Prepositions Type Use Example

Use 'in' with static (non-movement) verbs and stay in the USA
IN Place and movement
cities, countries, states, etc.: work in New York
at the cinema
Use 'at' with static (non-movement) verbs and
AT Place and movement at work
places:
at home
Use 'to' with verbs of movement such as go, come, go to work
TO Place and movement
drive, etc.: drive to California
With verbs of movement and the noun 'home' - He
went home. - they drove home.
NOTHING Place and movement
With the verb 'visit' - She visited France last
summer.
in a room / in a building
Use 'in' with spaces:
in a garden / in a park
in the water
IN Place Use 'in' with bodies of water: in the sea
in a river
in a row / in a line
Use 'in' with lines:
in a queue
at the bus-stop
at the door
Use 'at' with places:
at the cinema
at the end of the street
AT Place
at the top of the page
Use 'at' with places on a page:
at the bottom of the page
at the back of the class
Use 'at' in groups of people:
at the front of the class
on the ceiling / on the wall / on the floor
Use 'on' with surfaces:
on the table
Use 'on' with small islands: I stayed on Maui.
ON Place
on the left
Use 'on' with directions: on the right
straight on
We say 'in the corner of a room', but 'at the corner (or 'on the corner') of a
In / at / on the corner
street'
IN AT ON IMPORTANT NOTES We say 'in the front / in the back' of a car
In / at / on the front We say 'at the front / at the back' of buildings / groups of people
We say 'on the front / on the back' of a piece of paper
Use 'for' with a period of time to express the for three weeks
FOR Time
duration or 'how long' something has happened: for many years
while I was watching TV
WHILE Time Use 'while' plus a verb form:
while I lived in New York
Use 'during' with a noun to express 'when' during class
DURING Time
something happens: during my vacation
in January
Use 'in' months and years and periods of time: in 1978
IN Time and date in the twenties
in a few weeks
Use 'in' a period of time in the future:
in a couple of days
at six o'clock
AT Time and date Use 'at' with precise time: at 10.30
at two p.m.
on Monday
Use 'on' with days of the week:
on Fridays
ON Time and date
on Christmas day
Use 'on' with specific calendar days:
on October 22nd
IN AT IMPORTANT NOTES in the morning / afternoon / evening - at night We say in the morning, afternoon or evening BUT we say 'at night'
a check for (amount of money)
Example: She gave me a check for $50.
a demand for something
Example: Unfortunately, there wasn't enough demand for our product.
FOR Noun Prepositions Use 'for' preceded by the following nouns:
a need for something
Example: There is a real need for discipline in this class.
a reason for something
Example: I have a reason for doing that!
a rise in something
Example: There has been a rise in prices recently.
an increase in something
Example: We have seen many increases in production levels.
IN Noun Prepositions Use 'in' preceded by the following nouns:
a fall in something
Example: There has been a fall in prices recently.
a decrease in something
Example: We have seen many decreases in production levels.
a cause of something
Example: She is the cause of all his problems.
OF Noun Prepositions Use 'of' preceded by the following nouns:
a photograph OR a picture of something or someone
Example: He took a photograph of the mountains.
damage to something
Example: I did a lot of damage to my car the other day.
an invitation to a celebration of some type
Example: We were invited to their wedding.
reaction to something
TO Noun Prepositions Use 'to' preceded by the following nouns: Example: Her reaction to his behavior was quite funny.
a solution to a problem
TO Noun Prepositions Use 'to' preceded by the following nouns:
Prepositions Type Use Example
Example: He provided the solution to our financial situation.
an attitude to something (or TOWARDS something)
Example: Your attitude to your problems doesn't help them get
resolved.
a relationship with someone or something
Example: My relationship with Mary is wonderful.
a connection with someone or something
WITH Noun Prepositions Use 'with' preceded by the following nouns:
Example: His connections with the CIA are very limited.
a contact with someone or something
Example: Have you had any contact with Sarah?
a connection between TWO things
Example: There is no connection between the two crimes.
a relationship between TWO things
Example: The relationship between the two friends was very strong.
BETWEEN Noun Prepositions Use 'between' preceded by the following nouns:
a contact between TWO things
Example: There is little contact between the two parents.
a difference between TWO things
Example: There is no difference between those two colors.
to pay by check (credit card)
Example: I paid the bill by check.
to do something by accident
Example: I broke the vase by mistake.
BY Prepositions Nouns Use 'by' with the following nouns: to do something by mistake
Example: I'm afraid I brought the wrong book by mistake.
to do something by chance
Example: I saw Jack at the supermarket by chance.
a play, song, book, etc. by someone
(to go / come) for a walk
Example: Let's go for a walk.
(to go / come) for a swim
Example: We went for a swim as soon as we arrived.
(to go / come) for a drink
FOR Prepositions Nouns Use 'for' with the following nouns:
Example: Would you like to come over for a drink?
(to go / come) for a visit
Example: I'd love to come for a visit sometime.
(to have something) for breakfast / lunch / dinner / supper (US English)
Example: I had bacon and eggs for breakfast.
to be OR to fall in love with someone
Example: I fell in love with my wife at first sight.
IN Prepositions Nouns Use 'in' with the following nouns: in my opinion
Example: In my opinion, we need to invest in some development.
a need for something
(to be) on fire
Example: Help! The house is on fire!
(to be) on the telephone / phone
Example: I think Tom is on the phone at the moment.
on television
Example: There is a good film on television tonight.
on the radio
Example: Mahler's fifth was on the radio last night.
(to be / go) on a diet
Example: I really need to go on a diet.
(to be / go) on strike
ON Prepositions Nouns Use 'on' with the following nouns:
Example: The sanitary engineers have gone on strike again.
