Preposition, Prepositional verbs - Grammar

Grammar

Preposition

A preposition is a word that is placed before a noun or a pronoun to show its relationship to other words in a sentence.

I. Prepositions of Time

These prepositions are used to indicate when a particular event happened. These include: in, on, at, since, for, during etc.

(e.g.): 1. I was studying in the morning.

2. She was born on the 5th of July.

3. I will reach there at 6 o’clock.

II. Prepositions of place

These prepositions are used to indicate the location and come before a noun or a pronoun These include: in, on, between, behind, under, over, near etc.

(e.g.): 1.The cat is on the wall.

2. Jenny lives near her workplace.

3. Raj is in his room.

III. Prepositions of Movement

These prepositions are used to describe movement. These include: to, into, towards, through etc.

(e.g.): 1. I went to the book store.

2. The swimmer jumped into the pool.

3. The dog was coming towards him.

IV. ‘Since’ and ‘For’

Since’ refers to a particular point of time.

(e.g.): 1. I have been studying since 5 a.m., and I am at it even now.

2. The construction of this building has been going on since January.

‘For’ refers to the duration of the time.

(e.g.): 1. Maya has worked in this institution as an accountant for 23 years.

2. Many ideas were discussed for three weeks before the annual day theme was finalised.

V. ‘During and ‘In’

Both ‘during’ and ‘in’ are used to describe actions that happen in a particular period of time.

(e.g.): 1.We will be visiting my grandparents during the summer vacation.

                                                      (or)

2. We will be visiting my grandparents in the summer vacation.

VI. ‘Between’ and ‘Among’‘Between’ and ‘Among

‘Between’ is used when naming definite, individual items.

(e.g.): 1.The discussion on a sports meet between our school and other schools are going on for two days.

2. The final match will be held between India and Australia.

‘Among’ is used when the items are part of a group and are not specifically named.

(e.g.):1. The sailors divided the money among themselves; and the ship sailed on.

2. We’d discussed this point among ourselves many times over the past months.

A. Choose the most appropriate preposition from the brackets

1. We have been living in Chennai for eight years. (for/ since)

2. Abdul has taken after his father. (after/ at)

3. Vimal generally goes to his workplace by bus. (by/on)

4. The cricket ball was hidden among the leaves. (among/ between)

5. Mani divided his toys between his brothers and sisters. (among/ between)

B. Identify the prepositions in the given sentences and underline them.

1. Riya borrowed a dress from me and lent it to her friend, Mary.

2. When I moved back to the city, things had changed considerably.

3. The burglar found the keys under the pot in the balcony.

4. Prabhu was hiding behind the door when his sister came looking for him.

5. My dog sat on my hat and squashed it.

Answer:

1. Riya borrowed a dress from me and lent it to her friend, Mary.

2. When I moved back to the city, things had changed considerably.

3. The burglar found the keys under the pot in the balcony.

4. Prabhu was hiding behind the door when his sister came looking for him.

5. My dog sat on my hat and squashed it.

C. Complete the passage by filling in appropriate prepositions from the list-(with, out, to, in, from, during, of, for, by). Some prepositions may be used more than once.

In Tamil Nadu, a very interesting form of recitation named Villupattu developed (a) __________ the 15th century. Villupattu means bow-song because a bow-shaped musical instrument (b) ___________ strong high tension string is used (c) __________ placing it (d) _______________ an earthen pitcher. It is believed that this narrative form was an invention (e) __________ Arasa Pulavar. The troupe gives its performance mostly (f) ___________ temple festivals. There are seven to eight persons in a troupe who form a kind (g) ___________ chorus that supports the main singer-narrator. Whe the chief narrator sings, the chorus takes (h) ____________ the refrain _______________ the song and repeats it in unison. The whole party sits _____________theground and performs (k) __________ a lot ____________ gesticulation and facial expression to suit the narrative they have taken. The ballad style songs are composed (m) __________ the rural dialect which appeals (n) ___________ the audience who sometimes join the troupe (o) ____________ suitable notes or words.

Answers:

a) in b) with c) for d) in e) of f) during g) of h) out i) of j) in k) on I) of m) of n) to o) with

Prepositional verbs

Some verbs are usually followed by prepositions before the object of the verb.

Examples

i. The kids laughed at the hilarious antics of the clown.

ii. Fathima planned to stay at a hotel, when she visited Mumbai.

iii. I have pressing matters to attend to in Kolkata.

iv. I believe in the healing power of a mother’s touch.

v. She was so happy in life that she could not ask for more.

vi. The elderly couple care for their pets as they do for their children.

vii. I agree with everything you’ve said.

D. Frame sentences using the prepositional verbs given in the box.

benefit from 

stand in        

stay at           

go into          

prepare for   

pay for

rely on

joke about

consist of

attend to

Answers:

1. The farmers expect to benefit from the government.

2. The Vice- President stands in for the president when he is away.

3. She stayed at home when her children were young.

4. The plane went into a nose dive.

5. I am preparing for the I.A.S examination.

6. The rail pass will pay for itself after about two trips.

7. We cannot rely on others.

8. She often joked about all the things that could go wrong.

9. The committee consists of twelve members.

10. The nurse attended to the patient's request.

E. Given below is a picture of a carnival. Complete the factual description by filling in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

Fairs and festivals form an integral part of the culture of Tamil Nadu. They are an excellent platform to promote and preserve the vibrant art and culture of the Tamils.

A thiruvizha (festival) is a source of excitement and thrill for villagers. The village thoroughfare wears a festive look, as the open spaces are cleaned, spruced up and decorated (a) ________colourful streamers.

People throng the premises (b) ______catch a glimpse (c)________their village deity (d)______ a magnificently decorated chariot, and pay their respects. There is a big crowd (e)_____ the food stalls that serve free piping hot sakkarai pongal (sweet pongal), lemon rice and curd rice.

People (f)______nearby villages and towns display their wares attractively, and call out loudly (g)______the people (h)_______buy their wares. Cotton candy, cut raw mangoes smothered (i)________salt and chilly powder, boiled groundnuts, murukku, sweets, buttermilk etc are sold. Men, women, grandmas, grandpas and little children dressed (j)_________their best clothes, enjoy the Thiruvizha greatly.

You can hear the shrieks (k)________happy children enjoying the rides on ferris wheels and carousels, elders looking (l)_________ each other with smiles on their faces.

The entire day is spent (m) _______fun and gaiety. All the village people irrespective of their age, look forward (n)_________the thiruvizha every year.

Answers:

a) with b) to c) of d) on e) in f) from g) to h) to i) with j) in k) of l) at m) in / on n) to