🟠 TOEIC Part 5: Mastering Prepositions — in / at / on / by / with / to / for

Q1. What’s the difference between “in” and “at”? A: “In” is used for enclosed spaces or time periods. Example: She works in HR. “At” is used for specific points, times, or events. Example: She’s at the office. Q2. When do I use “on” instead of “in” for time? A: Use “on” for specific days or dates: on Monday, on July 1st Use “in” for months or years: in July, in 2023 Q3. What does “by Friday” mean? A: It means “no later than Friday.” You must finish the task before or on Friday — not after. Q4. What’s the difference between “for” and “to”? A: “To” is for direction or giving: Send the email to the client. “For” is for purpose or benefit: This is for the client. Q5. Can I use “with” and “by” the same way? A: No. “With” is for tools or features: Cut with scissors. “By” shows method, means, or agent: Sent by courier. / Painted by Van Gogh. Q6. Which preposition goes with “meeting”? A: Use “at.” → at the meeting is the natural phrase. Q7. Why is it “on the table,” not “in the table”? A: “On” is used for surfaces. Tables have surfaces. “In” is only used if the object is inside a drawer or compartment. Q8. Is it “talk to” or “talk with”? A: Both are possible. “Talk to” = one-way direction. “Talk with” = more equal exchange or conversation. Q9. Why do we say “in the morning” but “at night”? A: “In” is used for parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon “At night” is an exception and treated as a fixed point. Q10. Is it “on the internet” or “in the internet”? A: Always “on the internet.” Like on TV, on social media. These are considered platforms or channels. Q11. When should I use “in” vs “into”? A: “In” = already inside. “Into” = movement or action entering something. The files are in the folder. vs. He put the files into the folder. Q12. Is it “arrive at” or “arrive in”? A: Use “arrive at” for specific places: arrive at the station Use “arrive in” for cities or countries: arrive in Tokyo Q13. What’s the difference between “on time” and “in time”? A: “On time” = punctual, not late. “In time” = before a deadline or just before something happens. Q14. Why do we say “good at” but “interested in”? A: Collocation. Some adjectives naturally go with certain prepositions. Examples: good at, interested in, famous for, responsible for Q15. Can I say “on business” or “in business”? A: Both are valid but different: “On business” = traveling or acting in a work-related capacity. “In business” = operating a business. Example: She’s in business now. vs. He went to London on business. Q16. Is it “married with” or “married to”? A: “Married to” is correct when naming the partner. She is married to a lawyer. “Married with” is only used to show family: married with two kids. Q17. What’s the correct form: “apply to” or “apply for”? A: “Apply to” = the organization: apply to the company “Apply for” = the position: apply for the job Q18. Do we say “interested for” or “interested in”? A: Only “interested in” is correct. Example: I’m interested in marketing. Q19. Why do we say “responsible for,” not “responsible to”? A: “Responsible for” = in charge of something. “Responsible to” = under the authority of someone. Example: She is responsible for hiring. / He is responsible to the CEO. Q20. What does “by myself” mean vs “with myself”? A: “By myself” = alone, no one else present. “With myself” is not used in normal English. Correct: I went by myself. Q21. What’s the difference between “on time” and “at the time”? A: “On time” = punctual (e.g., The train was on time.) “At the time” = refers to a specific past moment (e.g., At the time, I didn’t know.) Q22. Why do we say “depend on,” not “depend of”? A: “Depend on” is the fixed verb-preposition pair. It depends on the weather. – correct Depend of – incorrect Q23. Can I say “on the phone” and “at the phone”? A: “On the phone” = talking “At the phone” = physically near it (rare) Use: She’s on the phone right now. Q24. Is it “go to home” or “go home”? A: No “to” is used with “home” as an adverb. I’m going home. – correct Go to home. – incorrect Q25. Do we say “contribute to” or “contribute for”? A: “Contribute to” is correct. Example: She contributed to the project. Q26. What does “within” mean vs. “in”? A: “Within” = inside a limit (time/space). Within 24 hours = no later than 24 hours. “In” = neutral container or time. In 24 hours = at some point during that period. Q27. Why is it “interested in” but “excited about”? A: Prepositions depend on the verb/adjective. These are set collocations. Interested in, excited about, worried about, afraid of Q28. When do we say “under” vs “below”? A: “Under” = covered or directly beneath. Under the table “Below” = lower in position, level, or ranking. Temperatures below zero Q29. Can I say “between three things”? A: “Between” is used for distinct, individual items — even if more than two. Between sales, marketing, and HR – correct Q30. Is it “at the top” or “on the top”? A: “At the top” = location or ranking She is at the top of her class. “On the top” = physically sitting on the surface The book is on the top shelf. Q31. What’s the rule for “over” vs “above”? A: “Over” = covering, movement, or more than Put the blanket over him. / Over 50 people came. “Above” = higher level or position The picture hangs above the sofa. Q32. What’s the opposite of “into”? A: “Out of” is the direct opposite of “into.” He got into the car. → He got out of the car. Q33. Do we say “in detail” or “with detail”? A: Always “in detail.” Example: He explained it in detail. Q34. Is it “at the beginning” or “in the beginning”? A: “At the beginning” = specific point in time “In the beginning” = during the early stage or phase Example: At the beginning of the project, we met daily. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure. Q35. Why is it “of importance” instead of “with importance”? A: “Of importance” is a formal structure meaning “important.” This issue is of great importance. “With importance” is not standard. Q36. What’s the difference between “next to” and “beside”? A: Almost identical in meaning. “Next to” = informal “Beside” = slightly more formal The bank is next to the post office. She sat beside me. Q37. Can I say “to my opinion”? A: No. The correct form is: In my opinion. “To my opinion” is incorrect. Q38. Do we say “good in math” or “good at math”? A: “Good at” is correct. Use: She’s good at math. Q39. What’s the difference between “from” and “of” in expressions like “a member from” vs “a member of”? A: “A member of” shows belonging. He’s a member of the team. “From” shows origin. He’s a member from Japan. Q40. When do we use “according to”? A: “According to” is used to cite a source or give attribution. According to the report, profits increased. You cannot say “according by” or “according from.”

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