PREPOSITIONS, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES


Prepositions of TIME

Taken from: http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/learning-english/prepositions/prepositions-time.html

IN

We use in with years, seasons and months.

I got married in 2007.

I got married in winter.

I got married in December.

ON

We use on with days and dates.

I got married on 31st December.

I got married on New Year's Eve.

AT

We use at with times and well-known holiday periods.

I got married at 3.30.

I got married at New Year.


Here are some other examples you should learn:

·         In + the morning, the afternoon, the evening, but at night.

·         At + mealtimes (at breakfast, at dinner ...).

·         At + the weekend.

·         At the moment, at present, at that moment.

·         In the past, in the future.

Remember: we don't use in/on/at when we say "this / last / next".

I'll see you next week.


1. Complete the sentences with the correct preposition.

1) We all meet ___________ Christmas.

2) We have a turkey for dinner ___________ Christmas Day.

3) She feels sleepy ___________ the morning.

4) I’m sorry, I can’t talk to you __________ the moment.

5) Last night he went to bed __________ midnight.

6) I’ll give you a ring ________ Sunday morning _________ 10 o’clock.

7) In England, the school term ends ___________ July.

8) People used to commute to work by tram ___________ the past.

9) There’s a big party at Freedom Square __________ New Year’s Eve.

10) We have a meeting _________ the first Tuesday of the month.

11) Charles is arriving _________ November, 17th, _________ three o’clock _________ the afternoon.

12) She started studying at university __________ 2013.

13) Ok. See you _________ next week __________ Tuesday.


Picture taken from http://reallifebh.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/in-on-at.png


Prepositions of PLACE

Taken from:

http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/in-on-at-prepositions-place,
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/prepositionplace.html

IN

We use in to show that something is enclosed or surrounded.

The dog is in the garden.
She is in a taxi.
Put it in the box.

We also use in to show position within land-areas (towns, states, countries, and continents).

I used to live in Nottingham.

ON

We use on to show position on a horizontal or vertical surface.
       The cat sat on the mat.
       The satellite dish is on the roof.

AT

We use at to show a specific place or position.

Someone is at the door.
They are waiting at the bus stop.
 I used to live at 51 Portland Street.


2. Complete the sentences using IN, ON or AT.

1) I always keep some extra money ___ my bag in case of emergencies.
2) I'll read it tonight ___ home.
3) Do you live ___ a house or an apartment?
4) I read about it ___ the newspaper.
5) He went for a swim ___ the river.
6) The dog's sleeping ___ the carpet.
7) The information is ___ the top of the page.

8) Were you ___ the party too?

Other prepositions of PLACE / MOVEMENT

under, over, next to, between, near (to), in front of, behind, up, down, to, away from, past, into,
onto, out of, around, through, across, along


3. Complete the sentences using the correct preposition from the brackets.

http://www.learnenglish.de/tests/prepositions/prepofmovement.html

1) The mouse ran __________ the table to hide. (through / in / under)

2) The dog ran __________ the garden to play. (into / onto / over)

3) The ship sailed __________ the world. (round / through / over)

4) The train went __________ the tunnel. (over / through / onto)

5) The paint fell __________ the floor. (into / onto / round)

6) She broke her leg when she fell ___________ the stairs. (off / in / down)

7) The burglar made a mistake when he ran __________ the policeman. (towards / under / onto)

8) I was tired after walking ___________ the hill. (through / into / up)

9) When the train arrived at my destination I got __________. (into / onto / off)

10) The horse jumped __________ the fence. (over / under / down)


Prepositional phrases – VERBS + PREPOSITIONS

AT - look at, shout at, smile/ laugh at

TO - listen to, write to, talk/speak to, look forward to

FOR - look for, ask for, pay for, wait for, feel/be sorry for, apply for

ON - spend money on, depend on, insist on, rely on, concentrate on, congratulate sb. on sth.

IN - believe in, succeed in, specialise in

OF - remind sb. of, afraid of, die of

WITH - agree with, share sth. with sb., deal with

No preposition

meet sb., marry sb., divorce sb., play the (musical instrument), phone/call sb., tell sb.

4. Fill in the missing prepositions

1)    You remind me ________ one of my classmates. She's got long dark hair and a little nose, too.

2)    Mary admitted she shouted ________ her little sister yesterday and now she feels
really sorry.

3)    The little baby smiled ________ her parents for the first time. They were very happy.

4)    I feel sorry ________ my students. I can't imagine sitting at the desk for almost six hours
a day.

5)    The boys laughed ________ him because he was clumsy.

6)    His aunt died ________ cancer when she was young.

7)    Sorry, I can’t decide it. It doesn’t depend ________ me.

8)    Look ________ the sunset! It's so beautiful.

9)    I’m afraid I don’t agree _________ you about the decision.

10) She is looking forward _________ seeing us at the meeting.

11) I really trust him and I think I can rely ________ him in every situation.

12) Kevin told ______ me about his sister’s accident.

Note:

WORK + PREPOSITION (work in a town/building, work on a project, work for a company, work as a
journalist/an actor, work with people/material)

Prepositional phrases – ADJECTIVES + PREPOSITIONS


ABOUT - excited about, worried about, nervous about, angry about sth., annoyed about sth., furious
about

AT - good at, bad at, hopeless at

FOR - famous for, well known for, responsible for

OF - afraid of, frightened of, scared of, proud of, full of, aware of, tired of

      - nice / kind / good / friendly / polite / rude / stupid of someone to do something

TO - engaged to, married to, similar to

      - be nice/ kind/ good/ friendly/ polite/ rude to someone

WITH - pleased with, disappointed with, happy with, satisfied with, angry/ annoyed with sb.


5. Fill in the missing prepositions

1) We were disappointed ______ the football match.

2) I’m excited ______ having my birthday party tomorrow.

3) You look very pleased ______ yourself.

4) I’m angry ______ all the mess you have made.

5) I’m not very good ______ mathematics.

6) Your camera is similar ______ mine.

7) Brazil is famous ______ its coffee.

8) Are you scared ______ spiders?

9) Who is responsible ______ breaking this window?

10) My homework was full ______mistakes.

11) I’m tired ______doing the same things every day.

12) It was very nice ______ Sam to lend you the money.

13) A shop assistant should be polite ______ customers.

14) I’m very proud ______you.