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🎯 Target: SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO

Master Prepositions for SSC

Welcome to the Ultimate Rank-Decider. Prepositions account for 30-40% of Cloze Test marks. Translating them from your mother tongue will guarantee a negative mark. Let's master the specific rules, Fixed Prepositions, and SSC Mind Games.

🤖

"Hello future officers! Prepositions are the biggest nightmare for students because logic often fails here. You cannot translate Hindi to English. For example, in Hindi we say 'Ped PAR chidiya hai' (On the tree), but in English, a bird sits 'IN' the tree! I will teach you the exact visual frameworks, Fixed Preposition groupings, and traps examiners use. Let's conquer this!"

Introduction & The Translation Trap

What is a Preposition?

The word itself reveals its meaning: Pre + Position (placed before).
A preposition is a word placed before a Noun or Pronoun to show its relationship with another word in the sentence. It acts as a bridge, giving context to an action or object.

Prepositions establish 4 main types of relationships:

📍 Place (Where?): The book is ON the table.
⏰ Time (When?): The class starts AT 10 AM.
🧭 Direction (Where to?): He walked TOWARDS the station.
🛠️ Method/Agent (How?): The letter was written BY Ram WITH a pen.

🚨 The Biggest SSC Trap: Mother Tongue Translation

Prepositions do not map 1-to-1 between languages. If you translate word-for-word from Hindi/Punjabi to English, your brain will naturally choose the wrong preposition. SSC examiners specifically design questions around these exact translations!

Scroll and Memorize these 25 Highly-Tested Translation Traps:

Trap 1
❌ Translate this in English.
(Hindi: इसे अंग्रेजी में अनुवाद करें)

English Rule
✅ Translate this into English.
(Transformation from one state to another always takes 'into').

Trap 2
❌ The bird is sitting on the tree.
(Hindi: पक्षी पेड़ पर बैठा है)

English Rule
✅ The bird is sitting in the tree.
(A tree is a 3D volume. You sit 'in' it. You only sit 'on' a specific branch).

Trap 3
❌ Please write with ink.
(Hindi: स्याही से लिखें)

English Rule
✅ Please write in ink.
(Ink is a liquid medium, so you write 'in' it. You write 'with' a physical pen).

Trap 4
❌ My father is angry on me.
(Hindi: पिता जी मुझ पर गुस्सा हैं)

English Rule
✅ My father is angry with me.
(You are angry 'with' a living person, but angry 'at' a situation).

Trap 5
❌ He is very good in Mathematics.
(Hindi: वह गणित में अच्छा है)

English Rule
✅ He is very good at Mathematics.
(For skills/subjects, adjectives like good, bad, and clever take 'at').

Trap 6
❌ She is married with a doctor.
(Hindi: उसकी शादी डॉक्टर के साथ हुई है)

English Rule
✅ She is married to a doctor.
(In the passive voice, 'married' strictly takes the preposition 'to').

Trap 7
❌ I am suffering with fever.
(Hindi: मैं बुखार से पीड़ित हूँ)

English Rule
✅ I am suffering from fever.
(The verb 'suffer' always pairs with 'from').

Trap 8
❌ Open your book on page 45.
(Hindi: किताब पेज 45 पर खोलें)

English Rule
✅ Open your book at page 45.
(A page number is a specific, exact point, therefore it takes 'at').

Trap 9
❌ What is the time in your watch?
(Hindi: तुम्हारी घड़ी में क्या समय है?)

English Rule
✅ What is the time by your watch?
(A watch does not hold time 'inside' it. It measures it 'by' a mechanism).

Trap 10
❌ He goes to school by foot.
(Hindi: वह पैरों से स्कूल जाता है)

English Rule
✅ He goes to school on foot.
(You use 'by' for vehicles like car/bus. You stand 'on' your feet).

Trap 11
❌ I congratulate you for your success.
(Hindi: सफलता के लिए बधाई)

English Rule
✅ I congratulate you on your success.
(Congratulate and compliment always take 'on').

