Q1. There is a close alliance ________ the four big corporations.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) between
B) among
C) within
D) through

Answer & Explanation: B) Among
For specific, named items (even if more than two), ‘between’ is often used in reference of two .

Q2. He has been living in this city ________ ten years.
(IBPS PO)

A) since
B) from
C) for
D) until

Answer & Explanation: C) for
‘For’ is used to denote a period of time. ‘Since’ is used for a specific point in time.

Q3. I haven’t seen her ________ last Tuesday.
(KVS TGT)

A) for
B) from
C) since
D) by

Answer & Explanation: C) since
‘Since’ is used to refer to a specific point in the past when an action began.

Q4. Who is that standing ________ the car? I can’t see properly.
(UP TGT)

A) besides
B) beside
C) behind of
D) except

Answer & Explanation: B) beside
‘Beside’ means next to. ‘Besides’ means in addition to.

Q5. The train passed ________ a long, dark tunnel.
(Railways RRB)

A) along
B) through
C) in
D) over

Answer & Explanation: B) through
‘Through’ is for movement within an enclosed space. ‘In’ implies being stationary inside.

Q6. The case was decided ________ five judges.
(Legal Exams)

A) with
B) by
C) from
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) by
‘By’ is used to denote the agent or doer of an action.

Q7. He died ________ cholera, a terrible disease.
(CDS Exam)

A) from
B) with
C) of
D) by

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘Die of’ is used for death caused by disease. ‘Die from’ is used for other causes like wounds.

Q8. The child has been missing ________ yesterday.
(SSC CPO)

A) from
B) for
C) since
D) by

Answer & Explanation: C) since
‘Yesterday’ is a specific point in time, so ‘since’ is the correct preposition.

Q9. You must finish this work ________ Friday.
(UPSC CSE Prelims)

A) within
B) by
C) until
D) in

Answer & Explanation: B) by
‘By’ indicates a deadline (not later than). ‘Until’ indicates duration up to a point.

Q10. ________ me, everyone passed the exam.
(PGT English)

A) Beside
B) Besides
C) Accept
D) Except

Answer & Explanation: D) Except
‘Except’ means not including. ‘Besides’ means in addition to.

Q11. We are having a party to celebrate our success. ________ you, everyone is invited.
(Bank PO)

A) Between
B) Among
C) Besides
D) With

Answer & Explanation: C) Besides
‘Besides’ means in addition to. The context implies ‘in addition to you’. A better sentence would have been ‘No one is coming ____ you’, for which the answer would be ‘except’. But based on the options, ‘besides’ fits the ‘invitation’ theme better. Okay, the question implies exclusivity is more likely. A better wording would be, “Everyone failed the exam ______ me”. Answer: ‘except’. A sentence could be, “Everyone brought a gift. ______ me, they all brought flowers.” The answer would be ‘besides’ meaning I brought something too. Let’s assume the question is designed to be tricky. Okay, “Besides you” (in addition to you, who is already invited) or “Except you” (you are the only one not invited)? Given that ‘everyone’ is invited, it seems additive. The wording is confusing, but the intent is likely to test ‘besides’ as ‘in addition to’. Let’s clarify. If everyone is invited, and I add you, it would be ‘Besides everyone else, you are also invited’. This question is ambiguous. Let’s make it clearer.
New Q11: “No one came to the party _____ his family.”
A) besides B) beside C) except D) among

Answer & Explanation: C) except
‘Except’ means not including.

Q12. The helicopter hovered ________ the burning building.
(CDS Exam)

A) above
B) on
C) over
D) Both A and C

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and C
‘Over’ suggests being directly above, while ‘above’ implies a higher level. In the context of hovering, both are often used and correct.

Q13. I do not agree ________ your views on this political matter.
(UPSC Prelims)

A) with
B) to
C) at
D) on

Answer & Explanation: A) with
We ‘agree with’ a person or their views. We ‘agree to’ a proposal.

Q14. The police shot him ________ a gun.
(Instrument vs Agent)

A) by
B) from
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘With’ is used for the instrument used to perform an action. ‘By’ is used for the agent (the doer).

Q15. He arrived ________ the airport just in time for his flight.
(SSC CGL)

A) in
B) at
C) on
D) to

Answer & Explanation: B) at
‘Arrive at’ is used for a specific point or location like an airport or station. ‘Arrive in’ is for a city or country.

Q16. The work must be completed ________ sunset.
(Deadline)

A) in
B) by
C) at
D) until

Answer & Explanation: B) by
‘By’ indicates a deadline (not later than).

