WHEN TO USE PREPOSITIONS
One of the problems non-English speakers who are learning English and even native English speakers have is the proper use of prepositions. In many foreign countries executives are sometimes taught English at corporate training courses but chances are the correct use of prepositions is not taught. The words in English grammar that specify the place, direction and time are referred to as prepositions. The number of times a preposition used in a sentence determines its meaning. Propositions link the other words in a sentence and give a meaning to it. The four most commonly used prepositions are in, of, to and at.
You must keep the following points in mind while making use of prepositions-
Never make use prepositions at the end of a sentence. This will help you avoid confusion
Eg. Notice the joy the boy opens metal boxes with.
Correction – Notice the joy with which the boy opens the metal boxes.
The best source that will help you know how to use the right prepositions at the right time is the dictionary.
People are generally confused between the meanings of two words and use them interchangeably.
Ø Beside and besides-
Besides means apart from something, while beside means next to something.
Eg. I stood beside him.
He plays guitar besides keyboard and flute.
Ø Since and For-
Since is used when you want to specify the starting point up to the present date. On the other for specifies and quantifies the time period.
Eg. He has been sick since his childhood.
He has been sick for 2 years now.
Ø Between and among-
Between is used for two objects or persons while among is used in case of more than 2 objects or people.
Eg. I stood between john and Jacob
Stop quarrelling among yourselves.
Ø By and with-
By is used for a living object while with for a non living object.
Eg. He wrote with his pencil
He was beaten by his friends.
There are many more such combinations of words like In and At, In and Upon, In and Within (in terms of time), etc. and their wrong usage must be avoided.
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