Download 448 prepositions (1): introduction

prepositions (1): introduction 448
2
I found it strange being ...
This structure is also possible with -ing form objects.
I found it strange being in her house.
3
I would appreciate it if ...
It is used as a preparatory object for an if-clause after would appreciate.
I would appreciate it if you would keep me informed. (NOT 1 WfJ/;lZti
appreciate ifYfJ/;l WO/;lZti ... )
4
owe and leave
Note the structures owe it to somebody to ... and leave it to somebody to ...
We owe it to society to make our country a better place.
I'll leave it to you to decide.
448
1
prepositions (1): introduction
meanings and use
It is difficult to learn to use prepositions correctly in a foreign language. Most
English prepositions have several different functions (for instance, one wellknown dictionary lists eighteen main uses of at), and these may correspond to
several different prepositions in another language. At the same time, different
prepositions can have very similar uses (in the morning, on Monday morning,
at night). Many nouns, verbs and adjectives are normally used with particular
prepositions: we say the reason for, arrive at, angry with somebody, on a bus.
Often the correct preposition cannot be guessed, and one has to learn the
expression as a whole. In some expressions English has no preposition where
one may be used in another language; in other expressions the opposite is
true. For details of some difficult cases of prepositional usage, see 449-454.
2
word order
In English, prepositions can come at the ends of clauses in certain structures,
especially in an informal style. For details, see 452.
What are you thinking about?
She's not very easy to talk to.
You're just the person I was looking for.
I hate being shouted at.
3
-ing forms
When we use verbs after prepositions, we use -ing forms, not infinitives. For
details, see 298, 454.
She saved money by giving up cigarettes.
When to is a preposition, it is also followed by -ing forms. (see 298.2).
I look forward to seeing you soon.
4
prepositions before conjunctions
Prepositions are sometimes dropped before conjunctions and sometimes not.
For details, see 453.
I'm not certain (ofJ what I'm supposed to do.
The question (ofJ whether they should turn back was never discussed.
~
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prepositions (2): after particular words and expressions 449
5
prepositions and adverb particles
Words like on, off, up, down can function both as prepositions and as adverb
particles. For the difference, see 20. For verbs with prepositions and particles,
see 599, 600.
She ran up the stairs. (preposition)
She rang me up. (adverb particle)
449
prepositions (2):
after particular words and expressions
It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun,
verb or adjective. Here are some of the most common combinations which
cause difficulty to students of English. Alternatives are sometimes possible,
and American and British usage sometimes differ. There is only room for very
brief notes here; for more complete information about usage with a particular
word, consult a good dictionary.
accuse somebody of something (NOT fur)
She accused me of poisoning her dog.
afraid of (NOT by)
Are you afraid of spiders?
agree with a person, opinion or policy
He left the firm because he didn't agree with their sales policy.
I entirely agree with you.
agree about a subject of discussion
We agree about most things.
agree on a matter for decision
Let's try to agree on a date.
agree to a suggestion
I'll agree to your suggestion if you lower the price.
angry with (sometimes at) a person for doing something
I'm angry with her for lying to me.
angry about (sometimes at) something
What are you so angry about?
anxious about (= worried about)
I'm getting anxious about money.
anxious for (= eager to have)
We're all anxious for an end to this misunderstanding.
anxious + infinitive (= eager, wanting)
She's anxious to find a better job.
apologise to somebody for something
I think we should apologise to the Smiths.
I must apologise for disturbing you.
arrive at or in (NOT re)
What time do we arrive at Cardiff?
When did you arrive in England?
ask: see 79.
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prepositions (2): after particular words and expressions 449
bad at (NOT in)
I'm not bad at tennis.
believe a person or something that is said (= accept as truthful/true
- no preposition)
Don't believe her.
I don't believe a word she says.
believe in God, Father Christmas etc (= believe that ... exists; trust)
I half believe in life after death.
If you believe in me I can do anything.
belong in/on/etc (= go, fit, have its place in/on/etc)
Those glasses belong on the top shelf
belong to (= be a member of)
I belong to a local athletics club.
blue with cold, red with anger etc
My hands were blue with cold when I got home
borrow: see 109.
care: see 127.
clever at (NOT in)
I'm not very clever at cooking.
congratulate/congratulations on something
I must congratulate you on your exam results.
Congratulations on your new job!
congratulate/congratulations on/for doing something
He congratulated the team on/for having won all their games.
crash into (NOT USUALLY against)
I wasn't concentrating, and I crashed into the car in front.
depend/dependent on (NOT from OR 6f)
We may play football - it depends on the weather.
