Prepositions

Prepositions of Position

at the back of
at the bottom of
at the top of
behind
between
in the corner of
in the middle of
next to
to the left of
on the other side of
to the right of
on the side of
on top of
opposite

Example Sentences

There is a large garden in the middle of the skyscraper.

The smallest room is located to the left of the internal garden.

The entrance to room number three is opposite the entrance to room number two.

Prepositions of Direction

Here are a number of preposition that can be used to show direction and movement around the floor plan:

across
between
into
out of
past
round
through
towards

Example Sentences

Walk through the exit of room two and enter into building number three.

Walk across the indoor garden to reach room number five.

Walk past the side entrance to reach the main entrance.

prepositions of place

 

IN

Use 'in' with spaces:

• in a room / in a building
• in a garden / in a park

Use 'in' with bodies of water:

• in the water
• in the sea
• in a river

Use 'in' with lines:

• in a row / in a line
• in a queue

AT

Use 'at' with places:

• at the bus-stop
• at the door
• at the cinema
• at the end of the street

Use 'at' with places on a page:

• at the top of the page
• at the bottom of the page

Use 'at' in groups of people:

• at the back of the class
• at the front of the class

ON

Use 'on' with surfaces:

• on the ceiling / on the wall / on the floor
• on the table

Use 'on' with small islands:

• I stayed on Maui.

Use 'on' with directions:

• on the left
• on the right
• straight on

IMPORTANT NOTES

In / at / on the corner

We say 'in the corner of a room', but 'at the corner (or 'on the corner') of a street'

In / at / on the front

• We say 'in the front / in the back' of a car
• We say 'at the front / at the back' of buildings / groups of people
• We say 'on the front / on the back' of a piece of paper

 

prepositions of place and movement

IN

Use 'in' with static (non-movement) verbs and cities, countries, states, etc.:

• stay in the USA
• work in New York

AT

Use 'at' with static (non-movement) verbs and places:

• at the cinema
• at work
• at home

TO

Use 'to' with verbs of movement such as go, come, drive, etc.:

• go to work
• drive to California

IMPORTANT NOTES

The use of ' ' (nothing)

• With verbs of movement and the noun 'home' - He went home. - they drove home.
• With the verb 'visit' - She visited France last summer.

Noun + Prepositions

FOR

Use 'for' preceded by the following nouns:

• a check for (amount of money)

Example: She gave me a check for $50.

• a demand for something

Example: Unfortunately, there wasn't enough demand for our product.

• a need for something

Example: There is a real need for discipline in this class.

• a reason for something

Example: I have a reason for doing that!

IN

Use 'in' preceded by the following nouns:

• a rise in something

Example: There has been a rise in prices recently.

• an increase in something

Example: We have seen many increases in production levels.

• a fall in something

Example: There has been a fall in prices recently.

• a decrease in something

Example: We have seen many decreases in production levels.

OF

Use 'of' preceded by the following nouns:

• a cause of something

Example: She is the cause of all his problems.

• a photograph OR a picture of something or someone

Example: He took a photograph of the mountains.

TO

Use 'to' preceded by the following nouns:

• damage to something

Example: I did a lot of damage to my car the other day.

• an invitation to a celebration of some type

Example: We were invited to their wedding.

• reaction to something

Example: Her reaction to his behavior was quite funny.

• a solution to a problem

Example: He provided the solution to our financial situation.

• an attitude to something (or TOWARDS something)

Example: Your attitude to your problems doesn't help them get resolved.

WITH

Use 'with' preceded by the following nouns:

• a relationship with someone or something

Example: My relationship with Mary is wonderful.

• a connection with someone or something

Example: His connections with the CIA are very limited.

• a contact with someone or something

Example: Have you had any contact with Sarah?

BETWEEN

Use 'between' preceded by the following nouns:

• a connection between TWO things

Example: There is no connection between the two crimes.

• a relationship between TWO things

Example: The relationship between the two friends was very strong.

• a contact between TWO things

Example: There is little contact between the two parents.

• a difference between TWO things

Example: There is no difference between those two colors.

Prepositions + Nouns

BY

Use 'by' with the following nouns:

• to pay by check (credit card)

Example: I paid the bill by check.

• to do something by accident

Example: I broke the vase by mistake.

• to do something by mistake

Example: I'm afraid I brought the wrong book by mistake.

• to do something by chance

Example: I saw Jack at the supermarket by chance.

• a play, song, book, etc. by someone

Example: The opera 'Otello' is by Giuseppe Verdi.

FOR

Use 'for' with the following nouns:

• (to go / come) for a walk

Example: Let's go for a walk.

• (to go / come) for a swim

Example: We went for a swim as soon as we arrived.

• (to go / come) for a drink

Example: Would you like to come over for a drink?

• (to go / come) for a visit

Example: I'd love to come for a visit sometime.

• (to have something) for breakfast / lunch / dinner / supper (US English)

Example: I had bacon and eggs for breakfast.

IN

Use 'in' with the following nouns:

• to be OR to fall in love with someone

Example: I fell in love with my wife at first sight.

• in my opinion

Example: In my opinion, we need to invest in some development.

• a need for something

ON

Use 'on' with the following nouns:

• (to be) on fire

Example: Help! The house is on fire!

• (to be) on the telephone / phone

Example: I think Tom is on the phone at the moment.

• on television

Example: There is a good film on television tonight.

• on the radio

Example: Mahler's fifth was on the radio last night.

• (to be / go) on a diet

Example: I really need to go on a diet.

• (to be / go) on strike

Example: The sanitary engineers have gone on strike again.

• (to be / go) on holiday (UK English) / vacation (American English)

Example: I really need to go on vacation soon.

• (to be / go) business

Example: He went away this weekend on business.

• (to be / go) on a trip

Example: We were on a trip this past weekend.

• (to be / go) a tour

Example: Have you ever been on a tour of the French countryside?

• (to be / go) on an excursion

Example: We went on an excursion to Versailles when we were in Paris.

Du-te Inapoi la Materiale