How to Use Prepositions in English: A Unique Guide

• Explanation of what prepositions are and why they are important in English
• Importance of mastering prepositions for effective communication

II. Definition and Functions of Prepositions

• Definition of prepositions and their role in English
• Explanation of how prepositions relate to the other parts of speech

III. Common Prepositions in English

• A list of common prepositions in English
• Examples of how to use each preposition in a sentence

IV. Prepositions of Time

• Explanation of prepositions used to indicate time
• Examples of how to use prepositions of time correctly

V. Prepositions of Place

• Explanation of prepositions used to indicate place
• Examples of how to use prepositions of place correctly

VI. Prepositions of Direction and Movement

• Explanation of prepositions used to indicate direction and movement
• Examples of how to use prepositions of direction and movement correctly

VII. Prepositions with Verbs and Adjectives

• Explanation of how prepositions can be used with verbs and adjectives
• Examples of how to use prepositions with verbs and adjectives correctly

VIII. Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions

• Explanation of how prepositions are used in idiomatic expressions
• Examples of common idiomatic expressions that use prepositions

IX. Common Preposition Mistakes

• Common mistakes made when using prepositions
• Tips on how to avoid these mistakes

X. Review

• Recap of the importance of mastering prepositions
• Final tips and advice for using prepositions effectively in English.

II. Definition and Functions of Prepositions

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun, pronoun, or phrase and other words in a sentence. They usually indicate direction, location, time, or manner. Examples of prepositions include “in”, “on”, “under”, “with”, “to”, “from”, and “at”.

Prepositions are an essential part of English grammar because they help to link different parts of a sentence together. They play a critical role in providing context and meaning to a sentence. Prepositions often work in conjunction with other parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Nouns and pronouns are the primary objects of prepositions. For example, in the sentence “The book is on the table”, “book” is the object of the preposition “on”. Prepositions can also modify verbs to show location or direction, as in the sentence “He walked into the room”.

Adjectives can also follow prepositions to describe a noun or pronoun. For instance, in the sentence “The cat is on the tall tree”, “tall” is an adjective that describes the tree.

In a nutshell, prepositions are essential parts of speech in English that help to connect different elements of a sentence. They provide clarity and context to a sentence, making it easier to understand.

II. Basic Prepositions

There are several prepositions that are frequently used in English, including “at”, “in”, “on”, and “to”. These prepositions are often used to indicate time, location, or direction. For example, “at” is used to refer to a specific time, such as “I will meet you at 6 PM”. “In” is used to refer to a place or location, such as “I am in the office”. “On” is used to refer to a surface or a date, such as “The book is on the table” or “My birthday is on May 25th”. “To” is used to indicate direction or movement, such as “I am going to the store”.

Some commonly used prepositions in English are as follows:

1. In – used to indicate the location within a place or time within a period. Example: She is in the kitchen preparing dinner.
2. On – used to indicate contact with a surface or a specific point in time. Example: The book is on the table. We will meet on Monday.
3. At – used to indicate a specific location, time, or event. Example: She is at the park. The concert starts at 7 PM.
4. To – used to indicate direction towards a place or person. Example: She went to the store. He gave the gift to his friend.
5. From – used to indicate the starting point of a movement or action. Example: She came from the airport. He received a letter from his boss.
6. By – used to indicate a means of transportation or method of doing something. Example: She travels by train. He solved the problem by asking for help.
7. With – used to indicate a thing that is accompanying something or someone. Example: She had dinner with her friends. He wrote the report with a pen.
8. For – used to indicate a purpose or a period of time. Example: She bought flowers for her mother. He worked for 8 hours.
9. Of – used to indicate possession or belonging. Example: The color of the car is blue. The book of poetry is beautiful.

III. Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are formed by combining two or more prepositions to create a new word that functions as a preposition. Examples of commonly used compound prepositions include “in spite of”, “according to”, “out of”, and “because of”. These prepositions are often used to indicate a relationship between two ideas or concepts. For example, “in spite of” is used to indicate that something happened despite a particular obstacle, such as “In spite of the rain, we went for a walk”.

Prepositions of time are used to indicate when something occurs or for how long something occurs. Here are some common prepositions of time and how to use them:

1. In – used to indicate an unspecific period of time in the future. Example: I will visit my family in two weeks.
2. On – used to indicate a specific day or date. Example: The party is on Friday. His birthday is on July 3rd.
3. At – used to indicate a specific time. Example: The meeting is at 9 AM. She wakes up at 6 AM every day.
4. For – used to indicate the duration of an action or event. Example: She has been studying for three hours. They will stay in the hotel for a week.
5. Since – used to indicate a starting point in time. Example: He has been working here since 2015. I have known her since high school.
6. Until – used to indicate the end of a period of time. Example: The store is open until 9 PM. She will be on vacation until next week.
7. By – used to indicate a specific time limit or deadline. Example: Please finish the report by tomorrow. He needs to leave by 7 PM.
8. During – used to indicate a period of time when something happens. Example: She reads books during her free time. The concert was held during the summer.

IV. Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time are used to indicate when an event took place or will take place. Examples of prepositions of time include “before”, “after”, “during”, “since”, and “until”. For example, “I will finish my work before lunch”, “After the party, we went to a movie”, “During the concert, I took some pictures”, “I have been working here since 2010”, and “I will wait for you until you finish”.

