Uses of Common
Prepositions
Prepositions are used to express a number
of relationships,
including time,
location, manner, means, quantity, purpose, and
state or condition. The following outline demonstrates the uses
of
common prepositions.
A. TIME
about: about noon
(approximately) after: after
the game
at: at five o'clock after lunch
at last (finally) after three
by: by midnight (no later
than) for: for an hour (duration)
from: from Monday to
Friday in: in the morning
of: a quarter of three
(15 in the fall
minutes before) in April
on: on Tuesday (day of
the week) in 1987
on May 8 (date) in six months (at the end
of)
on time (punctual) in time (early enough)
past: a quarter past three
(15 to: a quarter to three (15 minutes
minutes after) before)
B. PLACE OR DIRECTION
around: She walked around the
car. at: They are at home.
down: They lived down the
hall. We were at the
restaurant.
from: We immigrated from
Peru He smiled at her.
in 1991. in: He lives in a trailer.
The restaurant is one We waited in the bus.
mile from here. inside: Put it inside the
house.
of: We moved south of
Montreal on: We sat on the ocean pier.
through: They drove through the
tunnel. She left on the train.
to: He went to
Prague. up: He walked up the stairs.
Give it to me. with: He went with me.
C. MEANS OR AGENT
by: He was hit by a
ball. from: His success results from
She came by train. careful planning.
He did it by hard work. in: He takes pleasure in it.
It came by special delivery. on:
They live on bread and water.
He got there by swimming. with: He cut an apple with a knife.
