Question

Complete the following sentence with the written word or phrase. Choose from (A), (B), (C) or (D).
I can’t believe they accused me ______________ shoplifting.
A) On
B) With
C) Of
D) By

Answer 1

Hint: A preposition is a word or a group of words that come before the noun or noun phrase or pronouns. Prepositions express the direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships so that they can easily introduce the object. For example: in, at, on, of, to, besides, between, by, down, from and etc.

Complete answer:
As we have clearly understood the meaning of the proposition now, we have to choose the best preposition to fill the blank and make the sentence grammatically correct.

Let us analyze the given options:
Option A) On – preposition ‘on’ is used when we talk about the places. Basically, on is used when we are speaking about the surface or when something is on the surface of something. For example, The tablets are on the coffee table. Thus, if we use ‘on’ in the blank, it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect because here in this sentence it does not talk about any place or surface. Therefore, the use of this option is incorrect and this is an incorrect answer.
Option B) With – preposition ‘with’ is used to indicate being together or being involved. For example, I ordered a pizza with a cold drink. Thus, the use ‘with’ in the blank does not give a meaningful sentence thus, making it grammatically incorrect. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.
Option C) Of – preposition ‘of’ is used to indicate or describe the relationship between other words or it defines or expresses the relationship of a part of something to its whole. For example, She is a girl of 10 years. However, in the given sentence it expresses the relationship between other words. Therefore, the use of the preposition ‘of’ in the blank is the perfect fit and gives the sense meaning of the sentence and this is grammatically correct. Thus, this is the correct answer.
Option D) By – preposition ‘by’ is used to express or describe as a means of something to someone. This preposition comes in a passive sentence. For example, The letter was written by her. Thus, the use of ‘by’ in the blank makes the sentence incorrect. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘C’ i.e, I can’t believe they accused me of shoplifting.

Note: A preposition is a word that comes before a noun or a pronoun and establishes a relationship between the elements of a clause or words. Option C) ‘of’ is correct because it is used to express a relation. The other options are wrong as preposition on, with, and by indicate a surface, inclusion, and usage respectively. These prepositions don't fit well in the given question. Therefore, the correct answer is C).