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A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in the sentence. Therefore a preposition is always part of a prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase almost always functions as an adjective or as an adverb.
on/to the other side of (line): across and overAcross and over can both be used to mean ‘on or to the other side of a line, river, road, bridge, etc’.His village is just across/over the border.See if you can jump across/over the stream. high things: over preferredWe prefer over to say ‘on/to the other side […]
1 ‘higher than’: above or over Above and over can both mean ‘higher than’. Above is more common with this meaning.The water came up above/over our knees.Can you see the helicopter above/over the palace? 2 ‘not directly over’: above We use above when one thing is not directly over another.We’ve got a little house above […]
Some styles of writing and speech have their own special grammar rules, often because of the need to save space or time.1 advertisements and instructionsSmall ads and instructions often leave out articles, subject or object pronouns, forms of be and prepositions.Single man looking for flat Oxford area. Phone 806127 weekends.Job needed urgently. Will do anything […]
Prepositions are not normally used before infinitives in English. After verb/ noun/adjective + preposition, we usually use the -ing form of a following verb. He insisted on being paid at once, (NOT He insisted on to be paid ..-.) I don’t like the idea of getting married, (NOT … the idea of to get married.) […]
Prepositions can be followed by conjunctions in some cases but not in others.indirect speech: prepositions dropped before thatPrepositions are not used directly before the conjunction that. In indirect speech – after words that refer to saying, writing, thinking etc –prepositions are usually dropped before that-clauses. Compare:I knew about his problems.I knew that he had problems.(NOT […]
introductionA preposition often connects two things: (1) a noun, adjective or verb that comes before it, and (2) a ‘prepositional object’ – a noun phrase or pronounthat comes after the preposition.This is a present for you. He’s looking at her.I’m really angry with Joe. They live in a small village.In some structures, we may put […]
This is a list of some common expressions in which we do not use prepositions, or can leave them out.discuss, enter, marry, lack, resemble and approachThese verbs are normally followed by direct objects without prepositions.We must discuss your plans, (NOT … discuss about your plans.) Conversation stopped as we entered the church, (NOT .. .-entered […]
This is a list of a few expressions which often cause problems. For other preposition + noun combinations, see a good dictionary.at the cinema; at the theatre; at a party; at university What’s on at the cinema this week?a book (written) by Joyce; a concerto (composed) by Mozart; a film (directed) by Orson Welles (NOT […]
It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, verb or adjective. Here are some of the most common combinations which cause difficulty to students of English. Alternatives are sometimes possible, and American and British usage sometimes differ. There is only room for very brief notes here; for more […]
meanings and use It is difficult to learn to use prepositions correctly in a foreign language. Most English prepositions have several different functions (for instance, one well- known dictionary lists eighteen main uses of at), and these may correspond to several different prepositions in another language. At the same time, different prepositions can have very […]