him.
Answer: for, by
- The soldiers — the front were provided — provisions to last them a year.
Answer: in with
- We are accountable — God — our action.
Answer: to, for
- Let us vie — one another — doing good.
Answer: with, in
- His thirst — knowledge left him no leisure –anything else.
Answer: for, for
- The rich and the poor alike nobly responded — the call — further funds.
Answer: to, for
- For those who suffer — nerves the remedy lies — perfect rest.
Answer: from, in
- A slave lies — the necessity — obeying his master’s orders.
Answer: under, of
- The heir — the throne was free — physical or moral taint.
Answer: to, from
- He impressed — them that sorcery was vital — their success.
Answer: on, to
- Methylated spirit is spirit of wine made undrinkable by mixing it — methyl to exempt it — duty.
Answer: with, from
- To love our country, to be interested — its concerns, is natural — all men.
Answer: in, to
- He complained — his weak eyes and lamented the necessity — spectacles.
Answer: about-of/for
- Samudragupta was known — his skill — music and song; he was equally proficient — the allied art of poetry.
Answer: for-in
- It is the grasping of power combined — the thirst — fame which constitutes ambition. Answer:with, for
- It would be well for us to admire what is worthy — admiration in such a people, rather than to carp — their errors.
Answer: of, about
- The common fallacy is that intimacy dispenses — the necessity of politeness. The truth is just the opposite — this.
Answer: with, of
- 27. The title Master was originally prefixed — the name of a person of rank or learning; it is now restricted — boys.
Answer: to, to
- This ticket will entitle you — a free seat at the concert.
Answer: to
- History, as well as daily experience, furnishes instances of men endowed — the strongest capacity — business and affairs, who have all their lives crouched under slavery to the grossest superstition.
Answer: with, for
- He has no liking — cards, and lately he has taken a dislike-outdoor exercise.
Answer: for, to
- At first, they refused toAcquiescence — the terms, but finally yielded — the logic of facts.
Answer: in, to
- The hippopotamus feeds chiefly — aquatic plants, but also seeks its food on land and is sometimes destructive — cultivated crops.
Answer: on, to
- Learning is knowledge especially as acquired — study; it is frequently contrasted — knowledge or wisdom gained — experience.
Answer: from, with, from/through
- At the eleventh hour he retired — the contest, leaving the field open — his opponent.
Answer: from, to
- Coriolanus, with all his greatness, was entirely devoid — all sympathy — the people.
Answer: of, for
- From this time, he became habitually depressed and moody and addicted — the frequent use — alcohol.
Answer: to, of
- The first acts of the new administration were characterized rather — vigour than — judgement.
Answer: by, by
- They were statesmen accustomed — the management — great affairs.
Answer: to, of
- Measure yourself — your equals; and learn — frequent competition the place which nature has allotted — you.
Answer: against, from, to
- Contrary — my instructions, he went — his depth and would certainly have met — a fatal mishap but for the timely help rendered — him.
Answer: to, beyond, with, do
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:
- A child is not able to distinguish good — evil. Death does not distinguish — the rich and the poor. Sir Ronald Ross is distinguished — his medical researches. Punch is distinguished — his hunchback, (between, by, for, from)
Answer: from, between, for, by
- On account of his age, he is disqualified — competing. Ill health disqualified the body — labour and the mind — study; (for, from.)
Answer: from, for, for
- Innocence is not proof — scandal. He was discharged as there was no proof — his guilt, (against, of.).
Answer: against, of
- He has no good cause — complaint. Darkness was the cause — his losing his way. (for, of.)
Answer: for, of
- True charity does not consist — indiscriminate alms-giving. Brass consists — copper and zinc, (in, of.)
Answer: in, of
- I am not concerned — his affairs. I am not concerned — him — that business. He was much concerned — hearing the sad news. His parents are naturally concerned — his safety, (about, at, for, in, with.)
Answer: with, about, at, for, in,
- He parted — his friends in high spirits. He parted — his property and went on pilgrimage to Dwarka. (from, with.)
Answer: from, with
- He acted — fear. He acted — my suggestion. He acted — compulsion, (from, under, upon.)
Answer: from, on, under
- He succeeded — the throne of his uncle. He succeeded — his object, (in, to.)