Trap 12
❌ Beware from stray dogs.
(Hindi: कुत्तों से सावधान)

English Rule
✅ Beware of stray dogs.
(Beware and aware are fixed prepositions taking 'of').

Trap 13
❌ You must trust on God.
(Hindi: भगवान पर भरोसा रखो)

English Rule
✅ You must trust in God.
(Faith, belief, and trust always take 'in').

Trap 14
❌ I am proud on my country.
(Hindi: मुझे अपने देश पर गर्व है)

English Rule
✅ I am proud of my country.
(Proud takes 'of'. But the verb 'Pride' takes 'in' - I pride myself in...).

Trap 15
❌ He is confident for winning the match.
(Hindi: जीतने के लिए आश्वस्त है)

English Rule
✅ He is confident of winning the match.
(Confident takes 'of', followed by a gerund).

Trap 16
❌ My father deals with garments.
(Hindi: कपड़ों का व्यापार करते हैं)

English Rule
✅ My father deals in garments.
(Trade/Business = Deal IN. Interacting with people = Deal WITH).

Trap 17
❌ The frog jumped in the well.
(Hindi: कुएं में कूद गया)

English Rule
✅ The frog jumped into the well.
(Motion from outside to inside a 3D space takes 'into').

Trap 18
❌ He prevented me to go there.
(Hindi: मुझे वहां जाने से रोका)

English Rule
✅ He prevented me from going there.
(Prevention verbs strictly take 'from' + V1-ing).

Trap 19
❌ I have been waiting from morning.
(Hindi: सुबह से इंतजार कर रहा हूँ)

English Rule
✅ I have been waiting since morning.
(A specific starting point in the past requires 'since' in perfect tenses).

Trap 20
❌ He died from cancer.
(Hindi: कैंसर से मृत्यु हुई)

English Rule
✅ He died of cancer.
(Death by a direct disease takes 'of'. Death by indirect causes/accidents takes 'from').

Trap 21
❌ He is addicted with smoking.
(Hindi: धूम्रपान की/से लत है)

English Rule
✅ He is addicted to smoking.
(Addiction, dedication, and surrender verbs take 'to').

Trap 22
❌ He was accused for murder.
(Hindi: हत्या के लिए आरोपी)

English Rule
✅ He was accused of murder.
(Charges and legal blame take 'of').

Trap 23
❌ Please listen me carefully.
(Hindi: मुझे ध्यान से सुनो)

English Rule
✅ Please listen to me carefully.
(Listen is intransitive. If an object follows it, it MUST have 'to').

Trap 24
❌ Let us discuss about the problem.
(Hindi: समस्या के बारे में चर्चा करें)

English Rule
✅ Let us discuss the problem.
(Discuss already means 'talk about'. Adding 'about' is redundant).

Trap 25
❌ I have ordered for a cup of tea.
(Hindi: चाय के लिए आर्डर दिया)

English Rule
✅ I have ordered a cup of tea.
('Order' as an active verb takes no preposition).

The Time & Place Matrix (In, On, At)

📐 Teacher's Master Hack: The Preposition Funnel

Stop guessing! Prepositions of Time and Place follow a strict mathematical funnel. They move from Broad/General ➔ Specific ➔ Exact. Visualize this upside-down triangle:

IN (Broadest / Enclosed)

TIME (Long Periods):
• Centuries (In the 21st century)
• Decades & Years (In the 90s, In 2024)
• Months & Seasons (In July, In Summer)
• Broad parts of the day (In the morning)

PLACE (Large Areas / 3D Space):
• Galaxies, Continents, Countries
• States & Large Cities (In Delhi)
• Enclosed Volumes (In a box, In a car)

▼

ON (Specific / Surface)

TIME (Days & Dates):
• Specific Days (On Monday)
• Exact Dates (On 15th August)
• Holidays with "Day" (On Christmas Day)

PLACE (Surfaces & Lines):
• Flat Surfaces (On the wall/table)
• Streets/Avenues (On M.G. Road)
• Public Transport (On a bus/train)

▼

AT (Exact Point)

TIME: Exact Clock Time (At 5:00 PM), Exact moments (At dawn, At noon).

