Prepositions

Question 1

What are prepositions?

Answer 1

• function words
• used to mark relationships between elements in a sentence
• usually between a verb/adjective/noun and a following noun phrase or clause

Question 2

Types of prepositions

Answer 2

• simple: one word (e.g. in, on, at, with, after)
• complex: more than one word (e.g. in spite of, due to, ahead of, instead of)

Question 3

What is a prepositional phrase?

Answer 3

• A combination of a preposition + its complement (usually a noun phrase)
• e.g. I’ll take you to the bus stop. / I’ll take you to wherever you want.

Question 4

What can be a prepositional complement?

Answer 4

1. Noun phrase (in the woods)
2. -ing clause (Instead of making noise…)
3. Wh-clause (a question of how we spend time)
4. Adverb (till then)
5. Adjective (in private)
6. Prepositional phrase (from under the grill)

Question 5

-ing forms and noun phrases after prepositions

Answer 5

• They plan on going out.
• I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
• Despite the rain, we went out.
• In spite of having run a long way, she wasn’t tired.

Question 6

Main functions of prepositional phrases

Answer 6

1. Post-modifier in a noun phrase (The man in a raincoat.)
2. Adverbial (In the morning, we left./ After finishing homework, I relaxed.)

Question 7

Semantic categories of prepositions

Answer 7

• Space: in, on, at
• Time: at, by, until
• Cause: because of, for
• Means: by, with, like
• Concession: in spite of, despite
• Exception: except for, apart from
• support/opposition: for, against

Question 8

Spatial prepositions (Yule)

Answer 8

• At = point (no dimension)
• On = surface (1-2 dimensions)
• In = container (2-3 dimensions)

e.g.: at the lake; on the street; in the house

Question 9

Temporal prepositions (Yule)

Answer 9

• At: at six o’clock (specific point)
• On: on Monday (specific day)
• In: in 1990 (longer period)

Question 10

Metaphorical uses of prepositions

Answer 10

• They’re in love.
• He’s in a bad mood.
• Tell us in your own words.

(Conceptualising non-physical things as containers)

Question 11

What are dependent prepositions?

Answer 11

• certain verbs, nouns or adjectives require a specific preposition

(e.g.: depend on; fond of; interested in)

Question 12

Common preposition mistakes

Answer 12

• Despite of > Despite!
• Fond from > Fond of!
• At the Trafalgar Square > In Trafalgar Square!
• On next Monday > Next Monday or on Monday!