Prepositions

Prepositions

Dra. Cristian Cruz Ochoa

​Prepositions

A preposition is a word or group of terms used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to."​

​Prepositions in English are highly idiomatic. Although there are some usage rules, much preposition usage is dictated by fixed expressions. In these cases, it is best to memorize the phrase instead of the individual preposition.

​A few rules

Prepositions of Direction

To refer to a direction, use the prepositions "to," "in," "into," "on," and "onto."

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She drove to the hospital.

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Don't ring the doorbell. Come right in(to) the clinic.

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Drive on(to) the grass and park the ambulance there.​

​Preposition of time

​To refer to one point in time, use the prepositions "in," "at," and "on."

Use "in" with parts of the day (not specific times), months, years, and seasons.

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He reads in the evening.

​ She was born in 1996.

​ She often goes for a walk at night.

I work on Saturdays. *(Use "on" with days).

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​To refer to extended time, use the prepositions "since," "for," "by," "during," "from…to," "from…until," "with," and "within."

​I have lived in Minneapolis since 2005. (I moved there in 2005 and still live there.)

​​He will be in Toronto for 3 weeks. (He will spend 3 weeks in Toronto.)

​She will finish her homework by 6:00. (She will finish her homework sometime between now and 6:00.)

​​He works part time during the summer. (For the period of time throughout the summer.)

​I will collect data from January to June. (Starting in January and ending in June.)

​They are in school from August until May. (Starting in August and ending in May.)

​She will graduate within 2 years. (Not longer than 2 years.)

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​Prepositions of Place

​To refer to a place, use the prepositions "in" (the point itself), "at" (the general vicinity), "on" (the surface), and "inside" (something contained).

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They will meet in the lunchroom.

She was waiting at the corner.

He left his phone on the bed.

Place the pen inside the drawer.

​Prepositions of Location

To refer to a location, use the prepositions "in" (an area or volume), "at" (a point), and "on" (a surface).

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They live in the country. (an area)

She will find him at the library. (a point)

There is a lot of dirt on the window. (a surface)​

Multiple Choice

I would like to know where she comes ___.

• of

• during

• from

• within

Multiple Choice

I like the people I am working __.

• to

• with

• of

• in

Multiple Choice

The author chose the mixed-method design to explain that the purpose __ the study was to explore the leadership qualities __ the principals __ the schools to gauge teacher satisfaction __ the first year __ teaching.

• of in of in of

• in at of on in

• of of in in of

• at on in of at

Multiple Choice

My research will focus __ the community the students live __.

• at of

• on on

• in in

• on in

​THANK YOU!

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​Do you have any questions so far?

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