Preposition and Its Special Uses: Part 1

            

Introduction

A preposition is defined as a word that links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other part of the sentence. It usually comes before a noun, pronoun or noun phrase, hence the name, pre-position (that is, before the position of noun or pronoun).

A preposition is used to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object. Examples include: in, on, to, at, by, with, for, from, over, across, through, under etc.

Prepositions can be tricky for English learners, as there is no definite rule or formula for choosing a preposition. However, a regular usage through reading and listening can help learners identify the appropriate use of each of the prepositional words in a grammatical structure.

In this class, we want to consider the special use of the selected five among the commonest examples of preposition; others will come up in the subsequent posts. We are considering the following: on, in, for, of and to.

Here we go….

ON

i. Used to express a surface of something:

Examples
I put an egg on the kitchen table.
The paper is on my desk.

ii. Used to specify days and dates:

Examples
The garbage truck comes on Wednesdays.
I was born on the 14th day of June in 1988.

iii. Used to indicate an activity going on a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:

Examples
He is on the phone right now.
She has been on the computer since this morning.
My favorite movie will be on TV tonight.

iv. Used to indicate any outer part of the body:

Examples
The stick hit me on my shoulder.
He kissed me on my cheek.
I wear a ring on my finger.

v. Used to indicate the state of something:

Examples
Everything in this store is on sale.
The building is on fire.

IN

i. Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, year:

Examples
She always reads newspapers in the morning.
In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.
The new semester will start in March.

ii. Used to indicate a location or place:

Examples
She looked me directly in the eyes.
I am currently staying in a hotel.
My hometown is Los Angeles, which is in California.

iii. Used to indicate a shape, color, or size:

Examples
This painting is mostly in blue.
The students stood in a circle.
This jacket comes in four different sizes.

iv. Used to express while doing something:

Examples
In preparing for the final report, we revised the tone three times.
A catch phrase needs to be impressive in marketing a product.

v. Used to indicate a belief, opinion, interest, or feeling:

Examples
I believe in the next life.
We are not interested in gambling.

FOR

i. Used to indicate the use of something:

Examples
This place is for exhibitions and shows.
I baked a cake for your birthday.
I put a note on the door for privacy.
She has been studying hard for the final exam.

ii. Used to mean because of:

Examples
I am so happy for you.
We feel deeply sorry for your loss.
For this reason, I’ve decided to quit this job.

iii. Used to indicate time or duration:

Examples
He’s been famous for many decades.
I attended the university for one year.

OF

i. Used for belonging to, relating to, or connected with:

Examples
The secret of this game is that you can’t ever win.
The highlight of the show is at the end.
The first page of the book describes the author’s profile.
I always dreamed of being rich and famous.

ii. Used to indicate reference:

Examples
I got married in the summer of 2000.
This is a picture of my family.
I got a discount of 10 percent on the purchase.

iii. Used to indicate an amount or number:

Examples
I drank three cups of milk.
A large number of people gathered to protest.
I had only four hours of sleep during the last two days..

TO

i. Used to indicate the direction of place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward

Examples
I am heading to the entrance of the building.
The package was mailed to Mr. Kim yesterday.
All of us went to the movie theater.
Please send it back to me.

ii. Used to indicate a limit or an ending point:

Examples
The snow was piled up to the roof.
The stock prices rose up to 100 dollars.

iii. Used to indicate relationship:

Examples
This letter is very important to your admission.
My answer to your question is in this envelop.
Do not respond to every little thing in your life.

iv. Used to indicate a time or a period:

Examples
I work nine to six, Monday to Friday.
It is now 10 to five. (In other words, it is 4:50.)

Look out for the follow up class…