Prepositions Part 7
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else. There are over 100 prepositions in English. This is a very small number compared with the vast number of nouns, adjectives and verbs found in English. Here are some of the prepositions used in English:
Regardless of
If something happens regardless of a particular thing, it happens.
We should respect others regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
Round / around
If there is something round or around something else, the first thing surrounds the second thing.
Fans gathered round their favourite film star.
If something moves round something else, it moves in a circle.
The children danced round the mulberry bush.
If there is a way round a problem, there is a solution to it.
We must find a way round the difficulty.
If you hang round a place, you stay there for a while.
We enjoyed hanging round the circus.
Save
We use ‘save’ to introduce an exception.
All children save a minority attend school.
Since
If something has happened since a time or event, it has happened at some time in the period after that time or event.
University students have been protesting since yesterday.
Than
This is used to link two parts of a comparison.
Sanskrit is more difficult than Pali.
Thanks to
This is used when mentioning the person or thing that caused something to happen.
Thanks to modern computers we are able to do our work efficiently.
Through
If someone or something moves through something else, they go directly from one side or end of it to another.
The rain water poured into the classroom through a hole in the roof.
If you move through a crowd, there are people on either side of you.
Emma zigzagged her way through the large crowd.
If you go through an experience, it happens to you.
My father saw me through difficult times.
Following verbs are usually followed by ‘through’:
Browse, flick, flip, glance, go, leaf, look, rifle, run, sift, skim, thumb, wade, work
Throughout
If something happens throughout a period of time, it happens during that time.
Throughout Bob’s career his main concern was politics.
Till
If something happens till a particular time, it happens then stops at the time mentioned.
They usually work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To
If someone goes to a place, they move towards it.
I went to Bandarawela to meet a friend.
If you go to a party, you go where it is taking place.
They were invited to dinner.
If someone is attached to something fixed, the two things are joined together.
Villagers tied the thief to a tree.
Following verbs are usually followed by ‘to’:
Beckon, demonstrate, give, offer, point, show, signal, wave
Following adjectives are usually followed by ‘to’:
Courteous, cruel, devoted, disloyal, fair, faithful, friendly, indifferent, kind, loyal, nice, partial, sympathetic, unfair, unfaithful, unkind
Together with
This is used to emphasize that another person or thing is involved in something.
The husband together with his wife saved enough money to put up a house.
Towards / toward
If you move, look or point towards someone, you move, look or point in that direction.
Are you going towards the police station?
If you do something towards the achievement of a particular result, you do something that might help to achieve it.
The Government is working towards reconciliation.
Under
If a person or thing is under something, they are directly below or beneath it.
There was an empty bottle under the bench.
‘Under’ is used to say that a person is being affected by something.
Is everything under control?
If you work under someone, they are your employers.
Do you still work under Harold?
If someone is under a particular age, they are less than that age.
If you are under ten, you cannot take part in the competition.
Underneath
If something is underneath something else, they are directly below or beneath it.
John found the key underneath the seat.
Unlike
If one thing or person is unlike another, the two things or people are different.
Our new English teacher is unlike the earlier one.
Until
If something happens until a particular time, it happens and then stops at the time mentioned.
I usually work until 5 p.m.
