Prepositions

5º período

Profa:Rosana Espírito Santo

Prepositions describe the relationship between two or more things.

It can link: Nouns Verbs or Adjectives Before the preposition with a noun or pronoun after it: e.g. Now, let’s move on to item six on the agenda. Prepositions can be one word only e.g. throughout or more words e.g. because of

There is no difference in form between prepositions and many adverbs, but there is a difference in use:

A preposition has an object but an adverb does not. e.g. Did you ever travel before the war,Dad?

(preposition) I have a strange feeling that I’ve been here

before. (adverb) OBS. We can modify prepositions with adverbs: e.g. The pub is almost at the end of the street, just

before the traffic lights.

Vertical relationships Above, after, below, beneath, down, on, on top of,

over, under, underneath, up e.g. The temperature was below freezing last night. Horizontal relationship  

Against, along, alongside, around, at, beside, between, by, in, near, next to, on, on the right/left of

We use at with a point in space: e.g. at the bus stop, at 8 Baker Street We use on with a surface or a line: e.g. on the table, on Oxford street We use in with something that surrounds: eg. In the wood We normally use in with countries, cities or towns:

e.g.in London We use on with streets, roads, avenues etc: e.g. On

Broadway Road We use at with specific places: e.g. at the supermarket

Facing relationships   Across, after, before, behind, facing, in front of,

opposite, over   e.g. A is in front of B. B is behind A. Christopher is really behind his brother in terms of

academic development.  

Movement  Down(to), off, on, onto, over, up (to) Across, along, down, over, past, through, up Around, at, away from, down to, from, into, onto, out of, to,

towards, up, up to

e.g. Keep to the right as you go down the stairs. Go up the road to the corner, and the cinema is on the left. Can you throw that book to me? ( I am willing) Don’t throw stones at the cat! ( The cat is unwilling) 

Point in time

At, in, on  e.g. at five to seven, at Christmas, at night (special periods, celebrations) in the evening, in December, in 1999, in the winter (parts of the day, months, seasons, year, countries

etc) On Thursday, on Christmas day (days and dates including special days)

Duration

  As from/of, between, during, for, from…

till/until/up to/to, in, inside, since, through(out) until/till, up to, within

e.g.This volcano hasn’t erupted since 1935.

Reason  Material From, out of, of, with   Benefit For the sake of, on behalf of, for   Reporting According to

Because of, due to, for, from, out of, owing to, through e.g. The PPG service to Bath has been cancelled due to/owing to staff shortage.  Means By, by means of, in via, with  Purpose For, towards

Inclusion and exclusion Amog, as well as, besides, beyond, inside, instead

of, within, without

Exception Apart from, but for, except (for)  Contrast Despite, for all, in spite of 

Material From, out of, of, with  Benefit For the sake of, on behalf of, for

  Reporting According to