PLACE: Exact Addresses (At 45 Baker St.), Specific map points (At the bus stop).

1. Rules & Traps for TIME

🚨 The Override Rule (VVIP for SSC)

What happens when two rules clash?
For example: "Morning" takes IN (In the morning). But "Monday" takes ON (On Monday).
The Rule: If a specific DAY or DATE is attached to any part of the day, the "ON" rule overrides the "IN" rule!

Trap 1
❌ I will meet you in Monday morning.

Correct
✅ I will meet you on Monday morning.
(The specific day 'Monday' overrules 'in the morning').

Trap 2
❌ The stars shine in the night.

Correct
✅ The stars shine at night.
(Morning/Afternoon/Evening take 'in the'. Sharp points like Night, Noon, Dawn, and Dusk take 'at').

Trap 3
❌ The attack happened in the eve of Diwali.

Correct
✅ The attack happened on the eve of Diwali.
(An "eve" is treated as a specific Day/Date in SSC grammar).

Trap 4
❌ We celebrate Republic Day in 26th January.

Correct
✅ We celebrate Republic Day on 26th January.
(Months take 'in', but exactly numbered dates take 'on').

Trap 5
❌ The shop is closed in Sunday.

Correct
✅ The shop is closed on Sunday.
(Days of the week require 'on').

Trap 6
❌ I woke up early at the morning.

Correct
✅ I woke up early in the morning.
(Periods of the day take 'in').

🚨 In Time vs. On Time

• On time: Punctual. Exactly at the scheduled clock time, not a minute early or late. (e.g., The train arrived on time).
• In time: Before the deadline. With a margin to spare. (e.g., I reached the station in time to catch the train).

Trap 1
❌ We reached the exam hall on time to revise our notes.

Correct
✅ We reached the exam hall in time to revise our notes.
(If you had a margin to revise, you were early. Use 'in time').

Trap 2
❌ The Rajdhani Express left exactly in time at 5:00 PM.

Correct
✅ The Rajdhani Express left exactly on time at 5:00 PM.
(Exact schedules require 'on time').

Trap 3
❌ The ambulance arrived on time to save the patient.

Correct
✅ The ambulance arrived in time to save the patient.
(Arriving before it was too late = 'in time').

Trap 4
❌ The interview started in time as scheduled.

Correct
✅ The interview started on time as scheduled.
(Scheduled events = 'on time').

Trap 5
❌ Pay your electricity bill on time to avoid the late penalty.

Correct
✅ Pay your electricity bill in time to avoid the late penalty.
(You pay *before* the deadline hits = 'in time').

Trap 6
❌ The movie ended in time at 9 PM.

Correct
✅ The movie ended on time at 9 PM.
(Punctual completion).

2. Rules & Traps for PLACE

🚨 The Nested Location Rule

When mentioning two places together in one sentence (a small place inside a big place), you must use AT for the smaller/exact point, and IN for the larger enclosing area.

Trap 1
❌ I live in a small village at Rajasthan.

Correct
✅ I live at a small village in Rajasthan.
(At = smaller point, In = larger encompassing state).

Trap 2
❌ He is staying in Mukherjee Nagar at New Delhi.

Correct
✅ He is staying at Mukherjee Nagar in New Delhi.
(Mukherjee Nagar is a point within the larger city of Delhi).

Trap 3
❌ We booked a room in a hotel at London.

Correct
✅ We booked a room at a hotel in London.
(The hotel is a specific point inside the city).

Trap 4
❌ I am currently at India.

Correct
✅ I am currently in India.
(A single, large country always takes 'in').

Trap 5
❌ I will wait for you in the bus stop.

Correct
✅ I will wait for you at the bus stop.
(A bus stop is a specific map coordinate/point).

Trap 6
❌ The package was delivered in 45 Baker Street.

Correct
✅ The package was delivered at 45 Baker Street.
(Exact street addresses require 'at').

