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Advanced Preposition Idioms and Semantic Nuances
Practise fixed government patterns and subtle meanings of по, за, под, and при.
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Browse Prepositions practiceQuestion 1
Он обратился ___ задержки рейса.
English context
Choose the fixed phrase meaning 'He contacted them about the flight delay.'
Options
- по поводу
- за поводом
- при поводу
- под поводом
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- по поводу
Correct feedback
Correct! По поводу is a fixed formal expression meaning 'about/concerning.'
Grammar rule
По поводу + genitive means 'about, concerning': обратиться по поводу проблемы.
Question 2
Решение принято ___.
English context
Choose the fixed phrase meaning 'The decision was made at the client's request.'
Options
- по просьбе клиента
- за просьбу клиента
- при просьбу клиента
- под просьбой клиента
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- по просьбе клиента
Correct feedback
Exactly! По просьбе means 'at someone's request' and governs the dative.
Grammar rule
По + dative can express action according to or in response to something: по просьбе клиента.
Question 3
Он пришёл ___ к старшему коллеге.
English context
Choose the idiomatic phrase meaning 'He came for advice from a senior colleague.'
Options
- за советом
- по совету
- под советом
- при совете
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- за советом
Correct feedback
Correct! За советом means 'for advice,' with за governing the instrumental.
Grammar rule
За + instrumental can express going or coming for something: прийти за советом, обратиться за помощью.
Question 4
Мы действовали ___, а не импровизировали.
English context
Choose the fixed phrase meaning 'We acted according to the instructions.'
Options
- по инструкции
- за инструкцией
- под инструкцию
- при инструкции
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- по инструкции
Correct feedback
Well done! По инструкции means 'according to the instructions.'
Grammar rule
По + dative expresses accordance with a rule, plan, or instruction: действовать по инструкции.
Question 5
Документы лежат ___ в сейфе.
English context
Choose the phrase meaning 'The documents are kept under lock in the safe.'
Options
- под замком
- под замок
- за замком
- по замку
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- под замком
Correct feedback
Correct! Под замком is the fixed idiom 'under lock and key.'
Grammar rule
Под + instrumental expresses a fixed condition or control: под замком, под защитой.
Question 6
Компания работает ___.
English context
Choose the phrase meaning 'The company works under the leadership of the new director.'
Options
- под руководством нового директора
- по руководство нового директора
- за руководством нового директора
- при руководство нового директора
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- под руководством нового директора
Correct feedback
Exactly! Под руководством is the established phrase 'under the leadership of.'
Grammar rule
Под + instrumental expresses being under authority, influence, or supervision: под руководством.
Question 7
___ встречу можно перенести.
English context
Choose the formal phrase meaning 'If necessary, the meeting can be postponed.'
Options
- При необходимости
- По необходимость
- За необходимостью
- Под необходимость
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- При необходимости
Correct feedback
Correct! При необходимости is a formal fixed conditional phrase meaning 'if necessary.'
Grammar rule
При + prepositional appears in fixed conditional expressions: при необходимости, при возможности.
Question 8
___ вы можете получить подробный отчёт.
English context
Choose the formal phrase meaning 'If you wish, you can receive a detailed report.'
Options
- При желании
- По желание
- За желанием
- Под желанием
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- При желании
Correct feedback
Right! При желании is a standard formal way to say 'if desired.'
Grammar rule
При + prepositional forms formal conditions such as при желании ('if desired').
Question 9
Сотрудники получили премию ___.
English context
Choose the fixed phrase meaning 'The employees received a bonus based on the year's results.'
Options
- по итогам года
- за итоги года
- при итоги года
- под итогами года
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- по итогам года
Correct feedback
Excellent! По итогам года is a formal fixed phrase meaning 'following/based on the results of the year.'
Grammar rule
По + dative in по итогам means 'based on/following the results': по итогам проверки.
Question 10
Он действовал ___, поэтому план изменился.
English context
Choose the phrase meaning 'He acted according to circumstances, so the plan changed.'
Options
- по обстоятельствам
- за обстоятельствами
- под обстоятельства
- при обстоятельствах
Accepted answers and explanation
Accepted answers
- по обстоятельствам
Correct feedback
Correct! По обстоятельствам means 'according to the circumstances' and is common in neutral and formal speech.
Grammar rule
По + dative expresses adaptation or accordance with changing conditions: действовать по обстоятельствам.