Do you know how to use Prepositions?

Hi, I'm teacher Loren. Today, let's dive into the wonderful world of prepositions. These little words might seem insignificant, but they play a huge role in making our sentences clear and understandable. Think of them as the glue that holds our sentences together!

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between words in a sentence. They often come before nouns or pronouns. For example, in the sentence "The cat is on the mat," the preposition "on" shows the position of the cat.

Common Prepositions

Let's focus on some of the most common prepositions:

• For: Used for purpose, reason, or benefit. (e.g., I'm studying for my exam.)

• From: Used for origin or starting point. (e.g., She's from Brazil.)

• In: Used for location, time, or state. (e.g., The book is in the bag.)

• Of: Used for possession, part of, or made of. (e.g., The cup of coffee is hot.)

• On: Used for surface, time, or topic. (e.g., The book is on the table.)

• To: Used for direction, destination, or purpose. (e.g., I'm going to the store.)

• With: Used for accompaniment, instrument, or manner. (e.g., I went to the park with my friends.)

Why are prepositions important?

Using the right preposition can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example:

• "I'm looking at the picture." (You're observing the picture)

• "I'm looking for the picture." (You're trying to find the picture)

Tips for Learning Prepositions

• Practice: The more you practice using prepositions, the easier they will become.

• Pay attention: When you're reading or listening to English, pay attention to how prepositions are used.

• Use a dictionary: If you're unsure about a preposition, look it up in a dictionary.

• Learn phrasal verbs: Many phrasal verbs include prepositions.

These prepositions are used in various ways, but here are some common uses after verbs:

For

• Purpose or reason:

  • I work for a technology company. (Reason for working)

  • She studied hard for the exam. (Purpose of studying)
    

• Recipient or beneficiary:

  • I bought a gift for my friend. (Recipient of the gift)

  • They cooked dinner for the whole family. (Beneficiary of the dinner)
    

• Time or duration:

  • We waited for two hours. (Duration of waiting)

  • I'll be back for lunch. (Time of return)

From

• Source or origin:

  • I got this book from the library. (Source of the book)

  • She's originally from Brazil. (Origin of her nationality)
    

• Separation or distance:

  • The store is five miles from my house. (Distance between the store and the house)

  • She moved from New York to Los Angeles. (Separation from New York)

In

• Location or place:

  • I live in a small town. (Location of residence)

  • The book is in the bag. (Location of the book)
    

• Time or period:

  • I was born in 1995. (Time of birth)

  • We'll meet in the afternoon. (Time of meeting)
    

• State or condition:

  • She's in love. (Emotional state)

  • The car is in good condition. (Physical state)

Of

• Possession or belonging:

  • This is the book of my sister. (Belongs to my sister)

  • The car of the president is black. (Belongs to the president)
    

• Origin or source:

  • She's a teacher of English. (Teaches English)

  • The smell of coffee is delicious. (Originates from coffee)
    

• Part or element:

  • The roof of the house is red. (Part of the house)

  • A cup of tea, please. (Part of a larger quantity)

On

• Surface or position:

  • The book is on the table. (Position on a surface)

  • I sat on the chair. (Position on a chair)
    

• Time or day:

  • I'll call you on Monday. (Specific day)

  • The meeting is on Friday morning. (Specific time)
    

• Topic or subject:

  • We talked on the phone. (Topic of conversation)

  • She wrote an essay on climate change. (Subject of the essay)

To

• Direction or movement:

  • I'm going to the store. (Direction of movement)

  • She threw the ball to me. (Direction of the ball)
    

• Recipient or destination:

  • I sent a letter to my friend. (Recipient of the letter)

  • This gift is for you. (Destination of the gift)
    

• Purpose or goal:

  • I study to become a doctor. (Goal of studying)

  • We work to earn money. (Purpose of working)

With

• Accompaniment or company:

  • I went to the movies with my friends. (Accompanied by friends)

  • She danced with her partner. (Accompanied by her partner)
    

• Means or instrument:

  • I wrote the letter with a pen. (Instrument used for writing)

  • She cut the cake with a knife. (Instrument used for cutting)
    

• Relationship or association:

  • I'm friends with her. (Relationship of friendship)

  • He's married with two children. (Relationship of marriage)

Remember that prepositions often combine with verbs to form phrasal verbs, which have specific meanings. For example, "look for" means to search for something, while "look at" means to observe something. It's important to learn these phrasal verbs to use prepositions correctly in context.

 Elevate your journey! Falar inglês é uma habilidade essencial para quem deseja ter sucesso pessoal e profissional no mundo globalizado de 2024. Se você ainda não fala inglês, comece a aprender hoje mesmo. Unlock your language superpowers, let's chat! Agenda para aulas online estão abertas. Poucas vagas disponíveis. Entre em contato com a teacher Loren clicando aqui.

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See ya!

Teacher Loren