Prepositions - Overview
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Prepositions - Overview
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) Prepositions do not change their form.
I want (What?) to go (Where?) to the movies. = I had a desire to go to the movies.
Prepositions can consist of one, two, or more words.
Josh went to the club instead of studying for his exams.
There was a huge traffic jam in front of us.
Prepositions can be divided into the following categories:
a) prepositions of place state the position or location of one thing with another.
Kate works at Starbucks.
b) prepositions of time denote specific time periods.
We usually go to our relatives at Christmas.
c) prepositions of direction or motion indicate movement from one place to the other.
There’s a great pub across the street.
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Prepositions - Overview
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d) prepositions of manner express the manner in which something is done.
You can’t achieve success by doing nothing.
e) prepositions of cause, purpose, and reason indicate why, what for, or because of what
something happens.
She couldn’t attend the meeting due to some family issues.
Short Story Dialogue
– What do you do for fun?
– I usually hang out with my friends. Sometimes we go to the movies together.
Sometimes we throw parties at someone’s place. And you?
– That sounds cool! Well, I moved to this state in May so I haven’t really made new
friends yet. All my friends are back home.
– Why don’t you come over? I think you’ll like my friends and they’ll like you!
– Oh, that would be great!
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Prepositions - Overview
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Independent Practice - Prepositions - Overview
1) Underline prepositions in the following text.
He pointed his finger in friendly jest and went over to the parapet, laughing to himself.
Stephen Dedalus stepped up, followed him wearily halfway and sat down on the edge of the
gunrest, watching him still as he propped his mirror on the parapet, dipped the brush in the
bowl and lathered cheeks and neck.
…
Stephen stood up and went over to the parapet. Leaning on it he looked down on the water
and on the mailboat clearing the harbourmouth of Kingstown. [Ulysses by James Joyce]
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Prepositions - Overview
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions - Overview
1) Underline prepositions in the following text.
He pointed his finger in friendly jest and went over to the parapet, laughing to himself.
Stephen Dedalus stepped up, followed him wearily halfway and sat down on the edge of the
gunrest, watching him still as he propped his mirror on the parapet, dipped the brush in the
bowl and lathered cheeks and neck.
…
Stephen stood up and went over to the parapet. Leaning on it he looked down on the water
and on the mailboat clearing the harbour mouth of Kingstown. [Ulysses by James Joyce]
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Prepositions of Time
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Prepositions of Time
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) There are many types of prepositions. Among them there are prepositions of time. They
are used to denote specific time periods. We usually use prepositions of time when we
answer the question beginning with ‘When?’.
When did you move to New York? – I moved there in 2007.
There are three main prepositions of time:
a) at denotes precise time.
I’ll pick you up at 5.
We’re all going to be sleeping at midnight.
Note that at is also used with such expressions as at night, at weekend, at Christmas, at the
moment, at present, at the same time.
Mr. Ruffus isn’t available at the moment. May I take a message?
b) on is used for days and dates.
I’m meeting up with my friends on Saturday. And on Sunday morning I’m flying to
Seattle.
Mike has the project presentation on 11 November.
My family does nothing on Christmas day.
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Prepositions of Time
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c) in denotes longer periods of time like months, years, centuries etc.
The Parkers are moving to Greece in March.
The story is set in the 80s.
Life in the Middle Ages wasn’t like in a fairy tale. I don’t know how people lived in the
past!
Note that in is also used with such phrases as in the morning/afternoon/evening.
Theo is an owl. He has a hard time getting up in the mornings.
Note that we do not use prepositions before last/next/every/this.
I guess we’ll see Alice on next Monday. I guess we’ll see Alice next Monday.
Short Story Dialogue
– What does your summer look like?
– Well, I have my exams in June. I’ll be studying in the mornings, in the afternoons, in
the evenings…
– And at night?
– No, not at night. Nights are for sleeping only! I try not to mess up with my sleep
schedule.
– That’s a smart decision!
