Lesson 2
Lesson 2
Lesson 2
Source:
Grammar Practice For Elementary Students by Elaine Walker and Steve Elsworth. Oxford Practice Grammar by John Eastwood.
Introduction to prepositions
A preposition usually comes before a noun phrase. Some prepositions can also come before an adverb. We can also use some prepositions before a gerund. We cannot use a preposition before a that-clause.
The preposition and its object form a prepositional phrase. Preposition + Noun phrase
We can modify a preposition. almost at the end all over the floor right in front of me just off the motorway halfway up the hill directly after your lesson
In some clauses a preposition goes at the end. Wh-question: Who did you go to the party with? Infinitive clause: I've got a tape for you to listen to. Passive: War reporters sometimes get shot at. Relative clause: That's the article I told you about.
Prepositions of place
Now look at these examples with in and on expressing position. The manager was in the office. The papers were on the floor. To express movement, we use into and onto, but we can also use in and on, especially in informal English. The manager came in/into the office.
The papers fell on/onto the floor. At expresses position, and to expresses movement. Position: Movement: Vicky was at the doctor's. Vicky went to the doctor's.
Exercises:
1) Complete the conversations. Choose the correct preposition.
Vicky: I felt really afraid when I was walking home (from/off) the club. All the time I could hear someone (behind/in front of) me, but I didn't dare turn round. Rachel: I expect you were imagining it. Vicky: No, I wasn't. I saw him after I'd come in (across/through) the gate. He was wearing a
long black coat that came down well below/under his knees.
Daniel: You know Adam, don't you? He's very strange. He walked right (along/past) me
yesterday as I was coming (among/down) the stairs, but he didn't say hello.
Matthew: The other day he was sitting (beside/opposite) me at lunch, so I couldn't help
looking at him, I said hello, but he didn't speak.
2) Put in the correct preposition. Example: Rachel was lying on the grass reading a book. 1- It's my holiday next week. I'm going .........................Spain.
2- There was a big crowd ........................... the shop waiting for it to open. 3- That man is an idiot. He pushed me ........................the swimming-pool. 4- I went .......................... the chemist's just now, but I didn't notice if it was open. 5- David hurt himself. He fell ........................... his bike. 6- There's a cafe. .........top of the mountain. You can have a coffee there before you go down. 7 The sheep got out ........................ a hole in the fence. 8 Pompeii is quite............................. Sorrento. It's only a short train ride. 9 There's such a crowd. You won't find your friend all these people.