なぜやるか
前置詞問題は Part5 で毎回3問程度出題される安定ジャンルです。選択肢はすべて前置詞（at / in / on / by / over / under 等）が並び、意味・用法の知識がないと解けません。
攻略の鍵は「意味を暗記する」のではなく、各前置詞のコアイメージを掴むことです。イメージから意味が派生するため、初見の表現でも対応できます。
攻略法
前置詞のコアイメージ（10個）
| 前置詞 | コアイメージ | 主な用法 |
|---|---|---|
| at | 〈一点〉 | at 9 A.M. / at the entrance / at a rate of |
| in | 〈内側〉 | in the office / in progress / in hot weather |
| on | 〈接触〉 | on Monday / on a monthly basis / comment on |
| by | 〈そば・手段・期限・差〉 | by Friday / by e-mail / by 10% / by oneself |
| for | 〈方向・目的・期間〉 | for two weeks / qualify for / in exchange for |
| over | 〈超える・上を覆う〉 | over the past year / over the telephone / over budget |
| under | 〈真下・状況下〉 | under construction / under investigation / under the regulations |
| within | 〈範囲内〉 | within two weeks / within budget |
| throughout | 〈全体にわたって〉 | throughout Japan / throughout the year |
| among | 〈集団の中〉 | among the applicants / among the best |
重要熟語一覧
| 熟語 | 意味 |
|---|---|
| at the conclusion / end of X | Xの終わりに |
| at the beginning / start of X | Xの初めに |
| at a rate of X | Xの割合で |
| in progress | 進行中 |
| in advance | 事前に |
| in response to X | Xに応じて |
| in charge of X | Xを担当している |
| on a monthly / regular basis | 月単位で／定期的に |
| on behalf of X | Xを代表して |
| by X | X（期限）までに |
| by oneself | 独力で（= on one’s own） |
| over the past X years | 過去X年にわたって |
| over the telephone / phone | 電話越しに |
| under construction | 工事中 |
| under investigation | 調査中 |
| within X days / weeks | X日以内に／X週間以内に |
| upon arrival / completion | 到着したらすぐ／完了したらすぐ |
| regarding / concerning X | Xに関して |
| prior to X | Xの前に（= before） |
| aside from X | Xに加えて／Xを除いて |
解き方
前置詞問題の解法：
① 選択肢がすべて前置詞 → 前置詞問題と判断
② 空所の前後の語句を確認（動詞・名詞との組み合わせ）
③ コアイメージ → 熟語の知識で選ぶ
ひっかかりやすいパターン：
– by（期限）vs until（継続）：提出は by / ずっと〜は until
– during（前置詞）vs while（接続詞）：後ろに名詞→during、SV節→while
– for（期間）vs since（起点）：2週間→for two weeks / 先週から→since last week
やり方
| ステップ | 内容 |
|---|---|
| 1 | 攻略法の表を読み、コアイメージと重要熟語を確認する |
| 2 | 練習問題を解く（空所の前後の語句との組み合わせを確認） |
| 3 | 間違えた問題は「なぜその前置詞が使われるか」をコアイメージで確認する |
| 4 | 正解できた問題も、構造把握まで読んで根拠を確認する |
16問以上正解（80%）を目標にしてください。
練習問題（20問）
Q1. The project manager requested that all team members submit their progress reports ------- the end of each month to ensure that the entire department remains on schedule.
(A) at (B) by (C) on (D) in
Q1の解答・解説を見る
- (A) at → at the end of the month（月末に、という時点）は可能だが、”submit by” の方が期限のニュアンスを正確に表す。at は時点を指し、締め切りの意味は弱い
- (C) on → on the end of the month という表現は存在しない
- (D) in → in the end（最終的には）は存在するが、in the end of the month は不自然
S[The project manager] V[requested] that (S[all team members] V[submit] their progress reports by the end of each month) (to ensure that the entire department remains on schedule).
Q2. The international trade delegation arrived ------- the convention center just minutes before the opening ceremony was scheduled to begin.
(A) on (B) by (C) in (D) at
Q2の解答・解説を見る
- (A) on → arrive on は「〜（乗り物）で到着する」（arrive on a flight 等）。建物への到着には at が適切
- (B) by → arrive by は「〜で到着する」（arrive by train 等）。手段を示す場合に使う
- (C) in → arrive in は「〜（都市・国）に到着する」（arrive in Tokyo 等）。大きな地域に使う
S[The international trade delegation] V[arrived] at the convention center (just minutes (before the opening ceremony was scheduled to begin)).