– Thanks! Then in a couple of weeks I’ll be backpacking with my friends. We haven’t
done it in such a long time. And on 4 July I’ll be at my parents’.
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Prepositions of Time
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Independent Practice - Prepositions of Time
1) Fill in the gaps with at, on, in. Sometimes no preposition is needed.
a. I don’t like working out ….. the mornings. I’m super hungry after sleeping.
b. Where will you be ….. New Year’s Eve?
c. Carol went to Spain ….. last July. And ….. this time she’ll go to Portugal.
d. My parents were born ….. the 60s.
e. It rains a lot ….. winter here.
f. I don’t feel like going out ….. Friday evening.
g. They’re getting married ….. 27 August.
h. Claudia lived in Peru ….. 2015.
i. I don’t want to do anything special ….. my birthday.
j. Frank usually eats lunch ….. noon.
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Prepositions of Time
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions of Time
1) Fill in the gaps with at, on, in. Sometimes no preposition is needed.
a. I don’t like working out in the mornings. I’m super hungry after sleeping.
b. Where will you be on New Year’s Eve?
c. Carol went to Spain (-) last July. And (-) this time she’ll go to Portugal.
d. My parents were born in the 60s.
e. It rains a lot in winter here.
f. I don’t feel like going out on Friday evening.
g. They’re getting married on 27 August.
h. Claudia lived in Peru in 2015.
i. I don’t want to do anything special on my birthday.
j. Frank usually eats lunch at noon.
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Prepositions of Place
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Prepositions of Place
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) There are many types of prepositions. Among them there are prepositions of place. They
are used to show the position or location of one thing with another. We usually use
prepositions of place when we answer the question beginning with ‘Where?’.
Where do you live? – I live in New York.
There are three main prepositions of place:
a) at denotes specific point or location of something.
There’s someone standing at the door. (specific location)
There weren’t many people at the theatre. It’s Monday after all. (specific location)
Alex lives at number 25 Emerald Street. (address)
Ashley works at Apple. (company or workplace)
b) in implies that something is located in an enclosed space or within a larger area.
I think I left my phone in the living-room. (the living-room is part of your house)
Jake lives in the U.S. He lives in Texas. (country, state etc.)
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Prepositions of Place
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c) on implies that something is located on the surface.
Could you grab my phone? It’s on the coffee table in the living-room. (the surface of
furniture)
Jake’s sister is on the west coast. She absolutely loves the Pacific! (position along a
road, river or by the sea, lake etc.)
Alex lives on the 3rd floor. (the floor in the building)
Sorry, I’ll call you back. I’m on the train now. (public transport)
My grandparents work on a farm. (open fields = the surface of the earth)
Sometimes you can use both at and in when you talk about the location, although there is a
slight difference in meaning. Study the following examples:
My siblings are at the mall now. (You are stating the location in general. Your siblings
could be inside the mall, somewhere at the entrance, or at the parking lot.)
My siblings are in the mall now. (You are specifying that your siblings are inside the mall
building.)
Short Story Dialogue
– Ann, hurry up! The Smiths are waiting for us at the restaurant!
– I know, I know! I can’t find my shoes.
– Have you tried looking for them in the closet?
– Not funny, Nick. I think I might have left them in the living-room when I was taking
pictures of my new shoes.
– There are some shoes on the bed. Aren’t these yours?
– Oh, that’s right! And now I need to find my phone – and I’m ready to go!
– It’s right there on your bedside table.
– Oh, thanks! Love you!
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Prepositions of Place
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Independent Practice - Prepositions of Place
1) Fill in the gaps with at, in, on.
a. My cat likes sleeping ….. my bed when I’m ….. work.
b. Peter’s relatives live ….. the east coast so he doesn’t visit them that often.
c. Our kids love swimming ….. the lake nearby.
d. I am currently living ….. Germany and doing my internship here.
e. Were you ….. the party too? I haven’t seen you!
f. Do you live with your parents or ….. your own place?
g. Kyle was ….. the dentist’s today. He needs some hugs in the evening.
h. Meredith grew up ….. a farm ….. Idaho.
i. I left my headphones ….. home. It’s going to be a boring ride ….. the bus!
j. There are so many tasty things ….. the menu!
