prepositions (1): introduction 448

2 I found it strange being ...This structure is also possible with -ing form objects.

I found it strange being in her house.

3 I would appreciate it if ...It is used as a preparatory object for an if-clause after would appreciate.

I would appreciate it if you would keep me informed. (NOT 1WfJ/;lZti

appreciate ifYfJ/;l WO/;lZti ... )

4 owe and leaveNote the structures owe it to somebody to ... and leave it to somebody to ...

We owe it to society to make our country a better place.I'll leave it to you to decide.

448 prepositions (1): introduction1 meanings and use

It is difficult to learn to use prepositions correctly in a foreign language. MostEnglish prepositions have several different functions (for instance, one well-known dictionary lists eighteen main uses of at), and these may correspond toseveral different prepositions in another language. At the same time, differentprepositions can have very similar uses (in the morning, on Monday morning,at night). Many nouns, verbs and adjectives are normally used with particularprepositions: we say the reason for, arrive at, angry with somebody, on a bus.Often the correct preposition cannot be guessed, and one has to learn theexpression as a whole. In some expressions English has no preposition whereone may be used in another language; in other expressions the opposite istrue. For details of some difficult cases of prepositional usage, see 449-454.

2 word orderIn English, prepositions can come at the ends of clauses in certain structures,especially in an informal style. For details, see 452.

What are you thinking about? She's not very easy to talk to.You're just the person I was looking for. I hate being shouted at.

3 -ing formsWhen we use verbs after prepositions, we use -ing forms, not infinitives. Fordetails, see 298, 454.

She saved money by giving up cigarettes.When to is a preposition, it is also followed by -ing forms. (see 298.2).

I look forward to seeing you soon.

4 prepositions before conjunctionsPrepositions are sometimes dropped before conjunctions and sometimes not.For details, see 453.

I'm not certain (ofJ what I'm supposed to do.The question (ofJ whether they should turn back was never discussed. ~

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5 prepositions and adverb particlesWords like on, off, up, down can function both as prepositions and as adverbparticles. For the difference, see 20. For verbs with prepositions and particles,see 599, 600.

She ran up the stairs. (preposition)She rang me up. (adverb particle)

449 prepositions (2):after particular words and expressionsIt is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun,verb or adjective. Here are some of the most common combinations whichcause difficulty to students of English. Alternatives are sometimes possible,and American and British usage sometimes differ. There is only room for verybrief notes here; for more complete information about usage with a particularword, consult a good dictionary.

accuse somebody of something (NOT fur)She accused me of poisoning her dog.

afraid of (NOT by)Are you afraid of spiders?

agree with a person, opinion or policyHe left the firm because he didn't agree with their sales policy.I entirely agree with you.

agree about a subject of discussionWe agree about most things.

agree on a matter for decisionLet's try to agree on a date.

agree to a suggestionI'll agree to your suggestion if you lower the price.

angry with (sometimes at) a person for doing somethingI'm angry with her for lying to me.

angry about (sometimes at) somethingWhat are you so angry about?

anxious about (= worried about)I'm getting anxious about money.

anxious for (= eager to have)We're all anxious for an end to this misunderstanding.

anxious + infinitive (= eager, wanting)She's anxious to find a better job.

apologise to somebody for somethingI think we should apologise to the Smiths.I must apologise for disturbing you.

arrive at or in (NOT re)What time do we arrive at Cardiff?When did you arrive in England?

ask: see 79.

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bad at (NOT in)I'm not bad at tennis.

believe a person or something that is said (= accept as truthful/true- no preposition)Don't believe her. I don't believe a word she says.

believe in God, Father Christmas etc (= believe that ... exists; trust)I half believe in life after death.If you believe in me I can do anything.

belong in/on/etc (= go, fit, have its place in/on/etc)Those glasses belong on the top shelf

belong to (= be a member of)I belong to a local athletics club.

blue with cold, red with anger etcMy hands were blue with cold when I got home

borrow: see 109.

care: see 127.clever at (NOT in)

I'm not very clever at cooking.congratulate/congratulations on something

I must congratulate you on your exam results.Congratulations on your new job!

congratulate/congratulations on/for doing somethingHe congratulated the team on/for having won all their games.

crash into (NOT USUALLY against)I wasn't concentrating, and I crashed into the car in front.

depend/dependent on (NOT from OR 6f)We may play football - it depends on the weather.He doesn't want to be dependent on his parents.But: independent of

details ofWrite now for details of our special offer.

die of or fromMore people died offlu in 1919 than were killed in the First World War.A week after the accident he died from his injuries.

different: see 155.difficulty with something, (in) doing something (NOT diffieulties to ... )

I'm having difficulty with my travel arrangements.You won't have much difficulty (in) getting to know people in Italy.

disappointed with somebodyMy father never showed if he was disappointed with me.

disappointed with/at/about somethingYou must be pretty disappointed with/at/about your exam results.

