Prepositions are important parts of the English language. Prepositions, used frequently in sentences, perform the function of describing the relation of nouns or pronouns to other words in a sentence. Prepositions are useful when communication involves place, time, and direction. They are also useful when relating to objects, especially when there is more than one noun. This is the first of two High English quizzes which will help you to understand prepositions and how they describe the relation of nouns to other words in a sentence.
Prepositions are few in number. Here is a list of some and in which situations they are used:
AT, ON, IN, AROUND, INTO and BEHIND are prepositions in relation to place and time.
[readmore]AFTER, ACROSS, BEHIND, TO, THROUGH, UP, AROUND, UNDERNEATH, OPPOSITE and AGAINST are prepositions in relation to direction.
DOWN, BELOW, UNDER, AFTER, ON, IN, BESIDE and ABOVE are prepositions in relation to objects.
Besides these prepositions, other prepositions are used that are not common. Look at these sentences:
‘The sun shone THROUGHOUT the cricket match.’
‘The sun shone DURING the cricket match.’
In these examples the words in capitals are prepositions. Although both appear to convey the same meaning, a closer examination of the sentences reveals that in the first sentence, the sun shone for the entire match whereas in the second sentence, there could have been periods when the sun did not shine because it went behind the clouds.
Prepositions, besides being single words, also come in groups of words, as in the following examples:
‘There is a parking place IN FRONT OF my house.’
‘The racing driver got AHEAD OF the others by the 29th lap.’
In these two sentences the words in capitals form the preposition.
Compared to verbs and nouns, prepositions are very few in number but their usage is very high. About 80 to 100 single words are prepositions and another 50 to 70 groups of words are non-single word prepositions. The quiz that follows shows us how to use prepositions to make our communication more meaningful.
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'For' is the appropriate preposition, which is used for distance or time. The other options are not appropriate for distance in the present context.
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This is a complex preposition. Remember, prepositions have a life of their own and there can be very few general rules governing their use. The other options are not appropriate with reference to the context of the sentence
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This is a complex preposition. The other options are not appropriate with reference to the context of the sentence
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This is a complex preposition. The other options are not appropriate with reference to the context of the sentence
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Remember, when referring to addresses where the exact door number is given we use 'at', because, when a unique number is given to a house, there is no ambiguity about the exact location
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Remember, when referring to addresses where the exact door number is not given we use 'in', because there is ambiguity about the exact location and it could be any address on Race Course Road
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Note that there is no preposition used as it is not required. The other options use prepositions that are not appropriate
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Remember 'since' can be used if you give a particular date. For instance, 'I have been living in Bangalore since the 1st of August 1965.' The other options use the incorrect preposition
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Note the use of 'in' and 'on' with reference to time. 'In' is used when you refer to time during which, if some action is taken, a desired result is possible - in this case saving a person's life. 'On' is used when you refer to time which is pre-set - in this case a meeting is supposed to start at a particular time. Option 3 would have been correct if we had used 'in' instead of 'on'
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All the prepositions used are correct. While 'for' is a single word preposition, 'happy with' and 'in favour of' are complex prepositions
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