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Prepositions of Place
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions of Place
1) Fill in the gaps with at, in, on.
a. My cat likes sleeping on my bed when I’m at work.
b. Peter’s relatives live on the east coast so he doesn’t visit them that often.
c. Our kids love swimming in the lake nearby.
d. I am currently living in Germany and doing my internship here.
e. Were you at the party too? I haven’t seen you!
f. Do you live with your parents or at your own place?
g. Kyle was at the dentist’s today. He needs some hugs in the evening.
h. Meredith grew up on a farm in Idaho.
i. I left my headphones at home. It’s going to be a boring ride on the bus!
j. There are so many tasty things on the menu!
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Prepositions of Manner
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Prepositions of Manner
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) There are many types of prepositions. Among them there are prepositions of manner.
They are used to express the manner in which something is done. We usually use
prepositions of manner when we answer the question beginning with ‘How?’.
How did she lose weight? – She lost weight by exercising.
There are several groups of prepositions of manner:
a) in, with are used to describe the way in which something is carried out.
She left the stage in tears.
She was singing with tears in her eyes.
b) by is used to denote either a person or a means of transportation, while with denotes an
instrument.
This house was built by my grandfather.
Helen goes to work by bus.
You need to cut the cake with a knife.
We can also use by + V-ing.
You can’t prove them wrong by doing nothing.
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Prepositions of Manner
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c) at can be used to describe aggressive behaviour. Compare the following examples:
He talked to his wife. (neutral)
He talked at his wife. (aggressive behaviour)
We can also use the phrase in a friendly way/manner to describe actions.
Mrs. Anderson spoke to me in an extremely polite manner.
Short Story Dialogue
– Alice looks amazing! How did she manage to lose weight?
– By exercising regularly!
– Was there some special diet?
– No, not really. For example, I go to work by bus and Alice always goes on foot. It
seems obvious but you really can lose weight by walking everywhere.
– Maybe I need to change my attitude towards walking. I work out with pleasure
because I feel like I’m definitely doing something to lose weight. But when it comes to
walking somewhere, I’d rather go by car.
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Prepositions of Manner
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Independent Practice - Prepositions of Manner
1) Fill in the gaps with in, with, by, at.
a. Trying to cut a steak ….. a fork is not the best idea.
b. I don’t like traveling long distances ….. car.
c. Little Suzy left the room ….. tears after being scolded ….. her parents.
d. Al was telling her something, but she suddenly snapped ….. him.
e. Kim suddenly stopped playing and threw the ball ….. Noah.
f. Mr. Griffit always reacts ….. anger whenever a student makes a mistake.
g. You can’t make friends ….. being grumpy all the time.
h. This story was written ….. Agatha Christie.
i. I love Sandra’s attitude to everything – she always does things ….. a joyful manner!
j. You’ll actually save time ….. going there ….. foot!
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Prepositions of Manner
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions of Manner
1) Fill in the gaps with in, with, by, at.
a. Trying to cut a steak with a fork is not the best idea.
b. I don’t like traveling long distances by car.
c. Little Suzy left the room in tears after being scolded by her parents.
d. Al was telling her something, but she suddenly snapped at him.
e. Kim suddenly stopped playing and threw the ball at Noah.
f. Mr. Griffit always reacts with anger whenever a student makes a mistake.
g. You can’t make friends by being grumpy all the time.
h. This story was written by Agatha Christie.
i. I love Sandra’s attitude to everything – she always does things in a joyful manner!
j. You’ll actually save time by going there on foot!
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Prepositions of Direction or Motion
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Prepositions of Direction or Motion
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) There are many types of prepositions. Among them there are prepositions of direction or
motion. They are used to show movement from one place to the other. We usually use
prepositions of direction or motion when we answer the question beginning with ‘Where?’.
Where are you going? – I’m going to the supermarket.
