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If you’ve ever struggled with English prepositions, you’re not alone. Prepositions can be tricky, but understanding their usage is crucial for effective communication. Through this blog, join ES Dubai on a journey to simplify the world of prepositions, focusing specifically on those related to time, place, and movement. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use prepositions confidently, enhancing your overall command of the English language.
Time prepositions in English are used to refer to a point in time, a duration of time, or an occurrence in relation to time. Here are some of the most commonly used time prepositions:
1. At: Used for specific times or points in time.
Example: “I wake up at 7 AM.”
2. On: Used for specific days or dates.
Example: “My birthday is on July 12th.”
3. In: Used for longer periods of time such as months, years, seasons, or parts of the day.
Example: “We went skiing in December.”
Example: “I usually read a book in the evening.”
4. By: Used to set a deadline for something, meaning “at or before” a particular time.
Example: “Please finish the report by Monday.”
5. Before: Refers to a time earlier than something else.
Example: “She arrived before noon.”
6. After: The opposite of before; used when something happens later than a point in time.
Example: “He went home after the party.”
7. During: Used when something happens within the time of an event or a period.
Example: “It started to rain during the game.”
8. Since: Used when something has been happening from a particular time in the past up to now.
Example: “They have been living there since 2002.”
9. Until/Till: Used to indicate that something continues up to a particular time.
Example: “The shop is open until 9 PM.”
10. For: Used when you want to say how long something lasts.
Example: “We were at the beach for two hours.”
11. From…to/From…until/From…till: Used to indicate the beginning and end of a period of time.
Example: “The meeting will last from 1 PM to 2 PM.”
12. Within: Used to say that something will happen or be done before a certain time has passed.
Example: “He said he would finish the task within a week.”
Remember, prepositions can often be used in more than one way, and the best way to understand and learn their use is through context and practice.
A place preposition is a small word used to indicate the location or position of a person, object, or event in relation to another element in a sentence. These prepositions help us understand where something is happening, enhancing clarity and precision in our everyday language.
1. In: We use “in” to indicate being enclosed or inside a place.
Example: “I was in the house.”
2. On: “On” is used when something is physically touching a surface.
Example: “The book is on the table.”
3. At: “At” is used to indicate a specific point or location.
Example: “I will meet you at the cinema.”
4. By: When we want to indicate proximity or being next to something, we use “by.”
Example: “The house is located by the river.”
5. Between/Among: “Between” is used for two items, while “among” is used for three or more items.
Example: “There is a garden between the two buildings.”
“He will be among the first ones to arrive.”
6. Near/Close to: Both “near” and “close to” are used to express proximity.
Examples:
“The park is near my house.”
“The coffee shop is close to the station.”
A movement preposition is a simple word that denotes the direction of an action or the movement of a person or object in relation to another. By using movement prepositions, we can better describe actions and provide a clearer picture of how things are moving or interacting in various situations.
1. To: We use “to” to indicate movement towards a specific place.
Example: “The children will go to the park.”
2. From: “From” is used to indicate movement away or the origin of something.
Example: “John travels from New York every weekend.”
3. Through: “Through” is a preposition indicating movement from one end of something to the other, passing in between or inside.
Example: ”Drive through the tunnel carefully.”
4. Across: “Across” is a preposition indicating movement from one side of something to the other, covering the surface or area.
Example: “She had to swim across the river.”
5. Along: “Along” is used to indicate movement in a parallel direction.
– Example: “I like to walk along the street.”
Mastering prepositions is an essential aspect of becoming proficient in English grammar that any English language school in Dubai would focus on. By understanding how prepositions work in relation to time, place, and movement, you can learn to speak English and express yourself effectively, avoiding common mistakes. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different prepositions in your conversations and writing. With time and patience, you’ll become more confident using prepositions accurately and enhance your overall language skills.
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marketing@esdubai.com
+971 4 398 2815
+971 52 701 4480
15th, 34th, 36th Floors BB1 Mazaya Business Avenue, JLT, Dubai, UAE
5th floor, UOWD Building, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai, UAE