He doesn't want to be dependent on his parents.
But: independent of
details of
Write now for details of our special offer.
die of or from
More people died offlu in 1919 than were killed in the First World War.
A week after the accident he died from his injuries.
different: see 155.
difficulty with something, (in) doing something (NOT diffieulties to ... )
I'm having difficulty with my travel arrangements.
You won't have much difficulty (in) getting to know people in Italy.
disappointed with somebody
My father never showed if he was disappointed with me.
disappointed with/at/about something
You must be pretty disappointed with/at/about your exam results.
[a] discussion about something
We had a long discussion about politics.
[to] discuss something (no preposition)
We'd better discuss your travel plans.
divide into (NOT in)
The book is divided into three parts.
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prepositions (2): after particular words and expressions 449
dream of (= think of, imagine)
I often dreamed of being famous when I was younger.
dream about/of (while asleep)
What does it mean if you dream about/of mountains?
dress(ed) in (NOT witlt)
Who's the woman dressed in green?
drive into (NOT against)
Granny drove into a tree again yesterday.
enter into an agreement, a discussion etc
We've just entered into an agreement with Carsons Ltd.
enter a place (no preposition)
When I entered the room everybody stopped talking.
example of (NOT fer)
Sherry is an example of a fortified wine.
explain something to somebody (NOT explain somebody something)
Could you explain this rule to me?
fight, struggle etc with
I've spent the last two weeks fighting with the tax office.
frightened of or by: see 410.5.
get in (to) and out of a car, taxi or small boat
When I got into my car, I found the radio had been stolen.
get on (to) and off a train, plane, bus, ship, (motor)bike or horse
We'll be getting off the train in ten minutes.
good at (NOT ill)
Are you any good at tennis?
[the] idea of .. .ing (NOT the idea to ... )
I don't like the idea of getting married yet.
ill with
The boss has been ill with flu this week.
impressed with/by
I'm very impressed with/by your work.
increase in activity, output etc (NOT ffl)
I'd like to see a big increase in productivity.
independent, independence of or from
She got a job so that she could be independent of her parents.
When did India get its independence from Britain?
insist on (NOT to)
George's father insisted on paying.
interest/interested in (NOT f6f)
When did your interest in social work begin?
Nut many people are interested in grammar.
interested to do fin doing something: see 299.16
kind to (NOT witlt)
People have always been very kind to me.
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prepositions (2): after particular words and expressions 449
lack of
Lack of time prevented me from writing.
[to] lack (no preposition)
Your mother lacks tact.
[to] be lacking in
She is lacking in tact.
laugh at
I hate being laughed at.
laugh about
We'll laugh about this one day.
leave somewhere (talking about the action of leaving)
I left London early, before the traffic got too heavy.
leave from somewhere (talking about the place)
Does the plane leave from Liverpool or Manchester?
listen to
If you don't listen to people, they won't listen to you.
look at (= point one's eyes at)
Stop looking at me like that.
look after (= take care of)
Thanks for looking after me when I was ill.
look for (= try to find)
Can you help me look for my keys?
make, made of/from: see 336.
marriage to; get/be married to (NOT with)
Her marriage to Philip didn't last very long.
How long have you been married to Sheila?
marry somebody (no preposition)
She married her childhood sweetheart.
near (to): see 365.
nice to (NOT with)
You weren't very nice to me last night.
operate on a patient
They operated on her yesterday evening.
pay for something that is bought (NOT pay something)
Excuse me, sir. You haven't paid for your drink.
pleased with somebody
The boss is very pleased with you.
pleased with/about/at something
I wasn't very pleased with/about/at my exam results.
polite to (NOT with)
Try to be polite to Uncle Richard for once
prevent ... from .. .ing (NOT tft)
The noise from downstairs prevented me from sleeping.
proof of (NOT fur)
I want proof of your love. Lend me some money.
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prepositions (2): after particular words and expressions 449
reason for (NOT 6f)
Nobody knows the reason for the accident.
remind of (and see 499)
She reminds me of a girl I was at school with.
responsible/responsibility for (NOT 6f)
Who's responsible for the shopping this week?
rude to (NOT with)
Peggy was pretty rude to my family last weekend.
run into (= meet)
I ran into Philip at Victoria Station this morning.
search (without preposition) (= look through; look everywhere in/on)
They searched everybody's luggage.