There are several commonly used prepositions of direction or motion:
a) to is used to show movement in a specific direction.
I’ll head off to work in a couple of minutes.
Kimberly moved to Florida a year ago.
Note that you can also used towards in the meaning ‘in the direction of’.
Why are these policemen running towards Erick?
b) into is used to show movement into something (enclosed space), while onto shows
movement on top of something (surface).
The dog jumped into the kennel, while the cat leaped onto the roof of the kennel.
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Prepositions of Direction or Motion
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c) across is used to show movement from one side to the other side of something.
You can’t walk across the street wherever you want.
d) over is used to show an upward and forward direction across something.
The boys jumped over the fence and chased the cat.
e) through is used to show movement within an enclosed space from one point to the other.
I don’t like driving through the tunnels. I feel a bit anxious then.
f) past is used to indicate movement near something while you are on your way to another
location.
I waved at Mary but she walked past me.
Short Story Dialogue
– Excuse me, Sir, could you tell me how I can get to the nearest supermarket?
– Surely! You have to go through that small park over there. Then turn right and go past
the cinema. Right on the corner you’ll see a huge supermarket sign. Just go across the
street and there will be the entrance.
– Thank you very much!
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Prepositions of Direction or Motion
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Independent Practice - Prepositions of Direction or Motion
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. Sarah’s cat always jumps onto/to her bed whenever she enters the bedroom.
b. I usually go over/through the park on my way home.
c. Walk across/through the street at the traffic lights.
d. They walked into/through the room and stood frozen.
e. You are highly motivated, when you are working past/towards your goals.
f. I need to go to/towards the library to get some books for my research.
g. This ferry can take you across/over the river.
h. The dog jumped through/over the fence to greet its owner.
i. Michael usually buys coffee in the morning but this time he was running late so he went
to/past his favourite coffee place.
j. The lady carefully stepped from the train into/onto the platform.
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Prepositions of Direction or Motion
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions of Direction or Motion
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. Sarah’s cat always jumps onto/to her bed whenever she enters the bedroom.
b. I usually go over/through the park on my way home.
c. Walk across/through the street at the traffic lights.
d. They walked into/through the room and stood frozen.
e. You are highly motivated, when you are working past/towards your goals.
f. I need to go to/towards the library to get some books for my research.
g. This ferry can take you across/over the river.
h. The dog jumped through/over the fence to greet its owner.
i. Michael usually buys coffee in the morning but this time he was running late so he went
to/past his favourite coffee place.
j. The lady carefully stepped from the train into/onto the platform.
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Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
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Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
Introduction
1) A preposition is usually a short word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other
words within a sentence.
If I’m not mistaken, her birthday is in May.
2) There are many types of prepositions. Among them there are prepositions of cause,
purpose, and reason. They are used to indicate why, what for, or because of what something
happens. We usually use these prepositions when we answer the question beginning with
‘Why?’.
Why don’t you eat breakfast? – I don’t eat breakfast to sleep more in the mornings.
There are several commonly used prepositions of cause, purpose, and reason:
a) due to is used to express the cause of the action.
Due to her strict parents, Liz rarely went out. It was difficult for her to make friends. (Her
parents were the cause of her not making friends.)
b) to is used to express the purpose of the action. (usually followed by a verb)
People go to clubs to dance and to meet new people. (These two things are the purpose
of people going to clubs.)
c) for is used to express the reason for the action. (usually followed by a noun/pronoun or a
gerund)
He was taken to the police station for driving under the influence. (DUI was the reason
he was taken to the police station.)
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Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
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Because of is also used to express the reason for something happening.
I need to go home earlier because of my sick cat. (My cat is sick that’s why I need to go
home earlier.)
Short Story Dialogue
– Why can’t you go out with us tonight?
– That’s all because of my parents. They are quite strict and don’t want me going out
that late at night.
– But you aren’t going to be alone!
– I know, I know. They think that all people go to clubs only to get drunk. But I’ve never
done anything inappropriate! There is not reason for them being so negative about it.