Q17. She poured the tea ________ the cups.
(Movement)

A) in
B) on
C) into
D) within

Answer & Explanation: C) into
‘Into’ shows movement towards the inside of something.

Q18. There was a treaty ________ the three nations.
(Tricky Case)

A) among
B) within
C) inside
D) between

Answer & Explanation: A) Among
Similar to Q1, when specific, individual entities are named or counted, ‘between’ is used in reference of two, while among is used for more than two.

Q19. The program will be broadcast from 6 PM ________ 8 PM.
(Time Period)

A) since
B) until
C) to
D) till

Answer & Explanation: C) to
The standard construction is ‘from…to…’ or ‘from…until/till…’.

Q20. She has eaten nothing ________ this morning.
(Point in Time)

A) for
B) by
C) from
D) since

Answer & Explanation: D) since
‘This morning’ is a specific starting point in time, requiring ‘since’.

Q21. The judge acquitted the prisoner ________ the charge of murder.
(Legal Context)

A) with
B) of
C) from
D) against

Answer & Explanation: B) of
The correct phrase is ‘acquitted of’ a charge.

Q22. We must not jest ________ the poor and vulnerable.
(PGT English)

A) on
B) over
C) with
D) at

Answer & Explanation: D) at
The phrasal verb ‘jest at’ means to make fun of.

Q23. I cannot part ________ this book; it is my favourite.
(SSC CGL)

A) from
B) away
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘To part with’ something means to give it away, especially when you don’t want to.

Q24. His father often remonstrates ________ him about his bad habits.
(Advanced Vocabulary)

A) on
B) with
C) to
D) against

Answer & Explanation: B) with
‘To remonstrate with’ someone means to complain to them or argue with them.

Q25. I cannot account ________ the strange behaviour of my friend.
(Bank PO Mains)

A) to
B) of
C) for
D) with

Answer & Explanation: C) for
‘To account for’ means to explain the reason for something.

Q26. You should not encroach ________ other people’s property.
(CDS Exam)

A) in
B) on
C) into
D) at

Answer & Explanation: B) on
The phrasal verb ‘encroach on’ (or ‘upon’) means to intrude on someone’s territory or rights.

Q27. The patient has been exempted ________ paying the hospital fees.
(Common PYQ)

A) of
B) with
C) for
D) from

Answer & Explanation: D) from
‘To be exempted from’ means to be freed from an obligation.

Q28. He has finally desisted ________ his foolish plan.
(UPSC Prelims)

A) of
B) from
C) with
D) about

Answer & Explanation: B) from
‘To desist from’ means to stop doing something.

Q29. He was debarred ________ appearing in the examination.
(KVS PGT)

A) from
B) of
C) to
D) with

Answer & Explanation: A) from
‘To debar from’ means to officially prevent someone from doing something.

Q30. One should always be grateful ________ those who help.
(SSC CPO)

A) with
B) about
C) for
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
One is grateful ‘to’ a person and grateful ‘for’ something.

Q31. Do not hanker ________ worldly pleasures.
(Advanced PYQ)

A) for
B) about
C) after
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) after
‘To hanker after’ (or ‘for’) means to have a strong desire for something.

Q32. His speech hinted ________ a change in policy.
(Bank PO)

A) to
B) on
C) at
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) at
The phrasal verb ‘to hint at’ means to suggest something indirectly.

Q33. He is hell-bent ________ causing trouble.
(IBPS Clerk)

A) at
B) on
C) for
D) with

Answer & Explanation: B) on
‘Hell-bent on’ is an idiom meaning determined to do something, especially something bad.

Q34. I was named ________ my grandfather.
(CDS Exam)

A) after
B) for
C) on
D) of

Answer & Explanation: A) after
‘To be named after’ someone means to be given the same name as them.

Q35. We need to part ________ our old beliefs to move forward.
(SSC CGL)

A) with
B) from
C) off
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) from
‘Part with’ is for possessions. ‘Part from’ is for people or things you are attached to, like beliefs.

Q36. His income is not commensurate ________ his position.
(CAT Level)

A) to
B) for
C) with
D) at

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘Commensurate with’ means in proportion to.

Q37. I can always count ________ him for help.
(Bank PO)

A) with
B) on
C) at
D) for

Answer & Explanation: B) on
‘To count on’ someone means to rely on them.

Q38. She is endowed ________ many great qualities.
(UP TGT)

A) by
B) of
C) with
D) in

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘To be endowed with’ means to be naturally gifted with a quality.

Q39. Never deviate ________ the path of truth and justice.
(SSC MTS)

A) from
B) with
C) of
D) off

Answer & Explanation: A) from
‘To deviate from’ means to move away from a path or standard.

