Definition/ position of prepositions

Prepositions are words or a group of words (e.g. in, for, to, in front of, etc.) used to show the relationship of one word to another. The word "preposition" means "placed before" as prepositions are normally placed before nouns or pronouns to show place, time, direction, etc.

Prepositions can also be followed by the gerund form. He is talking ofemigrating. They succeeded inescaping.

But there are some other possible alternative positions. Certain nouns, adjectives and verbs can be followed by a preposition (advantage oversmb., proud ofsmth., interfere withsmth., etc.). In two constructions it is possible to move the preposition to the end of the sentence:

1) In questions beginning with a prepositions + whom/ which/what/ whose/ where: To whom were you talking? (formal) Who were you talkingto? (informal).

2) In relative clauses a preposition placed before whom/ which can be moved to the end of the clause. The relative pronoun is then often omitted: the people with whom I was travelling (formal); the people I was travellingwith (informal).

In phrasal verbs the preposition remains after its verb: The plane took off (left the ground) He came round (recovered consciousness).

Prepositions/ adverbs, conjunctions

Many words used mainly as prepositions can be used as adverbs or conjunctions: They were here before6 o'clock (preposition). I've seen him somewhere before  (adverb). Read this document properly beforeyou sign it (conjunction).

Types of prepositions

English prepositions are classified as follows:

1)prepositions of time: I left school in1980. The train starts at6.30

2)prepositions of place: They live inSpain. There's a car-park in frontof the hotel.

3) prepositions of movement: When are you coming back toEngland? They climbed intothe lorry.

4) word and preposition combinations:

a) noun + preposition: I got an invitation todinner yesterday. Our company has a good relationship withthe bank.

b) adjective + preposition: It was very niceofyou to help me. The city was crowded withtourists.

c) verb + preposition: The book is divided into3 parts. The bus collided witha car.

Problems of using

1. Russian and English prepositions can differ. That is why the student has to know:

a) whether a preposition is required or not: influence smb. (влиятьна кого-либо), say to smb. (говорить кому-либо);

b) which preposition to use: medicine for smth. (лекарство отчего-либо), work at smth (работать надчем-либо).

(see the list of differences between Russian and English prepositions in Supplement)

2. There are few rules governing the use of prepositions. Learning to use the correct preposition is a matter of developing a good sense of what sounds right. Yet there are some aspects of preposition use that can be formalized and they are presented in the Units below.

UNIT 2              PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

AT/ ON/ IN (TIME)

At: 1) for the time of day: at 5 o’clock, atmidnight, atlunchtime, etc.;

 2) in these expressions:at night, atthe weekend/atweekends, atChrist-mas/atEaster (but onChristmas Day), atthe moment/atpresent, atthe same time

On:for days and dates: on Friday, on12 March 1991, onmy birthday;

In: 1) for longer periods (months, years, seasons): in October, inwinter, in1980, inthe past, etc.

Compare: in the morning(s), inthe afternoon(s), inthe evening(s) but on Friday morning(s), onSunday afternoon(s).

2) to say how long it takes to do smth: I learnt to drive infour weeks (it took me four weeks to learn.)

also in a few minutes / insix months, etc. (in six months’ time, ina week’s time, etc.)= a time in the future

Do not use at/ on/ inbefore last/ next/ this/ every.

2.1. Write at/on/in.

2.2.Write at/on/in.

1) I like looking at the stars in the sky at night.

2) I often go away ….. the weekend.

3) The company started ….. 2000.

4) ….. autumn the leaves fall from the trees.

5) I will send you the parcel ….. the end of this month.

6) Jane’s birthday is ….. May.

7) Tom isn’t here ….. the moment.

8) I’m starting my new job ….. 1 September.

9) Let’s meet ….. 5.30 tomorrow evening.

10) Do they often go out ….. the evenings?

11) Did she go out ….. Saturday evenings?

12) Did you go out ….. Sunday?

13) We got up ….. 7 o’clock this morning.

14) Goodbye! See you ….. lunch-time.

2.3.Write at/on/in if necessary.

2.4. Compete the sentences. Each time use at, on or in + one of the following.

2.5. Two business people are arranging a meeting. Use at, on or in. Write your own dialogue. Act it out.

2.6. Translate into English. Use the prepositions at, on, in.

1) Я не видел Кэт несколько дней. В последний раз я видел ее во вторник.

2) Цена на электричество возрастет в следующем году.

3) Я был приглашен на свадьбу 14 февраля.

4) Поторопись. Мы должны выйти через 5 минут.

5) Брат Джемми – инженер, но он сейчас (в данный момент) не работает

6) Надеюсь, что погода будет хорошая на выходные.

7) Я не люблю путешествовать зимой.

8) Это была тонкая книга, и я прочитал ее за день.

9) Моя машина ремонтируется в гараже. Она будет готова через 2 часа.

10) Телефон и дверной звонок зазвонили одновременно (в одно и то же время).