Prepositions

Prepositions are used to show relationships between a noun and another word. They are frequently used to locate nouns in time or space. Meanings of prepositions change in very subtle ways and the reasons for these changes are often difficult to explain. The common ways that prepositions are used are often absorbed as a person grows up and learns language. Therefore, there are few rules to memorize. Understanding the common prepositional patterns takes a lot of time and practice.

Prepositions come before nouns or pronouns. The noun that follows the preposition is its object.

• Apples grow on trees.

                     ↓          ↓
Preposition   Object  

A preposition plus a verb forms a phrasal verb.

• Ripe apples fall off the tree.

                           ↓
Phrasal Verb
A prepositional phrase is the preposition plus its object and any modifying words.

• The farmer harvested the apple crop from the south orchard.

                                                                                              ↓
Prepositional phrase

Some prepositional phrases modify nouns; some modify verbs.

• The apples from the farm were used to bake a delicious pie.
• From the farm answers the question “which apples?” Therefore, from the farm modifies the noun apples.

• The apple fell from the tree.
• From the tree answers the question how, when or where it fell? Therefore, from the tree modifies the verb fell.                                       

AESL Tips: Use a dictionary. Look up the definition of the preposition. Is the meaning of the preposition appropriate to express the idea that you are developing in the sentence?
Many phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases are idiomatic. Idioms are informal expressions formed from the combination of words that when put together take on a new meaning. Using a dictionary to define the words that make up these phrases is usually ineffective. Ask a native speaker to explain the idiom.

Another strategy for absorbing the common uses of prepositions is to read high quality magazine articles. Select a paragraph from an article and read it out loud to engage the senses of sight and sound. Using these sensory tools together increases the input of prepositional patterns into memory.

In                    Above                 Behind                     Below                       Beside                            On

To indicate points higher use: above, over, up
To indicate points lower use: below, beneath, down, under, underneath

• People geton a bus, train, plane    but they get in a car.
• They get on a bike, motorcycle, or horse

• They geton a big boat        and in a small boat.

 
People live in a town, state, or country                                 
But they live on a street
At a specific address

Example: I live at number 25 on Main Street in Newtown, Pennsylvania.

    
An event happens in a month, year, or season…. Tax returns have to be filed in April in 2012.                         
An event happens on a day, on a date………………  Tax returns are due on Thursday on April 15.                         
An event happens at a specific time……………………The tax accountant will meet you at 7:00pm.

• In a 24 hour period (in a minute, in an hour), in the morning, afternoon, or evening
• At night, noon, midnight,
• During, since, from-to, until refers to extended time

• Forindicates a reasonor purpose……..………………I went to the movie for some amusing distraction.
• With indicates a relationship or connection…………………………………………….My brother went with me.
• Of indicates a smaller part within a larger unit……………………We enjoyed the beginning of the movie.
• To andfromindicate movement………….My brother carried the soda and popcorn from the concession area.
• Off and outindicate separation………………When we walked out of the theatre our eyes had to adjust.