🚨 The Vehicle Rule (In vs. On)

How do you know whether to say "In a bus" or "On a bus"? Use the Walk Test!
• Use IN: For enclosed private vehicles where you must sit and CANNOT walk around inside (Car, Taxi, Helicopter).
• Use ON: For large public transport vehicles with a flat floor where you CAN stand up and walk down the aisle (Bus, Train, Plane, Ship). Also used for things you sit on top of (Bicycle, Horse, Motorcycle).

Trap 1
❌ She was reading a book on the taxi.

Correct
✅ She was reading a book in the taxi.
(You cannot stand and walk inside a taxi. Use 'in').

Trap 2
❌ He met me in the bus.

Correct
✅ He met me on the bus.
(You board onto a bus and can walk down the aisle).

Trap 3
❌ I slept nicely in the train.

Correct
✅ I slept nicely on the train.
(Public transport takes 'on').

Trap 4
❌ The VIP arrived on a private helicopter.

Correct
✅ The VIP arrived in a private helicopter.
(A helicopter is an enclosed space where you cannot walk around).

Trap 5
❌ He rode to school in a bicycle.

Correct
✅ He rode to school on a bicycle.
(You sit *on top* of the surface of a bicycle or horse).

Trap 6
❌ The passengers were told to stay in the plane.

Correct
✅ The passengers were told to stay on the plane.
(Large aircraft where you can walk down the aisle take 'on').

25 Confusing Preposition Pairs

These pairs look or sound similar but follow entirely different grammatical rules. SSC examiners love to swap them. Scroll through the master list below to see the exact traps.

1. Between vs. Among vs. Amidst

Between: Used for exactly TWO things/people. (Exception: Can be used for >2 if showing a distinct mutual relationship, e.g., A treaty between 5 countries).
Among: Used for more than two things/people (Countable nouns).
Amidst: Used for more than two things AND Uncountable nouns (e.g., amidst the chaos).

❌ Distribute these sweets between the students.

✅ Distribute these sweets among the students.

❌ There is no secret between you and I.

✅ There is no secret between you and me.
('Between' is a prep, takes objective case).

2. Beside vs. Besides

Beside: Means "Next to" or "By the side of" (Position).
Besides: Means "In addition to" or "Apart from" (Addition).

❌ He came and sat besides me.

✅ He came and sat beside me.

❌ Beside English, he knows French.

✅ Besides English, he knows French.

3. Since vs. For vs. From

Since: Point of Time in the past (Since 1990, Since Monday). Used in Perfect Tenses.
For: Duration/Period of Time (For 2 hours, For 5 years).
From: Starting point. Used in ANY tense, often paired with 'to' or 'till'.

❌ He has been living here for 2015.

✅ He has been living here since 2015.

❌ Our exams will start since Monday.

✅ Our exams will start from Monday.
(Future requires 'from').

4. In vs. Into / On vs. Onto

In / On: Denotes rest or a stationary position.
Into / Onto: Denotes MOTION towards the inside/surface.

❌ He jumped in the river.

✅ He jumped into the river.

❌ The cat jumped on the table.

✅ The cat jumped onto the table.

5. By vs. With (Agents & Tools)

By: Used for the living Agent (the Doer of the action).
With: Used for the non-living Instrument/Tool.

❌ The snake was killed with a farmer.

✅ The snake was killed by a farmer.

❌ I wrote the letter by a pen.

✅ I wrote the letter with a pen.

6. Across vs. Through

Across: Movement from one side of a 2D surface to another (swimming across a river).
Through: Movement from one side of a 3D enclosed space/medium to another (driving through a tunnel).

❌ He swam through the river.

✅ He swam across the river.

❌ The train passed across the tunnel.

✅ The train passed through the tunnel.

7. Made of vs. Made from

Made of: Physical change. The original material is still visible (A table made of wood).
Made from: Chemical change. The original material is destroyed/invisible (Cheese made from milk).

❌ This ring is made from gold.

✅ This ring is made of gold.

❌ Paper is made of trees.

✅ Paper is made from trees.

8. Angry at vs. Angry with

With: Used for living persons.
At: Used for a situation, behavior, or thing.

❌ He is angry at me.

✅ He is angry with me.

