Prepositions
Prepositions are very difficult for
second-language learners. The best way to learn to use them is to
listen to native speakers use them and to read a lot of fiction. Still
it often takes many years
to perfect.
The most difficult prepositions,
in my experience, are in,
on, at, and
to.
Prepositions
of place or space:
_________
___on____ _________
________
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in |
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|________ | at|_______ _| to-->|_______ |
In
expresses confinement.
That's why it's part of the words
INSIDE and WITHIN.
I'll ride in your car.
My brother's in jail
I've got $12 in my pocket.
Tiblisi is in Georgia.
On
means attached to or adjacent to something.
Dinner's on the table.
My car is parked on Ventura
Boulevard.
She had a strange smile on
her face.
There was a picture of Ghandi on
the wall.
At
refers to a specific point in space.
There's a guest at the door.
Would you let him in?
The plane was at the end
of the runway.
Change trains at Waterloo
Station.
I'll be at the office all
morning.
At
also indicates "in the direction".
He pointed at the machine
and asked, "What's that?"
I looked at Paul as he entered
the room.
The drowning man grabbed at the
rope, but he could not hold it.
I could only guess at the
meaning of the new words.
To
indicates "in a direction" or towards.
Aura goes to the office early
on Tuesdays.
Drive to the end of the road
and turn to the right.
The young mother sings to
her baby every night.
Philadelphia is to the south
and west of New York.
We give our magazines to a
hospital when we have finished with them.
To
indicates the end of a range with from.
It takes four days to drive from
Los Angeles to Florida.
It's three miles from my sister's
house to mine.
Count (from one) to ten before
say anything you'll regret.
I love all food, from hot dogs
to fine cuisine.
Prepositions
of time:
In
is used for confinement in a time period.
My birthday is in September.
Sandra was born in 1977.
I go to class in the afternoon.
I watch television in the
evening.
On
is used for a specific day.
I go the gym on Mondays and
Wednesdays.
We started the class on June
10th.
I'm going to fly to Italy on
the day after tomorrow.
Let's go out to lunch on a
day when you're not too busy.
At
refers to a specific time.
I have an appointment with Dr. Fermi
at 3 p.m.
The game starts at 7:30 in
Paris. That's at 2:30 in New York
I like to stay home at night.
I left home at 18. (I was
18 years old.)
To
means "until".
The concert began at quarter
to eight. (7:45)
How long is it to dinner?
It's six days to my birthday.
Practice
(c) David Tillyer 1998