Q40. The students must get rid ________ their bad habits.
(CDS Exam)

A) from
B) with
C) of
D) about

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘To get rid of’ is the correct three-word phrasal verb meaning to eliminate.

Q41. He has no access ________ the Director.
(Bank PO Mains)

A) for
B) to
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: B) to
‘Access to’ something or someone is the correct usage.

Q42. Your behaviour is not consistent ________ the rules of our house.
(UPSC Prelims)

A) to
B) with
C) of
D) for

Answer & Explanation: B) with
Something is ‘consistent with’ something else.

Q43. She has a deep distrust ________ strangers.
(SSC CGL)

A) in
B) on
C) for
D) of

Answer & Explanation: D) of
The correct phrase is ‘distrust of’ someone.

Q44. Your viewpoint is contrary ________ mine.
(KVS PGT)

A) than
B) with
C) from
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
‘Contrary to’ is the fixed phrase.

Q45. He is deaf ________ my repeated requests.
(CDS Exam)

A) to
B) of
C) for
D) about

Answer & Explanation: A) to
‘Deaf to’ something means to be unwilling to listen to it.

Q46. The organization is deficient ________ funds.
(IBPS PO)

A) from
B) of
C) with
D) in

Answer & Explanation: D) in
Something is ‘deficient in’ a certain quality or substance.

Q47. There has been a significant decline ________ moral values.
(Essay Topic – UPSC Mains Link!)

A) in
B) of
C) from
D) on

Answer & Explanation: A) in
The correct phrase is ‘a decline in’ something.

Q48. The coach has great faith ________ his team’s abilities.
(SSC CPO)

A) upon
B) on
C) in
D) at

Answer & Explanation: C) in
‘Faith in’ is the correct phrase.

Q49. He is totally ignorant ________ what is happening around him.
(Bank PO)

A) about
B) from
C) with
D) of

Answer & Explanation: D) of
‘Ignorant of’ is the correct fixed prepositional phrase.

Q50. Your answer is not relevant ________ the question.
(TGT English)

A) with
B) for
C) on
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
The phrase is ‘relevant to’ something.

Q51. He is notorious ________ his bad temper.
(SSC CGL)

A) with
B) about
C) for
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) for
‘Notorious for’ is the correct phrase for being famous for something bad.

Q52. The students have great respect ________ their teacher.
(KVS PGT)

A) to
B) about
C) for
D) with

Answer & Explanation: C) for
‘Respect for’ is the standard usage.

Q53. He is true ________ his word.
(Idiom)

A) on
B) at
C) to
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) to
‘True to one’s word’ means keeping one’s promise.

Q54. She is a woman ________ taste.
(Idiomatic phrase)

A) with
B) for
C) of
D) in

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘A woman of taste’ means someone who has good judgement in style, etc.

Q55. I am tired ________ arguing with you.
(Common Expression)

A) with
B) from
C) of
D) by

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘Tired of’ means to be bored or annoyed with something.

Q56. This solution is not acceptable ________ me.
(CDS)

A) by
B) for
C) with
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
Something is ‘acceptable to’ someone.

Q57. He has a keen interest ________ modern art.
(IBPS PO)

A) in
B) on
C) for
D) with

Answer & Explanation: A) in
‘Interest in’ is the correct prepositional phrase.

Q58. She has a talent ________ singing.
(General Grammar)

A) in
B) for
C) of
D) at

Answer & Explanation: B) for
Someone has ‘a talent for’ a particular skill.

Q59. The police were suspicious ________ his motives.
(SSC CPO)

A) about
B) with
C) of
D) on

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘Suspicious of’ is the correct and most common usage.

Q60. You are responsible ________ the company for your actions.
(Bank PO)

A) for
B) with
C) of
D) to

Answer & Explanation: D) to
One is ‘responsible to’ a person or entity, and ‘responsible for’ their actions.

Q61. I have been suffering from fever ________ the last three days.
(CDS Exam)

A) since
B) from
C) for
D) within

Answer & Explanation: C) for
‘For’ is used for a duration or period of time.

Q62. He broke the vase ________ a hundred pieces.
(SSC CGL)

A) to
B) into
C) in
D) onto

Answer & Explanation: B) into
‘Break into’ pieces is the correct phrase to show a change of state.

Q63. The firemen finally succeeded ________ putting out the fire.
(UPSC CSE)

A) in
B) to
C) for
D) with

Answer & Explanation: A) in
One ‘succeeds in’ doing something.

Q64. You should not boast ________ your accomplishments.
(KVS PGT)

A) about
B) for
C) of
D) with

Answer & Explanation: C) of
The most common and formal usage is ‘boast of’ or ‘boast about’.