They searched the man in front of me from head to foot.
search for (= look for)
The customs were searching for drugs at the airport.
shocked at/by
I was terribly shocked at/ by the news of Peter's accident.
shout at (aggressive)
If you don't stop shouting at me I'll come and hit you.
shout to (= call to)
Mary shouted to us to come in and swim.
smile at
If you smile at me like that I'll give you anything you want.
sorry about something that has happened
I'm sorry about your exam results.
sorry for/about something that one has done
I'm sorry for/about breaking your window.
sorry for a person
I feel really sorry for her children.
speak to; speak with (especially AmE)
Could I speak to/with your father for a moment?
suffer from
My wife is suffering from hepatitis.
surprised at/by
Everybody was surprised at/by the weather.
take part in (NOT at OR flf)
I don't want to take part in any more conferences.
think of/about (NOT think to)
I'm thinking of studying medicine.
I've also thought about studying dentistry.
the thought of (NOT the thought to)
I hate the thought of going back to work.
throw ... at (aggressive)
Stop throwing stones at the cars.
throw ... to (in a game etc)
If you get the ball, throw it to me.
translate into (NOT in)
Could you translate this into Greek for me?
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prepositions (3): before particular words and expressions 450
trip over
He tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.
typical of (NOT m)
The wine's typical of the region.
write: see 610.
wrong with
What's wrong with Rachel today?
For of after determiners
450
like some, most, see 154.
prepositions (3):
before particular words and expressions
This is a list of a few expressions which often cause problems. For other
preposition + noun combinations, see a good dictionary.
at the cinema; at the theatre; at a party; at university
What's on at the cinema this week?
a book (written) by Ioyce: a concerto (composed) by Mozart; a film (directed)
by Orson Welles (NOT ef Oil from)
I've never read anything by Dickens.
by car/bike/bus/train/boatlplanelland/sea/air;
on foot (but in the car,
on a bus etc)
Let's take our time and go by boat.
for ... reason
My sister decided to go to America for several reasons.
from ... point of view (NOT aecording to
Try to see it from my point of view.
OR
after)
in ... opinion (NOT according to Oil after)
In my opinion, she should have resigned earlier.
in the end (cc finally, after a long time)
In the end, I got a visa for Russia.
at the end (cc at the point where something stops)
I think the film's a bit weak at the end.
in pen, pencil, ink etc
Please fill in the form in ink.
in a picture, photo etc (NOT Ofl)
She looks much younger in this photo.
in the rain, snow etc
I like walking in the rain.
in a suit, raincoat, shirt, skirt, hat etc
Who's the man in the funny hat over there?
in a ... voice
Stop talking to me in that stupid voice.
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prepositions (4): expressions without prepositions 451
on page 20 etc (NOT in/at)
There's a mistake on page 120.
on the radio; on TV; on the phone
Is there anything good on IV tonight?
It's Mrs Ellis on the phone: she says it's urgent.
on time (= at the planned time, neither late nor early)
Peter wants the meeting to start exactly on time.
in time (= with enough time to spare, before the last moment)
He would have died if they hadn't got him to the hospital in time.
451
prepositions (4):
expressions without
prepositions
This is a list of some common expressions in which we do not use
prepositions, or can leave them out.
1
discuss, enter, marry, lack, resemble and approach
These verbs are normally followed by direct objects without prepositions.
We must discuss your plans. (NOT ... discuss about your pll'fflSo)
Conversation stopped as we entered the church. (NOT ... entered in(to) the
ehu-Feft:)
She married a friend of her sister's. (NOT
married with ... )
lacks (7/ )
He's clever, but he lacks experience. (NOT
The child does not resemble either of its parents. (NOT
resemble to ... )
The train is now approaching London Paddington. (NOT ... approaching
ffl- ... )
2
next, last etc
Prepositions are not used before a number of common expressions of time
beginning next, last, this, that (sometimes), one, every, each, some, any (in an
informal style), all.
See you next Monday. (NOT ... --tm-fteX-t--Mtmtitty:)
The meeting's this Thursday.
We met one Tuesday in August.
I'll never forget meeting you that afternoon.
Come any day you like.
The party lasted all night.
Note also tomorrow morning, yesterday afternoon etc.
3
days of the week
In an informal style, we sometimes leave out on before the names of the days
of the week.
Why don't you come for a drink (on) Monday evening?
4
a meaning 'each'
No preposition is used in expressions like three times a day, sixty miles an
hour, eighty pence a kilo.
Private lessons cost £20 an hour.
For per in expressions like these, see 389.20
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prepositions (4): expressions without prepositions 451
5
What time ... ? etc
We usually leave out at before what time.
What time does Granny's train arrive?
(More natural than At what time ... ? )
In an informal style, we can also leave out on before what/which day(s).
What day is your hair appointment?
