Attendance Grammar: Correct Preposition for Dissatisfied

This question asks to identify the most suitable preposition to complete the sentence: "The manager was dissatisfied ______ the poor attendance." The task involves understanding the correct grammatical usage of the adjective dissatisfied with prepositions.

Understanding the Use of 'Dissatisfied'

The adjective dissatisfied means being unhappy or displeased with a situation or outcome. To express the reason for this feeling, a preposition is needed to connect the adjective to the cause of the dissatisfaction.

Analyzing the Preposition Options

We need to evaluate how each option functions grammatically:

• 'of': This preposition typically indicates possession, origin, or belonging. It is not used to express the cause of dissatisfaction. Therefore, "dissatisfied of" is incorrect in this context.
• 'with': This is the standard idiomatic preposition used with dissatisfied when referring to the cause or object of the discontent. The phrase "dissatisfied with" is a common and correct construction in English grammar, indicating what caused the unhappiness. For instance, "She was dissatisfied with the meal." This fits perfectly for linking the manager's feeling to the poor attendance.
• 'by': While 'by' can sometimes indicate cause or agency, it is less standard with dissatisfied compared to 'with'. Phrases like "annoyed by" or "frustrated by" are common, but "dissatisfied with" is the preferred idiom. "Dissatisfied by" might be understood but is not the most appropriate choice.
• 'to': This preposition generally indicates direction, purpose, or recipient. It does not fit the grammatical structure required to link dissatisfaction to its cause. "Dissatisfied to" is grammatically incorrect in this sentence.

Selecting the Appropriate Preposition

Considering standard English usage, the preposition 'with' correctly conveys the relationship between the manager's feeling of dissatisfaction and the specific reason, which is the poor attendance.