Directions: Fill in the blank.
He was frightened………………..
of being killed
Understanding Preposition Usage with 'Frightened'
This question tests the correct usage of prepositions following the adjective 'frightened'. The adjective 'frightened' typically indicates a state of fear or anxiety. To express the cause or object of this fear, specific prepositions are commonly used.
Common Collocations with 'Frightened'
The most standard and widely accepted preposition to follow 'frightened' when indicating the cause of the fear is 'of'. This structure is used when talking about the thing, situation, or possibility that causes fear.
- Example: She is frightened of spiders.
- Example: He was frightened of the dark.
The preposition 'to' is generally used with 'frightened' when it is followed by an infinitive verb, indicating that someone is afraid to perform an action or afraid of what might happen as a result of an action.
- Example: He was frightened to move, fearing he might fall.
The preposition 'for' is less common directly after 'frightened' in this context. It might be used to express worry about someone else's situation, but not typically as the direct cause of one's own fear in the way 'of' is.
Analyzing the Options
Let's analyze each option in the context of the sentence: "He was frightened........."
| Option | Phrase | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | to be killed | While 'frightened to' can be used, it usually precedes an action the subject is afraid to do. "Frightened to be killed" is less idiomatic than "frightened of being killed" for expressing the cause of fear. |
| 2 | to being killed | This is grammatically incorrect. 'Frightened to' requires an infinitive (to be), not a gerund (being). |
| 3 | for being killed | 'Frightened for' typically implies worry about someone else or anxiety about a situation, not the direct cause of personal fear. It does not fit the intended meaning here. |
| 4 | of being killed | This is the standard and correct construction. "Frightened of" + gerund phrase clearly indicates that the prospect or possibility of being killed was the cause of his fear. |
| 5 | This option is empty. |
Conclusion
The correct preposition to use after 'frightened' when indicating the cause of fear, especially with a gerund phrase like 'being killed', is 'of'. Therefore, the sentence should read: "He was frightened of being killed." This aligns with common English usage where 'frightened of' denotes the source of the fear.
Important Questions from Fill in the Blanks
Direction : Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
There was a time when West Germany was a distinct ______.
Direction: Select the word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the answer sheet accordingly.
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I wish I _____ her before we met.Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
I accepted the offer _______ certain conditions.
Directions: Each of the following items in this section has a sentence with a missing preposition. Select the correct preposition from the given options and mark your response accordingly.
He visits the needy to relieve them ______ their sufferings and poverty.
