Prepositional Phrases

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'AT':

I. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1.... Don't expect to be able to solve the problem at a(n) ………………... It will certainly take you some time to work it out.

2.... At a(n) ……………. I could finish this report by Friday, but not earlier, for sure.

3. Miss Wilson makes an impression of a very kind and generous person, but at …………………… she's rather mean and selfish.

4.... The testimony that he gave in court is at …………………. with his previous statement that he made for the press. They're totally different.

5. In case your guests ask to be shown around the city, the company car is at your …………………...You may use it without asking anyone for permission.

6.... 'Fire at …………………..! ', ordered the captain and his soldiers unleashed an attack on the enemy.

7.... If you go on a business trip, you travel at the company's ………………… except for the meals that you take in fast food restaurants.

8.... The two neighbours have been at ………………… drawn with each other ever since they quarrelled about this small plot of land.

9.... The criminals who escaped from prison this morning are still at ………………. but the police report to be very close to discovering their whereabouts.

10. The fire brigade were at full ……………….. to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighbouring buildings.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'BY':

II. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1.... By …………………. of her marriage to the millionaire, Lena has become the lawful heiress to his great wealth.

2.... The situation is improving by ………………. but it will take months before it reaches stability.

3.... I'd rather the information was written than passed by …………………….

4.... The secretary has told me she can arrange a meeting with the councillor by …………………… but he will not be accessible earlier than next month.

5.... Judging people only by their …………………. may result in getting prejudiced against them.

6.... I only know Alan Parker by …………………..We have never been introduced to each other.

7.... You arrived by the ………………. of your teeth. The meeting was just about to begin.

8.... The crooked official was determined to retain his position by ….………. or foul.

9.... By all …………………, the manager has a love affair with his secretary. That’s at least what people say.

10. I've read the candidates' profiles so many times that I know their personal details by ………………..

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'FOR':

III. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1. 'I've just heard Bono and U2 are going to give a concert in our city.' ' For ………………… I'd love to see it! '

2.............................................................................. The peace negotiations have been broken for an unknown ……………….. There's been no official report on that yet.

3. I don't remember what aunt Lisa looks like. I haven't seen her for ………..…...

4........................................................................................... 'Why are you painting the graffiti on the wall? ' 'Just for ……………….. It's real fun, believe me.'

5............................................................................................. The other rooms in the office are just being renovated, so for ………………. we are all working in the conference room.

6. You never take my suggestions and ideas seriously. I hate it when you take me for ………………… like that.

7............................................................................................... We go to the seaside with our children twice a year. It's for the ………………. of their good health.

8. 'Do I have to bring these brochures back? ' 'No, you don't. They're for …………………...

9. I wonder how Sally ever managed to pass her driving test. She can't drive for ……………………...

10. The other day, Fran and I went bargain hunting downtown and we did find some very attractive clothes that we bought for a …………………..

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'IN':

IV. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1.... We spent too much time talking about some vague matters, and so we didn't manage to discuss the really important ones in …………………...

2.... Bridget's sewing machine is in …………………. She hasn't used it for years.

3.... These two Romanian twin sisters are amazing. They look the same, dress the same and they even talk in ………………….

4.... Peter will tell you everything about the project. He's the one in the ……………. He's one of its originators.

5.... I'm a bit in a ………………… about my boss's proposition. I don't know whether to accept it or not.

6. During the trial it turned out that the methods the police investigators used were not in ………………….. with the law. No wonder the case was dismissed.

7.... My letter is in ……………..…. Before I send it, I'm going to check the spelling and write it clean.

8.... I had known everything about Janet's plans. She had told me in ………………. that she was going to ask her husband for a divorce.

9.... Eileen hasn't made a decision yet. She's still in ………………….. whether to emigrate with her boyfriend or stay with her parents in the country.

10.. The concert organizers had printed only five hundred tickets for the performance and so they were in real trouble when the fans of the rock band turned out in …………………. There were more than three thousands of them.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'ON':

V. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1. Is Damon on the …………………..? Can one trust him?

2. From the time he started working for the department, we all considered Rick to be very conscientious and loyal officer. We had no idea he was passing information to the mafia on the …………………….

3. 'People say it's on the ………………… that the parliament will be dissolved.' 'Indeed, it's quite likely to happen.'

4. 'How long have you been on the ………, Mr Graham? ' 'I was laid off in May last year and I have been living on the unemployment benefit ever since.'