(to be / go) on holiday (UK English) / vacation (American English)
Example: I really need to go on vacation soon.
(to be / go) business
Example: He went away this weekend on business.
(to be / go) on a trip
Example: We were on a trip this past weekend.
(to be / go) a tour
Example: Have you ever been on a tour of the French countryside?
(to be / go) on an excursion
Example: We went on an excursion to Versailles when we were in Paris.
angry / annoyed / furious about something
Example: I'm really angry about our losses on the stock market!
Use the following adjectives followed by 'about'. excited about something
Each group of adjectives have the same or related Example: He's excited about his birthday party next week.
ABOUT Adjective Preposition Combinations
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these worried / upset about something
expressions. Example: He's worried about his upcoming examinations.
sorry about something
Example: I'm very sorry about Losing your book.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'at'. Each good / excellent / brillant at something OR at doing something
group of adjectives have the same or related Example: They are excellent at planning fun parties.
AT Adjective Preposition Combinations
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these bad / hopeless at something OR at doing something
expressions.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'at' or 'by'. Example: Unfortunately, I'm hopeless at being on time.
Each group of adjectives have the same or related amazed / astonished / shocked / surprised at OR by something
AT / BY Adjective Preposition Combinations
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these Example: I was amazed at his stamina.
expressions. angry with someone for something
Example: I'm really angry with John for his total lack of responsibility.
famous for something
Example: She's famous for her watercolor paintings.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'for'. Each responsible for something
group of adjectives have the same or related
FOR Adjective Preposition Combinations
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these
expressions.
Prepositions Type
FOR Adjective Preposition Combinations
FROM Adjective Preposition Combinations
OF adjective Preposition Combinations
ON Adjective Preposition Combinations
TO Adjective Preposition Combinations
WITH Adjective Preposition Combinations
Compiled by: URIEL SALAMANCA
Source: www.esl.about.com
Use
Use the following adjectives followed by 'for'. Each Example
group of adjectives have the same or related
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these
expressions.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'from'.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'of'. Each Example: Don't be so hard on yourself! It's unreasonable of you to expect to
group of adjectives have the same or related
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these
expressions.
Use the following adjective followed by 'on'. Use
the verb 'to be' with these expressions.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'to'. Each nice / kind / good / generous to someone
group of adjectives have the same or related
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these
expressions.
Use the following adjectives followed by 'with'.
Each group of adjectives have the same or related disappointed with something
meanings. Use the verb 'to be' with these
expressions.
Example: You'll have to speak to John, he's responsible for customer
complaints.
sorry for doing something
Example: He says he's sorry for shouting at you.
(to feel or be) sorry for someone
Example: I really feel sorry for Pam.
different from somone / something
Example: His photographs are very different from his paintings.
nice / kind / good / generous of someone (to do something)
Example: It was very nice of him to buy me a present.
mean of someone (to do something)
Example: It was very mean of Susan to say that to Tom.
stupid / silly of someone (to do something)
Example: I'm afraid it was stupid of me to come.
intelligent / clever / sensible of someone (to do something)
Example: That was quite sensible of Tom.
polite of someone (to do something)
Example: It was very polite of Peter to invite my sister to the party.
impolite / rude of someone (to do something)
Example: I can't believe how rude it was of Jack to shout at his daughter in
front of all those people.
unreasonable of someone (to do something)
understand everything immediately.
proud of something or someone
Example: I'm very proud of my daughter's wonderful progress in school.
ashamed of someone or something
Example: She's ashamed of her bad grades.
jealous / envious of someone or something
Example: She's really envious of her sister's wealth.
aware / conscious of something
Example: Teens are often overly conscious of skin blemishes.
capable / incapable of something
Example: Peter is quite capable of conducting the meeting on his own.
fond of someone or something
Example: She is so fond of her niece.
short of something
Example: I'm afraid I'm short of cash tonight.
tired of something
Example: I'm tired of your complaining!
to be keen on something
Example: She is very keen on horses.
married / engaged to someone
Example: Jack is engaged to Jill.
Example: She was very generous to me when I was staying with her.
mean / impolite / rude / unpleasant / unfriendly / cruel to someone
Example: How can you be so unfriendly to your neighbors?
similar to something
Example: His painting is similar to Van Gough.
angry / annoyed / furious with someone for something
Example: I'm furious with my brother for having lied to me!
delighted / pleased / satisfied with something
Example: He is quite satisfied with his results.
Example: She's really disappointed with her new car.
bored / fed up with something
Example: Let's go. I'm fed up with this party.
crowded with (people, tourists, etc.)
Example: Disneyland is crowded with tourists in July.
IMPORTANT NOTES
In / at / on the corner
We say 'in the corner of a room', but 'at the corner (or 'on the corner') of a street'
In / at / on the front
We say 'in the front / in the back' of a car
We say 'at the front / at the back' of buildings / groups of people
We say 'on the front / on the back' of a piece of paper

