About
1. On the subject of - This is a story about Zebra.
2. Approximately - She is about ten years old.
Above
1. Higher than; over - The plane flew above the clouds.
2. Earlier on a page - There is a heading above each diagram.
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Across
1. From one side to the other - We ran across the field.
2. On the other side of - There is a shop across the street.
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After
1. Later in time - after ten o'clock; after lunch
2. Later in a series - Q comes after P in the alphabet.
3. In pursuit of - The dog ran after the cat.
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Against
1. In opposition to - Theft is against the law.
2. Touching; supported by - I leaned my bicycle against the wall.
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Along
1. Following the length of - We walked along the road.
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Among
1. Within a group - The money was shared among three people.
Note - In formal English, among is usually used only when referring to more than two persons or things. In contrast, between is used when referring to two persons or things.
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Around
1. Circling something - We walked around the block.
2. Surrounding - There is a fence around the garden.
3. In different parts of - I looked around the house for the keys.
4. In the other direction - We turned around and went back home.
5. Approximately - He is around six feet tall.
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At
1. A specific location - at Gateway of India; at the park
2. A point in time - at 3 o'clock; at Christmas
3. A condition - at peace; at war; at rest
4. An activity - at work; at school; at play
5. Towards - Look at someone; wave at someone
Note - When referring to a specific location or to a point in time, at is usually used. When referring to a certain street or a certain day, on is usually used. When referring to a location as an area, or when referring to a unit of time longer than a day, in is usually used.
e.g. at Christmas; on Christmas day; in the Christmas holidays
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Before
1. Earlier in time - before 3 o'clock; before Christmas
2. Earlier in a series - J comes before K in the alphabet.
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Behind
1. At the back of - The little girl hid behind her father.
2. Late - I am behind in my work.
3. Cause; origin - Who was behind that idea?
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