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Prepositions
In this topic of prepositions, we will be learning about the prepositions of:
- Direction
- Position
- Manner
- Time
Prepositions
Tell us the relationship between two things in a sentence.
Example:
- She arrives before dinner.
- The apple in the box.
- We flew to Hawaii.
- They walked across the field.
The word itself can help you remember what it does: preposition.
English Concept: Part 1: Prepositions of Direction and Position
Read and understand the sentences to determine:
- What is going on
- Which preposition fits best
- Direction - movement
- Position - in space
Question 1:
The girl walked __________ the playground to meet her friends there.
- above
- under
- over
- towards
Hint:
Can you imagine the path the girl is taking?
Answer:
The correct answer is 4) towards. The girl is taking a path to meet her friends. It’s the preposition of direction.
Question 2:
The young man apologised profusely for stepping __________ his friend’s foot by accident.
- on
- against
- over
- between
Answer:
The correct answer is 1) on. If you visualise stepping and the friend’s foot, the only appropriate option is on.
Question 3:
This is the only road __________ the abandoned town.
(An abandoned town is a town that has been left empty. Nobody lives there anymore.)
- through
- on
- above
- between
Answer:
The correct answer is 1) through. Between is used when talking about connecting two objects/places.
Question 4:
Just place the ladder __________ the wall so it does not fall over.
- on
- against
- top
- over
Answer:
The correct answer is 2) against, so that it does not fall over.
Question 5:
The old man suffered __________ arthritis.
(Arthritis is a medical condition where a person’s joints become stiff and painful.)
- by
- from
- on
- in
Answer:
The correct answer is 2) from.
Question 6:
Obee-Wang arrived in Singapore __________ 3 o’clock this afternoon.
- at
- on
- around
- in
Answer:
The correct answer is 1) at. Because we are talking about a specific time.
Question 7:
I love to make __________ stories about dragons and cats.
- down
- up
- by
- about
Hint:
This phrasal verb means to “invent”.
Answer:
The correct answer is 2) up. As per the hint, the phrasal verb for invent is make-up.
English Concept: Bonus: What is a Phrasal Verb?
A phrasal verb is a verb + a preposition that you do not take literally.
Example:
- If I want to look up a word in the dictionary, I’m not going to look to the sky!
- “Slow down, I can’t catch up!”
- “Wake up.” Did you realise that there is no “direction” when you wake?
Question 8:
I feel nauseous. I need to throw __________.
- on
- at
- up
- by
Answer:
The correct answer is up. This is a good example of a phrasal verb.
Summarising today’s learnings:
Prepositions
- Tell us the relationship between two things in a sentence. For example:
- She arrived before dinner.
- We looked at prepositions of:
- Direction, position, manner and time.
Bonus: Phrasal Verb
- A verb + a preposition that you do not take literally. For example:
- If I want to look up a word in the dictionary, I’m not going to look to the sky!
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