Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blank in the given sentence:
Don't loiter ____ the street.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → around
Loiter around:
- Loiter means to stand or wander about a place with no clear purpose.
- It is followed by around (or about) and the place: loiter around the street, loiter about the market.
- Complete sentence: Don't loiter around the street.
Example: Some boys were loitering around the bus stop.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: after — Incorrect. After shows time order or following someone; "loiter after the street" makes no sense.
Example: We went for a walk after dinner.
Option 3: over — Incorrect. Over shows a position above or across something; it is not used with loiter for a place.
Example: A lamp hung over the table.
Option 4: off — Incorrect. Off shows separation or removal; "loiter off the street" has no meaning.
Example: He took his shoes off.