Q3. The construction of the new community library is currently ------- progress and is expected to be completed before the end of the fiscal year.
(A) on (B) at (C) in (D) under
Q3の解答・解説を見る
- (A) on → “on progress” という表現は存在しない
- (B) at → “at progress” という表現は存在しない
- (D) under → under construction（工事中）は可能だが、”under progress” は標準的ではない
S[The construction (of the new community library)] V[is] currently in progress and V[is expected] (to be completed (before the end of the fiscal year)).
Q4. Please notify the facilities management team ------- advance if you plan to use the main conference room for an event that requires special audiovisual equipment.
(A) on (B) in (C) at (D) by
Q4の解答・解説を見る
- (A) on → “on advance” という表現は存在しない
- (C) at → “at advance” という表現は存在しない
- (D) by → “by advance” という表現は存在しない
V[Please notify] the facilities management team in advance (if you plan to use the main conference room (for an event (that requires special audiovisual equipment))).
Q5. The director of operations confirmed that all three manufacturing plants have been ------- investigation following the discovery of irregularities in the quarterly production reports.
(A) under (B) on (C) in (D) at
Q5の解答・解説を見る
- (B) on → “on investigation” という表現は存在しない
- (C) in → “in investigation” という表現は一般的ではない（in progress は可）
- (D) at → “at investigation” という表現は存在しない
S[The director of operations] V[confirmed] that (S[all three manufacturing plants] V[have been] under investigation) (following the discovery (of irregularities (in the quarterly production reports))).
Q6. Residents living ------- the construction site reported that the noise and vibration from the heavy machinery had significantly disrupted their daily routines for several weeks.
(A) among (B) throughout (C) within (D) near
Q6の解答・解説を見る
- (A) among → among は「集団の中」を示す。among the construction site は文法的に不自然（site は単数）
- (B) throughout → throughout は「全体にわたって」。throughout the construction site = 工事現場全体にわたって、という意味になり文脈に合わない
- (D) near → near は前置詞として使えるが、4つの選択肢の中では within が「騒音の影響圏内に住んでいる」というニュアンスを最も正確に表す
S[Residents (living within the construction site)] V[reported] that (S[the noise and vibration (from the heavy machinery)) V[had significantly disrupted] their daily routines (for several weeks)).
Q7. The executive vice president delivered a keynote address ------- behalf of the company’s founder, who was unable to attend the annual shareholders’ meeting due to a prior commitment.
(A) in (B) at (C) by (D) on
Q7の解答・解説を見る
- (A) in → “in behalf of” は古い表現で現代英語では on behalf of が標準的
- (B) at → “at behalf of” という表現は存在しない
- (C) by → “by behalf of” という表現は存在しない
S[The executive vice president] V[delivered] a keynote address on behalf of the company’s founder, (who was unable to attend the annual shareholders’ meeting (due to a prior commitment)).
Q8. The company’s new remote work policy, which ------- effect at the beginning of next quarter, will allow eligible employees to work from home up to three days per week.
(A) takes (B) is (C) goes (D) comes
Q8の解答・解説を見る
- (B) is → “is effect” は文法的に不成立
- (C) goes → “go into effect”（効力を発する）という表現は存在するが、”goes effect” は不可
- (D) comes → “come into effect” は可能だが、”comes effect” は不可
S[The company’s new remote work policy], (which takes effect (at the beginning of next quarter)), V[will allow] eligible employees (to work from home (up to three days per week)).
Q9. Several analysts predicted that the value of the company’s shares would increase ------- approximately fifteen percent following the announcement of the strategic partnership with the global technology firm.
(A) at (B) by (C) in (D) with
Q9の解答・解説を見る
- (A) at → at は割合に使う場合もある（at a rate of 15%）が、increase at 15% は「15%の割合で増加する」という継続的ニュアンス。ここは変化の幅を示すので by が適切
- (C) in → “increase in fifteen percent” は標準的な表現ではない
- (D) with → “increase with fifteen percent” は文法的に不自然
S[Several analysts] V[predicted] that (S[the value (of the company’s shares)) V[would increase] by approximately fifteen percent) (following the announcement (of the strategic partnership (with the global technology firm))).
