[Grammar] The use of Prepositions in English

[anupumh]

Preposition usage is an important part of the English Language, or any language for that matter. So just what is proper preposition usage?
Prepositions are generally used to show the relationship between its object and other words in the sentence.
The following show preposition usage and the relationships of prepositions with the other words in the sentences they are in.
Remembering relationships will help you remember which preposition to use.
· Place (in, on, under, over, near, beside, etc.)
"Your book is on the table."
· Direction (to, toward, into, through, etc.)
"The football player ran through the stadium to the other end."
· Time (in, on, at, etc.)
"We can meet at five o'clock."
· Agent (by)
"This book was written by a famous author."
· Instrument (by, with)
"I heard the news by television. (Communication)
"She came by bus." (Transportation)
"He opened the door with a key." (Instrument or tool)
TIP:
We use by + no article for communication and transportation.
Examples: by phone, by radio, and by bus, by car
· Accompaniment (with)
"I like spaghetti with white sauce."
"Mrs. Vajiona went to Thassos Island with her husband Georgios."
· Purpose (for)
"He went to the store for milk and bread.
TIP:
Never, Never use for + verb + ing to express the purpose of the verb.
Example: "He went to the store for buying milk and bread." This is wrong usage and a common mistake!
· Partition / Possession (of)
"They painted the front of the building white and green."
"He broke the top of the table with his fist."
· Measure (by, of)
"We buy our olive oil by the 16 kilo container."
"Please buy a quart of milk from the market."
· Similarity (like)
"Mary walks like her mother."
· Capacity (as)
"Bill worked as a fireman until a year ago."