Prepositions, adverb particles and phrasal verbs 8.1 Prepositions, adverb particles and conjunctions

8.1 A Words we can use either as prepositions or as adverbs [> LEG 3.4,7.3.4]

1 There are many 'small words' in English such as up, down, and by which we call prepositions. In fact, we use these as prepositions or adverb particles. Understanding the difference between the two will help us to understand 'phrasal verbs' [> 8.6-8].

2 A preposition must have an object (a noun or a pronoun), so it is always related to a noun: across the road, over the wall, up the hill, down the mountain.

3 An adverb particle does not need an object, so it is more closely related to a verb: walk across, drive over, come up, climb down.

4 We can use the following words either as prepositions or adverb particles: about, above, across, after, along, before, behind, below, beneath, between, beyond, by, down, in, inside, near, off, on, opposite, outside, over, past, round, through, under, underneath, up, without. This means we can say: We drove round the city, (round has a noun object, so it's a preposition). We drove round, (round has no object, so it's an adverb particle).

Write: You are giving instructions to a young child. Give each instruction twice.

1 (run across the road)... Run across the road. Run across now. 2 (climb over the wall)... 3 (come inside the house)... 4 (go down the hill)... 5 (go up the ladder)... 6 (run past the window)...

 

8.1 B Words we can use only as prepositions or only as adverbs [> LEG 8.4.2-3]

1 We use some 'small words' only as prepositions, so they always have a noun or pronoun object: against, among, at, beside, during, except, for, from, into, of, onto, on top of, out of, since, till / until, to, toward(s), upon, with. This means we have to say: e.g. Sit beside me. We can't say *Sit beside.*

2 We use other 'small words' only as adverb particles, so they do not have an object: away, back, backward(s), downward(s), forward(s), on top, out, upward(s). This means we have to say: e.g. Don't go near the fire. Stay away! (Not 'Stay away the fire!’)

Write: You are answering the question What did you do? Supply suitable noun objects where possible. 1 We waited at the station 2 We went to... 3 We jumped back... 4 We climbed out... 5 We drove away… 6 We ran into... 7 We ran out of... 8 We went upwards…

8.1 C Words we can use either as prepositions or conjunctions [> LEG 8.4.4, 1.45.1]

1 There are a few words we can use either as prepositions or conjunctions: after, as, before, since and till/until [> 1.8,1.9, 7.3A-B].

2 When we use them as prepositions, we have a noun or pronoun object after them: Let's have our meeting after lunch.

3 When we use them as conjunctions, we have a clause [> 1.5] after them: Let's have our meeting after we have had lunch.

Write: Complete these sentences with a) a noun object b) a clause.

1 I can't work before... before breakfast/before I have had breakfast. 2 I'll meet you after... 3 I'll wait here till... 4 I've been staying at this hotel since...

8.1 D Object pronouns after prepositions: 'between you and me' [> LEG 83] We use the object form of a pronoun, not the subject form, after a preposition [> 4.1 A]: Between you and me, I think he's a fool. (Not *Between you and I*)

Write: Circle the right forms in these sentences.1 The invitation is for my husband and (me / (not) I) 2 She gave these presents to (us/we). 3 Share this between yourselves and (they/them). 4 For (we/us), the older generation, there have been many changes in society. 5 Employers are keen on people like (us/we) who work hard. 6 The news came as quite a surprise to a person like (me/I).

 

8.1 E Write: Circle 17 words (including in the title) and say whether they are prepositions or particles. TWO LEGS IN ONE BOOT. (Prep .)

It was late in the afternoon. Inspector Mayhew had an hour to go before he finished work for the day. He sat in his police car watching the traffic go by. Suddenly, he sat up! A woman in a blue car drove slowly past and the inspector clearly saw a pair of man's legs sticking out of the boot! Inspector Mayhew immediately gave chase. The woman drove round the town. The blue lamp on top of the police car was flashing, but the woman paid no attention to it. The inspector finally got in front of her and made her stop. 'What's the matter?' the woman asked. 'You've got a body in the boot!' the inspector said. There was a loud laugh from the boot. 'But I'm alive,' the voice said. 'I'm a car mechanic and I'm trying to find the cause of a strange noise in the back of this car.'