IMPORTANT NOTES
in the morning / afternoon / evening - at night
We say in the morning, afternoon or evening BUT we say 'at night'
Prepositions Type Use
Use 'in' with static (non-
IN Place and movement movement) verbs and cities,
countries, states, etc.:
Use 'in' with spaces:

IN Place Use 'in' with bodies of water:

Use 'in' with lines:

Use 'in' months and years and

periods of time:
IN Time and date
Use 'in' a period of time in the
future:

Use 'in' preceded by the

IN Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

IN Prepositions Nouns Use 'in' with the following nouns:

Use 'at' with static (non-

AT Place and movement
movement) verbs and places:

Use 'at' with places:

AT Place
Use 'at' with places on a page:

Use 'at' in groups of people:

AT Time and date Use 'at' with precise time:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'at'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
AT adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.
 Use the following adjectives
followed by 'at'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
AT adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.

followed by 'at' or 'by'. Each

Adjective Preposition group of adjectives have the
AT / BY
Combinations same or related meanings. Use
the verb 'to be' with these
Use 'to' with verbs of movement
TO Place and movement
such as go, come, drive, etc.:

Use 'to' preceded by the

TO Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'to'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
TO adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.

With verbs of movement and the

noun 'home' - He went home. -
NOTHING Place and movement they drove home.
With the verb 'visit' - She visited
France last summer.

Use 'for' preceded by the

FOR Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

Use 'for' with a period of time to

FOR Time express the duration or 'how
long' something has happened:

Use 'for' with the following

FOR Prepositions Nouns
nouns:
 Use 'for' with the following
FOR Prepositions Nouns
nouns:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'for'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
FOR adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.