Q65. Beware ________ dogs that do not bark.
(Common Saying)

A) from
B) with
C) of
D) about

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘Beware of’ is the fixed phrase.

Q66. The President will confer the award ________ the winner tomorrow.
(IBPS PO)

A) to
B) with
C) on
D) for

Answer & Explanation: C) on
An award is ‘conferred on’ (or upon) a person.

Q67. You must desist ________ any illegal activity.
(Bank PO)

A) of
B) to
C) from
D) off

Answer & Explanation: C) from
‘To desist from’ means to stop doing something.

Q68. Let’s start the presentation ________ slide one.
(Professional Context)

A) at
B) on
C) with
D) from

Answer & Explanation: C) with
The correct phrase is ‘start with’.

Q69. She was deprived ________ her rightful share of the property.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) from
B) with
C) of
D) about

Answer & Explanation: C) of
‘Deprived of’ means to have something taken away.

Q70. Do not quarrel ________ your friends over trivial matters.
(Common PYQ)

A) to
B) with
C) on
D) for

Answer & Explanation: B) with
We ‘quarrel with’ a person ‘over’ an issue.

Q71. His theories are based ________ solid evidence.
(UPSC)

A) in
B) with
C) of
D) on

Answer & Explanation: D) on
The phrasal verb is ‘based on’.

Q72. What are you looking ________ so intensely?
(CDS Exam)

A) at
B) for
C) into
D) on

Answer & Explanation: A) at
‘Look at’ means to direct one’s gaze. ‘Look for’ means to search.

Q73. I cannot put up ________ his rude behaviour any longer.
(Phrasal Verb)

A) on
B) at
C) with
D) off

Answer & Explanation: C) with
‘To put up with’ means to tolerate.

Q74. We waited ________ the end of the show, but he never appeared.
(PGT)

A) since
B) for
C) by
D) until

Answer & Explanation: D) until
‘Until’ (or till) is used to denote duration up to a specific point in time.

Q75. His remarks were tantamount ________ an insult.
(CAT Level Vocabulary)

A) with
B) as
C) to
D) for

Answer & Explanation: C) to
‘Tantamount to’ means equivalent in seriousness to.

Q76. She was overcome ________ grief after hearing the news.
(SSC CGL Mains)

A) with
B) by
C) from
D) in

Answer & Explanation: A) with
‘Overcome with’ an emotion is the correct idiomatic phrase.

Q77. I am vexed ________ my brother’s behaviour.
(Bank PO)

A) with
B) about
C) at
D) of

Answer & Explanation: C) at
One is ‘vexed at’ a thing and ‘vexed with’ a person. Here, the focus is the thing (behaviour).

Q78. Let’s call ________ a technician to fix the computer.
(Phrasal Verb)

A) for
B) up
C) on
D) in

Answer & Explanation: D) in
‘To call in’ means to summon someone for help, especially a specialist.

Q79. He turned ________ my request for a loan.
(Phrasal Verb)

A) over
B) out
C) away
D) down

Answer & Explanation: D) down
‘To turn down’ a request means to refuse it.

Q80. My vacation was cut short and I had to rush back ________ home.
(CDS)

A) at
B) to
C) for
D) No preposition needed

Answer & Explanation: D) No preposition needed
Before the word ‘home’, prepositions like ‘to’ and ‘at’ are generally omitted after verbs of motion (go, come, rush, etc.).

Q81. You are required (A)/ to explain your conduct (B)/ within two days of the receipt of this letter. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: C) within two days of the receipt of this letter.
The error is ‘within two days of’. The correct idiom is ‘within two days from’. No, actually ‘of’ is correct. The sentence is grammatically sound. The error might lie somewhere else. Let’s re-read. The structure seems fine. This is likely a ‘No Error’ question.

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence is grammatically correct. ‘Within two days of…’ is the correct usage.

Q82. The old woman who lives (A)/ in my neighbourhood is good (B)/ in solving complex problems. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: B) good
Correction to (C). The correct preposition with ‘good’ for a skill is ‘at’. It should be ‘good at solving…’.

Q83. He took me to a restaurant (A)/ and ordered for two cups (B)/ of cold coffee. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS)

Answer & Explanation: B) and ordered for two cups
The verb ‘order’ is transitive and does not take a preposition like ‘for’ when it has a direct object. It should be ‘ordered two cups’.

Q84. Despite of her tireless efforts, (A)/ she could not clear the (B)/ examination in her first attempt. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS PO)

Answer & Explanation: A) Despite of her tireless efforts,
‘Despite’ is never followed by ‘of’. It should be ‘Despite her tireless efforts…’ or ‘In spite of her tireless efforts…’.

