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Oct 22

Three-word prepositions

Posted on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Parts of Speech

This list was found at wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_prepositions.

as far as
as well as
by means of
in accordance with
in addition to
in case of
in front of
in lieu of
in place of
in point of
in spite of
on account of
on behalf of
on top of
with regard to
with respect to

Oct 21

Two-word compound prepositions

Posted on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Parts of Speech

This list was found at wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_prepositions.

according to
ahead of
as of
as per
as regards
aside from
because of
close to
due to
except for
far from
in to (contracted as into)
inside of (note that inside out is an adverb, not a preposition)
instead of
left of
near to
next to
on to (contracted as onto)
out from
out of
outside of
owing to
prior to
pursuant to
regardless of
right of
subsequent to
thanks to
that of
where as

Oct 20

Prepositions introducing objects of verbs

Posted on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 in Parts of Speech

of (or about) is used to introduce these verbs: dream, think
I dream of finishing college in four years.
Can you think of a number between one and ten?
I am thinking about this problem.

for is used to introduce these verbs: call, hope, look, wait, watch and wish
Did someone call for a taxi?
He hopes for a raise in salary next year.
I’m looking for my keys.
We’ll wait for her here.
You go buy the tickets and I’ll watch for the train.
If you wish for an “A” in this class, you must work hard.

Oct 19

Prepositions introducing objects of verbs

Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 in Parts of Speech

at is used to introduce these verbs: glance, laugh, look, rejoice, smile and stare
She took a quick glance at her reflection.
You didn’t laugh at his joke.
I’m looking at the computer monitor.
We rejoiced at his safe rescue.
That pretty girl smiled at you.
Stop staring at me.

of is used to introduce these verbs: approve, consist, smell
I don’t approve of his speech.
My contribution to the article consists of many pages.
He came home smelling of alcohol.

Oct 18

Prepositions for lower than a point

Posted on Monday, October 18, 2010 in Parts of Speech

below, beneath, under and underneath all mean lower than a point

In practice, they have slightly different meanings.

One site suggested the following differences:

below is preferred when one thing is not directly under another
When the sun sets, it sinks below the horizon.

under is preferred when something is covered or hidden by what is over it
I think the cat is under the bed.
The whole village was under water.

Oct 17

Prepositions for close to a point

Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2010 in Parts of Speech

among means in the midst of more than two points
The deer are grazing among the pine trees.

between means in the area separating two points
The hiker walked between the boulders.

by means alongside a point
The antique tractor is by the barn.

near means close to a point
There is a lake near their cabin.

next to means in close proximity to a point
The restaurant is next to the hotel.

opposite means across from
The police station is opposite the fire station.

Oct 16

Prepositions for higher than a point in space

Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2010 in Parts of Speech

over and above both mean higher than a point
I hung the painting on the wall over the sofa.
I hung the painting on the wall above the sofa.

above means higher than a point but not directly over it
The cabin on the hillside is above the lake.

over means higher than a point and covering it
The storm cloud hung over the town.

Oct 15

Prepositions for a point in space

Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 in Parts of Speech

in means the point itself
The boss is in the office today.

inside means something contained
The customers are inside the building.

on means relation to the surface
You will find the book on the table.

at means general vicinity
I will meet you at the cafeteria.

Oct 14

Prepositions used with extended time periods

Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2010 in Parts of Speech

These prepositions are used for extended time periods.

since means from a certain point of time (past till now)
I haven’t eaten since yesterday.

for means over a certain period of time (past till now)
I’m going on vacation for two weeks.

by means at the latest
I will be home by six.

by means up to a certain time
By six I was very tired of being at the office.

from…to
Classes go from August to June.

from…until
I worked from dawn until dusk.

during means within a given time interval
I was wide awake during the thunderstorm.

within means before a specified duration ends
I must finish the task within the year.

Oct 13

Prepositions used with a moment in time

Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 in Parts of Speech

on is used with days of the week
I will see the doctor on Thursday.

at is used with the time of day, noon, night and midnight
I wake up at 6:15 every day.
I will eat lunch at noon.
I watch TV at night.

in is used with other times of the day, months, years and seasons
He goes to school in the morning.
The weather is hot in August.
She was born in 1955.
The snow comes in winter.