PREPOSITION

PREPOSITION

      I.            Preposition reffering to space

Look and study the following picture. It gives you an idea of how to use the prepositions reffering to space.

Below you are given examples of sentences using prepositions referring to space.

- The children are swimming in the river.

- Andy ask his sister to put his dictionary on the table.

- He was at chrush by the time you called him yesterday.

- The plane flew over the mountain.

- He lives on the floor above us

- A subway runs under this street.

- She lives near the university.

- He sat besides his wife during the party.

- The theatre is right next to the post office.

- The museum is just opposite the post office.

    II.            Preposition referring to time

1.      One point of time

a.       We use at with times

Examples : Tom usually leaves work at five o’clock.

b.      We also use at in these expressions :

- At night/midnight/noon

Examples : I don’t like going out at night.

-  At the week-end/ at week-ends

Examples : will you be here at the week-end ?

- At Lebaran/ at Christmas ( Public holiday peroids )

Examples : we give each other presents at Christmas.

- At the moment/ at present

Example : Mr.oni is busy at the moment/at present.

- At the age of…

Examples : Ross left school at the age of 16/ at 16.

c.       We use on with dates and days

Examples :       - They gor married on 12 march.

                        - I usually go out on Monday evenings.

d.      We use in for longer peroids of time ( month/years/seasons )

Examples :       - I saw him in September.

                        - He graduated from school in 1992.

                        - In spring the flowers bloom so beautifully.

e.       We also say ( in the morning(s)/in the afternoon(s)/in the evening(s) )

Example : I will see you in the mornings.

2.      Extended Time

Starting at one point and ending another ( duration ).

a.       Since

Example : I have not seen him since Monday.

b.      By

Example : I can see you by Monday. (*by implies no later than, at any time up to this point ).

c.       From to

Example : I can see you from ten o’clock to two o’clock.

d.      Until/till

Example : Lets start now and work till dark.

e.       For

Example : He traveled in the desert for six month.

f.       During

Example : It rained all Monday but stopped raining during the night.

g.      In or within

Example : The population has doubled in/within the last years.

3.      Sequence of time ( events that follow one another )

a.       Before

Example : I will call you before Wednesday.

b.      After

Example : don’t bathe immediately after eating.

III.            Preposition combinations

1.      Verb + Preposition

a.       Account for

Example : His illness account for his absence.

b.      Agree with

Example : The climate doesn’t agree with me.

c.       Apologize for

Example : you must apologize to your sister for being so rude.

d.      Approve of

Example : Her father will never approve of her marriage to you.

e.       Arrive at

Example : He arrived at home last night.

f.       Ask for

Example : I must ask for permission tomorrow.

g.      Believe in

Example : you have to believe in God.

h.      Belong to

Example : these books belong to me.

i.        Come from

Example : He’s just come from Singapore.

j.        Depend on

Example : children depend on their parents for food and clothing.

k.      Laugh at

Example : Its unkind to laugh at a person who is in trouble.

l.        Listen to

Example : Did you listen to his speech yesterday ?

m.    Look after

Example : He need’s someone to look after him.

n.      Look at

Example : we must loot at the question from all sides.

o.      Look for

Example : Are you still looking for a job ?

p.      Talk about

Example : He doesn’t want to talk about his problem.

q.      Think about

Example : it’s better for me not think about you.

r.        Worry about

Example : don’t worry about this particular case.

2.      Adjective + Preposition

a.       Absent from

Example : he was absent from school yesterday.

b.      Afraid of

Example : I was afraid of hurting his feelings.

c.       Angry with

Example : He was angry with himself for having made such a foolish mistake.

d.      Anxious about

Example : He is anxious about her safety.

e.       Aware of

Example : we are tully aware of the gravity of the situation.

f.       Different rom

Example : your method is different from mine.

g.      Disappointed in

Example : we were disappointed in our hopes.

h.      Good for

Example : My car is good for another five years.

i.        Interested in

Example : Are you interested in art ?

j.        Pleased with

Examples : I’m very much pleased with what he has done.

k.      Proud of

Example : He is proud of their success.

l.        Sorry for

Example : I feel sorry for anyone who has ti drive in weather like this.

m.    Tired of

Example : I’m tired of boiled eggs.

EXERCISE

Select the correct preposition for the blank or blank in each sentence. Use only the following preposition : IN, ON, AT, BY, FOR, TO, OF, WITH, FROM, UNTIL, SINCE, DURING, ABOVE.

1.      I went to bed…………………..midnight and get up………………………….6:30 the next morning.

2.      My friend Bill Allen married his sweetheart ………………………….the war.

3.      The contactor hopes to finish the entire job………………………april or may.

4.      John’s roommate hung the photograph……………the wal……………….his desk.

5.      I enjoy sailing………………………..the ocean,but I prefer swimming………………………….lakes.

6.      Tom’s grandmather died………………….1994…………………………the age of 79.

7.      Joe is going……………………………school……………………….the university………………………….wisconsin now.

8.      Ann’s brother lives………………………a small village………………..the south coast of England.

9.      Mr and Mrs.Harrison have been in Colombia……………………………last august.

10.  Mr.Anderson is responsible…………………….hising and firing employees.