Using Prepositions To Describe Trends And Changes Common Mistakes

Question 1

Which is correct?

1 There has been an increase IN the number of people aged over eighty
Or
2 There has been an increase OF the number of people aged over eighty

Answer 1

1
a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something
a/an cut, decline, decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc, IN something

Question 2

The chart shows a decline ……. the bird population

Answer 2

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something
a/an cut, decline, decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc, IN something

Question 3

There have been dramatic cuts ….. the level of spending on the elderly

Answer 3

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something
a/an cut, decline, decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc, IN something

Question 4

There have been significant improvements ……. healthcare

Answer 4

IN

a/an change, growth, improvement, trend,variation, etc. IN something

Question 5

We have seen massive changes ……. people’s lifestyles

Answer 5

IN

a/an change, growth, improvement, trend,variation, etc. IN something

Question 6

Which is correct?

1 Between 1990 and 2000, there was a drop 15%
Or
2 Between 1990 and 2000, there was a drop of 15%

Answer 6

2

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.
A/an decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc. OF number

Question 7

The statistics show a reduction of 20% …… energy costs as a result of the measures

Answer 7

IN

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.
A/an decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc. OF number

Question 8

The radio station experienced a fall …… 36,000 listeners to a total audience of 2.1 million

Answer 8

OF

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.
A/an decrease, drop, fall, increase, reduction, rise, etc. OF number

Question 9

Demand reached a peak …… 45,000 in early March

Answer 9

OF

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.
A high, low, maximum, peak, total, etc. OF number

Question 10

The hot weather led to a sudden surge …… ice cream sales

Answer 10

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something

Question 11

There has been a slight rise in/of/to the number of men employed

Answer 11

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something

Question 12

Experts expect there to be a fall by/of/in approximately 30% over the next decade

Answer 12

OF

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.

Question 13

The introduction of DVDs has led to a decline of/in/to video sales

Answer 13

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something

Question 14

We have seen an increase by/of/in only 0.5% during the past year

Answer 14

OF

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.

Question 15

Researchers observed changes of/to/in educational levels

Answer 15

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something

Question 16

The survey hopes to track trends for/in/to consumer spending

Answer 16

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something

Question 17

The health service spent a total in/of/at £2.5 billion on staffing last year

Answer 17

OF

A noun describing a change or the result of a change OF a number showing the size of the change.

Question 18

The new figures show a drop of 5% in/of/to student numbers

Answer 18

IN

a noun describing a specific trend or change IN something