Basics. Common Prepositions: On, At, By, With, and About: correct answers
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Prepositions like on, at, by, with, and about are essential for connecting ideas, but knowing exactly which one to use can be tricky. For example, you travel by train, but you walk on foot. Similarly, you might be terrible at cooking, but angry with a friend about a mistake.
This challenge tests your ability to choose the correct preposition across a variety of everyday contexts. You will practice prepositions used with transport methods, communication ("on the phone"), adjective combinations ("good with animals," "bad at flying"), and common fixed expressions like "on purpose," "by mistake," and "on time."
You'll work through 10 questions featuring an engaging mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct answers are at home with his dog, on a train to London, and by himself.
At is used for specific locations like "at home."
On is used for large public transport like "on a train" and for states like "on vacation" (not "in vacation").
By is used in the phrase "by himself" to mean alone. We say "on his own," not "with his own."
Question 2
Help the friendly alien complete his letter home about Earth by dragging the correct prepositions into the blanks.
Dear Mom,
Earth is strange! Humans travel long distances by train instead of using their own wings. In fact, they are very bad at flying without machines. To eat, they pick up food with a metal tool called a fork. I am reading a big book about their funny habits so I can fit in!
Love,
Zorg
Dear Mom,
Earth is strange! Humans travel long distances by train instead of using their own wings.
We use by to talk about general methods of transport (e.g., by train, by car, by bus) when there is no article (a/the) before the noun.
In fact, they are very bad at flying without machines.
The adjective "bad" (and "good") is followed by the preposition at when talking about skills or abilities.
To eat, they pick up food with a metal tool called a fork.
We use with to indicate the tool or instrument used to perform an action.
I am reading a big book about their funny habits so I can fit in!
We use about to introduce the subject or topic of a book, story, or conversation.
Question 3
The correct answers are at solving math puzzles and with animals.
We use good at to talk about skills or activities (good at math, good at playing).
We use good with to talk about things or people we handle well (good with animals, good with children).
"Good about" and "good on" are not grammatically correct for describing these kinds of skills.
Question 4
Complete the movie reviewer's confusing summary of a new film.
"It is a thrilling documentary ___ a group of penguins who travel to New York to learn how to tap dance."
The correct answer is about.
We use the preposition "about" to introduce the subject matter or topic of a book, movie, conversation, or documentary.
Question 5
The correct answers are by bus, on foot, and by train.
We use by for general modes of transport (by bus, by train, by car).
We use on for walking (on foot).
We do not say "with a car" for traveling (we say "by car"), and we say "in a taxi" rather than "on a taxi."
Question 6
I promise I didn't scare the family dog _________________________ purpose!
At least I arrived for my haunting shift exactly _________________________ time.
I broke a nice tea cup by mistake.
The phrase "by mistake" means accidentally. We do not say "on mistake" or "at mistake."
I promise I didn't scare the family dog on purpose!
The phrase "on purpose" means intentionally or deliberately. It is the opposite of "by mistake."
At least I arrived for my haunting shift exactly on time.
"On time" means happening at the planned or correct time, without being late.
Question 7
Complete the teenager's perfect excuse to avoid doing chores.
"I can't take out the trash right now! I'm ___ the phone with my best friend discussing a very important pizza emergency!"
The correct answer is on.
We use the preposition "on" when talking about using electronic communication devices or networks (e.g., on the phone, on the internet, on TV).
Question 8
They love to talk _________________________ the weather every single day.
They are also very good _________________________ sleeping through loud noises.
Humans get very angry with each other over silly things.
We generally use "angry with" when talking about being mad at a person (or each other).
They love to talk about the weather every single day.
We use "talk about" to introduce the topic or subject of a conversation.
They are also very good at sleeping through loud noises.
We use "good at" (not "good in" or "good on") to talk about someone's skills or abilities.
Question 9
Help the disastrous chef finish their honest confession.
"I am absolutely terrible ___ cooking. Yesterday, I somehow managed to burn a salad!"
The correct answer is at.
When we talk about how good or bad someone is at a specific skill or activity, we use adjectives like "good," "bad," or "terrible" followed by the preposition "at."
Question 10
Read the hasty sticky note left by a clumsy roommate. Drag the correct prepositions to complete their apologies and promises.
Hey!
I took your green umbrella by mistake this morning. I am currently at home, but it is raining heavily outside. Please don't be worried about the wet floors in the hallway. I will clean the house with pleasure when the storm passes!
See you soon!
I took your green umbrella by mistake this morning.
The phrase by mistake is a fixed expression meaning accidentally or without intending to.
I am currently at home, but it is raining heavily outside.
We use at with "home" to describe someone's location.
Please don't be worried about the wet floors in the hallway.
The adjective "worried" is typically followed by the preposition about when referring to the cause of the anxiety.
I will clean the house with pleasure when the storm passes!
The phrase with pleasure is an abstract use of "with" that describes the manner or feeling in which an action is done.