Compound prepositions worksheet - Free Printable

Final Answer:
1–C, 2–G, 3–N, 4–E, 5–D, 6–F, 7–O, 8–G (but note: G is already used for #2 — likely a typo; correct match for #8 is *behind*, so G), 9–M, 10–J, 11–L, 12–K, 13–N (conflict — N used for #3; correct for #13 is *from, not having, from among* → N), 14–I, 15–H

But since matching must be one-to-one and options are labeled A–O (15 items), let’s assign uniquely:

A. before expected, earlier than scheduled
B. except for
C. Sm’s opinion
D. by using something
E. by reason of
F. as a
G. behind
H. concerning something
I. before
J. not caring about something
K. because of
L. in place of
M. with reference to
N. from, not having, from among
O. approach

Now match correctly (standard definitions):

1. According to → C (Sm’s opinion)
2. Ahead of → I (before) — but “ahead of” means *in front of* or *earlier than*; A says “before expected, earlier than scheduled”, which fits *ahead of* better. Let's re-evaluate carefully using standard usage:

Standard matches for compound prepositions:

1. According to → C. Sm’s opinion ✔
2. Ahead of → A. before expected, earlier than scheduled ✔ (e.g., “We arrived ahead of schedule”)
3. Apart from → B. except for ✔
4. Because of → K. because of ✔ (but K is listed separately — wait, option K is “because of”, so #4 → K)
5. By means of → D. by using something ✔
6. By way of → F. as a ✔ (e.g., “by way of explanation” = as a way of) — actually more like *via*, but F is “as a”, closest
Better to use authoritative matching:

Let me list standard equivalents:

- According to = in someone’s opinion → C
- Ahead of = before (in time or position); A says “before expected, earlier than scheduled” → fits *ahead of schedule*, so #2 → A
- Apart from = except for → B
- Because of = due to → K (and K is “because of”) → #4 → K
- By means of = through the use of → D
- By way of = via, as a method or route; F is “as a” — weak, but likely intended match
- In front of = O. approach? No. O is “approach” — doesn’t fit. Wait, #7 is “In front of”, should match *in front of* = opposite of behind. G is “behind”, so #8 “In back of” → G. Then #7 “In front of” has no direct label — but O is “approach”, not right.

Actually, looking at the list, the intended matching (common worksheet answer key) is:

1 – C
2 – A
3 – B
4 – K
5 – D
6 – F
7 – O *(“in front of” ≈ approach? unlikely)* — this suggests possible mislabeling.

Wait — re-express all options with meanings:

A. before expected, earlier than scheduled → *ahead of*
B. except for → *apart from*
C. Sm’s opinion → *according to*
D. by using something → *by means of*
E. by reason of → *because of*
F. as a → *by way of* (e.g., “by way of introduction” = as a introduction)
G. behind → *in back of*
H. concerning something → *with respect to*
I. before → *up to*? No, “up to” means until; “before” is I, but #14 is “Up to” → I? Not exact.

Let’s match unambiguously using standard grammar resources:

- According to → C
- Ahead of → A
- Apart from → B
- Because of → E (since E = “by reason of”, and “because of” = “by reason of”) — yes, legal/formal synonym
- By means of → D
- By way of → F (“by way of” can mean “as a” e.g., “by way of example” = as an example)
- In front of → no direct, but O is “approach” — unlikely. Perhaps #7 → (none), but worksheet expects:

Actually, common matching for such worksheets:

1. According to — C
2. Ahead of — A
3. Apart from — B
4. Because of — K (since K literally says “because of”)
5. By means of — D
6. By way of — F
7. In front of — O? No. Let's count options: A to O = 15 options, 15 items. So each used once.

List items 1–15 and options A–O:

We assign:

1. According to → C
2. Ahead of → A
3. Apart from → B
4. Because of → K
5. By means of → D
6. By way of → F
7. In front of → ? remaining: E, G, H, I, J, L, M, N, O
“In front of” means *before* in space — closest is none, but “O. approach” is wrong.

Wait — perhaps “In front of” matches nothing directly, but in some worksheets, “in front of” is left for *opposite of behind*, and #8 “In back of” → G.

So:
8. In back of → G
7. In front of → ??? Maybe the worksheet intends O. approach as distractor — but that’s incorrect.

Let me search logical unique mapping:

Use definition matching:

- “By reason of” = because of → so #4 → E
Then #12 “On account of” = because of too, but only one “because of” option (K). Conflict.

Given the worksheet is from LiveWorksheets and standard for ESL, the correct matching is:

1 – C
2 – A
3 – B
4 – E
5 – D
6 – F
7 – O *(incorrect, but commonly forced)* — no.

Alternative: Look at option N: “from, not having, from among” → fits “Out of” (#13)
“Out of” = from among → N
“Instead of” (#11) = L. in place of
“On account of” (#12) = K. because of
“Up to” (#14) = I. before (as in “up to now” ≈ before now) — but I is “before”, acceptable
“With respect to” (#15) = H. concerning something

Now fill:

1. According to → C
2. Ahead of → A
3. Apart from → B
4. Because of → E (by reason of)
5. By means of → D
6. By way of → F
7. In front of → ? only left: J, M, O, L, K, N, I — but let’s assign systematically:

Used: A, B, C, D, E, F
Remaining options: G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O (9 left)
Remaining items: 7–15 (9 items)

7. In front of → no perfect, but often matched with O. approach in error — however, more accurately, “in front of” isn’t listed; maybe the worksheet expects:
8. In back of → G
9. In regard to / In reference to → M
10. In spite of → J (not caring about something) — close enough
11. Instead of → L (in place of)
12. On account of → K (because of)
13. Out of → N (from, not having, from among)
14. Up to → I (before)
15. With respect to → H (concerning something)

That leaves 7. In front of → only option left: O. approach — though imperfect, it’s the only one remaining.

So final unique matching:
1–C, 2–A, 3–B, 4–E, 5–D, 6–F, 7–O, 8–G, 9–M, 10–J, 11–L, 12–K, 13–N, 14–I, 15–H

This uses all A–O exactly once.

Final Answer:
1–C, 2–A, 3–B, 4–E, 5–D, 6–F, 7–O, 8–G, 9–M, 10–J, 11–L, 12–K, 13–N, 14–I, 15–H