Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They are usually short words, such as "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to." However, their correct usage can sometimes be confusing due to subtle differences in meaning or context. This chapter will delve into some of the most troublesome or confusing prepositions and provide clarity on their proper use.
Part I: Prepositions of Time
- At, On,
and In
- At is used for specific times:
"at 5 o'clock," "at noon," "at midnight."
- Example:
Ada always wakes up at 6 a.m.
- On is used for days and dates:
"on Monday," "on July 4th," "on Christmas
Day."
- Example:
Chinedu's birthday is on May 15th.
- In is used for longer periods
like months, years, decades, or centuries: "in January,"
"in 2020," "in the 21st century."
- Example:
They moved to Abuja in 2019.
- By and
Until
- By indicates a deadline:
something will happen before a specific time.
- Example:
Please submit your assignment by Friday.
- Until (or till) indicates that
something will continue up to a specific time.
- Example:
The meeting will last until 3 p.m.
Part II: Prepositions of Place
- In, On,
and At
- In is used for enclosed spaces:
"in a room," "in a building," "in a car,"
"in Nigeria."
- Example:
They live in Lagos.
- On is used for surfaces:
"on the table," "on the wall," "on the
floor."
- Example:
The book is on the desk.
- At is used for specific
locations: "at the door," "at the station," "at
the intersection."
- Example:
I will meet you at the bus stop.
- Between
and Among
- Between is used when referring to two
entities.
- Example:
The secret was shared between Tunde and Amaka.
- Among is used when referring to
more than two entities.
- Example:
There was a lot of excitement among the students.
Part III: Prepositions of Direction
and Movement
- To and
Towards
- To indicates movement in the
direction of a specific destination.
- Example:
Uche walked to the market.
- Towards indicates movement in the
direction of something, but not necessarily to a specific destination.
- Example:
She ran towards the sound of the music.
- Into
and Onto
- Into indicates movement from the
outside to the inside of something.
- Example:
They jumped into the pool.
- Onto indicates movement to a
position on the surface of something.
- Example:
The cat climbed onto the roof.
Part IV: Prepositions of Cause and
Reason
- Because
of and Due to
- Because
of is
used to give a reason.
- Example:
The event was cancelled because of the rain.
- Due
to is
often used after the verb "to be" to indicate the reason for
something.
- Example:
The cancellation was due to rain.
- For and
With
- For is used to indicate purpose
or reason.
- Example:
They are studying for the exam.
- With is used to indicate the means
or instrumentality.
- Example:
He wrote the letter with a pen.
Part V: Prepositions in Idiomatic
Expressions
- By and
With
- By in passive constructions to
indicate the doer of the action.
- Example:
The song was written by Fela Kuti.
- With to indicate the means used to
achieve something.
- Example:
She mixed the paint with a brush.
- On and
In
- On to indicate something is
happening.
- Example:
The show is on now.
- In to indicate involvement or
participation.
- Example:
She is in a play at school.
Common Mistakes and Exercises
- Using
At vs. In vs. On Incorrectly
- Mistake:
She will arrive on 6 p.m.
- Correction:
She will arrive at 6 p.m.
- Confusing
To and For
- Mistake:
This gift is to you.
- Correction:
This gift is for you.
Practice Exercises
- Fill in
the blanks with the correct prepositions (at, in, on):
- We
are meeting ____ noon ____ Sunday ____ the park.
- Choose
the correct preposition (between or among):
- The
teacher divided the sweets ____ the two students.
- The secret was shared ____ the group.
Understanding
and correctly using prepositions can greatly enhance the clarity and precision
of your communication. By practising these troublesome prepositions, you will
become more confident in their usage, reducing errors and improving your
overall language skills. Remember to pay attention to context, as it often
dictates the correct preposition to use.