Use these identifying prepositions sample questions to practice recognizing prepositions and the phrases they introduce. A preposition commonly shows a relationship involving place, direction, time, manner, or another connection between words.
Topics Covered
- Prepositions of place
- Prepositions of direction
- Prepositions of time and duration
- Objects of prepositions
- Prepositional phrases
- Distinguishing prepositions from adverbs
- Distinguishing prepositions from conjunctions and pronouns
Sample Questions
Take the paper that I gave you and give it to Wally.
- A. The
- B. To
- C. That
- D. And
Show Answer
To introduces the prepositional phrase to Wally.
Wally is the object of the preposition. The is an article, that is a relative pronoun, and and is a coordinating conjunction.
He invented a game using his toy, which he hid behind the sofa.
- A. Using
- B. His
- C. Which
- D. Behind
Show Answer
Behind introduces the prepositional phrase behind the sofa and shows location.
Using is a participle, his is a possessive determiner, and which is a relative pronoun.
When the war had ended, there was rejoicing throughout the world.
- A. When
- B. Was
- C. Throughout
- D. Rejoicing
Show Answer
Throughout introduces the prepositional phrase throughout the world.
When introduces the dependent clause, was is a verb, and rejoicing functions as a noun.
People had to ration their food supplies during wartime.
- A. During
- B. Their
- C. Food
- D. Wartime
Show Answer
During introduces the prepositional phrase during wartime and expresses time.
Their is a possessive determiner, food modifies supplies, and wartime is the object of the preposition.
The keys were hidden beneath the newspaper.
- A. Were
- B. Hidden
- C. Beneath
- D. The
Show Answer
Beneath introduces the prepositional phrase beneath the newspaper.
Were is a helping verb, hidden is part of the verb phrase, and the is an article.
Give me some more time to think about it.
- A. About
- B. Me
- C. More
- D. It
Show Answer
About introduces the prepositional phrase about it.
It is the object of the preposition. Me is a pronoun, and more modifies time.
If you really don’t want to come, we’ll just go without you.
- A. Really
- B. Just
- C. Without
- D. You
Show Answer
Without introduces the prepositional phrase without you.
You is the object of the preposition. Really and just are adverbs.
When assembling this product, please refer to the diagram below.
- A. When
- B. This
- C. To
- D. Below
Show Answer
To introduces the phrase to the diagram after the verb refer.
In this sentence, below has no object and functions adverbially. When introduces the opening phrase, and this modifies product.
He will have to wait for a year before he can apply a second time.
- A. For
- B. Can
- C. Have
- D. Second
Show Answer
For introduces the prepositional phrase for a year and expresses duration.
Can and have are verbs, and second modifies time.
Please meet me there in an hour, and don’t be late.
- A. There
- B. In
- C. An
- D. Late
Show Answer
In introduces the prepositional phrase in an hour and expresses time.
There is an adverb, an is an article, and late is an adjective following the linking verb be.
How to Use These Questions
Look for a word that introduces a noun or pronoun and shows how that object relates to another part of the sentence. The complete group of words is the prepositional phrase.
Some words can function as either prepositions or adverbs. A preposition normally has an object; an adverb does not. For example, below the shelf contains a preposition, while see the example below uses below adverbially.
Last Updated: July 27, 2026