PREPOSITIONS

Some examples for "Pairs of prepositions" that often confuse.
As/ like: As is used to make comparisons of things (lifeless). It is also used to mean 'because' when used as a simple preposition.
Like is used to make comparisons of animate objects. (living things)
    Do as I say.
    As we are moving out, we no longer need your apartment.
    She is like her sister. Always smiles.
    
In front of/ opposite: 'In front of' and 'opposite' are both prepositions of place. Prepositions of place tell us where something is located.
"In front of" refers to objects and people that are ahead of something or someone else. The antonym of 'in front of'' is 'behind'. Here are some examples:
There are only 10 people in front of us in the line. I hope I get a ticket.
The laptops are placed in front of the students on their desks.
Our house is in front of the park. (The park is behind our house, as we are looking in that direction.)
Opposite refers to something that is facing another object. The main difference between 'in front of' and 'opposite' is that 'in front of' refers to placement in a sequence, whereas 'opposite' refers to things that face each other.
My house is opposite to Rizwan's house.
The clinic is in St 8, opposite to the supermarket.
Our house is opposite to yours. (Different sides of the road.)
She sat opposite to the policeman. (Different sides of a table.)
In time/ on time/ around the time: In time is used when an action is done before the deadline. This means early enough. (Do not try to use within the time. You can say within the prescribed time/ deadline.)
On time is used when an action is done punctually.
All the candidates should be in time for their test.
The Rajadhani Express started on time. (No delay)
Around the time is to say approximately that time.
We left home around 4 o' clock.
By/via: By can be used with air/ land/ sea whereas via is used to mean 'through one place on the way to another':
Shall I send this parcel by air?
I couldn't fly to New York direct and had to go via Dubai.
Across/ through/ along: The difference between across and through is somewhat similar to the difference meaning on and in.
Through is used for movement in a three dimensional space, with things on all sides. Across cannot be used with that meaning.
A tunnel was dug through the hill to ease the congestion in the Vijayawada.We walked across the road.
(We were on the road and went from one side to another.)
He swam across the canal. (From one side to another side)
He walked along the road. (In the same direction)
The boat sailed along the canal with the current.

Are all prepositions single words?
No. In addition to the simple (one-word) prepositions, several word groups (such as "in addition to" and "such as") perform the same grammatical function. These word groups are called complex prepositions.
Examples of Complex Prepositions (Prepositional Phrases) in English:
Use of Prepositions with Verbs
Prepositions also vary depending upon the verb that precedes it. Further, they also vary depending upon the object (eg. something (sth) or somebody (sbd). Though the following list is not the complete list of verb dependent prepositions, most commonly used are given.

Verbs do not take prepositions after them
Resemble, board, order, demand, attack.
l    He resembles with his mother.
l    We ordered for 10 copies of that book.
l    They boarded into the train.
l    He demanded for immediate release of funds.
l    Though we didn't say anything, they attacked against us.
We have mentioned that the use of preposition changes with the object. Let's see how it works:
Angry with somebody - She is angry with her son.
Angry at something - She is angry at his behaviour.
Agree with somebody - We all agreed with him.
Agree to something - We all agreed to his proposal.
Compare with somebody - Many parents compare their kids with other kids.
Compare to something - The poet compared her face to moon.
Care for something - He doesn't care for appearance.
Care about somebody - He doesn't care about his parents.
Deal with (handle) - He deals with gold. (He is a goldsmith.)
Deal in (to trade/ business) - He deals in gold. (He is a jeweler shop owner.)

Model Questions
1.    He retired ___ active politics.
    1) out        2) with
    3) by         4) from
2.    It is easier to pull ___ a house than to build one up.
    1) for 2) down  3) by 4) into
3.    The boat sailed ___ the current without any difficulty.
    1) along     2) into  
    3) over     4) across
4. The boy cried ____ the spilt milk.
     1) over     2) about  
    3) along      4) for
5. Younger people have no regard ____traditions.
    1) for     2) with  
    3) to         4) between
6. All of us should abide ____traffic regulations for everyone's safety.
    1) on     2) with  3) by 4) for
7. He was relieved ___his duty.
    1) from 2) off  3) by 4) of
8.    He was requested to chair _____ the meeting.
    1) over 2) on  3) with 4) none
9.    Frustrated with life, she jumped ____the lake.
    1) over  2) into  3) across  4) on
10.    On seeing the police, the thief hid ___ the cot.
    1) below     2) under
    3) beneath    4) in
Directions (Q.No. 11 - 14): Use the prepositions and adverbs given below to complete the sentences.
Above; below; among; towards; opposite; over; under; like; betw-een; from; in front of; through
11.    Everybody on the staff is ________ suspicion.
12.    He held a handkerchief ________ his face to protect himself from the smoke.
13.    They discussed the matter ________ a cup of tea.
14.    Our village is several metres ________ reservoir canal-level; so it is frequently flooded.