Q10. The new health and safety regulations will apply to all businesses operating ------- the metropolitan area, regardless of their size or the industry in which they are classified.
(A) between (B) among (C) within (D) throughout
Q10の解答・解説を見る
- (A) between → between は2つのもの「の間」。the metropolitan area は単一の地域なので between は使えない
- (B) among → among は「集団の中」。単一の地域には使わない
- (C) within → within は「範囲内」。”within the metropolitan area” も文法的には可能だが、throughout の方が「都市圏全体に例外なく適用される」というニュアンスを正確に表す
S[The new health and safety regulations] V[will apply] (to all businesses (operating throughout the metropolitan area)), (regardless of their size or the industry (in which they are classified)).
Q11. The head of the legal department submitted the signed contract ------- the client immediately ------- receiving confirmation that all terms had been mutually agreed upon by both parties.
(A) to / upon (B) for / on (C) at / by (D) with / in
Q11の解答・解説を見る
- (B) for / on → “submitted for the client”（クライアントのために提出した）は意味が変わる。”on receiving”（〜したときに）は可能だが、upon の方がより即時性を強調する
- (C) at / by → “submitted at the client” は不自然。”by receiving” という表現は存在しない
- (D) with / in → “submitted with the client” は不自然。”in receiving” という表現は存在しない
S[The head (of the legal department)] V[submitted] the signed contract to the client immediately upon receiving confirmation (that all terms had been mutually agreed upon (by both parties)).
Q12. The marketing director spoke with several major clients ------- the telephone last week to address their concerns about the changes to the company’s subscription pricing structure.
(A) on (B) by (C) at (D) over
Q12の解答・解説を見る
- (A) on → “on the telephone”（電話中で）は可能で、”speak on the phone” という表現も存在するが、”spoke with clients on the telephone” よりも “over the telephone” の方がTOEICで頻出
- (B) by → “by telephone”（電話で）も可能だが、”by the telephone” は不自然（by telephone に定冠詞は不要）
- (C) at → “at the telephone” という表現は存在しない
S[The marketing director] V[spoke] (with several major clients) over the telephone (last week) (to address their concerns (about the changes (to the company’s subscription pricing structure))).
Q13. The annual performance review must be completed ------- two weeks of the end of each employee’s probationary period to comply with the company’s revised human resources guidelines.
(A) by (B) within (C) for (D) over
Q13の解答・解説を見る
- (A) by → by は「〜までに（締め切り）」。”by two weeks” という表現は不自然（by the end of two weeks は可）
- (C) for → for は期間を示す（for two weeks = 2週間の間）。ここは「以内に」なので within が適切
- (D) over → over two weeks = 「2週間にわたって」。以内ではなく継続を示す
S[The annual performance review] V[must be completed] within two weeks (of the end (of each employee’s probationary period)) (to comply (with the company’s revised human resources guidelines)).
Q14. The company’s flagship product has remained ------- the best-selling items in the household appliance category for five consecutive years, according to the latest industry report.
(A) between (B) within (C) among (D) against
Q14の解答・解説を見る
- (A) between → between は2者「の間」。best-selling items は複数（3つ以上）の集団なので among が適切
- (B) within → “within the best-selling items” は「最も売れている商品の範囲内」という意味になり不自然
- (D) against → against は「対立・対比」のイメージ。文脈に合わない
S[The company’s flagship product] V[has remained] among the best-selling items (in the household appliance category) (for five consecutive years), (according to the latest industry report).
Q15. The regional sales manager was asked to give a presentation ------- the company’s new product line at the upcoming trade show to be held in Singapore next month.
(A) regarding (B) despite (C) along (D) throughout
Q15の解答・解説を見る
- (B) despite → despite は「〜にもかかわらず」。文脈に合わない
- (C) along → along は「〜に沿って」。”a presentation along the product line” は不自然
- (D) throughout → throughout は「〜全体にわたって」。”a presentation throughout the product line” は不自然
S[The regional sales manager] V[was asked] (to give a presentation regarding the company’s new product line) (at the upcoming trade show (to be held (in Singapore) (next month))).
Q16. The renovation of the hotel’s main lobby and restaurant area will be completed ------- a period of approximately six weeks, during which guests will be directed to use the side entrance.
