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prepositions

M. van Eijk MA

Kinds of Prepositions

Definition:-

Preposition is a word, which is used before a noun, a (noun) phrase or a pronoun , connecting it to another word.

@ Simple prepositions: Prepositions which consist of only one word. e.g. on, in, at, with, for, against etc..,@ Compound prepositions: Prepositions which consist of two or more

words. e.g. run into, in the middle of, by the side of etc..,

Some prepositions

Prepositions of Place : under/below

Prepositions of Place : under/below Some prepositions show where something happens: prepositions of place.Examples:

Eline was sitting under a tree. > on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something else

The fish are below the surface. > All the common uses of below are related to the idea of “lower or less than,”

There’s a wooden floor underneath the carpet. > Sometimes we use the word underneath instead of under

Miners work beneath the surface of the Earth. > Sometimes we use beneath instead of below

Prepositions of Place : under/below

BELOW & UNDERCompare:

The sun disappeared below the horizon.

Temperatures were below normal all week.

We sat under a tree and rested.

The cat is under the bed.

Under is preferred when something is covered by what is over it.

Prepositions of Place : over/aboveABOVE & OVERCompare:

Prepositions of Place : over/aboveABOVE & OVERThink:

• The bomber flew over the target. [path of motion above]

• The bomber is over the target. [The aircraft is where it needs to be to drop bombs onto the target]

Prepositions of Place : over/aboveABOVE & OVERCompare:

A path above the lake. > “higher than something else, but not directly over it”

The helicopter was hovering above the building.She's rented a room above a shop.The moon rose slowly above the horizon.

Some geese flew over their house. >”at a higher position than X“Helicopters dropped leaflets over the city. The sign over the door said "Exit". She held the umbrella over both of us. > higher than sth else,

sometimes so that one thing covers the other

Prepositions of Place : over/aboveABOVE & OVERCompare:

I am going to hike over the mountain.We flew over the Grand Canyon. (suggests movement from one side to the

other)Lay the blanket over his legs. (Lay the blanket on his legs.)

Over - states that one thing is higher then someone or something else; something or someone is on top of the other (or vertically above it)

I live on the 2nd floor, I live above the 1st floor.I can't reach the plates, because they are above the sink. Fred lives above the pizza shop. (His apartment is located on top of the pizza

shop.) Above - states that one thing is higher then something or someone else

Prepositions of TimeSome prepositions show when something happens: prepositions of time.Examples:•School startsSchool starts atat eight o’clock.eight o’clock.

•They are going to the cinema They are going to the cinema on on Sunday.Sunday.

•No, you can’t watch a video. It’sNo, you can’t watch a video. It’s pastpast your bedtime already. your bedtime already.

•I visited my parentsI visited my parents during during the summer. the summer.

•You must finish the work You must finish the work byby Friday. Friday.

•I’ll do my homework I’ll do my homework before before dinner.dinner.

Prepositions of DirectionSome prepositions show where something is going: prepositions of direction.

Examples:

•The boys chased after each other.

•The football rolled down the hill.

•A man was walking his dog along the riverbank.

•The freeway goes right through the city.

•We were travelling towards Miami.

Preposition of

• Our modules are full of real life examples.

• I ate a plate of rice and a quarter of milk.

• Would you like a glass of lemon juice?

• I need three pieces of paper.• Most of the children in my class like

Education.• There are several ways of cooking

Upma.

Usage of OF

Preposition of > belonging to

Usage of OF Used for belonging to, relating to, or connected with:

•The secret of this game is that you can’t ever win.

•The highlight of her career was at the end.

•The first page of the book is the most important.

•Don’t touch it. That’s the bag of my sister.

•I always dreamed of being a successful writer.

Preposition of > reference

Usage of OF

Used to indicate reference:

•I got married in the summer of 2000.

•This is a picture of my family.

•I got a discount of 10 percent on the purchase.

Preposition of > amount/number

Usage of OF

Used to indicate an amount or number:

•I drank four cups of tea.

•A large number of people gathered to protest.

•I had only 2 hours of sleep during the last three days.

•He got a perfect score of 100% on his listening test.

Preposition TO > direction

Usage of TO

Used to indicate the direction of something; moving towards. :

•We're going to Paris next week.

•Where are you going to buy your new basketballs?

•We ran to the end of the street.

•Ryad walks to work every day.

Preposition on > days & dates

Usage of ON

Used to specify days and dates:

•The garbage truck comes on Tuesdays.•He went there on the 16th of March.•I was born on the 22nd day of June in 1977.•U.S. Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th.•He always has a party on his birthday.•I'll see you on Friday.

Preposition on > device / machine

Usage of ON

Used to indicate a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:

•Andrea is on the phone right now.

•Bob has been on the computer since this morning.

•My favorite movie will be on TV tonight.

Preposition on > surface

Usage of ON

Used to express a surface of something:•I put a cup on the kitchen table.•Oh, no! There's a coffee stain on my tie!•The book is on my desk.•What's the cat doing on the table?•Please write your name on this paper.•Walk on the sidewalk, not on the grass.•He's always dreamed of having a house on the beach.•It's on Wong Shan North Road.