[a] discussion about somethingWe had a long discussion about politics.

[to] discuss something (no preposition)We'd better discuss your travel plans.

divide into (NOT in)The book is divided into three parts. ~

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dream of (= think of, imagine)I often dreamed of being famous when I was younger.

dream about/of (while asleep)What does it mean if you dream about/of mountains?

dress(ed) in (NOT witlt)Who's the woman dressed in green?

drive into (NOT against)Granny drove into a tree again yesterday.

enter into an agreement, a discussion etcWe've just entered into an agreement with Carsons Ltd.

enter a place (no preposition)When I entered the room everybody stopped talking.

example of (NOT fer)Sherry is an example of a fortified wine.

explain something to somebody (NOT explain somebody something)Could you explain this rule to me?

fight, struggle etc withI've spent the last two weeks fighting with the tax office.

frightened of or by: see 410.5.

get in (to) and out of a car, taxi or small boatWhen I got into my car, I found the radio had been stolen.

get on (to) and off a train, plane, bus, ship, (motor)bike or horseWe'll be getting off the train in ten minutes.

good at (NOT ill)

Are you any good at tennis?

[the] idea of .. .ing (NOT the idea to ... )I don't like the idea of getting married yet.

ill withThe boss has been ill with flu this week.

impressed with/byI'm very impressed with/by your work.

increase in activity, output etc (NOT ffl)I'd like to see a big increase in productivity.

independent, independence of or fromShe got a job so that she could be independent of her parents.When did India get its independence from Britain?

insist on (NOT to)George's father insisted on paying.

interest/interested in (NOT f6f)

When did your interest in social work begin?Nut many people are interested in grammar.

interested to do fin doing something: see 299.16

kind to (NOT witlt)People have always been very kind to me.

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lack ofLack of time prevented me from writing.

[to] lack (no preposition)Your mother lacks tact.

[to] be lacking inShe is lacking in tact.

laugh atI hate being laughed at.

laugh aboutWe'll laugh about this one day.

leave somewhere (talking about the action of leaving)I left London early, before the traffic got too heavy.

leave from somewhere (talking about the place)Does the plane leave from Liverpool or Manchester?

listen toIf you don't listen to people, they won't listen to you.

look at (= point one's eyes at)Stop looking at me like that.

look after (= take care of)Thanks for looking after me when I was ill.

look for (= try to find)Can you help me look for my keys?

make, made of/from: see 336.marriage to; get/be married to (NOT with)

Her marriage to Philip didn't last very long.How long have you been married to Sheila?

marry somebody (no preposition)She married her childhood sweetheart.

near (to): see 365.nice to (NOT with)

You weren't very nice to me last night.

operate on a patientThey operated on her yesterday evening.

pay for something that is bought (NOT pay something)Excuse me, sir. You haven't paid for your drink.

pleased with somebodyThe boss is very pleased with you.

pleased with/about/at somethingI wasn't very pleased with/about/at my exam results.

polite to (NOT with)Try to be polite to Uncle Richard for once

prevent ... from .. .ing (NOT tft)The noise from downstairs prevented me from sleeping.

proof of (NOT fur)I want proof of your love. Lend me some money.

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reason for (NOT 6f)

Nobody knows the reason for the accident.remind of (and see 499)

She reminds me of a girl I was at school with.responsible/responsibility for (NOT 6f)

Who's responsible for the shopping this week?rude to (NOT with)

Peggy was pretty rude to my family last weekend.run into (= meet)

I ran into Philip at Victoria Station this morning.

search (without preposition) (= look through; look everywhere in/on)They searched everybody's luggage.They searched the man in front of me from head to foot.

search for (= look for)The customs were searching for drugs at the airport.

shocked at/byI was terribly shocked at/ by the news of Peter's accident.

shout at (aggressive)If you don't stop shouting at me I'll come and hit you.