WHILE Time Use 'while' plus a verb form:

Use 'during' with a noun to
DURING Time express 'when' something
happens:
Use 'on' with surfaces:
Use 'on' with small islands:
ON Place
Use 'on' with directions:

Use 'on' with days of the week:

ON Time and date
Use 'on' with specific calendar
days:

Use 'on' with the following

ON Prepositions Nouns
nouns:
 Use 'on' with the following
ON Prepositions Nouns
nouns:

Use the following adjective

Adjective Preposition
ON followed by 'on'. Use the verb 'to
Combinations
be' with these expressions.

Use 'of' preceded by the

OF Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'of'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
OF adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.
 Use 'with' preceded by the
WITH Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'with'. Each group of
Adjective Preposition
WITH adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.

Use 'between' preceded by the

BETWEEN Noun Prepositions
following nouns:

Use 'by' with the following

BY Prepositions Nouns
nouns:
 Use 'by' with the following
BY Prepositions Nouns
nouns:

Use the following adjectives

followed by 'about'. Each group
Adjective Preposition
ABOUT of adjectives have the same or
Combinations
related meanings. Use the verb
'to be' with these expressions.

Adjective Preposition Use the following adjectives

FROM
Combinations followed by 'from'.
Example
stay in the USA
work in New York
in a room / in a building
in a garden / in a park
in the water
in the sea
in a river
in a row / in a line
in a queue
in January
in 1978
in the twenties
in a few weeks
in a couple of days
a rise in something
Example: There has been a rise in prices recently.
an increase in something
Example: We have seen many increases in production
levels.
a fall in something
Example: There has been a fall in prices recently.
a decrease in something
Example: We have seen many decreases in
production levels.
to be OR to fall in love with someone
Example: I fell in love with my wife at first sight.
in my opinion
Example: In my opinion, we need to invest in some
development.
a need for something
at the cinema
at work
at home
at the bus-stop
at the door
at the cinema
at the end of the street
at the top of the page
at the bottom of the page
at the back of the class
at the front of the class
at six o'clock
at 10.30
at two p.m.
good / excellent / brillant at something OR at doing
something
Example: They are excellent at planning fun parties.

bad / hopeless at something OR at doing something

Example: Unfortunately, I'm hopeless at being on time.
amazed / astonished / shocked / surprised at OR by
something
Example: I was amazed at his stamina.
go to work
drive to California
damage to something
Example: I did a lot of damage to my car the other day.
an invitation to a celebration of some type
Example: We were invited to their wedding.
reaction to something
Example: Her reaction to his behavior was quite funny.
a solution to a problem
Example: He provided the solution to our financial
situation.
an attitude to something (or TOWARDS something)
Example: Your attitude to your problems doesn't help
them get resolved.
married / engaged to someone
Example: Jack is engaged to Jill.
nice / kind / good / generous to someone
Example: She was very generous to me when I was
staying with her.
mean / impolite / rude / unpleasant / unfriendly / cruel
to someone
Example: How can you be so unfriendly to your
neighbors?
similar to something
Example: His painting is similar to Van Gough.

a check for (amount of money)

