In the following question, the sentence is given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option.
of
Understanding Prepositions After 'Tired'
The question asks us to fill in the blank in the sentence "I am tired _______ walking." with the most appropriate preposition. The correct preposition to use after the adjective 'tired' often depends on what follows it.
When 'tired' is followed by a reason or cause for being tired, especially an activity or something repetitive, the preposition 'of' is commonly used. This structure indicates that the person is fatigued or weary because of the activity or situation.
Analysing the Options
- by: While 'tired by' can sometimes be used, it's less common than 'tired of' in this context. 'Tired by' might suggest the means or process by which one became tired (e.g., "tired by the long journey"), but 'tired of' is standard for expressing fatigue from an activity.
- of: This is the most common and appropriate preposition when expressing fatigue caused by an activity like 'walking'. "Tired of walking" means one is fatigued from the act of walking. It can also mean weary of doing something repeatedly.
- for: 'Tired for' is not standard English usage in this context. One might be 'tired for' someone else (meaning tired on their behalf), but not 'tired for' an activity they are doing.
- in: 'Tired in' is not standard English usage. One might be 'tired in' a particular place or situation, but not 'tired in' an activity like walking.
Correct Usage Examples
Here are some examples illustrating the correct use of 'tired of':
- She is tired of waiting.
- He got tired of studying for hours.
- We are tired of the same old routine.
- They were tired of running.
In the given sentence, the blank is followed by the gerund 'walking', indicating the activity causing the tiredness. Therefore, 'of' is the correct preposition.
The complete sentence should be: "I am tired of walking."
| Preposition | Context After 'Tired' | Appropriate? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| of | Activity (gerund) or situation (often repetitive) causing fatigue | Yes | Tired of walking, tired of waiting, tired of the noise |
| by | Means or process (less common than 'of') | Less Common | Tired by the journey (often 'of' is preferred) |
| for | Not used for the cause/activity | No | — |
| in | Not used for the cause/activity | No | — |
Revision Table: Prepositions with 'Tired'
| Word/Phrase | Common Preposition | Meaning/Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tired | of | Fatigued by an activity or situation; weary of something repetitive. | I am tired of doing the same work. |
| Tired | from | Fatigued as a result of a specific event or cause (often physical exertion). | She was tired from running the marathon. |
| Tired | by | Less common; sometimes used for means/process of fatigue. | He was tired by the end of the long lecture. |
Additional Information: Mastering Prepositions
Prepositions are small words like 'of', 'in', 'on', 'at', 'for', 'by', 'with', etc., that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They often indicate location, time, direction, or cause.
Choosing the correct preposition can be tricky as their usage is often idiomatic and dependent on the preceding word (verb, adjective, or noun). Learning common collocations, like 'tired of', 'interested in', 'good at', etc., is crucial for improving English fluency and accuracy.
Many adjectives are followed by specific prepositions. For example:
- Afraid of heights
- Fond of music
- Keen on sports
- Responsible for the task
Paying attention to how prepositions are used in different contexts and practicing with various examples is the best way to master them.
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.
My son is very _____, he trusts everyone.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.
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.