shout to (= call to)Mary shouted to us to come in and swim.

smile atIf you smile at me like that I'll give you anything you want.

sorry about something that has happenedI'm sorry about your exam results.

sorry for/about something that one has doneI'm sorry for/about breaking your window.

sorry for a personI feel really sorry for her children.

speak to; speak with (especially AmE)Could I speak to/with your father for a moment?

suffer fromMy wife is suffering from hepatitis.

surprised at/byEverybody was surprised at/by the weather.

take part in (NOT at OR flf)I don't want to take part in any more conferences.

think of/about (NOT think to)I'm thinking of studying medicine.I've also thought about studying dentistry.

the thought of (NOT the thought to)I hate the thought of going back to work.

throw ... at (aggressive)Stop throwing stones at the cars.

throw ... to (in a game etc)If you get the ball, throw it to me.

translate into (NOT in)Could you translate this into Greekfor me?

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trip overHe tripped over the cat and fell downstairs.

typical of (NOT m)The wine's typical of the region.

write: see 610.wrong with

What's wrong with Rachel today?

For of after determiners like some, most, see 154.

450 prepositions (3):before particular words and expressionsThis is a list of a few expressions which often cause problems. For otherpreposition + noun combinations, see a good dictionary.

at the cinema; at the theatre; at a party; at universityWhat's on at the cinema this week?

a book (written) by Ioyce: a concerto (composed) by Mozart; a film (directed)by Orson Welles (NOT ef Oil from)

I've never read anything by Dickens.by car/bike/bus/train/boatlplanelland/sea/air; on foot (but in the car,on a bus etc)

Let's take our time and go by boat.

for ... reasonMy sister decided to go to America for several reasons.

from ... point of view (NOT aecording to OR after)Try to see it from my point of view.

in ... opinion (NOT according to Oil after)In my opinion, she should have resigned earlier.

in the end (cc finally, after a long time)In the end, I got a visa for Russia.

at the end (cc at the point where something stops)I think the film's a bit weak at the end.

in pen, pencil, ink etcPlease fill in the form in ink.

in a picture, photo etc (NOT Ofl)

She looks much younger in this photo.in the rain, snow etc

I like walking in the rain.in a suit, raincoat, shirt, skirt, hat etc

Who's the man in the funny hat over there?in a ... voice

Stop talking to me in that stupid voice.

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prepositions (4): expressions without prepositions 451

on page 20 etc (NOT in/at)There's a mistake on page 120.

on the radio; on TV;on the phoneIs there anything good on IV tonight?It's Mrs Ellis on the phone: she says it's urgent.

on time (= at the planned time, neither late nor early)Peter wants the meeting to start exactly on time.

in time (= with enough time to spare, before the last moment)He would have died if they hadn't got him to the hospital in time.

451 prepositions (4):expressions without prepositionsThis is a list of some common expressions in which we do not useprepositions, or can leave them out.

1 discuss, enter, marry, lack, resemble and approachThese verbs are normally followed by direct objects without prepositions.

We must discuss your plans. (NOT ... discuss about your pll'fflSo)Conversation stopped as we entered the church. (NOT ... entered in(to) the

ehu-Feft:)

She married a friend of her sister's. (NOT married with ... )He's clever, but he lacks experience. (NOT lacks (7/ )

The child does not resemble either of its parents. (NOT resemble to ... )The train is now approaching London Paddington. (NOT ... approaching

ffl- ... )

2 next, last etcPrepositions are not used before a number of common expressions of timebeginning next, last, this, that (sometimes), one, every, each, some, any (in aninformal style), all.

See you next Monday. (NOT ... --tm-fteX-t--Mtmtitty:)The meeting's this Thursday. We met one Tuesday in August.I'll never forget meeting you that afternoon.Come any day you like. The party lasted all night.

Note also tomorrow morning, yesterday afternoon etc.

3 days of the weekIn an informal style, we sometimes leave out on before the names of the daysof the week.

Why don't you come for a drink (on) Monday evening?

4 a meaning 'each'No preposition is used in expressions like three times a day, sixty miles anhour, eighty pence a kilo.

Private lessons cost £20 an hour.

For per in expressions like these, see 389.20

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5 What time ... ? etcWe usually leave out at before what time.

What time does Granny's train arrive?(More natural than At what time ... ? )

In an informal style, we can also leave out on before what/which day(s).What day is your hair appointment?Which day do you have your music lesson?

