Grammar for Block 3-2 VTC LAN 6030

VE & CS

PREPOSITIONS

(A) Prepositions of “Time”:

1. “AT” is used to show an exact point of time or a short period of time, or for
festivals.
 e.g. at one o’clock, at noon, at Christmas

2. “ON” is used to show a longer stretch of time. It is mainly used for a particular
day or date.
 e.g. on 1st July, on Friday, on New Year’s Eve

3. “IN” is used for months, seasons, years and parts of the day.
 e.g. in March, in 1992, in winter, in the evening

4. “FOR” is used to show a duration of time.

 e.g. for seven days, for three months, for two hours

5. “By” is used to show completion before a certain period or point of time.

 e.g. by Friday---It means before Friday.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 1 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 VTC LAN 6030
VE & CS

Practice
Complete the following sentences with suitable prepositions.

1. I came to Britain __________ 21st September 2005.

2. The book fair will last __________ three days.

3. It started to rain __________ about 11o’clock.

4. The plane will arrive __________ ten minutes.

5. Uncle Henry works only __________ the morning.

6. Mr. Chan is away on holiday. He will be back __________ two weeks.

7. The visitors will stay here __________ a week.

8. We can’t tell you about our plan __________ this moment.

9. She is out of a job __________ the moment.

10. You should read more __________ your spare time.

11. Raymond often calls to see me __________ night.

12. This famous university was founded __________ 1900.

13. We used to meet __________ Saturday mornings.

14. We often go to the cinema __________ Sunday.

15. We have turkey and pudding for dinner __________ Christmas.

16. The beach is the best place to go to __________ summer.

17. The weather is cold and windy __________ December.

18. Jimmy gave a party __________ his birthday.

19. Little George was born __________ 1989.

20. The discussion continued __________ three hours.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 2 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 VTC LAN 6030
VE & CS

(B) Prepositions of “Place”:

1. “AT” is used for a relatively small place or a particular place.
 e.g. at home, at the bus-stop, at the hotel

2. “IN” is used for a relatively larger area or a place when the reference is general.
 e.g. in China, in the country, in the sea

3. “ON” means ‘on top of’ or ‘on the surface of’.

 e.g. on the floor, on the table

4. “OVER” is used to show a position directly above something.

 e.g. the bridge over the river

5. “UNDER” is used to show a position directly below something.

 e.g. to sit under a tree

6. “BY” and “BESIDE” are used to show a position at or close to the side of
something.
 e.g. to sit by the fire, to stand beside the teacher

7. “BEHIND” shows a position at the back of something.

 e.g. to hide behind a door

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 3 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 VTC LAN 6030
VE & CS

Practice
Complete the sentences with correct prepositions.

1. I met Mike __________ a cocktail party last night.

2. I left my wallet __________ a bus yesterday.
3. She put her hands __________ her pockets.
4. This kind of flower is found only __________ North Europe.
5. The fashion show was held __________ the New World Hotel.
6. Vincent, Mrs. Ng is waiting for you __________ her car.
7. Mrs. Lee and her sons live __________ a small flat.
8. We found a pen __________ the floor.
9. He sleeps __________ the tree.
10. Mrs. Wong lives __________ 123 Forest Road.
11. You may park your car __________ mine.
12. She is carrying a basket __________ her head.
13. There is a scar __________ her face.
14. Put up this picture __________ the wall.
15. The workmen are going to build a bridge __________ the river.
16. There is a Catholic church __________ the end of the street.
17. Lily, come and sit __________ me. I want to have a talk with you.
18. This is the tallest tower __________ the world.
19. The sun shines __________ the earth.
20. Don’t go out __________ the rain, Karen.
21. Angie is wearing a ring __________ her finger.
22. My father works __________ a bookshop.
23. Tell Peter to meet me __________ the bus-stop tomorrow noon.
24. There is a garage __________ the house.
25. Little Jacky hides himself __________ a door.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 4 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 HKIVE LAN 6030
VE & CS 05-06

Further Practice on Prepositions

Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions.

My name is Jimmy. I was born 1.__________ London 2.__________ 18th June 1990.

I live with my parents and brothers. My father is a shop owner. He works

3.__________ a computer shop. We all live 4.__________ a big house. The living

room and dining room are 5.__________ the first floor. The bedrooms are

6.__________ the second floor. The kitchen is 7.__________ the basement. Besides,

there is a garage.

My little brother, Tommy, likes to put all his favourite toys 8.__________ his bed. He

also likes to put his puzzles 9.__________ the desk. Besides, he likes to hide himself

10.__________ the door.

Every morning I wait 11.__________ the bus-stop for the school-bus. Linda is my

classmate who sits 12.__________ me. We always play and sleep 13.__________ the

old oak tree. In summer, there is a long summer vacation 14.__________ two months.

We swim 15.__________ the sea to collect sea shells. 16.__________ winter, we play

snowball. 17.__________ night I like watching cartoons. I often go on picnics with

my family 18.__________ Saturdays. 19.__________ Sunday mornings, I go to

church.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 5 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 HKIVE LAN 6030
VE & CS 05-06

Time expressions: Still, Yet, Already

Still indicates a state which is continuing.

Examples: I still love him.

I still don't know where he lives.

('not' always follows still)

Yet indicates something anticipated but may not have

happened - it is therefore used with the present perfect

tense in a negative statement or a question (but never with

a positive statement).

Examples: I haven't met him yet.

Have you seen the film yet?

I have seen the film yet. (wrong)

Already indicates something which has or had happened before the

expected time - it is therefore used with the present

perfect or past perfect tense (but never with a

negative statement).

Example: Do you want to come to the show?

No, thanks. I've already been there.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 6 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 HKIVE LAN 6030
VE & CS 05-06

I have not been to Macau already. (wrong)

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 7 of 8

Grammar for Block 3-2 HKIVE LAN 6030
VE & CS 05-06

Practice
Fill in the blanks in the following dialogues with still, yet or already.

Exercise 1: In the restaurant

Waiter: I'm sorry, sir, but your order isn't ready 1.__________. Do you
2.__________ want the same thing?

George: Yes - you've 3.__________ asked us that. What about my cocktail?

Haven't you got it 4.__________?

Waiter: Oh, I'm terribly sorry, sir. The wine waiter is 5.__________ serving in
the other bar. I've 6.__________ spoken to him but he hasn't come in
here 7.__________.

George: This is really bad! I've 8.__________ complained to the manager once
this week, and he 9.__________ hasn't done anything about it. He told
me last time that he had 10.__________ threatened to sack that wine
waiter, but he obviously hasn't done it 11.__________.

Exercise 2: On the phone

George: Mr. Smith! I'm glad you're 12.__________ in the office. I thought you
might have 13.__________ left.

Smith: No such luck. I haven't finished all my paperwork 14.__________. I'm

15.__________ weeks behind, and it 16.__________ keeps piling up.

George: Oh dear. I just want to check if you have sent my order 17.__________.
It 18.__________ hasn't arrived, and you did say last week that you had
19.__________ posted it.

Smith: I have, I have. If it 20.__________ hasn't turned up by tomorrow, give

me a ring.

Date of Revision: July 2007 Page 8 of 8