(A) during (B) over (C) within (D) throughout
Q16の解答・解説を見る
- (A) during → during は「〜の間に（期間内に）」。”during a period of six weeks” も可能だが、”over a period of” の方が「段階的に完成する」ニュアンスが強く、ここではより自然
- (C) within → within は「〜以内に」。within six weeks（6週間以内に）は可能だが、”within a period of” は冗長
- (D) throughout → throughout は「全体にわたって」。throughout a period も可能だが、”over a period of” が最も自然な表現
S[The renovation (of the hotel’s main lobby and restaurant area)] V[will be completed] over a period (of approximately six weeks), (during which S[guests] V[will be directed] (to use the side entrance)).
Q17. The customer satisfaction survey revealed that ------- the challenges introduced by the new online ordering system, the majority of users rated their overall shopping experience as highly satisfactory.
(A) despite (B) although (C) because of (D) given
Q17の解答・解説を見る
- (B) although → although の後には主語＋動詞（SV節）が必要。”although the challenges” だけでは節にならない
- (C) because of → because of は「〜が理由で」。逆接ではなく原因を示す
- (D) given → given（〜を考えると）は前置詞的に使えるが、「満足と評価した」と逆接にはならない
S[The customer satisfaction survey] V[revealed] that (despite the challenges (introduced (by the new online ordering system)), S[the majority of users] V[rated] their overall shopping experience as highly satisfactory).
Q18. Employees who complete the advanced certification course will receive a salary adjustment ------- line with the company’s revised compensation framework, which takes effect at the start of the next fiscal year.
(A) on (B) at (C) in (D) by
Q18の解答・解説を見る
- (A) on → “on line with” という表現は存在しない（”on the line” は「電話中で」等の別の表現）
- (B) at → “at line with” という表現は存在しない
- (D) by → “by line with” という表現は存在しない
S[Employees (who complete the advanced certification course)] V[will receive] a salary adjustment in line with the company’s revised compensation framework, (which takes effect (at the start (of the next fiscal year))).
Q19. The partnership agreement between the two companies specifies that all disputes arising ------- the contract must be resolved through mediation before either party can pursue legal action.
(A) by (B) of (C) over (D) from
Q19の解答・解説を見る
- (A) by → “arise by the contract” は標準的な表現ではない
- (B) of → “arise of the contract” という表現は存在しない
- (C) over → “arise over the contract”（契約をめぐって生じる）は意味的に可能だが、”arise from” の方が「原因」を直接示す正確な表現
S[The partnership agreement (between the two companies)] V[specifies] that (S[all disputes (arising from the contract)] V[must be resolved] (through mediation) (before either party can pursue legal action)).
Q20. The chief executive officer commended the entire workforce ------- their exceptional dedication and performance during one of the most challenging periods in the company’s thirty-year history.
(A) about (B) on (C) for (D) with
Q20の解答・解説を見る
- (A) about → “commend X about Y” は標準的な表現ではない
- (B) on → “commend X on Y” も使われる場合があるが（”congratulate X on Y”のような形）、commend は通常 for と組み合わせる
- (D) with → “commend X with Y” という表現は存在しない
S[The chief executive officer] V[commended] the entire workforce for their exceptional dedication and performance (during one (of the most challenging periods) (in the company’s thirty-year history)).
| 問題 | 正解 | パターン |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | B | by：期限（by the end of each month） |
| Q2 | D | at：場所の一点（arrive at） |
| Q3 | C | in progress：進行中 |
| Q4 | B | in advance：事前に |
| Q5 | A | under investigation：調査中 |
| Q6 | C | within：範囲内（within the site） |
| Q7 | D | on behalf of X：Xを代表して |
| Q8 | A | at the beginning of X / take effect |
| Q9 | B | by：差・変化の幅（increase by 15%） |
| Q10 | D | throughout：全体にわたって |
| Q11 | A | to（方向）/ upon doing（〜したらすぐ） |
| Q12 | D | over the telephone：電話越しに |
| Q13 | B | within：〜以内に（within two weeks） |
| Q14 | C | among：集団の中（among the best） |
| Q15 | A | regarding X：Xに関して |
| Q16 | B | over a period of：〜にわたって |
| Q17 | A | despite：〜にもかかわらず（名詞句の前） |
| Q18 | C | in line with X：Xに沿って |
| Q19 | D | arise from X：Xから生じる |
| Q20 | C | commend X for Y：YのことでXを称える |
A: 5問 / B: 5問 / C: 5問 / D: 5問