1. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. She always referred         Ben as ‘that nice man’.
2. Pakistan officially backed the Saudi position         Syria.
3. She knew         a shadow of a doubt that he was lying to her.

4. You should apply         person/        letter.
5. Violent crime is not limited         big cities.
6. He wouldn't apologize. He knew he was         the right (= had justice on his side).
7. Leave any valuables in your car         sight.

Answers

1. to 2. on 3. without 4. in; by 5. to 6. in 7. out of

2. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. They have been working         the perfection of the new model.
2. The men were arrested but not brought         trial.
3. The armed forces see themselves as the guarantors         free elections in the country.
4. Keep         the right side of the road.
5. We appealed         his better nature (= his kindness).
6. The research showed         doubt that smoking contributes to heart disease.
7. The end is         sight (= will happen soon).

Answers

1. on 2. to 3. of 4. on 5. to 6. beyond 7. in

3. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. We whiled         the time reading and playing cards.
2. She inquired         his grandfather's health.
3. Whether he will continue to be successful in future is open         doubt.
4. a slur/attack         his character
5. She won laurels         her first novel.
6. The death sentence may be commuted         life imprisonment.
7. There was no one         sight.

Answers

1. away 2. after 3. to 4. on 5. for 6. to 7. in

4. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. He became embroiled         a dispute with his neighbours.
2. The victims were not referred to         name.
3. countries seeking entry         the European Union
4. Take the first street         the right.
5. He is the bearer         good tidings.
6. At last we came         sight of a few houses.
7. The two governments are still at loggerheads         the island.

Answers

1. in 2. by 3. into 4. on 5. of 6. in 7. over

5. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. The label should be firmly affixed         the package.

2. There is not a grain         truth in what she says.

3. There's no point in disturbing him         something so trivial.
4. The ruling set a precedent         future libel cases.
5. The dispute has dragged         for months.
6. They must be prevented from intruding         the family's private grief.
7. The house will be yours when I turn         my toes (= die).

Answers

1. to 2. of 3. with 4. for 5. on 6. into 7. up

6. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. He seemed most amenable         (= willing to be influenced by) my idea.
2. Children learn to use computer programs         trial and error.

3. They greeted the newcomers         friendly salutations.

4. The couple are grieving         the loss of their son.
5. The awful truth about his disappearance finally dawned         her.

6. It is part of a teacher's job to instil confidence        /        his or her students.
7. The fish was cooked         perfection.

Answers

1. to 2. by 3. with 4. over 5. on 6. in; into 7. to

7. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.
1. He's         trial for murder.
2. The project failed for want         (= because of a lack of) financial backing.
3. We are determined to get         (= discover) the truth.
4. They showed no mercy         their hostages.
5. He went         his parents' blessing.
6. She was forced to face         a few unwelcome truths about her family.
7. He was         noble countenance.

Answers

1. on 2. of 3. at 4. to 5. with 6. up to 7. of

8. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. The future         its very nature is uncertain.

2. The government failed to keep its promise         lower taxes.

3. He had no right to meddle         her affairs.

4. The judge will pass sentence         the accused this afternoon.
5. We plan to go on Wednesday, subject         your approval.

6. The article raised doubts         how effective the new drug really was.

7. You will be required to enrol         the commencement of each academic year.

Answers

1. by 2. of 3. in 4. on 5. to 6. about 7. at

9. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. It's not         his nature to be unkind. 

2. You haven't gone back         your promise, have you?
3. We are now operating         a loss.
4. A military junta took control         the country.

5. Owing to circumstances         our control, the flight         Rome has been cancelled.
6. They asked her to be merciful         the prisoners.
7. New evidence has cast doubt         the guilt of the man jailed for the crime.

Answers

1. in 2. on 3. at 4. of 5. beyond; to 6. to 7. on

10. Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. There is no entry         his diary for that day.

2. to apply         a company/university
3. If you are in any doubt         whether you should be doing these exercises, consult your doctor.
4. Anecdotes have no place         (= are not acceptable in) an academic essay.
5. Soltan was sentenced         life imprisonment.
6. children nurtured         loving parents
7. They had been sentenced         murder.

Answers

1. in 2. to 3. as to 4. in 5. to 6. by 7. for