6 aboutIn an informal style, at is often dropped before about + time expression.

I'll see you (at) about 3 o'clock.

7 'how long'In an informal style, for is often left out in expressions that say how longsomething lasts.

I've been here (for) three weeks now. How long are you staying (for)?

8 measurement expressions etc after beExpressions containing words like height, weight, length, size, shape, age,colour are usually connected to the subject of the clause by the verb be,without a preposition.

He is just the right height to be a policeman.She's the same age as me.His head's a funny shape.I'm the same weight as I was twenty years ago.What shoe size are you?What colour are her eyes? (N OT Of what colour ... ?)

9 (in) this way etcWe often leave out in (especially in informal speech) in expressions like(in) this way, (in) the same way, (in) another way etc.

They plant corn (in) the same way their ancestors used to 500 years ago.

10 homeWe do not use to before home (see 249).

I'm going home.In informal English (especially American), at can be left out before home.

Is anybody home?

11 placeIn an informal style, to can be dropped in some expressions with the wordplace. This is normal in American English.

Let's go (to) some place where it's quiet.I always said you'd go places. (= become successful)

12 infinitive structuresPrepositions can be dropped in the structure noun + infinitive + preposition(see 285.5).

She has no money to buy food (with).We have an hour to do it (in). ~

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This is particularly common with the noun place.We need a place to live (in). She had no place to go (to).

For the use of prepositions after near, see 365.

452 prepositions (5): at the ends of clauses1 introduction

A preposition often connects two things: Cl)a noun, adjective or verb thatcomes before it, and (2) a 'prepositional object' - a noun phrase or pronounthat comes after the preposition.

This is a present for you. He's looking at her.I'm really angry with foe. They live in a small village.

In some structures we may put the prepositional object at or near thebeginning of a clause. In this case, the preposition does not always go with it -it may stay together with 'its' noun, adjective or verb at the end of the clause.This happens especially in four cases:

wh-questions: Who's the present for?relative structures: [oe's the person that I'm angry with.passives: She likes to be looked at.infinitive structures: The village is pleasant to live in.

2 wh-questionsWhen a question word is the object of a preposition, the preposition mostoften comes at the end of the clause, especially in informal usage.

Who's the present for? (For whom is the present? is extremely formal.)What are you looking at?Who did you go with?Where did she buy it from?Which flight is the general travelling on?What kind of films are you interested in?

This also happens in indirect wh-questions, and in other what-clauses.Tell me what you're worried about.What a lot of trouble I'm in!

Some questions consist simply of question word + preposition.What with? Who for?

However, this structure is unusual when there is a noun with the questionword.

With what money? (NOT What money with?)

3 relative clausesWhen a relative pronoun (see 494) is the object of a preposition, thepreposition also often goes at the end of the clause, especially in informalusage.

foe's the person that I'm angry with. (Lessformal than ... with whom I amangry.)

This is the house (that) I told you about.(Less formal than ... about which I told you.)

You remember the boy (who) I was going out with?

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She's the only woman (who) I've ever really been in love with.That's what I'm afraid of

Because whom is unusual in an informal style, it is very rare in clauses thatend with prepositions (see 498.3,7).

4 passivesIn passive structures (see 412-420), prepositions go with their verbs.

She likes to be looked at.I don't know where he is - his bed hasn't been slept in.Carol was operated on last night.

S infinitive structuresInfinitive complements (see 284-285) can have prepositions with them.

The village is pleasant to live in.She needs other children to play with.Can you get me a chair to stand on?I've got lots of music to listen to.Their house isn't easy to get to.

G exceptionsMany common adverbial expressions consist of preposition + noun phrase(e.g. with great patience, in a temper). In these cases, the preposition is closelyconnected with the noun, and is kept as near as possible to it; it cannot usuallybe moved to the end of a clause.

I admired the patience with which she spoke. (NOT ... the patience she spokettti#t-:)

During and since are not normally put at the ends of clauses.During which period did it happen? (NOT TA/hichperiod did it httppen

titt-ring?)Since when have you been working for her? (NOT V/hen have you been

UJ01 king /07 her since?)

7 formal structuresIn a more formal style, a preposition is often put earlier in questions andrelative structures, before the question word or relative pronoun.

With whom did she go?It was the house about which he had told them.She was the only woman with whom he had ever been in love.

This can also happen in infinitive complements, in a very formal style.A relative pronoun is used.

