MIXED PREPOSITIONS EXERCISE 3 (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1)
This beginner-level exercise focuses on the most basic positional prepositions in English — the ones used to describe where things are in relation to each other. Getting these right is one of the first steps in building accurate everyday descriptions.
Grammar review
To, in, at, for, on
This exercise mixes five common prepositions across several different uses. Here's what each one is doing in the sentences you'll see.
To: shows who receives something: “I spoke to my brother.”, “Give your exam to the teacher.”
For: shows who something is meant for, or how long something lasts: “These flowers are for your sister.”, “The cat slept for five hours.”
In: for something enclosed, or a time in the future: “I don't have any money in my wallet.”, “Robert is coming in ten minutes.”
At: fixed phrases, exact clock times, and looking toward something: “Thomas is at work.”, “We start work at 10:00 AM.”, “He was looking at the moon.”
On: something resting on top of a surface: “The vase is on the desk.”
Tip: to and for can look similar (“give it to him” vs. “this is for him”), but to means it's actually handed over, while for just says who it's meant for.
This exercise mixes five common prepositions across several different uses. Here's what each one is doing in the sentences you'll see.
To: shows who receives something: “I spoke to my brother.”, “Give your exam to the teacher.”
For: shows who something is meant for, or how long something lasts: “These flowers are for your sister.”, “The cat slept for five hours.”
In: for something enclosed, or a time in the future: “I don't have any money in my wallet.”, “Robert is coming in ten minutes.”
At: fixed phrases, exact clock times, and looking toward something: “Thomas is at work.”, “We start work at 10:00 AM.”, “He was looking at the moon.”
On: something resting on top of a surface: “The vase is on the desk.”
Tip: to and for can look similar (“give it to him” vs. “this is for him”), but to means it's actually handed over, while for just says who it's meant for.
Choose the correct preposition (to, in, at, for, or on) to complete each sentence.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PREPOSITION EXERCISES:
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions of time 1 (A1/A2)
Prepositions of time 2 (A2/B1)
For or since? 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions of time 1 (A1/A2)
Prepositions of time 2 (A2/B1)
For or since? 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
