21.7: Prepositions
- Page ID
- 223652
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)A preposition is a word that connects a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence. Most prepositions such as above, below, and behind usually indicate a location in the physical world, but some prepositions such as during, after, and until show location in time.
In, At, and On
The prepositions in, at, and on are used to indicate both location and time, but they are used in specific ways.
In
| Preposition | Time | Example | Place | Example |
| in | year | in 1945 | country | in Zimbabwe |
| in | month | in August | state | in California |
| in | season | in the summer | city | in Chicago |
| in | time of day (not with night) | in the afternoon | Automobile | in the car |
On
| Preposition | Time | Example | Place | Example |
| on | day | on Monday | surfaces | on the table |
| on | date | on May 3 | streets | on 124th street |
| on | specific days/dates | on Monday | modes of transportation (not an automobile) |
on the bus on the train |
At
| Preposition | Time | Example | Place | Example |
| at | time | at five o'clock | addresses | at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. |
| at | at | at night | location | at Rooney's |
Prepositions after Verbs
Prepositions often follow verbs to create expressions with distinct meanings. These expressions are sometimes called prepositional verbs. It is important to remember that these expressions cannot be separated.
| Verb + Preposition | Meaning | Example |
| agree with | to agree with something or someone | My husband always agrees with me |
| apologize for | to express regret for something to say sorry about something | I apologize for being late. |
| apply for | to ask for something formally | I will apply for that job. |
| believe in | to have a firm conviction i something; to believe in the existence of something | I believe in educating the world’s women. |
| care about | to think that someone or someone is important | I care about the health of our oceans. |
| hear about | to be told about something or someone | I heard about the teachers’ strike. |
| look after | to watch of to protect something or someone | Will you look after my dog while I am on vacation? |
| talk about | to discuss something | We will talk about the importance of recycling. |
| speak to, with | to talk to/with someone | I will speak to his teacher tomorrow |
| wait for | to await the arrival of something or someone | I will wait for my package to arrive |
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Pro-Tip: Verbs and Prepositions It is a good idea to memorize the combinations of verbs plus prepositions above. Write them down in a notebook along with the definition and practice using them when you speak. |
Prepositions after Adjectives
Similar to prepositions after verbs, prepositions after adjectives create expressions with distinct meanings unique to English. Remember, like prepositional verbs, these expressions also cannot be separated.
| adjective + preposition | meaning | example |
| angry at, about | to feel or show anger toward (or about) someone or something | I am angry about the oil spill in the ocean. |
| confused about | to be unable to think with clarity about someone or something | Shawn was confused about the concepts presented at the meeting. |
| disappointed in, with | to feel dissatisfaction with someone or something | I was disappointed in my husband because he voted for that candidate. |
| dressed in | to clothe the body | He was dressed in a pinstriped suit. |
| happy for | to show happiness for someone or something | I was happy for my sister who graduated from college. |
| interesting in | giving attention to something, expressing interest | I am interested in musical theater. |
| I am interested in musical theater. | to feel resentful or bitter toward someone or something (because of their status, possessions, or ability) | I was jealous of her because she always went on vacation |
| thankful for | to express thanks for something | I am thankful for my wonderful friends. |
| tired of | to be disgusted with, have a distaste for | I was tired of driving for hours without end. |
| worried about | to express anxiety or worry about something | I am worried about my father’s health. |
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Pro-Tip: Adjectives that Follow That The following adjectives are always followed by the preposition at: Good Example: She is really good at chess. Excellent Example: Henry is excellent at drawing. Brilliant Example: Mary Anne is brilliant at playing the violin. |