She needs other children with whom to play.It is a boring place in which to live.

Note that after prepositions which and whom can be used, but not normallywho and that.Even in a very formal style, prepositions are not often put at the beginning ofquestions which have be as the main verb.

Who is it for, madam? (NOT Ftrr-wlwm-is----ifff)And the structures where ... to, what ... like and what ... for have a fixedorder.

Where shall I send it to? (BUT NOT To where shall J send it?) ~

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What does she look like? (BUT NOT Like what does she look?)What did you buy that for? (BUT NOT For what did Y'0ubuY' that?)

Prepositions cannot be moved away from passive verbs even in a formal style.In my family, money was never spoken about. (NOT ... aIJout money was

never spoken.)

For more information about formal and informal language, see 311.For sentences like It's got a hole in (it); I like cakes with cream on (them), see 177.13.

453 prepositions (6): before conjunctionsPrepositions can be followed by conjunctions in some cases but not in others.

1 indirect speech: prepositions dropped before thatPrepositions are not used directly before the conjunction that. In indirectspeech - after words that refer to saying, writing, thinking etc - prepositionsare usually dropped before that-clauses. Compare:- I knew about his problems.

I knew that he had problems.(NOT 1knew about that he had problems.)

- She had no idea of my state of mind.She had no idea that I was unhappy.

(NOT She had no idea of that 1was unhapfJY.)- I wasn't aware of the time.

I wasn't aware that it was so late.(NOT 1wasn't aware of that it was so late.)

2 emotional reactions: prepositions droppedPrepositions are also dropped before that after many common words that referto emotional reactions. Compare:- We are sorry about the delay. - I was surprised at her strength.

We are sorry that the train is late. I was surprised that she was so strong.(NOT ... sorry about that the tlain (NOT ... surprised at that she was ... )is-lttte-: )

3 the fact thatIn other cases (not involving indirect speech or words referring to emotionalreactions) prepositions cannot so often be dropped before that-clauses.Instead, the expression the fact (see 583.3) is generally put between thepreposition and that.

The judge paid a lot of attention to the fact that the child was unhappyat home. (NOT Thejutlge paid a lot of attention (to) that the child ... )

He said the parents were responsible for the fact that the child had runaway. (NOT ... responsible (for) that the chiltl had run away.)

4 question wordsAfter some very common words like tell, ask, depend, sure, idea, look,prepositions can be dropped before who, which, what and other questionwords. This is especially common in indirect questions. Compare:

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prepositions (7): -ing forms and infinitives 454

- Tell me about your trip.Tell me (about) where you went.

- I asked her about her religious beliefs.I asked her whether she believed in God.

(More natural than I asked her about whether she believed in God.)- We may be late - it depends on the traffic.

We may be late - it depends (on) how much traffic there is.- I'm not sure of his method.

I'm not sure how he does it.(More natural than I'm not sure of how he does it.)

- Look at this.Look (at) what I've got.

In other cases it is unusual or impossible to leave out the preposition.I'm worried about where she is. (NOT I'm worried where she is.)The police questioned me about what I'd seen. (NOT The police questioned

me what I'd seen.)There's the question of who's going to pay.

(More natural than ... the question who's going to pay.)People's chances of getting jobs vary according to whether they live in the

North or the South. (NOT ... according whether ... )If does not normally follow prepositions; we use whether (see 621) instead.

I'm worried about whether you're happy. (NOT I'm worried about if ... )

For the structures (with and without preposition) that are possible after a particular verb, noun oradjective, see a good dictionary.

454 prepositions (7): -ing forms and infinitives

Prepositions are not normally used before infinitives in English. After verb/noun/adjective + preposition, we usually use the -ing form of a following verb.

He insisted on being paid at once. (NOT He insisted on to be paid ... )I don't like the idea of getting married. (NOT ... the idea of to get married.)I'm not very good at cooking. (NOT ... good at to cook.)

In some cases we drop the preposition and use an infinitive. Compare:- He asked for a loan. - We're travelling for pleasure.

He asked to borrow some money. We're travelling to enjoy ourselves.- She was surprised at his mistake.

She was surprised to see what he had done.Sometimes two structures are possible. There is often a difference of meaningor use. For more details, see 299.

I'm interested in learning more about my family.I was interested to learn that my grandfather was Jewish.

For details of the structures that are possible after a particular verb, noun or adjective, see a gooddictionary.

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