Verbs followed by prepositions can be tricky. Can you select the correct verb in each phrase?

1. At dawn, the band's fans started to (cue up, queue up) for tickets.

2. The danger of infection (militates against, mitigates against) extensive surgery.

3. The hikers (clambered up, clamored up) the steep trail.

4. The stream was (teaming with, teeming with) fish.

5. The editors (poured over, pored over) the manuscript.

6. The technicians tried to (home in, hone in) on the problem.

7. The new mayor hopes to (reign in, rein in) spending.

8. The suspect added details to (flush out, flesh out) his alibi.

9. The league commissioner will (meet out, mete out) the punishments.

10. Your figures don't (gibe, jibe) with mine.

Answers:

1. "Queue up," which means to form a line, is correct. "Cue up" means to set up a record, tape, CD or DVD so it's ready to be played from a certain spot, as in, "The engineer cued up the tape."

2. "Militates against," which means to exert a strong influence, is correct. "Mitigate" means to lessen, alleviate, as in, "The antibiotics mitigated her infection."

3. "Clambered up," which means to climb with effort or difficulty, is correct. "Clamor" means to raise an uproar, as in, "We clamored for more trail mix."

4. "Teeming with," which means to abound in, is correct. "Teaming with" means to join, as in, "Microsoft is teaming with Apple."

5. "Pored over," which means to read intently, is correct. "Pour over" means to make a liquid flow downward, as in, "The water poured over the dam."

6. "Home in," which means to head for home, as homing pigeons do, or to zero in on a specific target, is correct. "Hone" means to sharpen, as in, "She honed her skills."

7. "Rein in," which means to check or restrain, as in using reins to slow down horses, is correct. "Reign" means to rule, as in, "The king reigned for 30 years."

8. "Flesh out," which means to elaborate, add detail, is correct. "Flush out" means to bring something into the open for examination, as in, "The interrogators tried to flush out the truth."

9. "Mete out," which means to measure out, is correct.

10. "Jibe with," meaning to be consistent with, is correct. "Gibe" means a caustic remark, or to taunt by making such remarks.

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254