Pretext- this is a service part of speech, reflecting the spatial, temporal, causal or other types of relationships between two significant words.

In Russian, such relations are often expressed using cases, while in English, cases are rudimentary, and it is prepositions and word order that are most often used to build sentences.

Prepositions in English are a service part of speech and, as a result, cannot be used independently and changed. Prepositions are not considered members of a sentence.

Although they are traditionally considered a separate part of speech, prepositions are often very close in meaning to adverbs and conjunctions.

Forms of English prepositions

English prepositions are divided into simple (simple), derivative (derived), complex (compound) and compound / phrasal (composite / phrasal).

simple the vast majority of English prepositions have the form:

At - at, about, in, on

In - in, on, for, through

About - about, around, at, by

Against- against, facing, on

before- before, before, before

Derivatives prepositions come from words of other parts of speech:

Concerning- regarding, concerning

Including - including, including

Depending - depending

Granted - provided that

Complex prepositions include several components:

Composite or phrasal English prepositions are a phrase. They include a word from another part of speech and one or two prepositions:

Because of - because of

Instead of - instead of

By virtue of in force, on the basis of

For the sake of - for the sake of

With regard to - relatively, in relation to

At the same time, none of the elements of the compound preposition can be expanded, shortened or changed in any other way - they all remain a whole unit.

The meaning of a compound preposition is closely related to the meaning of the significant word in its composition.

Differences in the use of English prepositions with Russian

Some verbs that require a preposition in English are used without it in Russian, and vice versa:

To ask for- ask

to wait for- wait

To look for- search

To listen to- listen

To belong to- belong

To care for- be in love

to explain to- explain

To answer - answer on the

To climb- get up on the

To cross- cross over across

To doubt doubt v

To enter - enter v

To fight - to fight With

To follow- to follow per

To join- join To

To leave - leave from

To need - need v

To play - play v

To affect - influence on the

How to distinguish a preposition from an adverb

Some English prepositions coincide in their spelling with adverbs, and can only be distinguished by their role in the sentence. Prepositions in English only reflect the relationship between significant parts of speech. Adverbs carry their own meaning and can define a verb. In addition, logical stress usually falls on them.

Today, English has achieved such international recognition that it is studied in all countries of the world, and caring parents try to instill in their child knowledge of a foreign language from a very young age. However, we all know how English is a complex and grammatically confusing language, in which there are sometimes more exceptions than rules. Not every adult can cope with such volumes of information, how then should children be? Learn English in a fun and playful way! Today we will try to explain in this way the main prepositions in English for children as clearly as possible. First, we will analyze a little theory, and then we will learn it by heart.

At

This suggestion can be explained as at, near smth., at the table».

Used when an object or person is in front of another object.

Under

This preposition is indicated by the word " under».

Phrase	Pronunciation	Translation
My car is under the tree.	/May car from under the three/	My car is under a tree.

Denotes being behind someone, smth.

near

To be near, at a close distance from someone, something.

To be very close to someone, something.

Phrase	Pronunciation	Translation
My dog ​​is sitting next to me.	/May dog ​​from seating next to mi/	My dog ​​is sitting next to me.

So that prepositions in English are not too complicated for children, refer to their image in funny pictures more often. So the child is not only more interested in learning new material, but it is also much easier to remember the meaning of prepositions.

How to mark the time?

Let's study a small group of function words that will help us build sentences with a specific tense. There is absolutely no difficulty in studying these prepositions, especially since we all already know them, only in a different meaning.

So, to say some specific time of day, as well as indicate hours and minutes, we will use the preposition at.

And, if we need to specify any day or holiday, we will use the service word on.

If the account goes over to weeks, months and years, then we will use the auxiliary word in.

That's all! We have completed this difficult topic. It remains to find out how to learn basic English prepositions With children fast and fun.

Prepositions in English for children in an interactive form

Memorizing new words is boring even for adults, and even careless kids will not want to sit for hours on tables and exercises. An interactive simulator, which can be downloaded on our page, will help them cope with English grammar. With a bright and colorful presentation, children are happy to learn new material in English. Another great way to lead the class is to practice prepositions with a funny song. Below is the song itself, as well as a transcript of the text with translation and pronunciation, so that parents and kids can immediately sing along to the performers.

Other English topics: Flashcards for children in English - tips and tricks for conducting lessons

Song Where is...?

