PREPOSITIONS

A preposition connects a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. It indicates a relationship of place, time, direction, cause, purpose, means etc. It has special functions as part of a verb or an adverb. Like adverbs, it is difficult to recognize prepositions just from the form of the words. In fact, some words can function both as prepositions and as adverbs or even conjunctions.

Forms of Prepositions
Simple Prepositions
*The most common simple prepositions *Examples: Monosyllabic : in / on / off / to / at / up / as / for / past Polysyllabic : inside / within / without / beyond / into / beneath / despite / except / opposite Prepositions derived from participles : barring (unless there is/are) / concerning

Complex Prepositions
*Are made up of two, three or four separate words BUT they must be considered as one BECAUSE their meaning cannot be derived from the meaning of the parts. *They consist of a simple preposition preceded by a word from another category, such as adverb, adjective or conjunction. Sometimes, it could also be a simple preposition followed by a noun and then a further simple preposition. *Examples: as for / next to / apart from / on top of / in spite of / in front of / because of / along with / instead of / together with / in relation to / except for / for the sake of / by means of

Types of Prepositions

Types of Preposition Prepositions of Place *are used to state the approximate place of someone or something. *position in space can be considered in relation to: -a point (i.e. a place or event) -a line (i.e. a place we think of in terms of length) -a surface (i.e. a place we think of as a flat area) -area or volume (i.e. a place which can enclose)

Form at

Functions

Examples

on

in

between

among above below over under above / over

to talk about a place we think of as a point I arrived at New Hampshire Station at 7.30 a.m. rather than an area We were waiting at the far end of the room. to talk about specific addresses Joy Kumar lives at 101-14P, Circular Road. They have opened an office at 28, Westmore Road. to refer to an institution in a particular street There was an important meeting of ministers at Downing Street today. to show where something happens Ill see you this evening at Sarahs place. She ate a lot at the party. to designate names of lanes, long streets / The temple is located on Pudu Street. roads The town is on the Southern Highway. to talk about a position we think of as a line She owns a house on the Darling River. such as a road / river to talk about a position touching a flat There is an oil spot on my apron. surface Is that a spider on the ceiling? to talk about specific names of towns, states, Shah Alam is situated in Selangor. countries and continents Theres been another big forest fire in California. to talk about a position beneath a surface There is a pen in the drawer. She looked in her bag and found her keys. used with two / more people / things that we She held the diamond between her thumb and forefinger. see as individual or separate Zimbabwe is situated between Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa. used when we see the people / things as part H e stood among all his friends in the room and felt happy. of a group / mass She eventually found her passport among the clothes in the drawer. to say that something is not directly over the The castle sat in the mountains above the town. other to say that something is not directly under Her head was below the level of the counter and the shop assistant the other didnt notice her. to say that something covers something else A grey mist hung over the field. and is in contact with it to say that something is directly below the I was so hot, I stood under a cold shower for ten minutes other She hid the presents under a blanket. to say that one thing is at a higher level than Above / Over the door was a sign saying, Mind your head. another She had painted thick, dark eyebrows above / over each eye.

below / under opposite next to / beside / by off near around Prepositions of Time *include those that describe: -range -starting point -duration -end point to / past at by on

to say that one thing is at a lower level than Its hard to believe that there is a railway line below / under the another building. used when things are facing each other The Cineplex is opposite the shopping mall. to say that one thing / person is at the side of The coat hanger is next to / beside the cupboard. another I pushed the button next to / beside / by the door, but there is no answer to say that one thing / person is at a distance The ball rolled off the pool table. from the point to say that one thing / person is close to the Mrs. Taylor was standing near the French doors. point to say that one thing / person is surrounding We sat around the conference table and discussed the drama script. an area or all round a place used to tell the time It is now quarter past five. It is now fifteen to six. used to designate specific times used to say not later than used to designate days and dates on times means on schedule I will meet you at ten oclock. I will try to be there by three oclock. The meeting will be held on Wednesday. The concert began on time. Sheila started her new job in June. World War two lasted for three years. Anne has been working here since 2004.

in for since

until during

from

used for nonspecific times during a day, a month or a year used to measure time (seconds, minutes, hours, days, years) / a period of time used with a specific date or time or to show the starting point of an action also refers to a period of time that extends from a point of time in the past to the present used for a period of time which starts now and stops at a point in the future used for a period of time or a block of time represents the length of time of an action (i.e. while the action is happening) used with to or till / until

We have to be here for the conference until Sunday. You must not talk during the examination.

Stella will be working from eight to five.

Prepositions of Direction *used to show movement towards a place *indicate where someone / something is going or moving to Prepositions of Manner *show the way in which something is done

across over

to talk about something we think of as flat The programme was broadcast across South Korea. surface, or an area such as a country or sea The figures moved rapidly across the screen. to talk about reaching the other side of something that is high or higher than it is wide to talk about getting to the other side of a bridge, road, border, river, etc. to talk about following a line of some kind (a path, a road, a river, a beach, a canal, etc.) He hurt his leg as he jumped over the wall. The railway goes through a tunnel rather than over the top of the mountain. The truck came towards them across / over the bridge. Once she was across / over the border, she knew she would be safe. Id seen them walking along the road past my window several times before. They walked along the footpath until they came to a small bridge. She spoke in a lovely manner. He behaves like his mother. Do not speak to me like that. The teacher handled the delicate matter with care. She said it with a funny look on her face. My aunt died of stomach cancer. The barbecue was cancelled because of the rain. We didnt go on account of the bad weather. Ismail achieve stardom through hard work. The operation was successful only through the great skill of the surgeon. The Prime Minister resigned due to old age. conveys the meaning in the company of when the complement of the preposition is animate conveys the sense of combination when the complement of the preposition is inanimate conveys the meaning equipped with The director attended the function with / without his secretary. Mary is going to the party with / without John. You must have some of this mint sauce with your lamb chop. The toast is served with / without marmalade. John was taken to the hospital with the best surgical facilities. Who is that woman with the umbrella? Catherine is a woman of great strength and wisdom. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. The manager is quitting for all her disapproval.

across / over along

in like with

Prepositions of Cause and Purpose

of because of / on account of through

due to Prepositions of Accompaniment with / without with / without Prepositions of Possession with of Prepositions of Concession for all

despite / in spite of Prepositions of Means by

Prepositions of Instrument *show the device, machine, substance or tools through which something is accomplished.

with without

to answer the questions starting with How..?

The rescue workers continued their research despite the rain. The dancer continued her performance in spite of her injuries. In spite of / despite his blindness, he manages to live a normal life. My children usually go the library by bus. The bouquet of flower was delivered by her fiance. The workers entered the factory by using the back entrance. She pushed open the back door with her foot. My husband hit the steering wheel with his right and in anger. The electric gate cannot be opened without a mechanical device.