Select the most appropriate preposition to be filled in the sentence given below:
I had been guilty ________ the inappropriate reaction.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → of
Complete sentence: I had been guilty of the inappropriate reaction. The speaker admits to an inappropriate reaction, so "I had been guilty of the inappropriate reaction."
| Option | Used to show | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) for | For follows “feel guilty” to give a reason (“I feel guilty for shouting at him”). “Been guilty for the reaction” is not used. | She felt guilty for missing the party. |
| (2) at | Guilty at is not an English pairing. | – |
| (3) in | “Guilty in” names the case or matter (“guilty in the bribery case”), not the wrong one did. | – |
| (4) of (answer) | The adjective guilty takes the preposition of before the wrong or the crime: one is guilty of something. | He was found guilty of theft. |