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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 are in, on, at, and to.
PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE OR SPACE:
_________ ___on____ _________ ________
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| in | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| _______ | | ______ | аt| ______ | 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.
Check yourself:
1)PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE
Complete with the missing preposition. Careful! In one place, a preposition is not needed.
01. Jim is............... the office.
02. His wife is............... home.
03. He is sitting................... his desk.
04. She is working.................. the kitchen table.
05. He has papers................. his desk.
06. She has a cookery book open ................... the table.
07. Jim goes................ the office................ eight.
08. His wife stays............... home................ ten; then she goes..................... the supermarket.
09. ..................... the supermarket, she buys groceries.
10. She walks.................. her house.................. the supermarket.
11. She walks..................... the end of her street.................. a busy road.
12. The courses is just.................. the corner.
13. She buys groceries ................ the courses and vegetables................. an open market.
14. Jim works.............. the top floor .................. an office block.
15. He takes a lift (elevator).................... and.............
16. The only exciting thing that happened to Jim was that once the lift stopped............... the eighth and ninth floors and Jim was stuck................ it.
17. He sat................. the floor until help came.
18. When she has a lot to buy, Mary takes the car and parks................ the car park, close................. the store.
19. ..................... the supermarket, she walks................. the aisles, pushing her trolley.................. the rows of shelves.
20. She pays.................. the checkout, loads the groceries.................... the boot (trunk) of her car, and drives................. home.
2) PREPOSITIONS OF TIME
Complete.
01. The movie starts....................... 2.30.
02. The restaurant opens..................... the evening only.
03. Her birthday is.................... Thursday.
04. The restaurant closes................... midnight.
05. We usually have lunch......................... one.
06. He leaves for New York..................... Friday.
07. The plane takes off....................... 14.50.
08. He returns....................... March 24.
09. We usually go................ holiday.............. the summer.
10. He went to Florida................ February.
11. We are leaving................ three days.
12. He goes to work early................... the morning.
13. They eat dinner.................... the evening.
14. The train always leaves................ time.
15. Will we be................. time to catch it?
16. Too late! We weren"t...................... time.
17. Don"t be late! Be............... time for the start of the race.
18. What were you doing................ 1989?
19. We stay up late........................ New Year"s Eve.
20. We are off to the seaside..................... the day.
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