Prepositions
Learn how to use prepositions, such as these common words: in, at, on, by, near.
Answer the following grammar questions.
Prepositions
Part 1: Prepositions go before a noun or a noun phrase. They are used to connect the noun to the rest of the sentence.
- She is in a meeting.
- They drove to the store.
- I live by a lake.
- We have class at eight.
Part 2: Prepositions often show the location or position of something.
- The cat is by the door.
- There is snow on the mountain.
- There is a running track around the soccer field.
- My shoes are under the bed.
Part 3: Prepositions can also follow verbs to make phrasal verbs. The meaning of the phrasal verb is often different from the meaning of the preposition by itself.
- I woke up late.
- Please turn on the radio.
- Don't give up.
- Please take off your shoes in the house.
Part 4: Prepositions are often reduced in spoken English and may blend with the words before and after them.
He's in a meeting.
Sounds like: Hez-zin-na meeting.
She's out of the room at the moment.
Sounds like: Sheez-zow-duv the room mat the moment.
About the Teacher
My name is Todd Beuckens and I am an ESL teacher in Japan.
I created this site to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.