Identifying Prepositions Practice Questions

Use these Prepositions practice questions to review words that show relationships of direction, place, time, amount, and manner. After answering each question, open the explanation to see why the correct word is a preposition.

Prepositions Topics Covered

  • Prepositions of direction
  • Prepositions of place
  • Prepositions of time
  • Prepositions of amount
  • Prepositional phrases
  • Objects of prepositions
  • Distinguishing prepositions from articles, pronouns, conjunctions, verbs, and adverbs

Identifying Prepositions Practice Questions

Select the answer choice that identifies a preposition in each sentence.

1. Take the paper that I gave you and give it to Wally.

  1. The
  2. To
  3. That
  4. And
Show Answer

Answer: B. To

To is a preposition that shows direction or relationship. In this sentence, it introduces the phrase to Wally.

The is an article, that introduces a clause, and and is a conjunction.

2. He invented a game using his toy, which he hid behind the sofa.

  1. Using
  2. His
  3. Which
  4. Behind
Show Answer

Answer: D. Behind

Behind is a preposition that shows location. It introduces the prepositional phrase behind the sofa.

Using is a verb form, his is a possessive pronoun, and which is a relative pronoun.

3. When the war had ended, there was rejoicing throughout the world.

  1. When
  2. Was
  3. Throughout
  4. Rejoicing
Show Answer

Answer: C. Throughout

Throughout is a preposition that shows location or extent. It introduces the phrase throughout the world.

When introduces a dependent clause, was is a verb, and rejoicing is used as a noun in this sentence.

4. People had to ration their food supplies during wartime.

  1. During
  2. Their
  3. Food
  4. Wartime
Show Answer

Answer: A. During

During is a preposition that shows time. It introduces the phrase during wartime.

Their is a possessive pronoun, food describes supplies, and wartime is the object of the preposition.

5. It was reported that over half a million people attended the event.

  1. That
  2. Over
  3. Half
  4. The
Show Answer

Answer: B. Over

Over is a preposition meaning more than in this sentence.

That introduces a clause, half is part of the number phrase, and the is an article.

6. Give me some more time to think about it.

  1. About
  2. Me
  3. More
  4. It
Show Answer

Answer: A. About

About is a preposition. It introduces the prepositional phrase about it.

Me and it are pronouns. More is an adjective describing time.

7. If you really don’t want to come, we’ll just go without you.

  1. Really
  2. Just
  3. Without
  4. You
Show Answer

Answer: C. Without

Without is a preposition. It introduces the phrase without you.

Really and just are adverbs. You is a pronoun and is the object of the preposition.

8. When assembling this product, please place the screws below the diagram.

  1. When
  2. This
  3. The
  4. Below
Show Answer

Answer: D. Below

Below is a preposition in this sentence because it shows the relationship between screws and diagram.

It introduces the prepositional phrase below the diagram.

When introduces a dependent phrase, this describes product, and the is an article.

9. He will have to wait for a year before he can apply a second time.

  1. For
  2. Can
  3. Have
  4. Second
Show Answer

Answer: A. For

For is a preposition that shows a length of time. It introduces the phrase for a year.

Can and have are helping verbs. Second is an adjective describing time.

10. Please meet me there in an hour, and don’t be late.

  1. There
  2. In
  3. An
  4. Late
Show Answer

Answer: B. In

In is a preposition that shows time. It introduces the prepositional phrase in an hour.

There is an adverb, an is an article, and late is an adjective.

How to Use These Prepositions Practice Questions

Answer each question before opening the explanation. Then compare your answer with the rule described in the solution.

If you miss a question, look for the word that begins a phrase and shows a relationship to another word in the sentence. A preposition often answers questions such as where?, when?, how long?, or in what direction?

 

Last Updated: July 8, 2026