Select the correct alternative to fill in the blank with the correct preposition in the following sentence.
The old man's dependence ______ coffee is really surprising.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
on
Explanation
The correct preposition to fill the blank is "on". In English grammar, the noun "dependence" and its related verb form "depend" both require a fixed preposition to connect with the object they rely upon. That fixed dependent preposition is strictly "on" or "upon". Therefore, the phrase "dependence on coffee" is the only grammatically accurate option to describe relying on a substance.
The other options—"dependence in", "dependence with", and "dependence about"—are completely incorrect because they break standard English collocation rules. They do not accurately convey the concept of reliance and are never paired with the word dependence in standard speech or writing.
Key Points
When working with nouns that stem from verbs, the noun form almost always inherits the same preposition as the parent verb. Because you say "I depend on my morning beverage," the noun form naturally follows suit, giving you "my dependence on my morning beverage." Memorizing these verbal pairs can help you save valuable time during timed examinations.