Example: She gave me a check for $50.
a demand for something
Example: Unfortunately, there wasn't enough demand
for our product.
a need for something
Example: There is a real need for discipline in this
class.
a reason for something
Example: I have a reason for doing that!
for three weeks
for many years
(to go / come) for a walk
Example: Let's go for a walk.
(to go / come) for a swim
Example: We went for a swim as soon as we arrived.
(to go / come) for a drink
Example: Would you like to come over for a drink?
(to go / come) for a visit
Example: I'd love to come for a visit sometime.
(to have something) for breakfast / lunch / dinner /
supper (US English)
Example: I had bacon and eggs for breakfast.
angry with someone for something
Example: I'm really angry with John for his total lack of
responsibility.
famous for something
Example: She's famous for her watercolor paintings.
responsible for something
Example: You'll have to speak to John, he's
responsible for customer complaints.
sorry for doing something
Example: He says he's sorry for shouting at you.
(to feel or be) sorry for someone
Example: I really feel sorry for Pam.
while I was watching TV
while I lived in New York
during class
during my vacation
on the ceiling / on the wall / on the floor
on the table
I stayed on Maui.
on the left
on the right
straight on
on Monday
on Fridays
on Christmas day
on October 22nd
(to be) on fire
Example: Help! The house is on fire!
(to be) on the telephone / phone
Example: I think Tom is on the phone at the moment.
on television
Example: There is a good film on television tonight.
on the radio
Example: Mahler's fifth was on the radio last night.
(to be / go) on a diet
Example: I really need to go on a diet.
(to be / go) on strike
Example: The sanitary engineers have gone on strike
again.
(to be / go) on holiday (UK English) / vacation
(American English)
Example: I really need to go on vacation soon.
(to be / go) business
Example: He went away this weekend on business.
(to be / go) on a trip
Example: We were on a trip this past weekend.
(to be / go) a tour
Example: Have you ever been on a tour of the French
countryside?
(to be / go) on an excursion
Example: We went on an excursion to Versailles when
we were in Paris.
to be keen on something
Example: She is very keen on horses.
a cause of something
Example: She is the cause of all his problems.
a photograph OR a picture of something or someone
Example: He took a photograph of the mountains.
nice / kind / good / generous of someone (to do
something)
Example: It was very nice of him to buy me a present.
mean of someone (to do something)
Example: It was very mean of Susan to say that to
Tom.
stupid / silly of someone (to do something)
Example: I'm afraid it was stupid of me to come.
intelligent / clever / sensible of someone (to do
something)
Example: That was quite sensible of Tom.
polite of someone (to do something)
Example: It was very polite of Peter to invite my sister
to the party.
impolite / rude of someone (to do something)
Example: I can't believe how rude it was of Jack to
shout at his daughter in front of all those people.
unreasonable of someone (to do something)
Example: Don't be so hard on yourself! It's
unreasonable of you to expect to understand
everything immediately.
proud of something or someone
Example: I'm very proud of my daughter's wonderful
progress in school.
ashamed of someone or something
Example: She's ashamed of her bad grades.
jealous / envious of someone or something
Example: She's really envious of her sister's wealth.
aware / conscious of something
Example: Teens are often overly conscious of skin
blemishes.
capable / incapable of something
Example: Peter is quite capable of conducting the
meeting on his own.
fond of someone or something
Example: She is so fond of her niece.
short of something
Example: I'm afraid I'm short of cash tonight.
tired of something
Example: I'm tired of your complaining!
a relationship with someone or something
Example: My relationship with Mary is wonderful.
a connection with someone or something
Example: His connections with the CIA are very
limited.
a contact with someone or something
Example: Have you had any contact with Sarah?
angry / annoyed / furious with someone for something
Example: I'm furious with my brother for having lied to
me!
delighted / pleased / satisfied with something
Example: He is quite satisfied with his results.
disappointed with something
Example: She's really disappointed with her new car.
bored / fed up with something
Example: Let's go. I'm fed up with this party.
crowded with (people, tourists, etc.)
Example: Disneyland is crowded with tourists in July.
a connection between TWO things
Example: There is no connection between the two
crimes.
a relationship between TWO things
Example: The relationship between the two friends
was very strong.
a contact between TWO things
Example: There is little contact between the two
parents.
a difference between TWO things
Example: There is no difference between those two
colors.
to pay by check (credit card)
Example: I paid the bill by check.
to do something by accident
Example: I broke the vase by mistake.
to do something by mistake
Example: I'm afraid I brought the wrong book by
mistake.
to do something by chance
Example: I saw Jack at the supermarket by chance.
a play, song, book, etc. by someone
angry / annoyed / furious about something
Example: I'm really angry about our losses on the
stock market!
excited about something
Example: He's excited about his birthday party next
week.
worried / upset about something
Example: He's worried about his upcoming
examinations.
sorry about something
Example: I'm very sorry about Losing your book.
different from somone / something
Example: His photographs are very different from his
paintings.