From the options below, choose the correct preposition to fill in the blank:
"After the party, Sumit returned home ______ car."
By
The question asks us to choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence: "After the party, Sumit returned home ______ car." This sentence talks about the mode of transport used by Sumit to return home.
Understanding Prepositions of Transport
Prepositions are used to show relationships between words in a sentence, often indicating location, time, or manner. When talking about modes of transport, specific prepositions are commonly used. The most common preposition used to indicate the general mode of transport is "by".
- We say "by car".
- We say "by train".
- We say "by bus".
- We say "by plane".
- We say "by boat".
- We say "by bicycle".
- We say "by motorcycle".
- We say "by taxi".
This structure "by + mode of transport (without 'a', 'an', or 'the')" is used to describe the general method of travel.
Analyzing the Sentence and Options
The sentence "After the party, Sumit returned home ______ car" describes how Sumit travelled home. The blank needs a preposition that indicates the means of travel.
- The phrase is "______ car". Since "car" is a mode of transport used generally, the preposition "by" is the appropriate choice. "By car" is a standard English idiom for travelling using a car.
Analyzing Incorrect Preposition Options
Let's look at the other options provided and understand why they are not suitable in this context:
- On: The preposition "on" is typically used for public transport like "on a bus", "on a train", "on a plane", "on a boat". It is also used for vehicles you ride on, like "on a bicycle" or "on a motorcycle". It is not used with "car" in this way. Saying "on car" is grammatically incorrect.
- To: The preposition "to" usually indicates direction or destination. For example, "Sumit went to the car" means he moved towards the car. It does not indicate the mode of transport he used to get home. Saying "to car" does not make sense in this sentence.
- Into: The preposition "into" indicates movement inside something. For example, "Sumit got into the car" means he entered the car. It describes the action of entering the vehicle, not the mode of transport used for the journey home. Saying "into car" does not make sense in this sentence.
Therefore, considering the usage of prepositions with modes of transport, "by" is the only correct option to complete the sentence.
Summary of Prepositions for Modes of Transport
| Preposition | Usage (General Mode) | Usage (Specific Vehicle) |
|---|---|---|
| by | by car, by bus, by train, by plane, by boat, by bicycle, by motorcycle, by taxi | (Not used with articles 'a/an/the' for specific vehicles) |
| in | (Not typically used for general mode) | in a car, in a taxi, in a boat (small) |
| on | (Not typically used for general mode) | on a bus, on a train, on a plane, on a boat (large), on a bicycle, on a motorcycle, on foot |
Based on the analysis, the correct preposition to fill the blank is "by". The completed sentence is: "After the party, Sumit returned home by car."
Revision Table: Mastering Prepositions of Travel
| Concept | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Mode of Transport (General) | Use 'by' + transport type (no article). Example: by car, by train. |
| Specific Vehicle (Car/Taxi) | Use 'in a/the' + car/taxi. Example: in a car, in the taxi. |
| Specific Vehicle (Bus/Train/Plane/Bike) | Use 'on a/the' + vehicle. Example: on a bus, on the train, on a bicycle. |
| Travel by Foot | Use 'on foot' or 'walk'. Example: I went there on foot. / I walked there. (Not 'by foot'). |
Additional Information on Prepositions
While "by" is used for the general mode of transport, remember that when you refer to a specific vehicle (using 'a', 'an', 'the', or a possessive), you typically use "in" or "on". For instance:
- "He arrived in his car."
- "She was travelling on the train."
The preposition "by" has many other uses too, such as indicating the agent in a passive sentence ("The book was written by her"), indicating proximity ("The house by the river"), or indicating time ("by noon"). However, in the context of transport, "by" is primarily used to state the method of travel without focusing on the specific vehicle.
Important Questions from Synonyms and Antonyms
Based on your reading of the passage, identify the sentence/sentences which are CORRECT:
(A) Alphonse and Charles had grown up together
(B) Alphonse’s and Charles’s mothers were friends
(C) Alphonse and Charles never dissolved their partnership
(D) Alphonse was fit for being the head of an independent business
(E) Alphonse and Charles went to the same school
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
The passage is about:
Identify the correct synonyms of the two words given below: **Waddle, eerie**
Choose the suitable part of speech for the underlined word in the given sentence: "He knows better than you."
Fill in the blank with an appropriate Modal from the options: "One ______ abide by the laws."
