Question

Choose the appropriate preposition and fill in the blank:
Are you angry _________ what happened?
A. with
B. about
C. by
D. of

Answer 1

Hint: A preposition is used to establish a relation between the two words. However, when clubbed with an adverb or an adjective, it forms a phrasal verb.

Complete Solution:
From the hint given to us, we know that a preposition is used to establish a relation between the two words. We also know that when a preposition is clubbed with an adverb or an adjective, it forms a phrasal verb. A phrasal verb acts as a verb in the sentence. In the given sentence, the act of being angry is mentioned. Hence, we require a preposition to enable it to act as a phrasal verb. Without a preposition, it can only act as an adjective.
With can be used with the adjective, angry, to form a phrasal verb. ‘Angry with’ is used as a phrasal verb when the object of the sentence is a person. We observe that the object of the given sentence is not a person. Hence, option A is not the correct answer.
About can be used with the adjective, angry, to form a phrasal verb. ‘Angry about’ is used as a phrasal verb when the object of the sentence is a situation. We observe that the object of the given sentence is a situation. Hence, option B is possibly the correct answer.
Angry followed by the preposition, ‘by’, is grammatically incorrect. Hence, option C is not the correct answer.
Angry followed by the preposition, ‘of’, grammatically incorrect. Hence, option D is not the correct answer.

Thus, we can conclude that option B is the correct answer.

Note: A phrasal verb is a phrase that acts as a verb in the sentence. A phrasal verb could also include a verb.