English as a Second Language | Prepositions

📚 Study Notes: The World of Prepositions (Grammar - CEFR B1) 📚

Hello, future English expert! Welcome to the chapter on Prepositions. Don't worry if these small words seem tricky; by the end of these notes, you'll be able to use them with confidence. Prepositions are like the GPS (Global Positioning System) of a sentence—they tell us exactly where things are, when things happen, or how things relate to each other. Mastering them is key to sounding fluent and accurate!

✅ Section 1: What Exactly IS a Preposition?

1.1 The Definition and Job Description

A preposition is a small but powerful word that links a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition) to another word in the sentence. They almost always appear before the noun or pronoun they are describing.

• Simple Prepositions: in, on, at, to, from, by, with, for, over, under.
• Job 1 (Location): Where is the book? The book is on the table.
• Job 2 (Time): When is the meeting? The meeting starts at 9 AM.
• Job 3 (Direction): Where are you going? I am going to the market.

Key Takeaway: Prepositions always introduce a phrase (called the prepositional phrase) and usually come before a noun or pronoun.

✅ Section 2: Prepositions of TIME (The 'In, On, At' Triangle)

This is one of the most common sources of confusion, but we can simplify it! Think of time as a spectrum, from the very specific (smallest) to the very general (largest).

2.1 AT (Specific/Smallest Time)

Use AT for the most specific points in time:

• Exact Times: at 8:00 PM, at midnight, at lunchtime.
• Holidays (without 'day'): at Christmas, at Easter.
• Standard Phrases: at the moment, at sunrise, at night.

Example: The party finishes at ten o’clock.

2.2 ON (Days and Dates)

Use ON for days and specific dates—anything you can write on a calendar line.

• Days of the Week: on Monday, on Friday morning.
• Full Dates: on July 14th, on my birthday.
• Holidays (with 'day'): on Christmas Day, on New Year’s Eve.

Example: I have an exam on Wednesday.

2.3 IN (Longer Periods/Largest Time)

Use IN for long, general periods of time. Think of IN as a big container of time.

• Months: in January, in December.
• Years: in 2025, in the year 1999.
• Seasons: in the summer, in autumn.
• Centuries/Decades: in the 1980s, in the 21st century.

Example: We usually travel in the summer.

✅ Section 3: Prepositions of PLACE and LOCATION

These prepositions tell us where something is located in space. Again, In, On, At are the most crucial.

3.1 IN (Enclosed Spaces)

Use IN when the object is inside a 3D space, container, or large area.

• Containers/Rooms: in the box, in the wardrobe, in the kitchen.
• Cities/Countries: in London, in Canada, in Europe.

Example: My keys are in my pocket.

3.2 ON (Surfaces)

Use ON when the object is touching a flat, 2D surface.

• Surfaces: on the wall, on the floor, on the ceiling.
• Public Transport (large): on the bus, on the train, on a plane. (If you can stand up inside!)

Example: The picture is hanging on the wall.

3.3 AT (Points and Addresses)

Use AT for a general location or specific, non-enclosed points (like an address or building used for a purpose).

• Specific Addresses: at 21 Park Street.
• Points/Locations: at the bus stop, at the corner, at the top of the page.
• Activity Locations: at school, at the theatre, at work.

Example: I waited for him at the station entrance.

3.4 Other Common Position Prepositions

These are usually easier because they relate directly to physics:

• UNDER: Directly below something else. (The dog is hiding under the bed.)
• OVER: Directly above something, possibly covering it, or moving above it. (A bridge goes over the river.)
• NEXT TO / BESIDE: Close to the side of something. (The coffee shop is next to the bank.)
• BETWEEN: In the middle of two things. (The village is between the mountains and the sea.)
• OPPOSITE: Facing something else. (The cinema is opposite the park.)

✅ Section 4: Prepositions of MOVEMENT and DIRECTION

These prepositions describe how something or someone moves from one place to another.

4.1 TO, INTO, and FROM

• TO: Shows the destination or endpoint of movement. (We walked to the library.)
• INTO: Shows movement entering an enclosed space. (He walked into the classroom.)
• FROM: Shows the starting point of the movement. (I received a letter from my grandmother.)

4.2 ACROSS and THROUGH

These are often mixed up because they both mean passing something.

• ACROSS: Movement over a flat surface, line, or area (2D). (We drove across the desert.)
• THROUGH: Movement inside a 3D space or volume (like a tunnel, forest, or crowd). (The train passed through the mountain tunnel.)

Did you know? When talking about public transport, we generally use ON (on the bus), but if we talk about getting into a small vehicle like a car or taxi, we use IN (in the taxi).

✅ Section 5: Collocations and Fixed Prepositional Phrases

In English, many adjectives, nouns, and verbs require a specific preposition after them. You often cannot change this preposition—you just have to memorize it! These combinations are called collocations or fixed expressions.

5.1 Important Fixed Combinations (B1 Level)

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—the best way to learn these is by practicing them in sentences until they sound natural.

• Adjective + Preposition:
  OF: afraid of, tired of, proud of.
  IN: interested in, successful in.
  AT: good at, bad at, surprised at.
  ABOUT: worried about, excited about.
  FOR: famous for, responsible for.
• Verb + Preposition:
  TO: listen to, talk to, belong to, reply to.
  ON: depend on, rely on.
  FOR: ask for, pay for.
  WITH: agree with, deal with.
• Noun + Preposition:
  a reason for, an advantage of, a solution to, a response to.

Example: I am worried about the exam, but I am good at physics.

5.2 Common Mistakes to Avoid!

Be careful not to translate directly from your mother tongue, as prepositions rarely match up perfectly.

1. Do NOT use a preposition after the verb 'discuss'.
   (INCORRECT: We discussed about the project.)
   (CORRECT: We discussed the project.)
2. Do NOT use a preposition before the words 'today', 'tomorrow', 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'next year'.
   (INCORRECT: I will see you on next week.)
   (CORRECT: I will see you next week.)
3. Remember the difference between 'In the end' and 'At the end'.
   In the end: Means 'finally' or 'after a lot of consideration'. (In the end, we decided to stay home.)
   At the end: Refers to the physical conclusion or final part of something. (The credits roll at the end of the film.)

Key Takeaway: Many verbs and adjectives are married to a specific preposition! You must learn these pairs (e.g., *interested in*).

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🏆 Chapter Summary & Final Practice Tip

Prepositions are essential for accuracy. Always ask yourself: Am I talking about Time, Place, or Relationship?

Practice Tip: The best way to practice prepositions is to read English books and highlight every prepositional phrase you see. Soon, the correct usage will become automatic! Keep practicing, you are doing great!