5. It's rather unlikely that your plane will take off on ………………... There's a strike at the airport, so the flights may be seriously delayed or even cancelled.

6. The minister handed in his resignation on …………………. of the mounting accusations and severe criticism of his policies.

7. They have been making nothing but losses for the last several months. No wonder their business is on the …………………..

8. On ……………….. I don't lend money to anyone, but I can make an exception this time.

9. Celine is on ………………….. She's just been informed that she's been accepted by the university. I've never seen her happier before.

10 The criminals who robbed the bank have been caught and are now on ………………….. The trial is to start next month.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'OFF':

VI. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1. Frankly speaking, you've surprised me with your proposition. I can't give you a definite answer to it off the ………………... I need some time to consider it.

2.... Nobody asked me to repair the alarm system. I did it off my own ……………… and I don't expect to be paid for it.

3.... Sarah doesn't need to be explained twice. She’s rather quick off the …………... contrary to Eva who never understands anything.

4.... I usually buy clothes off the ………………. They are not so expensive as tailored ones.

5.... Yesterday, Mickey felt fine but today he's feeling off ………………. I think he should go to a doctor.

6. I've heard our branch in Newcastle is going to be closed down, but it's off the …………………. We must still wait for an official confirmation.

7.... I'm sorry to say that but your remarks are off the …………………, Jim. What you've just said has nothing to do with the case under discussion.

8.... The military area is off …………………. for civilians. You cannot enter it unless you have a special pass.

9.... You don't look good and it worries me that you're off your ………………... You must eat to be strong and healthy.

10. I dream of living somewhere off the ………………. far away from the noise of the big city and inquisitive neighbours.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH 'UNDER':

VII. Fill the gaps with the appropriate words.

1.............................................. Robbie's under the …………………. He's got a sore throat and his temperature is high. He must stay in bed for a few days.

2................................................................... The question of lay-offs is still under ………………….. No definite decisions have been made as yet.

3.................................................................................. The young man asked for financial support under ……………….. He claimed to collect the money for charity, but in fact he spent it on drugs.

4. Not a long time ago, this counterfeiter was caught and placed under ……………………. He's being tried this month.

5..................................................................................... For over two decades, the country has been under the ………………. of the merciless dictator who has oppressed the citizens and violated the human rights.

6.. Few people have heard about the controversial project of the Institute of Genetics. It's kept under …………..…. for fear of causing anxiety and protest.

7....................................................................... The bank clerk said something under his ………………… but I couldn't hear him well as I was standing a few metres from the counter.

8. The burning wounds won't heal easily. The patient will stay under hospital …………………… for at least two months.

9............................. Under ………………. of night, the prisoners met in one of the barracks to devise a plan of an escape from the Nazi camp.

10. I cannot concentrate if I am under …………………... Give me more time to do the task and I will certainly do it well.

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

VIII. Insert the correct preposition.

1. I don't think we understand each other well. We must be talking..... cross-purposes. Let's start again.

2. All the money from our sponsors and the effort of our specialists at breeding the snow tigers in the zoo went ….. the drain. Not a single cub was born.

3. The loans were granted by the bank ….. the eleventh hour. We were just about to close the business down.

4. When all his companions were killed by the enemy snipers, the sergeant was left ….. his own devices in the middle of the battlefield.

5. ….. the aftermath of the volcano eruption, all the neighbouring villages had to be evacuated.

6. Ever since he criticized his boss, Chris has been ….. a cloud. He should have watched his words.

7. They say that when you turn fifty, you're ….. the hill.

8. The family lost all their possessions in the fire. And when it turned out they hadn't been insured against it, they had to start everything ….. scratch.

9. 'Which of you has broken the window? Are you ….. fault again, Leo? ' 'No. I didn't do it, mom.'

10. Let's have lunch at the Amigorestaurant. It's ….. far the best Italian restaurant in the city.

11. All the fingerprints that were found at the murder site belong to the captured criminal ….. the exception of just one, which probably points to the fact that he had an accomplice.

12. Alice has just told me that she's ….. the family way. Her baby is due in September.

13. We didn't ask Mr Gilford to tell us about his experiences in prison. He did it ….. his own accord.

14. You'll be ….. deep water if the tax office find out you've been cooking the books.

15. Your smoking so much is ….. the detriment of your health. Aren't you aware of that, young man?

16. It's not me who revealed your secret. I wouldn't do it ….. all the world. I'm your best friend, aren't I?

17. Jason's father is a millionaire, so he doesn't have to worry about money. He and his two sisters are ….. easy street.