1. In – used to indicate a place inside a three-dimensional space, such as a room, a building, or a city. Example: She is in the living room. They live in New York City.
2. On – used to indicate a place on a surface or in a specific position. Example: The book is on the table. The picture is on the wall.
3. At – used to indicate a specific location. Example: She is waiting at the bus stop. The conference will be held at the hotel.
4. To – used to indicate movement towards a place or destination. Example: She is going to the mall. He travelled to Europe.
5. From – used to indicate the starting point of a movement or action. Example: She came from the store. He received a letter from his friend.
6. Into – used to indicate movement from the outside to the inside of something. Example: She went into the room. He threw the ball into the basket.
7. Onto – used to indicate movement from one surface to another. Example: She climbed onto the roof. He put the bag onto the table.
8. Out of – used to indicate movement from the inside to the outside of something. Example: She got out of the car. He took the cake out of the oven.

Prepositions of place and direction are used to indicate the location of a person or an object or to describe a direction of movement. Examples of prepositions of place and direction include “above”, “below”, “beside”, “between”, “under”, “across”, “through”, and “into”. For example, “The bird is above the tree”, “The book is between the two lamps”, “He walked through the door”, and “She jumped into the pool”.

VI. Prepositions of Direction and Movement

Prepositions of direction and movement are used to indicate the direction or movement of something or someone. Some common prepositions of direction and movement are given below:

1. To – used to indicate the direction of movement towards a place or destination. Example: She is walking to the store. He is driving to work.
2. From – used to indicate the starting point of a movement or action. Example: She is coming from the airport. He is receiving a call from his friend.
3. Towards – used to indicate movement or direction in the direction of something or someone. Example: He is walking towards the building. She is looking towards the sky.
4. Away from – used to indicate movement or direction away from something or someone. Example: He is running away from the dog. She is moving away from the crowd.
5. Across – used to indicate movement from one side to another. Example: He swam across the river. She walked across the street.
6. Over – used to indicate movement from one side of something to another side above it. Example: He climbed over the fence. She hung the picture over the sofa.
7. Through – used to indicate movement from one side of something to another side beyond it. Example: He drove through the tunnel. She walked through the forest.
8. Along – used to indicate movement in a line or direction. Example: He walked along the beach. She ran along the path.

Prepositions can also be used with verbs and adjectives to modify their meanings. Here are some common examples of how prepositions can be used with verbs and adjectives:

1. Verb + Preposition Some verbs require specific prepositions to convey their intended meaning. For example:

• She is thinking about her future.
• He apologized for his mistake.
• They are interested in learning a new language.

2. Adjective + Preposition Prepositions can also be used to modify the meaning of an adjective. Here are some examples:

• He is afraid of heights.
• She is good at math.
• They are proud of their achievements.

It’s necessary to note that certain verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions, so it’s important to pay attention to the preposition used in each context. Additionally, some verbs can be followed by more than one preposition, each with a slightly different meaning. For example:

• She is waiting for her friend (Implies she is waiting for her friend to arrive).
• She is waiting on her friend (Implies she is serving her friend in some way).

VIII. Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions

Prepositions are often used in idiomatic expressions to convey a specific meaning that cannot be inferred from the individual words alone. Here are some common idiomatic expressions that use prepositions:

1. By heart (to memorize something completely)

Example: She learned the poem by heart.

2. In spite of (despite)

Example: In spite of the rain, they continued with their plans.

3. On the other hand (contrasting with what has been previously mentioned)

Example: He is very quiet. On the other hand, his brother is very outgoing.

4. Under the weather(feeling unwell or sick)

Example: She is feeling under the weather today.

5. In the middle of (while doing something)

Example: He received a phone call in the middle of the meeting.

6. With regard to (concerning, relating to)

Example: With regard to the new policy, we will have a meeting next week.

Even native speakers can make mistakes when using prepositions. Here are some common mistakes made when using prepositions and tips on how to avoid them:

1. Confusing “in” and “on”

• “In” is used for enclosed spaces or time periods, while “on” is used for surfaces or specific days.

Example: She was born in June, not on June.

2. Using the wrong preposition with verbs

• Certain verbs require specific prepositions to convey their intended meaning.

Example: He is keen on music, not keen in music.

3. Confusing “at” and “to”

• “At” is used for a specific location, while “to” is used for movement towards a location.

Example: She arrived at the airport, not she arrived to the airport.

4. Using “of” instead of “from”

• “Of” is used to show possession or to indicate a relationship, while “from” is used to show the source.

Example: The book is from the library, not the book is of the library.

Tips on how to avoid these mistakes include practicing using prepositions in context, reviewing preposition rules, and paying attention to prepositions used in authentic English materials like books, articles, and videos.

X. Review

Prepositions play a critical role in the English language, and mastering them is essential for effective communication. You should pay attention to prepositions of time, place, direction and movement, as well as prepositions used with verbs and adjectives, and idiomatic expressions.

• “English Grammar in Use” by Raymond Murphy
• “The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
• https://www.grammarly.com/blog/prepositions/