❌ I am angry with your bad behavior.

✅ I am angry at your bad behavior.

9. Agree with vs. Agree to vs. Agree on

With: Agree with a person.
To: Agree to a plan or proposal.
On: Agree on a specific matter/topic.

❌ I agree to you.

✅ I agree with you.

❌ He agreed with my proposal.

✅ He agreed to my proposal.

10. Compare to vs. Compare with

Compare to: Comparing two unlike/different things (Life is compared to a stage).
Compare with: Comparing two similar things (Compare Ram with Shyam).

❌ Life is compared with a dream.

✅ Life is compared to a dream.

❌ Compare your answers to mine.

✅ Compare your answers with mine.

11. Blind in vs. Blind to

In: Physical blindness in the eye.
To: Mental blindness (ignoring faults/mistakes).

❌ He is blind to the left eye.

✅ He is blind in the left eye.

❌ A mother is blind in her son's faults.

✅ A mother is blind to her son's faults.

12. Die of vs. Die from

Of: Used when the cause is a direct internal disease (cancer, malaria).
From: Used for indirect external causes (overwork, accident, starvation).

❌ He died from cancer.

✅ He died of cancer.

❌ He died of a car accident.

✅ He died from a car accident.

13. Part with vs. Part from

With: Part with a thing/possession (give it away).
From: Part from a living person (say goodbye).

❌ I cannot part from my old books.

✅ I cannot part with my old books.

❌ He parted with his parents.

✅ He parted from his parents.

Fast-Track Pairs (14 to 25)

14. Look at vs Look for: Look at (stare). Look for (search).
15. Deal in vs Deal with: Deal in (business/trade). Deal with (handle a person/situation).
16. Adapted to vs Adept in: Adapted to (adjust). Adept in (skilled).
17. Good at vs Weak in: Good/Bad/Clever at a subject. Weak in a subject.
18. Complain against vs Complain of: Complain against a person. Complain of a pain/issue.
19. Differ with vs Differ from: Differ with a person (disagree). Differ from a thing (unlike).
20. Entrust to vs Entrust with: Entrust a task to a person. Entrust a person with a task.
21. Appeal to vs Appeal for: Appeal to a judge/person. Appeal for justice/help.
22. Authority over vs Authority on: Authority over people (control). Authority on a subject (expert).
23. Familiar with vs Known to: I am familiar with him. He is known to me.
24. Useful to vs Useful for: Useful to a person. Useful for a purpose.
25. Disgusted with vs Disgusted at: Disgusted with a person. Disgusted at an act.

Fixed Prepositions: The Logic Grouping

🧠 Teacher's Secret: Grouping by Emotion

Do not try to memorize random A-Z lists! In English grammar, verbs that share a similar meaning, emotion, or direction of action almost always share the same fixed preposition. Memorize the 6 psychological categories below to hack your brain.

Category / Emotion	The Prep	The Logic & Word List to Memorize
1. Prevention & Separation	FROM	Logic: Creating distance or stopping an action. Prevent, Prohibit, Protect, Abstain, Refrain, Escape, Differ, Recover, Save, Part (from a person).
2. Cause, Lack & Accusation	OF	Logic: Pointing to the source of a feeling or a legal charge. Fond, Afraid, Aware, Jealous, Deprived, Devoid, Accused, Guilty, Acquitted, Capable, Tired, Sick, Sure.
3. Agreement & Association	WITH	Logic: Bringing things/people together into contact. Agree (person), Deal (person), Cope, Associate, Infested, Teeming, Filled, Crowded, Satisfied, Angry (person).
4. Dedication & Surrender	TO	Logic: Yielding power or giving attention in a specific direction. Addicted, Devoted, Committed, Prone, Accustomed, Yield, Submit, Listen, Superior/Senior, Injurious, Harmful.
5. Target, Aim & Reaction	AT	Logic: Focusing your eyes, weapon, or skill on a specific point. Look, Stare, Glance, Laugh, Smile, Mock, Aim, Shoot, Point, Good/Bad/Clever (at a skill).
6. Belief & Absorption	IN	Logic: Placing trust inside a concept, or being fully inside an activity. Believe, Trust, Faith, Engrossed, Absorbed, Involved, Excel.

