Preposition

1. Concepts

- Preposition in English are words or phrases that indicate the relationship between two different nouns in a sentence. The nouns here can be a person, thing, place or time. Prepositions can stand in different positions in a sentence depending on the purpose of use. Most commonly it comes before a noun or pronoun.

• In English, prepositions are considered to be grammatical parts. In an interesting way, prepositions are like a layer of glue that holds the parts of a sentence together.

• Maybe in some cases the listener can still understand what you say if you use the wrong preposition, but sometimes it will completely change the meaning of the sentence.

2. Classify prepositions

Prepositions in English are divided into three types: prepositions of place, prepositions of time and other prepositions.

The three most used prepositions are in, on and at. These are the 3 most confusing prepositions. These are common prepositions of time and place.

These are the three most common prepositions of time and place. There are also many other English prepositions with similar functions (by, beside, after, before,…). Each preposition has many different uses depending on the context, so it is difficult to list them all.

2.1. Prepositions indicating time

Preposition	How to use
In	1. Month or year For example: In May, in 2020 2. Specific time of day, month or year For example: In the morning, in evening, in the 2nd week of June, in spring, in summer,… 3. Century or a specific time in the past, future, etc. For example: In the 21st century, in the early days, in the stone age, in the past, in the future,…
On	1. Day of the week For example: on Monday 2 days For example: on the 5th of January, on February 9,… 3. Specific date For example: on mom’s birthday, on Independence Day,…
At	1. Shows the hour For example: at 11 o’clock, at 5:19 AM 2. Time is short and accurate For example: at night, at sunset, at lunchtime, at noon, at the moment,…

2.2. Prepositions of place

Preposition	How to use
In	1. A location within a three-dimensional space or an area with boundaries (physical or visible boundaries) For example: In England/school/building/library/room/garden/car… 2. Shows direction or location For example: in the North, in the middle,…
On	1. Location on the surface of an object For example: On the table /blackboard/page/map/wall/roof 2. Located in a positional phrase For example: On the left, on the right,…
At	1. Points to a specific point or a place or building where certain activities regularly take place For example: At the entrance/bus stop/station; At the bottom of glass,…

2.3. Some other common prepositions

- Prepositions of direction/motion: These prepositions show direction, movement, going somewhere or placing something somewhere.

• to:

  • Mary has gonetothe zoo again.

• in/into:

  • He put his hand sinh is pockets.A fly got in to her soup while she was eating it.

• on/onto:

  • Snow fell on the hillsI must have put the apple on to someone else’s bag in the market.

• from:

  • A bear in the circus has escaped from his cage.

• away from: indicates movement away

  • They warned him to keep away from their daughter.

- English prepositions only represent: These prepositions show that someone or something creates/causes something/phenomenon. Sentences containing representative prepositions are usually written in the passive voice.

• by: by someone/thing/phenomenon

  • The house was built by the two siblings.” (passive)=> “The two siblings built the house.to :

• with: by someone/thing/phenomenon

  • My heart is filled with emotions.” (passive) => “Emotion filled my heart.

-English prepositions for equipment and machinery: These prepositions refer to a certain technology, device or machine being used.

• by: action is performed with what

  • Aunt May returned home by car.

• with: action is performed with what

  • She opened the door with her key.

• on: action is performed with what

  • Can I finish my assignment on your laptop?

- English prepositions indicating cause and purpose: These prepositions explain why an object or phenomenon exists or happens.

• for: for, for whom/what

  • Everything he did was for you.

• through: based

  • Through his bravery, I were able to escape safely.

• because of : vì

  • Because of the delay, he was late for the meeting.

• on account / on : because

  • The workers refused to work on account of the low wage.

• from: from whom, what

  • I know from experience how to deal with him.

3. Some notes when using prepositions

3.1. Sentences can be ended with prepositions

As mentioned above, a preposition usually comes before its noun or pronoun, but not always. Many people mistakenly believe that ending a sentence with a preposition without a noun or pronoun following it is grammatically incorrect, but this is not true.

For example:

• This is something I can not agree with.

• Where did you get this?

• How many of you can she depend on?

3.2. How to use the preposition Like

Preposition "like” is used with the meaning of  “similar to” or “similarly to”. It is usually followed by a noun, noun phrase or verb, but not by nouns and verbs.

For example: 

• Right sentence: You look like your mother.

• Wrong sentence: You look like your mother does.

3.3. Distinguish between in - into and on - onto

“Into" and "onto” is often used to emphasize movement, while “in" and "on” represents location

For example:

• She swam in the lake.

• I walked into the hotel.

• Look in the box. (Indicating location)

• He drove into the city.

Because the usage of prepositions in English is sometimes similar, it is easy to cause confusion. So the only way is to practice a lot, meet a lot and use a lot to be able to distinguish.