18. I was thinking of buying the old house and renovating it, but ….. second thoughts I decided to look for something more modern.

19. Eric's been ….. disfavour with his teachers ever since he started playing truant.

20. I can see you're ….. a loose end, Terry. So, perhaps you could help me with chopping the wood instead of lazing about like that?

21. The police arrived ….. the nick of time when the burglars were just about to leave the villa.

22. I was ….. a cold sweat when the results of the examination were being announced.

23. Rita's been ….. the moon because her boyfriend has finally proposed to her.

24. Must the two of you always be ….. loggerheads with each other? Can't you reach a compromise at least once?

25. I've decided to put a share of my salary aside every month ….. a view to buying a new car next year.

26. It was a good decision ….. the part of one of the customs officers to search the van for smuggled goods.

27. We all thought we had equal chances of getting a bonus, but ….. point of fact only the upper management were promoted.

28. I was ….. a loss for words when Janice told me she loved another boy.

10. We're ….. a tight corner. We've got lost and we don't have a map.

11. The coach and the supporters expected much more of the players. Their performance at the last game wasn't ….. to scratch, for sure.

31. 'What is this device ….. aid of? ' 'It's for peeling fruit and vegetables.'

32. Tom had too much alcohol last night. No wonder he's ….. of sorts today.

33. ….. no account are the younger scouts allowed to leave the camp at night.

34. Miss Elms is a devoted teacher. She gives all her time to her students ….. stint.

35. Various forms of marine life are ….. abundance on the Great Barrier Reef.

36. Shoplifters caught red-handed will be punished ….. the spot.

37. My car is ….. hand. Just tell me when you need it.

38. I've done everything you’ve asked me to..... accordance with your orders, sir.

39. He's ….. the spout. He's lost his position, money and influences. He's finished.

40. I'd like to go to the mountains whereas my wife and children would prefer to spend the holiday at the seaside. I'm ….. sixes and sevens.

41. I could see the incident quite well. I was ….. close quarters when it occurred.

42. Ronald has lost all the money he was supposed to deliver to the bank. He'll be ….. the creek when his boss finds out about it.

43. The future of our scientific project will be ….. jeopardy unless we find some sponsors immediately.

44. Robbie's been ….. the rack ever since his wife left him. He's in a very bad state.

45. We're ….. arrears with our bills. We'll pay them when we get the money.

46. We didn't arrange to meet in the park. We met ….. chance.

47. I haven't heard from Ursula recently. In fact, we haven't been ….. touch since her last birthday.

48. The researchers had no specific requirements from volunteers. They chose people ….. random.

49. Paul says he hit me by accident, but I'm sure he did it ….. purpose.

50. ….. my part, the idea sounds good. I don't know what the others think.

51. The Burkes put a considerable share of their salaries aside. They say it's ….. the sake of their children's future.

52. There were wonderful leather jackets ….. display in the store.

53. The investigation has showed that the director is ….. no means guilty of the fraud. He had nothing to do with it.

54. Mr Hopkins is a bit of a bore but ….. and large he is a decent man.

55. This place looks deserted. There's nobody ….. sight who we could ask for the way.

56. You can visit us ….. all hours. You are always welcome in our house.

57. We will take the vacuum cleaner ….. approval. The shopkeeper says we can return it if it doesn't match our expectations.

58. Must we always listen to jazz? Can't we put on pop music ….. a change?

59. Aunt Celine is very generous ….. nature. She loves giving small presents to everyone who comes for a visit.

60. ….. view of your clean record, you will not be fined this time. But next time you break safety regulations, you won't get away with it.

61. Because we had very little time to spare, we had to think about possible solutions to the problem ….. short notice.

62. The students say they're looking for a cheap flat ….. hire.

63. It's been decided that another military conflict in the Balkans must be prevented ….. all costs.

64. Although he lives in Spain, Adriano is an Italian ….. birth.

65. ….. times, we invite our neighbours for a barbecue, but mainly we spend our free time alone.

66. The Royal guards cannot speak to passers-by while they are ….. duty.

67. Several decades ago, these strange machines were ….. use in almost every household. Now, they can only be seen in museums.

68. ….. average, we spend one thousand on monthly bills. Sometimes less, sometimes more.

69. Before going abroad, we put all our savings and valuables in the bank just ….. safe keeping.

70. ….. recognition of his scientific achievements, the professor has been awarded the Nobel prize.