1.1. Definition/ position of prepositions

Prepositions are words or a group of words (e.g. in, for, to, in front of, etc.) used to show the relationship of one word to another. The word "preposition" means "placed before" as prepositions are normally placed before nouns or pronouns to show place, time, direction, etc.

Prepositions can also be followed by the gerund form. He is talking of emigrating. They succeeded in escaping.

But there are some other possible alternative positions. Certain nouns, adjectives and verbs can be followed by a preposition (advantage over smb., proud of smth., interfere with smth., etc.). In two constructions it is possible to move the preposition to the end of the sentence:

1) In questions beginning with a prepositions + whom/ which/what/ whose/ where: To whom were you talking? (formal) Who were you talking to? (informal).

2) In relative clauses a preposition placed before whom/ which can be moved to the end of the clause. The relative pronoun is then often omitted: the people with whom I was travelling (formal); the people I was travelling with (informal).

In phrasal verbs the preposition remains after its verb: The plane took off (left the ground) He came round (recovered consciousness).

1.2. Prepositions/ adverbs, conjunctions

Many words used mainly as prepositions can be used as adverbs or conjunctions: They were here before 6 o'clock (preposition). I've seen him somewhere before (adverb). Read this document properly before you sign it (conjunction).

1.3. Types of prepositions

English prepositions are classified as follows:

1) prepositions of time: I left school in 1980. The train starts at 6.30

2) prepositions of place: They live in Spain. There's a car-park in front of the hotel.

3) prepositions of movement: When are you coming back to England? They climbed into the lorry.

4) word and preposition combinations:

a) noun + preposition: I got an invitation to dinner yesterday. Our company has a good relationship with the bank.

b) adjective + preposition: It was very nice of you to help me. The city was crowded with tourists.

c) verb + preposition: The book is divided into 3 parts. The bus collided with a car.

1.4. Problems of using

1. Russian and English prepositions can differ. That is why the student has to know:

a) whether a preposition is required or not: influence smb. (влиять на кого-либо), say to smb. (говорить кому-либо);

b) which preposition to use: medicine for smth. (лекарство от чего-либо), work at smth (работать над чем-либо).

(see the list of differences between Russian and English prepositions in Supplement)

2. There are few rules governing the use of prepositions. Learning to use the correct preposition is a matter of developing a good sense of what sounds right. Yet there are some aspects of preposition use that can be formalized and they are presented in the Units below.

Unit 2 prepositions of time

AT/ ON/ IN (TIME)

At: 1) for the time of day: at 5 o’clock, at midnight, at lunchtime, etc.;

2) in these expressions: at night, at the weekend/at weekends, at Christ-mas/at Easter (but on Christmas Day), at the moment/at present, at the same time

On: for days and dates: on Friday, on 12 March 1991, on my birthday;

In: 1) for longer periods (months, years, seasons): in October, in winter, in 1980, in the past, etc.

Compare: in the morning(s), in the afternoon(s), in the evening(s) but on Friday morning(s), on Sunday afternoon(s).

2) to say how long it takes to do smth: I learnt to drive in four weeks (it took me four weeks to learn.)

also in a few minutes / in six months, etc. (in six months’ time, in a week’s time, etc.)= a time in the future

Do not use at/ on/ in before last/ next/ this/ every.

E x e r c i s e s