Prepositions
A preposition is a
word that shows the relationship between an object – a noun or pronoun – and
other words in a sentence.
Memorise how prepositions
are to be used. There is no easy way out. Our notes here may help too!
The
preposition is placed before a noun or pronoun. It shows the relationship
between nouns and pronouns in the same sentence. It may be used to indicate position, place, direction or time.
Prepositions of Position
With regard to place, in tends to be used with larger or enclosed areas such as cities,
countries and tunnels, whereas at
tends to be used for smaller places, points on a journey, or for activities
typically associated with a place.
E.g.
•
The couple will spend their money in London. (large area)
•
Their train stops at London Paddington. (point
on a journey)
•
The boys are running around in the library. (enclosed area)
•
They boys are at the library, reading. (reading
is associated with libraries)
When talking about
heights or levels, you use below, over or under.
E.g.
•
The dog is sleeping under the bed.
•
The plane flew over the hills.
These prepositions indicate a movement towards
a goal.
E.g.
•
Let’s go to
the market.
•
The swimmers walked into the sea.
•
The students eagerly ran towards the campsite.
Prepositions of Time
On is used for days and dates.
E.g.
•
The wedding will be on Saturday. At is
used to indicate a specific time.
E.g.
•
I’ll see you at six o’clock.
From ... to and
during are used to indicate a period of time.
E.g.
•
The tulip festival is from March to May.
•
During the school
holidays, students engage in
community projects.
Other prepositions
indicating time are before, until, after,
since and by.
E.g.
•
My wife exercises before breakfast.
•
You can visit her after office hours.
•
You must submit the forms by 1st July.
•
Until now, I’ve always
thought that she was a meticulous
officer.
•
She has been making a lot of progress since she started her exercise
programme.
There are times
when we are unsure which preposition we should use. These are some troublesome
prepositions.
Beside and Besides
Beside means “next to”.
E.g.
•
She sits beside
me in the office. Besides means “other than”
or “apart from”.
E.g.
•
Besides enjoying cooking, I
like reading a book when I’m free.
Between is
used when referring to two people, places
or things.
Among is used for three or more people, places or
things.
E.g.
•
Divide the cake among the five of you.
•
The twins shared the sweets between themselves.
‘Differ with’ and ‘Differ from’
When you differ with someone, you disagree with
that person’s opinion or idea.
When you differ from someone, it means that you
are unlike that person.
E.g.
•
The form teacher differed with the English teacher on the boy’s abilities.
•
Mr Chan differed
from his predecessor in terms of management style.
Sometimes you may find it hard to decide which
preposition you should use with a word.
This is a list to help you.
•
according to
•
angry with
•
ashamed of
•
bored with
(something)
•
comment on
•
disagree with
•
disappointed in (something)
•
disappointed with (somebody)
•
disgusted at
(something)
•
disgusted with
(somebody)
•
pride oneself on (something)
•
protest against
•
rely on
•
similar to
•
write about
(something)
•
write to
(somebody)
Phrasal verbs –
verbs used with a preposition or adverb.
Phrasal verbs are
never hyphenated.
•
back away
– to retreat
• back down – retract or withdraw (from a position or argument)
•
back out
– fail to keep an agreement
•
back up
– make a copy of computer data
•
back (someone) up
– to support someone
•
fall apart
– break into pieces (literally) or become emotionally disturbed (figuratively)
•
fall behind
– make little progress
•
fall out
– have a bad relationship with someone
•
(something) fall through – be unsuccessful
•
get across
– communicate successfully
•
get ahead
– make progress
•
get along
– have a good relationship with someone
•
get around
to – finally manage to do something
•
get back
at – take revenge
•
put across
– communicate
•
put (someone) down
– insult someone
•
put forward
– suggest or nominate
• put up – allow someone to stay at your house for a few days
•
put up
with – tolerate