– You’re still living with your parents so you can’t really do anything about it. We’ll go out
some other time then, OK?
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Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
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Independent Practice - Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. We would like for/to thank you for/to your hospitality.
b. The kid left the room due to/to cry in his room.
c. Dan’s mom can’t drink milk because of/to her allergy.
d. It’s all because of/to you!
e. We’re so happy for/to have you here!
f. I always bring sweets for/to my little cousins when I’m visiting them.
g. Their shop was closed down due to/for the financial struggles.
h. Oh, the things we do for/due to love!
i. Due to/For the shortage of staff we are working overtime now.
j. Timothy always makes coffee because of/for his wife in the morning.
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Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositions of Cause, Purpose, and Reason
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. We would like for/to thank you for/to your hospitality.
b. The kid left the room due to/to cry in his room.
c. Dan’s mom can’t drink milk because of/to her allergy.
d. It’s all because of/to you!
e. We’re so happy for/to have you here!
f. I always bring sweets for/to my little cousins when I’m visiting them.
g. Their shop was closed down due to/for the financial struggles.
h. Oh, the things we do for/due to love!
i. Due to/For the shortage of staff we are working overtime now.
j. Timothy always makes coffee because of/for his wife in the morning.
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Prepositional Phrases
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Prepositional Phrases
Introduction
1) A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition and a noun,
pronoun, gerund, or clause.
She tried to calm down the baby by singing lullabies.
A prepositional phrase always consists of two basic parts at minimum: the preposition and its
object.
I think I’ll be at (preposition) home (noun).
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that can consist of:
a) a preposition and a noun.
Erick was fired from McDonald’s.
b) a preposition and a pronoun.
He always leaves little presents for me.
c) a preposition and a gerund.
Carol managed to lose some weight thanks to exercising.
d) a preposition and a clause.
I need to talk to you about stuff we need for our trip.
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Prepositional Phrases
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A prepositional phrase can function either as an adjective or an adverb in the sentence.
As an adjective, the prepositional phrase answers the question ‘Which one?‘.
The boy with red hair was taking photos outside.
Which one? The one with red hair.
As an adverb, the prepositional phrase answers the questions ‘How?/When?/Where?‘.
Gaby went for a run at 5 o’clock.
When did she go for a run? At 5 o’clock.
Short Story Dialogue
– Do you have any plans for tonight?
– Yeah, I’m going on a date with David. I think we’re going to a bar or something.
– With whom?
– With David, my colleague. He’s a really nice guy! He was transferred from another
department about a month ago, and we have so much in common!
– Oh, that’s amazing! Let’s hang out some other time then.
– Sure!
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Prepositional Phrases
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Independent Practice - Prepositional Phrases
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. In/On a beautiful Thursday morning I found out that I got expelled from/to university.
b. My grandma Judy grew up on/in a farm on/in Idaho.
c. Come over/onto here! Look at that cute puppy!
d. Could you pass me that book? - Which one? - The one from/with a yellow cover.
e. My grandparents live in/off a tiny house in/by the lake.
f. Stop beating above/around the bush! I can’t understand anything.
g. I always see people jogging on/through the park.
h. There was a huge pile with/of books under/into the desk.
i. Jenny can’t have guests over at her place for/because of the landlord.
j. Ben got sick due/by eating junk food all the time.
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Prepositional Phrases
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Independent Practice: Answers - Prepositional Phrases
1) Underline the correct preposition.
a. In/On a beautiful Thursday morning I found out that I got expelled from/to university.
b. My grandma Judy grew up on/in a farm on/in Idaho.
c. Come over/onto here! Look at that cute puppy!
d. Could you pass me that book? - Which one? - The one from/with a yellow cover.
e. My grandparents live in/off a tiny house in/by the lake.
f. Stop beating above/around the bush! I can’t understand anything.
g. I always see people jogging on/through the park.
h. There was a huge pile with/of books under/into the desk.
i. Jenny can’t have guests over at her place for/because of the landlord.
j. Ben got sick due/by eating junk food all the time.
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