Why Are Prepositions So Tricky for English Students? Here's What You Need to Know

Why Are Prepositions So Tricky For English Students? Here’s What You Need To Know

Have you ever found yourself struggling with choosing the correct preposition? I am sure you have, and you are definitely not alone! Prepositions present unique challenges. While they are deceptively simple, they are difficult to master. Let’s examine why prepositions can cause confusion and explore some ways to master them. Finally, we will look at some examples.

The Preposition Puzzle

Prepositions are small words like ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘at’, ‘with’, and ‘by’ that are used to show a relationship between other words in a sentence. Using them correctly is crucial for clear and effective communication. Here’s why they can be so confusing:

• Multiple Meanings: Many prepositions have multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts. For example, the word ‘in’ can indicate location (in the room), time (in the morning), or even condition (in disrepair).

• Idiomatic Usage: English has many idiomatic expressions where prepositions need not follow logical rules. Phrases like ‘on time’, ‘at risk’ and ‘in charge’ are not easily deduced from the individual words.

• Language Interference: Your native language may use prepositions differently, leading to translations that do not work in English. This interference often results in errors.

• Lack of Rules: Unlike other grammar topics, prepositions do not follow strict rules. This means that you often have to memorise their usage and rely on practice to get them right.

Mastering Prepositions: An Outline

Let’s look at some steps that you can take to master prepositions:

1. Learn Common Prepositions and Their Usages: Start by familiarising yourself with the most commonly used prepositions and the different contexts in which they are used.

2. Study Idiomatic Expressions: Make a list of common idiomatic expressions and phrases that involve prepositions. Practice using them in sentences.

3. Think About Pattens: Many prepositions follow a pattern within the same family. For example, we use ‘on’ specific day: ‘on Monday,’ ‘on the 15th of September’, ‘on my birthday’, ‘on Christmas day’ etc

Let’s Look at Some More Preposition Patterns

Time:

• Specific day: ‘on’ - ‘on Monday,’ ‘on the 15th of September’, ‘on my birthday’, ‘on Christmas day’

• Specific time: ‘at’ - at 3pm, at lunch, at the start

• Non-specific time (longer period): ‘in’ - in the morning, in July, in summer

Place:

• Confines of a specific location or space such as a box, house, city or country: ‘in’ - in the drawer, in the study, in Rome, in Italy

• Common phrases connected with an understood activity: ‘at’ - at work (working), at the supermarket (shopping), at university (studying), at the stadium (spectating/competing)

• Exact positions: ‘at’ - at 15 Main Street, at my desk, at home

Exceptions:

We often do not use a preposition with ‘home’. For example, ‘I am going home’ or ‘I will take you home’ (not ‘at home’ or ‘to home’). However, we would say ‘see you at home’.

Conversely, we must use a preposition with house. ‘See you at my house’ (specific location).

We say ‘I am going to Rome’ but ‘I am leaving for Rome’.

Unfortunately, these prepositions just need to be learnt. Make a note of any prepositions that are new to you or that were not as you were expecting.

This just ‘scratches the surface’ of the topic of prepositions. I am sure that we will return to the topic in the future.

Ethereum - Another Crypto ETF!

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted Bitcoin ETF (exchange-traded fund) approval in January this year. In a further sign of the acceptance of the major cryptocurrencies, the SEC approved Ethereum ETFs which started trading yesterday (23rd of July).

Just like with the Bitcoin ETF, the introduction of the Ethereum ETF will make it easier for retail investors to buy and hold Ethereum. The introduction of the ETF is expected to increase demand over time which may increase the price.

All investing decisions should be made according to your personal circumstances, goals and risk tolerance.

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Idiom of the Day: Scratch the Surface

Scratch the surface - idiom - to deal with only a small part of a subject or a problem

“We’ve only just scratched the surface of prepositions. We will have to return to this topic in the future.”

Do you have any Business English Questions?

Please email me and I will do my best to answer them in future newsletters.

Until next Wednesday - have a great week!

Iain.

www.communicateenglish.com