Fill in the blank with appropriate preposition.
I paid the bill _____ cash.

Question

Fill in the blank with appropriate preposition. 
I paid the bill _____ cash.

Accepted Answer

Explanation:

1. **Option 1: in**
   - The phrase "in cash" is a commonly accepted and widely used expression in English to indicate the method of payment. When you pay "in cash," it means you are using physical currency (bills and coins) to settle a transaction. The preposition "in" is used here to denote the medium or form of payment. This usage is idiomatic and has been established through common usage in the English language.

2. **Option 2: at**
   - The preposition "at" is typically used to indicate a specific location or point in time, rather than a method or medium of payment. For example, you might say "at the store" or "at 3 PM." It does not fit the context of specifying how a bill is paid, which is why it is incorrect in this sentence.

3. **Option 3: for**
   - The preposition "for" is generally used to indicate purpose, reason, or duration. For example, "for a meeting" or "for two hours." It does not convey the method of payment, which is the focus of the sentence. Therefore, using "for" in this context would be incorrect.

4. **Option 4: with**
   - The preposition "with" is often used to indicate accompaniment or the means by which something is done, such as "with a friend" or "with a pen." While it might seem plausible to use "with cash," it is not the standard idiomatic expression in English for indicating payment method. The established phrase is "in cash," making "with" an incorrect choice in this context.

In conclusion, Option 1, "in," is the correct preposition to use in the sentence "I paid the bill _____ cash" because it aligns with the idiomatic expression used to describe payment methods in English. The other options do not fit the context or established usage for indicating payment by cash.