Q85. We shall wait (A)/ till you will finish (B)/ your lunch. (C)/ No Error (D)
(KVS TGT)

Answer & Explanation: B) till you will finish
In a subordinate clause of time starting with ’till’ (or ‘until’, ‘when’, ‘as soon as’), the simple present tense is used, not the future. It should be ’till you finish’.

Q86. I must start (A)/ at dawn to reach the station (B)/ in time. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence is correct. ‘At dawn’ is the right preposition for that time of day, and ‘in time’ (with enough time to spare) is also correct.

Q87. He looks up the word (A)/ in the dictionary but he still (B)/ does not understand its meaning. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Phrasal Verb PYQ)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
‘To look up’ a word in the dictionary is the correct phrasal verb. The sentence is grammatically sound.

Q88. He sat in the tree’s shade (A)/ as he was tired (B)/ from walking all day. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UP TGT)

Answer & Explanation: A) He sat in the tree’s shade
The correct idiom is ‘in the shade of a tree’.

Q89. We cannot rely upon (A)/ his promise as he has a tendency (B)/ to go back from his word. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS)

Answer & Explanation: C) to go back from his word.
The correct idiom is ‘to go back on’ one’s word, meaning to break a promise.

Q90. She was so tired that she (A)/ could not hardly walk, so (B)/ she decided to lie on the shade of a tree. (C)/ No Error (D)
(PGT)

Answer & Explanation: C) lie on the shade of a tree.
One lies ‘in the shade’, not ‘on the shade’.

Q91. He was accused for (A)/ stealing his neighbour’s watch (B)/ but was later acquitted of the charge. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL Mains)

Answer & Explanation: A) He was accused for
The correct fixed preposition is ‘accused of’. A person is ‘accused of’ a crime.

Q92. The minister could not have (A)/ delivered such a speech if he was not (B)/ acquainted to the facts of the case. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO Mains)

Answer & Explanation: C) acquainted to the facts of the case.
The correct fixed preposition is ‘acquainted with’. One is ‘acquainted with’ facts or a person.

Q93. My father has a lot of (A)/ experience and is an authority (B)/ in the subject of economics. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UPSC CDS)

Answer & Explanation: C) in the subject of economics.
The correct fixed preposition is ‘authority on’ a subject.

Q94. You should not (A)/ confide on a stranger (B)/ with your personal secrets. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS Clerk)

Answer & Explanation: B) confide on a stranger
The correct phrasal verb is ‘confide in’, which means to trust someone with a secret.

Q95. The students were annoyed (A)/ from the teacher’s constant (B)/ nagging and criticism. (C)/ No Error (D)
(KVS TGT)

Answer & Explanation: A) The students were annoyed
Correction should be B). ‘from the teacher’. ‘Annoyed with a person’, ‘at a thing’. Hence ‘annoyed with the teacher’.

Q96. My brother’s marriage with (A)/ my best friend came as (B)/ a complete surprise to me. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: A) My brother’s marriage with
The correct preposition is ‘marriage to’.

Q97. The judge has not yet (A)/ arrived to a decision (B)/ regarding the controversial case. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: B) arrived to a decision
The correct phrasal verb is ‘arrived at’ a decision or conclusion.

Q98. Despite of the doctor’s (A)/ stern warning, he continued (B)/ to smoke and drink. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Common PYQ)

Answer & Explanation: A) Despite of the doctor’s
‘Despite’ is never followed by ‘of’. It should be ‘Despite the doctor’s…’. (The alternative is ‘In spite of…’).

Q99. This television show is very (A)/ popular between the (B)/ teenagers of our country. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) popular between the
‘Teenagers’ is a large, collective group, so ‘among’ should be used instead of ‘between’.

Q100. When I was younger, (A)/ I used to look up at my elder sister (B)/ for guidance and support. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UP TGT)

Answer & Explanation: B) look up at my elder sister
The phrasal verb for admiring or respecting someone is ‘look up to’. The word ‘at’ is incorrect.

Conclusion: Elevating Your Prepositional Skills!

Outstanding effort on navigating this challenging second set! You’ve delved into the nuances of prepositions that often separate high-scoring candidates from the rest. Your ability to handle these complex cases is a significant step towards mastering English grammar.

• Distinguishing between commonly confused pairs like Between/Among and Since/For.
• Mastering a wide array of fixed prepositions with verbs and adjectives.
• Applying knowledge in the high-stakes format of error spotting.

Prepare for the final test in our Prepositions series—Set 3 will feature the most difficult PYQs to complete your mastery of this topic. Stay focused!