PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They indicate direction, location, time, or possession.

Rules for Using Prepositions:

Always precede a noun or pronoun: A preposition is always followed by an object (a noun, pronoun, or gerund).

Correct: I am going to the store.

Incorrect: I am going the store.

Show specific relationships: Different prepositions convey different meanings.

Location: in (a room), on (a table), at (the office).

Time: at (10 a.m.), on (Monday), in (July).

Direction: to (the city), into (the box), from (the house).

Don't end a sentence (usually): While a common rule is to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition, it's often acceptable in informal English, especially when the alternative sounds awkward.

Informal: Who are you talking to?

Formal: To whom are you talking?

Fixed phrases: Many verbs, nouns, and adjectives are followed by specific prepositions. These are called collocations and must be memorized.

Verbs: depend on, listen to, believe in.

Adjectives: afraid of, tired of, interested in.

PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a main verb and a preposition or adverb. The combination creates a new meaning that is often different from the individual words.

Rules for Using Phrasal Verbs:

Meaning is unique: The meaning of a phrasal verb is not literal. You can't figure out the meaning from the individual words.

Literal: look up (to look at something above you).

Phrasal Verb: look up (to find information in a reference book).

Transitive vs. Intransitive:

Intransitive phrasal verbs do not take an object.

Example: The plane took off.

Transitive phrasal verbs take an object.

Example: I need to look up the word.

Separable vs. Inseparable:

Separable phrasal verbs can have their object placed between the verb and the preposition/adverb.

Example: I took off my shoes. OR I took my shoes off. (Note: If the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle: I took them off.)

Inseparable phrasal verbs cannot be separated by their object.

Example: He looks after his brother.

Incorrect: He looks his brother after.

Common Phrasal Verbs:

get up: to rise from bed.

call off: to cancel something.

run out of: to have no more of something.

take on: to accept a responsibility.

give up: to quit or stop trying.

FILL IN THE BLANKS: PREPOSITIONS & PHRASAL VERBS

1.I am looking forward _________ my vacation.

2.She is afraid _________ spiders.

3.He is good _________ playing the piano.

4.They arrived _________ the airport an hour ago.

5.I have been waiting _________ you for a long time.

6.He is very interested _________ history.

7.The book is _________ the table.

8.We went _________ the park to have a picnic.

9.She ran _________ a friend at the supermarket.

10.I'm sorry _________ being late.

11.He's thinking _________ quitting his job.

12.The dog is looking _________ the ball.

13.She got _________ the bus at the next stop.

14.They agreed _________ the plan.

15.He apologized _________ his mistake.

16.I believe _________ hard work.

17.The project was put _________ until next month.

18.She takes _________ her mother. They are very similar.

19..We are running _________ of milk.

20.I will look _________ the word in the dictionary.

21.He came _________ a solution to the problem.

22.The new manager will take _________ the team.

23.She doesn't get _________ with her sister.

24.Please fill _________ the form.

25.They called _________ the party because of the rain.

26.He gave _________ smoking last year.

27.The firemen put _________ the fire.

28.We must hurry or we will run _________ of time.

290.She woke _________ at 7 AM.

30.I'm saving money to buy a car. I'm putting _________ a little each week.

31.They are putting _________ a play next week.

32.The car broke _________ on the way home.

33.He's very proud _________ his son.

34.The cat is hiding _________ the bed.

35.The baby is sleeping _________ the room.

36..We are traveling _________ London _________ Paris.

37.He jumped _________ the lake.

38.I'm worried _________ the exam.

39.She's looking _________ her keys.

40.He's relying _________ his friends for help.

41.They are responsible _________ the project.

42.We went _________ the town to find a good restaurant.

43.The phone is ringing. You should pick _________ .

44.I'm sorry to interrupt, but can I butt _________ ?

45.She turned _________ the offer.

46.The company is laying _________ workers.

47.He's afraid _________ heights.

48.The team has come _________ with a new strategy.

49.The concert will be held _________ the school hall.

50.She is listening _________ her favorite song.

ANSWERS

1.to

2.of

3.at or in

4.at

5.for

6.in

7.on

8.to

9.into

10.for

11.about

12.for

13.off

14.on

15.for

16.in

17.off

18.after

19.out

20.up

21.up with

22.over

23.on

24.in or out

25.off

26.up

27.out

28.out

29.up

30.away or aside

31.on

32.down

33.of

34.under

35.in

36.from, to

37.into

38.about

39.for

40.on

41.for

42.around or into

43.up

44.in

45.down

46.off

47.of

48.up

49.in

50.to