• 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 have swimming ___ Tuesday. (in / on / at / by) → onPrompt: Does the gap tell us when, where or how long?
2. Choose the word that is correct in formal English. The final score was ___ than we expected. (less low / lower) → lowerPrompt: Can you count it? Is something being placed, or reclining by itself?
3. Which word is the preposition? The boat drifted towards the island. (towards / drifted / boat / island) → towardsPrompt: 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? The plan is in keeping with the town's history. (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. The new model is superior ___ the old one. (than / to / from / over) → 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 8 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. Type the preposition that completes the phrase. He was preoccupied ___ his exams. → withPrompt: These pairings are fixed by usage, not logic. Say each option aloud with the word before the gap.
2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English? The book gives real insight on teenage life. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: 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.