Appropriate Prepositions
A preposition is a word that connects nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence, indicating relationships in time, place, direction, or other abstract concepts.
Understanding Prepositions
Prepositions connect various elements within a sentence, often indicating the relationship between them. They fall into different categories, including time (e.g., at, on, in), place (e.g., at, on, in), and direction (e.g., to, into, towards).
Types of Prepositions:
Time Prepositions: Indicate when something happens.
Examples: at, on, in, during, by
Place Prepositions: Indicate where something is.
Examples: at, on, in, near, under, over
Direction Prepositions: Indicate the direction of movement.
Examples: to, into, towards, through, across
Common Preposition Usage
Prepositions of Time:
At: Use 'at' for precise times.
Example: The meeting starts at 3 PM.
On: Use 'on' for days and dates.
Example: She was born on Monday.
In: Use 'in' for longer periods.
Example: We will visit in December.
By: Use 'by' to indicate a deadline.
Example: Please submit the report by Friday.
Prepositions of Place:
At: Use 'at' for specific locations.
Example: She is at the office.
On: Use 'on' for surfaces.
Example: The book is on the table.
In: Use 'in' for enclosed spaces.
Example: The keys are in the drawer.
Near: Use 'near' to indicate proximity.
Example: The store is near the park.
Under: Use 'under' to indicate something beneath.
Example: The cat is under the table.
Over: Use 'over' to indicate something above.
Example: The lamp is over the desk.
Prepositions of Direction:
To: Indicates movement toward a specific destination.
Example: We are going to the store.
Into: Indicates movement from outside to a point inside.
Example: He walked into the room.
Towards: Indicates movement in the direction of something.
Example: She walked towards the park.
Through: Indicates movement from one side to another.
Example: They walked through the tunnel.
Across: Indicates movement from one side to the opposite side.
Example: She swam across the river.
Prepositions in Phrases and Idioms
Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition, its object, and any associated modifiers. Idiomatic expressions often include prepositions and can be challenging to master due to their non-literal meanings.
Examples of Common Idioms:
In the long run: Eventually.
Example: In the long run, hard work pays off.
At the drop of a hat: Immediately, without hesitation.
Example: He will help you at the drop of a hat.
On cloud nine: Extremely happy.
Example: She was on cloud nine after the promotion.
Under the weather: Feeling ill.
Example: He is feeling under the weather today.
Out of the blue: Unexpectedly.
Example: She called me out of the blue.
Tips for Memorizing Idiomatic Prepositions:
Practice regularly: Use idioms in sentences daily.
Flashcards: Create flashcards with idioms and their meanings.
Contextual learning: Learn idioms in context rather than in isolation.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
English learners frequently make mistakes with prepositions, often confusing similar ones. Understanding the differences can prevent these errors.
Common Errors and Corrections:
In vs. Into:
Incorrect: She put the book in the bag.
Correct: She put the book into the bag.
At vs. On:
Incorrect: The meeting is on the office.
Correct: The meeting is at the office.
To vs. Towards:
Incorrect: He walked to the direction of the park.
Correct: He walked towards the park.
By vs. Until:
Incorrect: I will finish the project until Friday.
Correct: I will finish the project by Friday.
Exercises to Practice:
Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition:
The cat is ___ the table. (under)
We are meeting ___ 5 PM. (at)
She walked ___ the room. (into)
He was born ___ July. (in)
They traveled ___ the river. (across)
Correct the sentences:
He arrived in the office at 9 AM.
She put the keys to the drawer.
We will visit on December.