Prepositions

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Public domain
Many students of English complain about how difficult it is to learn English prepositions. I agree. I remember, as an undergraduate, I had to memorise never-ending lists of prepostions, adverbials, phrasal verbs...I found it an impossible task.

Look at the picture on your left. What is the meaning of  
at your own risk? Click on this dictionary and check.

Listening

An embarrassing anecdote
This is from a VOA (Voice of America) recording. The presenter talks about a friend, a non-native English speaker, who tried to tell someone "you will hear from me" meaning he would get in touch. But instead of saying "I'll get back to you", he said "I'll get back at you" which means "I'll take revenge". The wrong preposition sent a completely different message with embarrassing consequences.

Listen to What difference does a preposition make? In this interview the presenters talk to Professor  David Thatcher. Tip:  If you want to practise listening, do not read the transcript until the end.

Answer the following questions:

  1. Why does Professor Thatcher think that the misuse of prepositions is increasing?
  2. How can you learn the correct use of prepositions?
  3. What is one way of learning prepositions incorrectly? 
  4. How can you learn phrasal verbs?
  5. What is correct to say, congratulations on or congratulations for?

Exercises

If you would like to do some exercises click on the following links.

Downloadable exercises in PDF format (it includes answers).
Interactive prepositions

List of prepositions

Click here to download a list of verbs, nouns and adjectives that collocate with a preposition.

Let me know how you get on with the interactive exercises.

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