Which day do you have your music lesson?
6
about
In an informal style, at is often dropped before about + time expression.
I'll see you (at) about 3 o'clock.
7
'how long'
In an informal style, for is often left out in expressions that say how long
something lasts.
I've been here (for) three weeks now.
How long are you staying (for)?
8
measurement
expressions etc after be
Expressions containing words like height, weight, length, size, shape, age,
colour are usually connected to the subject of the clause by the verb be,
without a preposition.
He is just the right height to be a policeman.
She's the same age as me.
His head's a funny shape.
I'm the same weight as I was twenty years ago.
What shoe size are you?
What colour are her eyes? (N OT Of what colour ... ?)
9
(in) this way etc
We often leave out in (especially in informal speech) in expressions like
(in) this way, (in) the same way, (in) another way etc.
They plant corn (in) the same way their ancestors used to 500 years ago.
10
home
We do not use to before home (see 249).
I'm going home.
In informal English (especially American), at can be left out before home.
Is anybody home?
11
place
In an informal style, to can be dropped in some expressions with the word
place. This is normal in American English.
Let's go (to) some place where it's quiet.
I always said you'd go places. (= become successful)
12
infinitive structures
Prepositions can be dropped in the structure noun + infinitive + preposition
(see 285.5).
She has no money to buy food (with).
We have an hour to do it (in).
~
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prepositions (5): at the ends of clauses 452
This is particularly common with the noun place.
We need a place to live (in).
She had no place to go (to).
For the use of prepositions
452
1
after near, see 365.
prepositions (5): at the ends of clauses
introduction
A preposition often connects two things: Cl) a noun, adjective or verb that
comes before it, and (2) a 'prepositional object' - a noun phrase or pronoun
that comes after the preposition.
This is a present for you.
He's looking at her.
I'm really angry with foe.
They live in a small village.
In some structures we may put the prepositional object at or near the
beginning of a clause. In this case, the preposition does not always go with it it may stay together with 'its' noun, adjective or verb at the end of the clause.
This happens especially in four cases:
wh-questions:
Who's the present for?
relative structures: [oe's the person that I'm angry with.
passives:
She likes to be looked at.
infinitive structures: The village is pleasant to live in.
2
wh-questions
When a question word is the object of a preposition, the preposition most
often comes at the end of the clause, especially in informal usage.
Who's the present for? (For whom is the present? is extremely formal.)
What are you looking at?
Who did you go with?
Where did she buy it from?
Which flight is the general travelling on?
What kind of films are you interested in?
This also happens in indirect wh-questions, and in other what-clauses.
Tell me what you're worried about.
What a lot of trouble I'm in!
Some questions consist simply of question word + preposition.
What with?
Who for?
However, this structure is unusual when there is a noun with the question
word.
With what money? (NOT What money with?)
3
relative clauses
When a relative pronoun (see 494) is the object of a preposition, the
preposition also often goes at the end of the clause, especially in informal
usage.
foe's the person that I'm angry with. (Less formal than ... with whom I am
angry.)
This is the house (that) I told you about.
(Less formal than ... about which I told you.)
You remember the boy (who) I was going out with?
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prepositions (5): at the ends of clauses 452
She's the only woman (who) I've ever really been in love with.
That's what I'm afraid of
Because whom is unusual in an informal style, it is very rare in clauses that
end with prepositions (see 498.3,7).
4
passives
In passive structures (see 412-420), prepositions go with their verbs.
She likes to be looked at.
I don't know where he is - his bed hasn't been slept in.
Carol was operated on last night.
S
infinitive structures
Infinitive complements (see 284-285) can have prepositions with them.
The village is pleasant to live in.
She needs other children to play with.
Can you get me a chair to stand on?
I've got lots of music to listen to.
Their house isn't easy to get to.
G
exceptions
Many common adverbial expressions consist of preposition + noun phrase
(e.g. with great patience, in a temper). In these cases, the preposition is closely
connected with the noun, and is kept as near as possible to it; it cannot usually
be moved to the end of a clause.
I admired the patience with which she spoke. (NOT ... the patience she spoke
ttti#t-:)
During and since are not normally put at the ends of clauses.
During which period did it happen? (NOT TA/hichperiod did it httppen
titt-ring?)
Since when have you been working for her?
UJ01 king /07 her since?)
7
(NOT
V/hen have you been
formal structures
In a more formal style, a preposition is often put earlier in questions and
relative structures, before the question word or relative pronoun.
With whom did she go?
It was the house about which he had told them.
She was the only woman with whom he had ever been in love.
This can also happen in infinitive complements, in a very formal style.