Phrase	Pronunciation	Translation
One, two, three, four.	/One tu sri foor/	One two three four.
Where is the mouse?	/Ware from the mouse?/	Where is the mouse?
The mouse is in the house.	/The mouse from in the house/	Mouse in the house.
Where is the cat?	/Warefromzecat?/	Where is a cat?
The cat is in the hat.	/Ze cat from inze hat/	Cat in a hat.
Where is the fish?	/Ware from the fish?/	Where is the fish?
The fish is in the dish.	/The Fish from In The Dish/	Fish in a pot.
Where are you?	/Ware ar yu?/	Where are you?
I'm in the classroom.	/Aim in the classroom/	I'm in class.
One, two, three, four	/One tu sri foor/	One two three four.
Where is the bear?	/Warefromzerem?/	Where is the bear?
The bear is on the chair.	/ Ze rem from he ze cher /	Bear on a chair.
Where is the snake?	/Ware from the Snake?/	Where is the snake?
The snake is on the cake.	/The Snake from the On The Cake/	The snake in the cake.
Where is the guitar?	/Warefromzeguitars?/	Where is the guitar?
The guitar is on the car	/Ze guitars from he the car/	Guitar in the car.
Where are you?	/Ware ar yu?/	Where are you?
I'm on a chair too.	/Aim on e cher tu/	I am also in the chair.
In, on, under, in front of, behind, next to, between x2	/ In, he, under, in front of, behind, next to, bituin /	In, on, under, in front of, behind, next to, between.
One, two, three, four	/One tu sri foor/	One two three four.
Where is the fox?	/Warefromzefox?/	Where is the fox?
The fox is under the box.	/the fox from under the box/	Fox under the box.
Where is the train?	/Ware from the train?/	Where is the train?
The train is under the airplane.	/The Train from Under The Airplane/	Train under the plane.
Where is the rose?	/Ware from the rose?/	Where is the rose?
The rose is under the nose.	/The Rose from Underthe The Nose/	Rose under the nose.
Where are you?	/WarearYu?/	Where are you?
We're under the moon.	/Vir ander the moon/	We are under the moon.
In, on, under, in front of, behind, next to, between	/In, he, under, infrontof, behind, next tou, bituin/	In, on, under, in front of, behind, next to, between.

Prepositions in English are a sore subject for anyone who studies the language. Yes, what is there - even carriers sometimes get confused in them. To make it easier for you to remember the rules for using prepositions that are most often confused, Skyeng Magazine has made beautiful and understandable signs.

prepositions of time

Often mistakes when using prepositions of time arise from the fact that we translate literally: "See you on Monday". Use in looks logical, but in fact you need to use on. But when we plan to meet someone in May, it will be right in May, but if at 10 am, then you need to use at, because it means the exact time.

Prepositions of place

When you need to report the presence of an object in a limited space, you should use the preposition in. Countries and cities also have borders, so they are included in this paragraph. If something lies on the surface, you need an excuse on. And to talk about a specific location, you need a preposition at.

about vs. Of

Prepositions about and of after verbs, they often give them additional semantic meanings. And it is important not to confuse them, because, for example, to dream about means "to dream" to dream of- "dream". Agree, the difference is significant.

Between vs. Among

Among(among) is used when talking about an object or person who is part of a group. Between(between) is used in relation to separate objects or people. By the way, the statement that between can only be used when it comes to two participants or objects - this is a myth. You can read more about this.

Ask for vs. Ask about

The difference in use is again semantic. When you need to ask for an item, use the construction ask for. And if you want to know some general information, use ask about.

If you want to brush up on even more grammar sections - leave your mail and we will send you a personal plan "English to improve grammar" in pdf format. Inside you will find:

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Almost everyone who starts learning a language faces difficulties when using English prepositions.

The fact is that, using English prepositions, very often we adhere to the “Russian logic” and literally translate them. Because of this, we make a lot of mistakes.

In the article I will talk about 4 groups of English prepositions:

• prepositions of place
• direction prepositions,
• prepositions of time
• reason suggestions.

Prepositions of direction in English

Prepositions of direction are used to show the direction of movement of a person or object.

For example: "She left the house."

Pretext	Translation	Usage	Example
Across	across	Someone moves from one side of something to the other.	He was swimming across the river. He swam across the river.
along	along, along	Walk forward in the direction of the length of something.	go straight along this street. Go straight along this street.
Down	down	Move from a high position to a lower one.	We skied down the slope. We skied down the slope.
Up	up	Move from a low position to a higher position.	We are walking up stairs. We go up the stairs.
round/around	around	Move in a circle, surround something.	They danced around a fir-tree. They danced around the tree.
Into	v	Get inside something, go somewhere.	she came into the building. She entered the building.
out (of)	from	To come out from somewhere, to move from the inside out.	He went out of a restaurant. He left the restaurant.
Through	through, through	From one side (entrance) move to the other side (exit).	We will walk through the forest. We will go through the forest.
To	To	Used to say where someone is going, towards what they are moving.	They are going to the cinema. They go to the cinema.

