Lesson 1.4: Prepositions and Common Collocations

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore prepositions and their various uses, focusing on three key types: prepositions of time, prepositions of place, and prepositions of movement. We will also delve into dependent prepositions that follow common verbs, nouns, and adjectives, and we will examine why learning prepositions in chunks is more effective than studying them individually. Understanding prepositions is crucial for achieving accuracy in both spoken and written English, as they help establish relationships between ideas and clarify meaning. Our objectives for this lesson are as follows:

• Understand and use prepositions of time, place, and movement.
• Identify and use dependent prepositions following verbs, nouns, and adjectives.
• Utilize common prepositional phrases frequently found in academic English.
• Learn why prepositions are best learned in chunks.
• Apply strategies for recording and remembering preposition use.

Section 1: Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time answer questions related to when something happens. The most common prepositions of time include "in," "on," and "at."

1.1 Prepositions of Time Explained

• In: Used for months, years, centuries, and long periods.
• Example: "I was born in 2000."
• On: Used for days and dates.
• Example: "We have a meeting on Monday."
• At: Used for precise times.
• Example: "The class starts at 9 AM."

1.2 Worked Example

Consider the following sentences:

1. The project is due on Friday.
2. The conference will happen in 2023.
3. She usually goes to bed at 10 PM.

Exercise: Fill in the blanks using the correct preposition of time:

1. We go to school ___ September.
2. My birthday is ___ January 1st.
3. The meeting starts ___ noon.

Answers: 1. in 2. on 3. at

1.3 Common Misconceptions

A common error is using "on" for months. We say, "on March," when it should be "in March." This can confuse meaning, so practicing these distinctions is crucial for accuracy.

Section 2: Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place describe the location of something. Common prepositions of place include "in," "on," and "at."

2.1 Prepositions of Place Explained

• In: Used for enclosed spaces.
• Example: "The cat is in the box."
• On: Used for surfaces.
• Example: "The book is on the table."
• At: Used for a specific point.
• Example: "I am at the bus stop."

2.2 Worked Example

Consider these phrases:

1. The keys are in the drawer.
2. The picture is on the wall.
3. We are at the cinema.

Exercise: Complete with the correct preposition:

1. The shoes are ___ the closet.
2. There is a laptop ___ the desk.
3. I will meet you ___ the library.

Answers: 1. in 2. on 3. at

2.3 Common Misconceptions

Students may confuse "in" and "on" regarding time as well. "In the morning" is correct, while saying "on the morning" is incorrect. Remembering the contexts for each preposition can help avoid mistakes.

Section 3: Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement indicate direction and include words like "to," "towards," "into," and "through."

3.1 Prepositions of Movement Explained

• To: Indicates direction towards a destination.
• Example: "She goes to school."
• Towards: Indicates moving in the direction of something without necessarily reaching it.
• Example: "He walked towards the store."
• Into: Indicates movement from outside to a point inside.
• Example: "They walked into the room."
• Through: Indicates moving in one side and out of the other.
• Example: "He ran through the park."

3.2 Worked Example

1. The dog ran to its owner.
2. She approached towards the light.
3. He walked into the building.
4. They traveled through the tunnel.

Exercise: Fill in the blanks:

1. The train is moving ___ the station.
2. She jumped ___ the puddle.
3. We headed ___ the mountains.

Answers: 1. to 2. into 3. towards

3.3 Common Misconceptions

Students often mix up "to" and "into." Remember, "to" indicates direction toward a destination, while "into" specifies entering a space.

Section 4: Dependent Prepositions

Dependent prepositions are prepositions that commonly follow certain verbs, nouns, or adjectives.

4.1 Common Verbs with Dependent Prepositions

Some examples include:

• Interfere with: "Don’t interfere with my work."
• Depend on: "The outcome depends on your efforts."

4.2 Common Nouns with Dependent Prepositions

• Advantage of: "There is an advantage of being bilingual."
• Impact on: "The study had a significant impact on policy."

4.3 Common Adjectives with Dependent Prepositions

• Familiar with: "I am familiar with the process."
• Concerned about: "She is concerned about the environment."

4.4 Worked Example

Exercise: Complete the sentences with the correct preposition:

1. She is interested ___ studying history.
2. His expertise is ___ finance.
3. They are worried ___ the test results.

Answers: 1. in 2. in 3. about

Section 5: Learning Prepositions in Chunks

It is important to learn prepositions in phrases or chunks rather than in isolation. This practice helps build a natural understanding of their usage.

5.1 Benefits of Learning Chunks

• Contextual understanding: Learning phrases gives a clearer picture of how prepositions function within sentences.
• Improved retention: Chunks are easier to memorize as they relate to complete thoughts.

5.2 Worked Example

Instead of memorizing the preposition "at," consider phrases like "at home," "at work," or "at school." This approach not only helps remember the correct preposition but also its contextual usage.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored the essential roles of prepositions in English grammar. We have covered prepositions of time, place, and movement, as well as dependent prepositions associated with common verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Additionally, we learned the significance of mastering prepositions in chunks to enhance clarity and understanding. Mastery of prepositions is key to achieving grammatical accuracy, and applying these principles will support your academic English skills.

Study Notes

• Prepositions of time: in (months, years), on (days), at (specific times).
• Prepositions of place: in (enclosed spaces), on (surfaces), at (specific points).
• Prepositions of movement: to (direction), towards (in the direction), into (entering), through (moving across).
• Dependent prepositions enhance sentence meaning; remember common pairings.
• Learning prepositions in chunks aids retention and improves fluency.