Why can’t all preposition questions be solved the same way?
Some questions test collocations to learn: “interested in,” “responsible for,” “apply for a position.” The French translation does not provide a reliable rule. “Responsable de” does not automatically become “responsible of.” Learn a complete example and the type of complement that follows.
Other questions ask you to interpret a time or spatial relationship. “By Friday” sets a deadline; “until Friday” indicates continuation through Friday. Both may be grammatical in different sentences, but they do not describe the same action.
Before choosing, ask whether the word before the blank requires a particular construction. Then check whether the complement is a person, activity, place, or time marker. This distinction avoids searching for one universal translation.
Which collocation fits the message?
These sentences compare constructions; no test-frequency claim is made about them.
Marta is responsible _____ organising the exhibition.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
B — for
The method in action
- “Responsible for” is followed here by an -ing activity. “Of” would be a French calque.
Eli plans to apply _____ the vacant position.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
C — for
The method in action
- We say “apply for a position.” “Apply to” can introduce the organization in a different construction.
Several employees are interested _____ attending the seminar.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — in
The method in action
- “Interested in” is followed by the gerund “attending.”
We need the final version no later than Friday. Please send it _____ Friday.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — by
The method in action
- The first sentence states a deadline, not an activity that continues until Friday.
The exhibition remains open _____ Friday, then closes for the weekend.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
B — until
The method in action
- The opening hours continue through the stated endpoint. “By” would indicate a completion deadline.
Please comply _____ the safety instructions.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
C — with
The method in action
- The construction is “comply with instructions,” meaning to follow the instructions.
We rented the equipment _____ three days.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
A — for
The method in action
- “Three days” is a duration. “Since” would require a starting point.
The service has operated _____ Monday.
Choose an answer.
The solution, step by step
D — since
The method in action
- “Monday” is the starting point of an activity connected to the present by “has operated.”
The pitfall
Replacing a preposition with your preferred French equivalent
The same French preposition can correspond to several English constructions. Look for a meaningful unit rather than a word-for-word translation: “attendre avec impatience” is “look forward to,” and this “to” can be followed by an -ing form, as in “meeting you.”
Do not generalize one construction to every meaning of a verb. “Apply for a job” and “apply a rule” take different objects. Keep the sentence that shows the intended usage.
What should you retain after these exercises?
For each mistake, write down the correct phrase, its complement, and a sentence you created. Add a contrast when it clarifies the meaning: “submit by Friday” and “stay until Friday.” You will have a small set of relationships to recognize, not a list of translations.
Redo the items with the answer options hidden, then explain why the distractors do not fit the sentence. If you can only recite the correct answer, find a second example with a different subject.
Key takeaways
- Learn the complete construction.
- Distinguish a deadline from continuation.
- The same verb can take different constructions depending on its meaning.