Preposition on > part of the body

Usage of ON

Used to indicate a part of the body:

•She kissed me on my cheek.

•The stick hit me on my arm.

•I wear a ring on my finger.

Preposition on > state of sth

Usage of ON

Used to indicate the state of something:

•Everything in this store is on sale.

•The building is on fire.

Prepositionsof time & place

Preposition Time Place

In Year, Month, In 1999, In December

Country, State, City In Japan, In Utah, InTaipei

On Day, Date On Saturday, On May 1

Street On Main Street, On 1st Ave.

At Time At 8:00, At 7:30 Address At 815 East Main Street

Prepositionsof time & place

Examples:Q: Where's your office?A: In Tartu, Estland.Q: Really? What part of Tartu?A: It's on Esjichj North Road.Q: I know that area. Where exactly is it?A: It's at 109 Esjichj North Road, next to the bookstore.Q: When is the wedding?A: It's in July.Q: What day?A: It's on Saturday, the 20th.Q: What time?A: It starts at 7:00.

Preposition in > location, place

Usage of IN

Used to indicate a location or place:•She is currently staying in a hotel.•He looked me directly in the eyes.•My hometown is Toronto, which is in Canada.•I am in the United States.•I am in New York.•I am in the Chelsea neighborhood.•I am in my backyard.

Preposition in > location, place

IN or AT?

Used to indicate a location or place:•I am in New York.•I am in Japan.•I am at home.•I am at the supermarket."At" is generally used for smaller, specific locations, like at home, at work, at Starbucks, at the Pizza Hut.

"In" is used for larger areas, like countries, towns, cities...

Preposition in > unspecific times

Usage of IN

Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, year:

•The new semester will start in February.•She always reads magazines in the morning.•In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.

Preposition in > shape, color, or size

Usage of IN

Used to indicate a shape, color, or size:

•The students stood in a circle.•This painting is mostly in red.•This blouse comes in five different sizes.

Preposition in > belief, opinion, interest, or feeling

Usage of IN

Used to indicate a belief, opinion, interest, or feeling:

•He believes in the next life.•We are not interested in gambling.

Preposition in > express while doing something

Usage of IN

Used to express while doing something:

•In preparing for the final report, we revised the tone three times.•A catch phrase needs to be impressive in marketing a product.

Preposition at > At a PointUsage of AT At tells us that the following noun is located at a specific point or location. It shows an exact position.•"She's waiting at the entrance.“• “The girl is at school”•"He's sitting on his chair at his desk.“•“He's waiting at the train station."•"I work at a bank.“•There is a party at the club house.•There were hundreds of people at the park.•We saw a baseball game at the stadium.•Please email me at abc@defg.com.

Preposition at > specific time

Usage of AT

Used to point out specific time:

•We will meet you at 12 a.m.•The train will stop here at 6:45 p.m.•I have a meeting at 9am.•The shop closes at midnight.

Preposition at > indicate an activity

Usage of AT

Used to indicate an activity:

•She laughed at my acting.•I am good at drawing a portrait.

Preposition for > indicates “use”

Usage of FOR

For usually tells us about the use of something, a reason or purpose.:•We need new batteries for the remote control.•Is there place for me on this seat?•I’d like a new laptop for next year.•These drinks are for after work.•We use it for cutting grass.•I’d like a new computer for Christmas.

Preposition with > agreement or understanding

Usage of WITH

Used to indicate agreement or understanding:

•Are you with me?•Yes, I am completely with you.•She agrees with me.

Preposition with > being together, involved

Usage of WITH

Used to indicate being together or being involved:

•I ordered a pizza with a drink.•She was with his friend when she saw me.•She has been working with her sister at the toy shop.•The manager will be with you shortly.

Preposition with > havingUsage of WITH

Used to indicate "having":

•I met a girl with green eyes.•He speaks with an accent?•People with a lot of money are not always happy.

Preposition with > using

Usage of WITH

Used to indicate "using":

•He wrote a letter with the pen you gave him.•This is the soup that I made with rice and carrots.•He cut my hair with his gold scissors.

Preposition with > feeling

Usage of WITH

Used to indicate feeling:

•I am emailing you with my sincere apology.•He came to the front stage with confidence.

Nouns and prepositions

.

NOUNS and PREPOSITIONSapproval ofawareness ofbelief inconcern forconfusion aboutdesire for

fondness forgrasp ofhatred ofhope forinterest inlove of

need forparticipation inreason forrespect forsuccess inunderstanding of

Prepositions are used with some nouns. The nouns in in these examples are highlighted

adjectives and prepositionsADJECTIVES and PREPOSITIONS

afraid ofangry ataware ofcapable ofcareless aboutfamiliar with

fond ofhappy aboutinterested injealous ofmade ofmarried to

proud ofsimilar tosorry forsure oftired ofworried about

Prepositions & Adjectivesthe adjectives in these examples are highlighted

verbs and prepositions

VERBS and PREPOSITIONSapologize forask aboutask forbelong tobring upcare forfind out

give upgrow uplook forlook forward tolook upmake uppay for

prepare forstudy fortalk aboutthink abouttrust inwork forworry about

Prepositions & verbs: examplesThe verbs in these examples are printed in color.