🚨 The Context Traps (VVIP for SSC)

This is the ultimate test of your English comprehension. Some verbs are "Chameleons"—they completely change their preposition based on WHO or WHAT comes after them (the Object). Memorize these 8 master pairs.

Angry WITH (Person)
The teacher is angry with me.
(Use 'with' for living beings).

Angry AT (Action/Thing)
He is angry at my behavior.
(Use 'at' for situations, actions, or things).

Agree WITH (Person)
I totally agree with you.
(Aligning with a human mind).

Agree TO (Proposal)
He agreed to my proposal.
(Submitting to a plan or document).

Die OF (Disease)
The poor man died of cancer.
(Direct internal biological cause).

Die FROM (External Cause)
He died from overwork / blood loss.
(Indirect, external, or accidental cause).

Blind IN (Physical)
The beggar is blind in the left eye.
(Actual physical loss of vision).

Blind TO (Mental/Ignoring)
A mother is often blind to her son's faults.
(Choosing to ignore a reality).

Deal IN (Business)
My father deals in diamonds.
(Trading or buying/selling goods).

Deal WITH (Handle/Person)
I don't know how to deal with angry customers.
(Managing a situation or interacting with humans).

Part WITH (Thing)
A miser cannot part with his money.
(To give away a non-living possession).

Part FROM (Person)
She cried when she parted from her parents.
(To physically separate from living beings).

Compete WITH (Person)
I cannot compete with him.
(Going head-to-head against a rival).

Compete FOR (Prize/Goal)
They are competing for the gold medal.
(The object/goal you are trying to win).

Useful TO (Person)
This dictionary is very useful to me.
(Providing utility to a living being).

Useful FOR (Purpose)
This tool is useful for cutting wood.
(Indicating the function/job of an item).

The Redundancy & No-Preposition Traps

🚨 Trap 1: The "O-F-F" Trap & Superfluous Words

SSC examiners love to add extra prepositions or adverbs that ruin the sentence. Redundancy means using a word when its meaning is already included in the main verb. The most famous trick is adding an extra "f" to make it "off", or adding "up" where it doesn't belong.

❌ He could not cope up with the pressure.

✅ He could not cope with the pressure.
(Never use 'up' with cope).

❌ Please dispose off the garbage.

✅ Please dispose of the garbage.
(It is strictly single O-F, never O-F-F).

❌ Despite of working hard, he failed.

✅ Despite working hard, he failed.
(In spite of = Despite. Never put 'of' after Despite).

❌ He will return back tomorrow.

✅ He will return tomorrow.
(Return/Revert already mean going back. Drop 'back').

❌ The thief fled away from the police.

✅ The thief fled from the police.
(Flee inherently means to run away. Drop 'away').

❌ Please repeat the question again.

✅ Please repeat the question.
(Repeat inherently means doing it again).

🚨 Trap 2: Active Transitive Verbs (No Preposition)

As covered in the Verbs module, Transitive Verbs in active voice pass their action directly to the object. They do NOT take a preposition in the middle. SSC frequently adds extra prepositions here because it sounds "correct" in spoken Hindi/English.

Memorize the Block List:
Discuss, Describe, Order, Attack, Comprise, Investigate, Resemble, Accompany, Emphasize, Await, Sign, Enter (a physical place).

❌ We discussed about the problem.

✅ We discussed the problem.

❌ He ordered for a pizza.

✅ He ordered a pizza.

❌ The book comprises of five chapters.

✅ The book comprises five chapters.
(Note: 'Consists of' is correct, but 'Comprise' takes no preposition in active voice).

❌ The police investigated into the matter.

✅ The police investigated the matter.
(Investigate = Enquire into. Drop 'into' for investigate).

❌ China attacked on India in 1962.

✅ China attacked India in 1962.
(Verb 'attack' takes no preposition. Noun 'attack' does).

❌ She resembles to her mother.

✅ She resembles her mother.

