Jones v. Mississippi Preposition Practice: Introduction to Prepositions

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PREPOSITIONS

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What is the Purpose of Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases?

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What kind of pizza do I want? Pizza from New York!
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• in New York
• from New York
• near New York
• across from New York
• etc.

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Where do we find prepositions?

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Before noun phrases:

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The cat is on the table

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After verbs:

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I’ll pick up the bag

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]Note: In phrasal verbs like “pick up,” the word “up” is actually called a “particle” and not a “preposition.” But if you’re just trying to learn when to use them and which is the right one to use, it doesn’t really matter what you call them.

 
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To

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Sometimes “to” is a preposition, but sometimes it isn’t

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To + Noun Phrase = Preposition

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]She wants to go to the store
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To the store is to + a noun phrase, so this “to” is a preposition

 
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To as part of an infinitive verb is not a preposition (to + verb)

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• “want to go”
• “To be, or not to be…”

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To go or to be are  infinitive verbs and not prepositions

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Surprising Prepositions

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]You probably know: in, on, of, from, by, with, over, under, etc.

But did  you know the following are prepositions, too?
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Next year will see Mexico versus Brazil in the World Cup.

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He acts as a mediator for disputing parties.

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You act like my father, sometimes.

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I felt so cold during class today

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I got your letter regarding the meeting.

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He performed well, considering he was so ill the day before.

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• If you’re ever not sure, a good way to check is to see if it’s followed by a noun phrase.
• Some words act like prepositions sometimes and act like adverbs or conjunctions in other situations. But don’t worry too much about that distinction right now. It’s more important to just notice them and practice hearing them.

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MULTI-WORD PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions can actually be more than one word!

Here are some examples:
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I hurt my foot because of the child’s toy left on the floor.

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My hurt foot is in addition to my bruised finger.

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I spoke to my family in regard to my injuries.

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As a consequence of our conversation my family laughed.

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I explained that  surprises such as the toy left on the floor are unwelcome early in the morninng.

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Why are prepositions sometimes challenging for English language learners?

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]Prepositions are random and arbitrary.

• • There are no consistent rules. Yet they can completely change the meaning of a phrase or sentence. 
  • The best way to learn them is to gain a sense of what “sounds right.” That’s now native English speakers do it.
• Prepositions are difficult to hear in spoken language because they’re often de-emphasized in speech so you might not hear them. This makes it harder to gain a sense of what “sounds right.”
• So the best way to learn prepositions is through a combination of reading and listening, in order to train your ear to notice them in speech and to notice and hear them in combination with other words and phrases.

 
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