He left his book ______ the desk.

Appeared in: SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Explanation

The correct preposition is 'On' because it is used to describe something resting on a surface.
In the context of the sentence, the book is physically placed on top of the desk.
This choice accurately reflects the spatial relationship between the book and the desk's surface.

Option A: 'At' is used to describe a general location or a point, often where an activity takes place.
Option B: 'Of' is a preposition that primarily indicates possession, origin, or relationship.
Option D: 'In' is used to indicate that something is inside an enclosed space.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Prepositions of Place as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While this is a grammar question, precision in language is crucial in all professional settings, including healthcare. Using the correct preposition prevents ambiguity and potential errors.
For example, a nurse's note stating 'Medication left on the bedside table' is clear and precise, whereas 'Medication left at the bedside table' could be ambiguous.
What if? If the sentence were 'He was sitting ______ the desk,' the correct answer would be 'at.' This change in subject (from an object 'book' to a person 'He') and implied action (sitting) makes 'at' the appropriate choice for indicating location for an activity.

How to Approach the Question

First, read the sentence carefully to understand the context: 'He left his book ______ the desk.'
Identify the relationship being described. The sentence is about the location of an object (book) in relation to another object (desk).
Visualize the action. A book is typically placed on the flat top surface of a desk.
Consider the meaning of each preposition option: 'At' (general location), 'Of' (possession), 'On' (surface), 'In' (enclosed space).
Select the preposition that best matches the physical relationship. 'On' is the only option that means 'on top of a surface.'

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full SGPGI Nursing Officer-2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.