Prepositions of time in English

prepositions of time we need to indicate the time when something happened / is happening / will happen.

For example: "She will have finished work by 5 pm."

Let's look at the table of usage of these prepositions.

Pretext	Translation	Usage	Example
For	during	Used to say how long an action or situation lasts.	She was baking the cake for an hour. She baked a cake for an hour.
During	during, throughout	Indicates that an action or situation lasted from the beginning to the end of some period of time.	They were studying during the night. They worked all night.
Since	since then	We use it when we say that something is happening or has happened since a certain period of time in the past.	He has known her since childhood. He has known her since childhood.
By	To	Indicates that an action will occur before or not later than a certain time or moment.	You have to send me the documents by the Friday. You need to send me the documents by Friday.
Until/till	before	We use this word when something happens up to a certain time, and then stops.	Let's wait until Monday. Let's wait until Sunday.
From…to	From to…	We use it when we say that something happened from one period of time to another.	We work from nine to five. We work from nine to five.
Before	before	We use it when we say that something happened before a certain action or event.	Read instructions before use. Read the instructions before use.
After	after	We use it when we say that something happened after some event or after someone did something.	You should rest after the exercise. You need to rest after this exercise.
Over	for, during	Used when you have been doing something (intermittently) for a period of time.	I am going to study English over my holidays. I am going to study English during my holidays.
Ago	back	Used to show how long ago something happened in the past.	They got married 5 years ago. They got married 5 years ago.
Within	no later than; during	It is used when we say that an action must be completed before a certain period of time occurs. We emphasize the limited period.	I will answer within three days. I will reply within three days.
up to	before	We say that something happened / is happening before a certain period.	He has kept the secret up to now. He kept this secret until this time.
In	v	Used with months, with times of day, with years, with seasons, with long periods of time.	We met in 2001. We met in 2001.
At	v	It is used with clocks, with certain moments of the day, with weekends and holidays.	She will come at 6 o'clock. She will come at 6 o'clock.
On	v	Used with dates, with days of the week, with special dates.	He was born on October 9. He was born on October 9th.

Prepositions of cause and purpose

Prepositions of cause and purpose we need to say why or for what an action took place.

For example: "She didn't come because she was sick."

Here are the main prepositions of this group.

Pretext	Translation	Usage	Example
Because of	Because, because of	Used to say who or what causes something to happen or is the cause of something. Most often used in colloquial speech.	He was absent because of illness. He was absent due to illness. He left because of you. He left because of you.
In accordance with	According to, according to	We use it when something happens according to a rule or law.	We have finished the work in accordance with her instructions. We finished the job according to her instructions. In accordance with the law I have prepared a contract. In accordance with the law, I prepared a contract.
On account of	As a result, due to	We use it when we say that something happened because of something. In particular, because of some problems or difficulties.	We couldn't sleep on account of the noise. We couldn't sleep because of the noise. The bus was delayed on account of a snowfall. The bus was delayed due to snowfall.
Thanks to	Thanks, because	We use it when something happened because of someone or something. Most often something good.	We have tickets to the game thanks to you. We have tickets to the game thanks to you. I found this apartment thanks to my friend. I found this apartment thanks to my friend.
due to	Due to thanks	Used when something happened because of something (often with a negative connotation). In most cases, it is used in formal, formal occasions.	The plane was delayed due to a technical problem. Due to a technical problem, the flight was delayed. The game was postponed due to rain. The game was postponed due to rain.
Through	Thanks, because	Used when something happens because of something.	I lost the picnic through sickness. I missed the picnic due to illness. He failed his exams through not studying enough. He failed his exams because he didn't study properly.
From	By, from	Used to say why you think or believe something. Also used to talk about what causes something.	I guessed from her accent that she is French. I guessed from her accent that she was French. From what I "ve heard, the new exam will be more difficult. From what I've heard, the new exam will be more difficult.
Of	From, because of, by	Shows the reason why something happened (usually bad).	The economy is the cause of the crisis. The economy has become the cause of the crisis. He died of a heart attack. He died of a heart attack.
For	For, for, for	We use it when we say that we are doing / using something for a specific purpose. Also, when something happens because of or as a result of something.	I have bought him a cake for his birthday. I bought him a cake for his party. We could hardly see for the mist. We could barely see because of the fog.

So, now you are familiar with English prepositions. Let's put them into practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments.

1. Cat in a box.
2. They walked along the street.
3. She was late because of traffic.
4. The meeting will start at 7 o'clock.
5. The ball is under the sofa.