Mixed Prepositional Phrases - Easy Exercises
B1 Level
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The context is deliberately clear at this level. If a sentence mentions a schedule, choose a time phrase. If it describes intention, error, memory, or luck, choose a manner phrase. If it connects two ideas, shows contrast, or describes responsibility, choose a linking or role phrase. Learning these as complete chunks is more reliable than trying to translate each preposition separately. The same preposition can appear in many phrases, but the full phrase carries the meaning. Meaning comes before preposition choice.
Quick Rule
subject + verb + fixed prepositional phrase chosen by meaning: time, manner, contrast, opinion, place, role, replacement, or general view
- 1.The meeting started on time.
- 2.I did not break the glass on purpose.
- 3.In spite of the rain, we enjoyed the beach.
- 4.She knows the poem by heart.
- 5.The assistant spoke in place of the manager.
- 6.On the whole, the new cafe is friendly and efficient.
All 20 questions
Complete each sentence by typing the correct prepositional phrase from the three options shown in parentheses.
The meeting starts at 3:00, and she always arrives _____. (at once / on time / in vain)
I didn't mean to step on your foot — it was _____. (on purpose / in charge of / by accident)
_____ the bad weather, we still had a wonderful time at the beach. (Instead of / In spite of / In front of)
She learnt the whole poem _____ and recited it perfectly. (by heart / by chance / by mistake)
The bus stop is _____ the supermarket. You can't miss it. (on behalf of / in charge of / in front of)
_____, I think the new restaurant is quite good. (On the whole / At once / On purpose)
Please stop talking and listen to me _____! (in the meantime / at once / in general)
He took my umbrella _____ — he thought it was his. (on purpose / by mistake / in vain)
I'll use this old laptop _____, until my new one arrives. (for the time being / in the long run / at the moment)
She had to walk because she missed the last bus, so she went home _____. (on foot / by heart / on behalf of)
_____ chocolate, I don't really eat much sugar. (In spite of / Apart from / In place of)
The children were playing _____ the house while their parents were inside. (instead of / on behalf of / in front of)
I tried to fix the broken tap _____, so I called a plumber. (in vain / on time / at once)
Let's have tea _____ coffee today. I want to try something different. (in spite of / in addition to / instead of)
We arrived just _____ to see the beginning of the film. (on time / in time / in the meantime)
Who is _____ the sales department? I need to talk to the manager. (in front of / in charge of / in spite of)
_____, people in this country are very friendly. (In general / In vain / In charge of)
She broke the window _____. She was angry and threw a stone at it. (by accident / by mistake / on purpose)
The boss is away today, so the assistant is speaking _____ him at the meeting. (in place of / in front of / in spite of)
I met my old university friend _____ at the airport yesterday! (by heart / on the whole / by chance)
Continue Practising
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