Answer: to, in
- He agreed — my proposal. He agreed — me on chat question. They could not agree —- themselves, (among, to, with.)
Answer: to, with, among
- The patient is now free — danger. He is free — his money. The goods, were passed free — duty (from, of, with)
Answer: from, with, of
- I prevailed — him to join our Union. He prevailed — me in the dispute. The peculiar custom prevails — the Todas. (among, over, upon.)
Answer: upon, over, among
- I was angry — him — lying to me. (for, with)
Answer: with, to
- 14. The city is well provided — corn. We should provide — risk of fire by insuring our goods. He has provided — his children. (against, for, with).
Answer: with, against, for
- The police is entrusted — the enforcement of law and order. The children were entrusted — the care of their uncle. (to, with.)
Answer: with, to
- The edition of Ivanhoe is adapted — Indian boys. The form and structure of nests are adapted — the wants and habits of each species. Many Urdu plays are adapted -English. (for, from, to.)
Answer: for, to, from
- We are all slaves — convention. No man should be a slave — his passions, (of, to.)
Answer: to, of
- He is blind one eye. Are you blind — your own interests? (of, to.)
Answer: in/of to
- There is no exception — the rule. All the ministers were present at the function with the exception — Mr. Smith. He took exception — the presence of an out sider, (against, of, to.)
Answer: to, of, against
- His creditors became impatient — payment. Impatient — delay, he knocked at the door rather loudly. The people became impatient — the burden of heavy taxation, (at, for, under).
Answer: for, at, under
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:
- He invested his patrimony — jute shares. The Police Commissioner is invested — magisterial powers. (in, with)
Answer: in, with
- Let us talk — something else. For a while they talked — politics I will talk — my son respecting his conduct, (about, of, to)
Answer: about/of, about/of/to
- He takes no interest politics. What you say has no interest — me. I have no interest — the agents of the firm, (for, in, with.)
Answer: in, for, with
- He has a reputation — honesty. He has the reputation — being a good teacher.(for, of)
Answer: for, of
- He exercises complete authority — his followers. There is no authority — this use. I say this on the authority — the Oxford English Dictionary. Dr. Bridge is an authority — English prosody, (for, of, on, over.)
Answer: over, for, of, on
- He fell a victim — his own avarice. The victims — cholera were mostly poor people, (of, to.)
Answer: to, of
- I have no use — it. He has lost the use — his right arm. (for, of.)
Answer: for, of
- There are some diseases that proceed — dirt. After visiting Agra we proceed — Delhi. Let us proceed — the work in hand, (from, to, with.)
Answer: from, to, with
- He supplied the poor — clothing. He supplied clothing — the poor, (to, with)
Answer: with, to
- She was greatly afflicted — the loss of her only child. The old man is afflicted — gout, (at, with) Answer: by/at, with
- The teacher impressed — us the value of discipline. We were impressed — what he said, (on, with.)
Answer: on, with
- The operation was accompanied — little or on pain. She was accompanied — her brother, (by, with.)
Answer: with, by
- The English allied themselves — the French. Elementary Algebra is allied —Arithmetic, (to, with.) Answer: with, to
- Napoleon had a genius — military tactics. Without doubt he is a genius — mathematics, (for, in.) Answer: for, in
- The idea originated — him while he was travelling in japan. The fire originated — a haystack, (in, with.)
Answer: with, in
- He jumped — a conclusion not warranted by facts. The child jumped — joy when I gave him sweets. He jumped — my offer, (at, for, to.)
Answer: to, for, at
- He is negligent — whatever he does. He is negligent — his duties, (in, of.)
Answer: in, in/of
- Contentment is requisite — happiness. He is told that prolonged treatment is requisite — effecting a cure, (for, to,)
Answer: to/for
- His shattered health is the result — intemperance. Jealousy results — unhappiness. No good is likely to result — this union, (from, in, of.)
Answer: of, in, from
- It does not rest — the Collector to order his release. His whole case rests — alibi. (on, with.)
Answer: with, on
- Most of the roads in that district are not suitable — motor-cars. He lives in a style suitable — his position, (for, to.)
Answer: to, for
- He responded — the ladies in a humorous speech. The boy immediately responded — a blow. He responded — his toast in a neat little speech, (for, to, with.)
Answer: to/with, to/for