CELSA Prepositional Phrase Usage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a prepositional phrase to indicate time?
- She left the meeting early.
- He arrived before the deadline. (Correct answer)
- They worked quickly.
- We finished the report.
Correct answer: He arrived before the deadline.
'Before the deadline' is a prepositional phrase using 'before' to indicate a point in time.
Question 2: Identify the prepositional phrase acting as an adjective in: 'The book on the shelf belongs to Maria.'
- belongs to Maria
- on the shelf (Correct answer)
- to Maria
- The book
Correct answer: on the shelf
'On the shelf' modifies the noun 'book,' making it an adjectival prepositional phrase.
Question 3: Which prepositional phrase correctly completes the sentence: 'She has been studying English _____ three years.'?
- since
- for (Correct answer)
- during
- within
Correct answer: for
'For' is used with a duration of time, while 'since' is used with a specific starting point.
Question 4: In the sentence 'They argued about the new policy,' how does 'about the new policy' function?
- As a subject complement
- As an adverbial prepositional phrase modifying 'argued' (Correct answer)
- As an adjectival phrase modifying 'they'
- As the direct object
Correct answer: As an adverbial prepositional phrase modifying 'argued'
'About the new policy' modifies the verb 'argued,' explaining what the argument concerned.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a prepositional phrase used as a subject?
- Under the bridge is a dangerous place to sleep. (Correct answer)
- She ran under the bridge.
- The bridge was under construction.
- He built a shelter under the bridge.
Correct answer: Under the bridge is a dangerous place to sleep.
'Under the bridge' functions as the grammatical subject of the sentence, a rare but valid usage.
Question 6: Choose the sentence where 'in time' is used correctly as an idiomatic prepositional phrase meaning 'eventually.'
- She arrived in time for the show.
- In time, he learned to appreciate classical music. (Correct answer)
- We finished in time.
- The package arrived in time.
Correct answer: In time, he learned to appreciate classical music.
When 'in time' means 'eventually,' it stands alone at the beginning of a sentence without an additional prepositional object.
Question 7: Select the sentence that incorrectly uses a prepositional phrase.
- He is interested in learning Spanish.
- She is afraid of heights.
- They are excited about of the trip. (Correct answer)
- We are capable of finishing on time.
Correct answer: They are excited about of the trip.
'About of' is incorrect because 'about' and 'of' cannot be used together as a double preposition in this context.
CELSA Prepositional Phrase Usage 2
Which sentence uses a prepositional phrase to indicate time?