Choose the right preposition 1

✓ Useful for TOEIC ✓ Useful for Cambridge BEC

💡 Top tips
Common business collocations with 'in', 'on', and 'at'
'In' is used with companies and industries: 'She works in finance.' 'On' is used with committees and projects: 'He's on the board.' 'At' refers to specific organizations: 'I work at Google.'
Prepositions of time: 'in', 'on', 'by', 'until'
Use 'by' for deadlines (completed no later than): 'Please submit by Friday.' Use 'until' for duration (continuing up to a point): 'The offer is valid until Friday.' These are frequently confused in professional writing.
Avoid common preposition errors with verbs
Common correct collocations: 'agree on' (a decision), 'agree with' (a person), 'deal with' (a problem), 'result in' (a consequence), 'depend on' (a factor). These fixed combinations are best memorized as complete units.

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These exercises will help you to practice using prepositions in a Business English context and can be used to to prepare for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) and the Business English Certificate (BEC).

1. The design stage typically lasts __________________________ two months.

for NO PREPOSITION A or B

Correct answer: A or B — For and NO PREPOSITION are both correct with durations.

2. We'll let you know about our decision __________________________ tomorrow.

until by A or B

Correct answer: by — By = at the latest; indicates a deadline.

3. I like working __________________________ Bill. He's really laid-back.

on with along

Correct answer: with — Work with someone = collaborate.

4. The design process __________________________ this product is fairly complicated.

for in along

Correct answer: for — For = the process relating/belonging to this product.

5. Please inform me _________________ your decision.

in A or C of

Correct answer: of — Inform someone of something is the correct collocation.

6. This is an issue that came up _______________________ the early stages of the project.

during along with

Correct answer: during — During = throughout a period of time.

7. The demand for our product has risen by 50% _______________________ the last two years.

over among with

Correct answer: over — Over = across a span of time.

8. John will be in charge __________________________ all the technical aspects.

to for of

Correct answer: of — In charge of = responsible for.

9. Are you working __________________________ the project that I assigned you to?

with on in

Correct answer: on — Work on a project is the standard collocation.

10. I work _________________________ downtown Chicago. = I work __________________________ the center ( = central part) of the city.

in on at

Correct answer: in — Work in a city/place is standard; at is used for a building.

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▶ Keep practicing — more exercises for you: Articles in business English 1
Articles in business English 2
Articles in business English 3
Articles in business English 4
Articles in business English 5
Articles in business English 6
Business English basics 1
Business English basics 2

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