English Grammar and Composition chapter 8: The Preposition

8/1: Simple Preposition

A . Read the following passage and notice the underlined words:

Being a student of class nine, I am now reading in a high school. I admitted myself into this school after completing my primary education from a village school. I was not given any choice. It was my parents who decided on this school. However, I love my school very much. I have made friends with many students of my class.

These words are called prepositions. A preposition is a word or group of words which usually comes before a noun (or anything equivalent to a noun) and shows its relationship with another word in the sentence. The prepositions in the above passage are all single words. A single-word preposition is called a simple preposition.

B . Look at the following simple prepositions and see how some of them are used in sentences:

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Choose any ten prepositions (not the ones you saw in the passage above) from the list and make sentences with them.

Complete the following sentences with prepositions:

a. I know nothing __________the matter.

b. I shall see you __________ this class.

c. They fought __________each other

d. He called me __________ 9 o'clock

e. We started __________ Dhaka __________sunrise.

f. She sat __________ me __________the bus.

g. They have a good relationship __________ them.

h. Such a thing was __________ my imagination.

i. Everybody was present there __________ Karim.

j. Natore is not very far __________ here.

k. They were sitting __________the room.

l. We were waiting __________ the room.

m. The plane was flying just __________the buildings.

n. It is a quarter __________ five.

o. There was a cat __________ the table.

p. We cannot live __________water.

C . Remember that a preposition is usually followed by a noun or pronoun or anything else equivalent to a noun. For example:

With whom did you go there?

In which box did you keep the money?

But in conversational English we say:

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Who did you go there with?

Which box did you keep the money in?

In these sentences the prepositions have been shifted from their initial position to the end of the sentence.

Activity 1 Complete the following sentences with prepositions:

1. Where are you __________ ?

2. What are they talking __________ ?

3. Who are you writing this letter __________ ?

4. Which country is London the capital __________ ?

5. Who is this seat __________ ?

D . A preposition may be preceded by a noun, adjective or verb. Notice the following examples:

I have no sympathy for her. (noun)

The cat is fond of milk. (adjective)

He succeeded in solving his problem. (verb)

A preposition can express the idea of place, time, means or any other relationship. Even a single preposition can express different relationships. Notice the following examples:

Above

The stars are above the world,

He is above me in office.

Today's temperature is above 42° Celsius

His honesty is above suspicion.

After

He came here after breakfast.

They always run after money.

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The school is named after its founder's name.

May comes after April.

Before

He saw me before lunch.

They stood before the headmaster.

April comes before May.

The drama was staged before a large audience.

For

Here is a gift for you.

We started for Dhaka.

It has been raining for two hours.

I bought this bag for two hundred taka.

He works for a bank.

From

Where do you come from?

The train started from Rajshahi at 7 o'clock.

Natore is 30 miles from Rajshahi.

He is suffering from fever.

Soap is made from coconut oil.

With

He went there with his father.

I like bread with butter.

She cut the mango with a knife.

She quarrelled with her mother.

He was trembling with fear.

You can try and use some other simple prepositions to express more than one relationship.

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8/2: Complex Prepositions

A . Read the following passage and notice the underlined words:

I went to Dhaka last week with a view to attending a seminar. Actually our chairman was supposed to go there. But he could not go because of his illness. So I had to make a speech there on behalf of the chairman. I said everything in accordance with his suggestion. It was my first speech in front of a large audience.

These are complex prepositions. Like a simple preposition, a complex preposition also comes before a noun and shows its relationship with another word in the sentence. It is called complex because it consists of more than one word. It can also be called a phrasal preposition.

B . Here is a list of some other complex/phrasal prepositions:

Activity 1 : Complete each of the following sentences with a complex preposition from the above list:

1. He could not go there __________ his illness.

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2. The crow flew here and there __________ water.

3. __________ her illness, she came to class yesterday.

4. Please cast your vote __________ our candidate.

5. I earned this money __________ my normal salary.

Try and make sentences with 5 other prepositions from the list.

8/3: Appropriate Prepositions

A . Read the following sentences and mark the underlined nouns and prepositions after them:

I have no affection for him.

He has no ambition for fame.

Show allegiance to your master.

Pay attention to my speech.

He made a comment on my lecture.

Make a comparison between the two girls.

They have no compassion for the poor.

I have no connection with that man.

He has no desire for fame.

There is no exception to this rule.

You should have sufficient exposure to English.

He expressed his gratitude to his boss.

I had an interview with the reporter.

Industry is the key to success.

He has a reputation for eloquence.

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The nouns in the sentences take only those prepositions which are used after them. No other preposition will be appropriate after them.

B . Notice the prepositions after the verbs in the following sentences:

You must abide by the decision of the committee.

You should abstain from smoking.

He adhered to his promise.

I apologize to you for my mistake.

He has applied to the authority for a promotion.

You can argue for/against this plan.

She availed herself of the opportunity.

I borrowed these books from the library.

He was charged with murder.

Activity 1 Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:

a. I will cling __________ my original decision.

b. He commented __________ the speech.

c. I communicated __________ him on that matter.

d. You must compete __________ your opponent.

e. He complied __________ my request.

f. I condole __________ you on your father's death.

g. This research will highly contribute __________ the field of knowledge.

h. He dabbles __________ politics.

i. I differ __________ you on this point.

j. He hankers __________ pelf and property.

k. Don't interfere __________me in my affairs.

Note: These are the appropriate prepositions after the verbs they follow.

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C . Notice the prepositions after the adjectives in the following sentences:

The man was accustomed to smoking.

Are you accurate in your calculations?

He is very affectionate to his children.

I was angry with him at his behaviour.

You should be ashamed of your conduct.

She was deprived of her father's property.

Smoking is detrimental to health.

This essay is very much different from/to/than that one.

Activity 2 Use appropriate prepositions in the following sentences.

a. He is disqualified __________ the post.

b. She is not eligible __________ this post.

c. He is __________his family.

d. I am not interested __________ politics.

e. He is jealous __________ my power and position.

f. The boy is negligent __________ his studies.

g. Are you obedient __________ your parents?

h. The teacher is very popular __________ his students.

i. He is proficient __________ English.

j. I am sorry __________ my delay.

k. Are you satisfied __________ your job?

l. This food is sufficient __________ ten people.

Activity 3 Read the following passage and identify the prepositions in it.

His working hours varied a good deal. Usually he started at six in the morning. He usually travelled by boat. As his work was tiring, he liked to relax in the evening. Sometimes he went out with his friends to a cafe for a cup of tea or coffee. Quite often he went to the theatre. He enjoyed watching plays about romantic love. On weekends he sometimes read books till late at night.

Notice what kind of words the prepositions precede and follow.