Choose the right preposition 4
✓ 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.
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.
READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!
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). Choose the best response to complete each of the sentences below.
1. Despite __________________________ all this, I think that it's a good idea to pursue this course of action.
Correct answer: B or C — Despite can be followed by nothing or of — both are used.
2. We're committed __________________________ providing you with the best possible service.
Correct answer: to — Committed to doing something is the correct collocation.
3. Many mistakes were made __________________________ the past year.
Correct answer: in — In the past year = during the past year.
4. We specialize in providing solutions that tailor __________________________ your specific needs.
Correct answer: to — Tailor to someone's needs is the standard collocation.
5. These solutions are tailor-made _________________ your needs.
Correct answer: A or B — Tailor-made for and to are both correct.
6. We're not really interested _______________________ this type of cooperation.
Correct answer: in — Interested in something is the standard collocation.
7. This is the best-selling product _______________________ the market.
Correct answer: on — Fixed expression: on the market.
8. Our products are available all __________________________ the world.
Correct answer: around — Fixed expression: all around the world.
9. I'm very happy that you're considering me __________________________ this position.
Correct answer: for — Consider someone for a position is the standard collocation.
10. The research is moving _________________________ ( = progressing) well.
Correct answer: along — Fixed expression: moving along = progressing.
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