❌ Please sign on the paper.

✅ Please sign the paper.
(Verb 'sign' takes no prep. Noun 'signature' takes 'on').

❌ He entered into the room.

✅ He entered the room.
(Use 'into' only for abstract things like entering into an agreement).

The "Time Dropping" & Deadline Traps

🚨 Trap 1: The "Time Dropping" Rule

We learned that Days take "ON" and Months take "IN". However, you must completely DROP the preposition (in/on/at) if the time word is immediately preceded by:
Last, Next, This, That, Every.
Also, never use prepositions before Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday.

❌ I met him on last Sunday.

✅ I met him last Sunday.

❌ We will go to Paris in next month.

✅ We will go to Paris next month.

❌ He arrived on yesterday.

✅ He arrived yesterday.

🚨 Trap 2: By vs. Till/Until (The Deadline Trap)

By: Used for a strict deadline. The action will be finished on or before that exact time.
Till / Until: Used for duration. The action continues happening up to that time and then stops.

❌ You must submit the form till Monday.

✅ You must submit the form by Monday.
(Submission is a one-time deadline action).

❌ Please wait for me by 5 PM.

✅ Please wait for me till 5 PM.
(Waiting is a continuous duration).

Previous Year SSC Questions (Mega Bank)

Test your knowledge with these 25 high-frequency, actual Preposition questions from CGL, CHSL, and CPO exams. Scroll down and click to reveal the detailed explanations.

Q1. He died from cancer last week. (CGL 2021)

Error: from ➔ of.

Rule: When a person dies of a specific disease (cancer, malaria), we use the preposition 'of'. We use 'from' for causes like overwork or an accident.

Q2. I ordered for a cup of tea. (CHSL 2020)

Error: ordered for ➔ ordered.

Rule: 'Order' used as an active transitive verb does not take any preposition.

Q3. He was sitting besides me in the class. (CPO 2022)

Error: besides ➔ beside.

Rule: 'Besides' means 'in addition to'. To sit next to someone, we use 'beside' (without 's').

Q4. Let us discuss about the new project. (CGL 2019)

Error: discuss about ➔ discuss.

Rule: 'Discuss' means to talk about something. Adding 'about' is a redundancy error.

Q5. She has been waiting for the bus since two hours. (MTS 2021)

Error: since ➔ for.

Rule: 'Two hours' is a period/duration of time. 'Since' is used for an exact starting point (Since 2 PM). Use 'for'.

Q6. Divide these apples between the five children. (CGL 2022)

Error: between ➔ among.

Rule: 'Between' is strictly used for exactly two people or things. For more than two (five children), use 'among'.

Q7. The cat jumped on the table. (CHSL 2021)

Error: on ➔ onto.

Rule: 'On' denotes a resting position. Because the cat is in motion, jumping from a lower level to a surface, we must use 'onto'.

Q8. He is blind in his own faults. (CPO 2019)

Error: in ➔ to.

Rule: If someone is physically blind in an eye, we use 'in'. If someone is ignoring their mistakes (mental blindness), we use 'blind to'.

Q9. They entered into the room quietly. (CGL 2020)

Error: entered into ➔ entered.

Rule: When entering a physical place, 'enter' takes no preposition.

Q10. I agree with your proposal. (MTS 2020)

Error: with ➔ to.

Rule: You agree 'with' a person, but you agree 'to' a proposal or plan.

Q11. The book comprises of ten chapters. (CHSL 2023)

Error: comprises of ➔ comprises.

Rule: 'Comprise' = 'Consist of'. Using 'of' after 'comprise' in active voice is superfluous.

Q12. I am angry at my brother. (CGL 2018)

Error: at ➔ with.

Rule: You are angry 'with' a person. You are angry 'at' a situation or behavior.

Q13. He prevented me to go there. (CPO 2021)

Error: to go ➔ from going.

Rule: Words of prevention (prevent, prohibit, abstain) take the preposition 'from', followed by a gerund (V+ing).

Q14. The teacher emphasized on the need for discipline. (MTS 2022)

Error: emphasized on ➔ emphasized.