A relative pronoun is used.
She needs other children with whom to play.
It is a boring place in which to live.
Note that after prepositions which and whom can be used, but not normally
who and that.
Even in a very formal style, prepositions are not often put at the beginning of
questions which have be as the main verb.
Who is it for, madam? (NOT Ftrr-wlwm-is----ifff)
And the structures where ... to, what ... like and what ... for have a fixed
order.
Where shall I send it to? (BUT NOT To where shall J send it?)
~
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prepositions (6): before conjunctions 453
What does she look like? (BUT NOT Like what does she look?)
What did you buy that for? (BUT NOT For what did Y'0u buY' that?)
Prepositions cannot be moved away from passive verbs even in a formal style.
In my family, money was never spoken about. (NOT ... aIJout money was
never spoken.)
For more information about formal and informal language, see 311.
For sentences like It's got a hole in (it); I like cakes with cream on (them), see 177.13.
453
prepositions (6): before conjunctions
Prepositions can be followed by conjunctions in some cases but not in others.
1
indirect speech: prepositions dropped before that
Prepositions are not used directly before the conjunction that. In indirect
speech - after words that refer to saying, writing, thinking etc - prepositions
are usually dropped before that-clauses. Compare:
- I knew about his problems.
I knew that he had problems.
(NOT 1knew about that he had problems.)
- She had no idea of my state of mind.
She had no idea that I was unhappy.
(NOT She had no idea of that 1was unhapfJY.)
- I wasn't aware of the time.
I wasn't aware that it was so late.
(NOT 1wasn't aware of that it was so late.)
2
emotional reactions: prepositions dropped
Prepositions are also dropped before that after many common words that refer
to emotional reactions. Compare:
- We are sorry about the delay.
- I was surprised at her strength.
We are sorry that the train is late.
I was surprised that she was so strong.
(NOT ...
sorry about that the tlain
(NOT ...
surprised at that she was ... )
is-lttte-: )
3
the fact that
In other cases (not involving indirect speech or words referring to emotional
reactions) prepositions cannot so often be dropped before that-clauses.
Instead, the expression the fact (see 583.3) is generally put between the
preposition and that.
The judge paid a lot of attention to the fact that the child was unhappy
at home. (NOT Thejutlge paid a lot of attention (to) that the child ... )
He said the parents were responsible for the fact that the child had run
away. (NOT ... responsible (for) that the chiltl had run away.)
4
question words
After some very common words like tell, ask, depend, sure, idea, look,
prepositions can be dropped before who, which, what and other question
words. This is especially common in indirect questions. Compare:
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prepositions (7): -ing forms and infinitives 454
- Tell me about your trip.
Tell me (about) where you went.
- I asked her about her religious beliefs.
I asked her whether she believed in God.
(More natural than I asked her about whether she believed in God.)
- We may be late - it depends on the traffic.
We may be late - it depends (on) how much traffic there is.
- I'm not sure of his method.
I'm not sure how he does it.
(More natural than I'm not sure of how he does it.)
- Look at this.
Look (at) what I've got.
In other cases it is unusual or impossible to leave out the preposition.
I'm worried about where she is. (NOT I'm worried where she is.)
The police questioned me about what I'd seen. (NOT The police questioned
me what I'd seen.)
There's the question of who's going to pay.
(More natural than ... the question who's going to pay.)
People's chances of getting jobs vary according to whether they live in the
North or the South. (NOT ... according whether ... )
If does not normally follow prepositions; we use whether (see 621) instead.
I'm worried about whether you're happy. (NOT I'm worried about if ... )
For the structures (with and without preposition) that are possible after a particular verb, noun or
adjective, see a good dictionary.
454
prepositions
(7): -ing forms and infinitives
Prepositions are not normally used before infinitives in English. After verb/
noun/adjective + preposition, we usually use the -ing form of a following verb.
He insisted on being paid at once. (NOT He insisted on to be paid ... )
I don't like the idea of getting married. (NOT ... the idea of to get married.)
I'm not very good at cooking. (NOT ... good at to cook.)
In some cases we drop the preposition and use an infinitive. Compare:
- He asked for a loan.
- We're travelling for pleasure.
He asked to borrow some money.
We're travelling to enjoy ourselves.
- She was surprised at his mistake.
She was surprised to see what he had done.
Sometimes two structures are possible. There is often a difference of meaning
or use. For more details, see 299.
I'm interested in learning more about my family.
I was interested to learn that my grandfather was Jewish.
For details of the structures that are possible after a particular verb, noun or adjective, see a good
dictionary.
page 437