• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Prepositions of time, place and cause; Usage: fewer/less, lay/lie, who/that, between/among). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the preposition that fits. We stayed inside ___ the storm. (since / during / on / at) → duringPrompt: Does the gap tell us when, where or how long?
2. Choose the word that is correct in formal English. I should drink ___ coffee. (less / fewer) → lessPrompt: Can you count it? Is something being placed, or reclining by itself?
3. Which word is the preposition? After lunch, we played chess. (played / lunch / After / chess) → AfterPrompt: A preposition comes before a noun or noun phrase.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Idiomatic prepositions (consistent with, capable of, prefer…to). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Choose the preposition that is correct in standard English. I prefer reading ___ watching TV.
• Step 1: Many verbs, adjectives and nouns take a particular preposition (an idiom). Learn them as pairs.
• Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "I prefer reading to watching TV."
• Step 3: So the answer is: to
• Answer: to
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English? Who is responsible for the budget? (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: These pairings are fixed by usage, not logic. Say each option aloud with the word before the gap.
2. Choose the preposition that is correct in standard English. I prefer reading ___ watching TV. (to / over to / from / than) → toPrompt: These pairings are fixed by usage, not logic. Say each option aloud with the word before the gap.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English? They succeeded in raising the money. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: These pairings are fixed by usage, not logic. Say each option aloud with the word before the gap.
2. Type the preposition that completes the phrase. The outcome depends ___ the weather. → onPrompt: These pairings are fixed by usage, not logic. Say each option aloud with the word before the gap.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.