Rule: 'Emphasize' is a transitive verb. It does not take the preposition 'on'.

Q15. He is addicted with smoking. (CGL 2022)

Error: with ➔ to.

Rule: Words showing strong habit or surrender (addicted, accustomed, devoted) take the preposition 'to'.

Q16. The police investigated into the murder case. (CHSL 2019)

Error: investigated into ➔ investigated.

Rule: 'Investigate' means 'inquire into'. Using 'into' with it is a redundancy error.

Q17. He accused her for stealing the watch. (CPO 2020)

Error: for ➔ of.

Rule: Words indicating a charge or legal state (accused, guilty, acquitted, convicted) take the fixed preposition 'of'.

Q18. I prefer travelling by train rather than travelling by bus. (CGL 2021)

Error: rather than travelling ➔ to travelling.

Rule: The word 'prefer' is always followed by the preposition 'to', never 'than' or 'rather than'.

Q19. You must abide with the rules of the hostel. (CHSL 2022)

Error: with ➔ by.

Rule: The phrasal verb is 'abide by' (meaning to obey). 'Comply' takes 'with'.

Q20. Translate this passage in Hindi. (CGL 2023)

Error: in ➔ into.

Rule: When the medium or state of something completely changes (like a translation), we use 'into'.

Q21. We must deal our customers politely. (MTS 2019)

Error: deal our ➔ deal with our.

Rule: To interact with people is to 'deal with' them. To trade in a business is to 'deal in' (e.g., deal in diamonds).

Q22. He was sitting in the shade of a tree. (CPO 2021)

Error: No error.

Rule: This is a classic trap! You sit 'under' a tree, but you sit 'in' the shade of a tree, because the shade creates a 3D volume covering you.

Q23. The exam will start from Monday. (CGL 2020)

Error: No error.

Rule: For future events with a starting point, 'from' is correct. ('Since' is used only for past points of time).

Q24. She resembles to her mother. (CHSL 2020)

Error: to ➔ (drop 'to').

Rule: 'Resemble' is an active transitive verb. It takes no preposition.

Q25. He parted with his wife. (CGL 2022)

Error: with ➔ from.

Rule: Part 'from' a person. Part 'with' a thing (e.g., He couldn't part with his old car).

Final Evaluation

PREPOSITIONS MOCK TESTS

Test your mastery with these real-time JS engines. Marking scheme: +1 for Correct, -0.25 for Incorrect.

Master Prepositions for SSC

Introduction & The Translation Trap

🔊 Listen: Why Translation Fails

What is a Preposition?

🚨 The Biggest SSC Trap: Mother Tongue Translation

The Time & Place Matrix (In, On, At)

🔊 Listen: The Triangle Rule

📐 Teacher's Master Hack: The Preposition Funnel

🚨 The Override Rule (VVIP for SSC)

🚨 In Time vs. On Time

🚨 The Nested Location Rule

🚨 The Vehicle Rule (In vs. On)

25 Confusing Preposition Pairs

🔊 Listen: Between vs Among / Since vs For

Fixed Prepositions: The Logic Grouping

🔊 Listen: Hack to Memorize Fixed Prepositions

🧠 Teacher's Secret: Grouping by Emotion

🚨 The Context Traps (VVIP for SSC)

The Redundancy & No-Preposition Traps

🔊 Listen: Transitive Verb & Redundancy Errors

🚨 Trap 1: The "O-F-F" Trap & Superfluous Words

🚨 Trap 2: Active Transitive Verbs (No Preposition)

The "Time Dropping" & Deadline Traps

🔊 Listen: The Phantom Prepositions

🚨 Trap 1: The "Time Dropping" Rule

🚨 Trap 2: By vs. Till/Until (The Deadline Trap)

Previous Year SSC Questions (Mega Bank)

PREPOSITIONS MOCK TESTS

Mock Test 1: Fixed Prepositions & Pairs

Test 1 Submitted!

Detailed Review

Mock Test 2: No-Preposition Traps

Test 2 Submitted!

Detailed Review

Master of Prepositions! 🌟