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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Below
1. Lower than; under - below freezing; below sea level
2. Later on a page - Footnotes are provided below the text.
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Beneath
1. Lower than; below - beneath the earth
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Beside
1. Next to; at the side of - I sit beside her in class.
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Besides
1. Also; as well as - We study other languages besides English.
Note the differing meanings of beside and besides. Beside is usually used with reference to a physical location.
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Between
1. An intermediate location - Toronto lies between Montreal and Vancouver.
2. An intermediate time - between Christmas and New Year's Day
3. Intermediate in a series - B comes between A and C in the alphabet.
4. An intermediate amount - between five and ten people
5. Within a group of two - The money was shared between two people.
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Beyond
1. Farther than - The mountains lie beyond the horizon.
2. Further than; exceeding - That was beyond my expectations.
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But
1. Except - I have read all but the last chapter.
Note - But is used more often as a conjunction than as a preposition.
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By
1. Near - a house by the sea
2. Past - He waved as he drove by the house.
3. Not later than - Try to finish the work by next week.
4. In units of - cheaper by the dozen; sold by weight
5. Through the means of - travel by plane; written by him
Note - By is often used in combination with verbs in the Passive Voice.
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Despite
1. In spite of - We walked downtown despite the rain.
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Down
1. To a lower position - The ball rolled down the hill.
2. Further along - He lives down the street.
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During
1. Throughout a period - She works during the day.
2. Sometime within a period - An accident occurred during the night.
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Except
1. Not including - I have visited everyone except him.
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For
1. Duration of time - We walked for two hours.
2. Distance - I walked for five kilometers.
3. Purpose - I bought this jacket for you.
4. In the direction of - She left for New York.
5. In favor of - We are for the proposal.
6. Considering - The boy is clever for his age.
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From
1. Place of origin - We left from Boston; he comes from Mexico
2. Start of a period of time - from now on; from yesterday until today
3. Start of a range - From 20 to 30 people were present.
4. Cause - He suffers from nervousness.
5. Source - I first heard the story from you.
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In
1. Place thought of as an area - in London; in Europe
2. Within a location - in the room; in the building
3. Large units of time - That happened in March, in 1992.
4. Within a certain time - I will return in an hour.
5. By means of - write in pencil; speak in English
6. Condition - in doubt; in a hurry; in secret
7. A member of - He is in the orchestra; in the navy
8. Wearing - the boy in the blue shirt
9. With reference to - lacking in ideas; rich in oil
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Inside
1. Within - They are inside the house.
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Into
1. To the inside of - We stepped into the room.
2. Change of condition - The boy changed into a man.
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Like
1. Resembling - That looks like him.
2. Appearing possible - It looks like rain.
3. Be in a suitable mood for - I feel like going swimming.
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Near
1. Close to - near the school; near the ocean
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Of
1. Location - east of here; the middle of the road
2. Possession - a friend of mine; the sound of music
3. Part of a group - one of us; a member of the team
4. Measurement - a cup of milk; two meters of snow
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Off
1. Not on; away from - Please keep off the grass.
2. At some distance from - There are islands off the coast.
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On
1. Touching the surface of - on the table; on the wall
2. A certain day - That happened on Sunday, on the 6th of June.
3. A certain street - on South Street
4. About - a book on engineering
5. A state or condition - on strike; on fire; on holiday
6. By means of - live on a pension; shown on television
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Onto
1. To a position on - The child climbed onto the table.
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Opposite
1. Facing - The library is opposite the fire station.
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Out of
1. To the outside of - She went out of the room.
2. From among - We won two games out of three.
3. Motive - We spoke to them out of politeness.
4. Material - The bridge is made out of steel.
5. Beyond - out of control; out of danger
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Outside
1. On the outer side of - outside the house
2. Beyond the limits of - outside my experience
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Over
1. Above; higher than - There are cupboards over the sink.
2. Covering - We spread an extra blanket over the bed.
3. Across - I jumped over a puddle.
4. More than - It cost over ten dollars; it took over an hour
5. During - I saw him several times over the past week.
6. By means of - We made plans over the telephone.
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Past
1. Up to and beyond - I walked past the house.
2. After (in time) - It was past 2 o'clock; half past two
3. Beyond - past belief
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Since
1. From a specific time in the past - I had been waiting since two o'clock.
2. From a past time until now - I have been waiting here since noon.
Note - Because of its meaning, the preposition since is usually used in combination with a perfect tense. It should be noted that the preposition for can also be used with a perfect tense. However, when used with reference to time, for is usually followed by a phrase referring to a period of time; whereas since is usually followed by a phrase referring to a specific time.
e.g. I have known him for six months.
I have known him since January.
In the first example, for is followed by six months, which refers to a period of time. In the second example, since is followed by January, which refers to a specific time.
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Through
1. Across; from end to end of - the main road through town
2. For the whole of a period - I slept through the night.
3. By means of - Skill improves through practice.
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Throughout
1. In every part of - throughout the world
2. For the whole of a period - throughout the winter
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Till
Note - Till can be used instead of until. However, at the beginning of a sentence, until is usually used.
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To
1. In the direction of - Turn to the right.
2. Destination - I am going to Rome.
3. Until - from Monday to Friday; five minutes to ten
4. Compared with - They prefer hockey to soccer.
5. With indirect object - Please give it to me.
6. As part of infinitive - I like to ski; he wants to help.
7. In order to - We went to the store to buy soap.
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Toward (or Towards)
1. In the direction of - We walked toward the center of town.
2. Near; just before (time) - It rained towards evening.
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Under
1. Beneath - under the desk; under the trees
2. Less than - Under 100 people were present.
3. In circumstances of - under repair; under way; under discussion
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Underneath
1. Below, under - underneath the carpet
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Until
1. Up to a certain time - She will stay until Friday; until 5 p.m.
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Upon
Note - On and upon have similar meanings. Upon may be used in certain expressions, as in once upon a time, and following certain verbs, as in to rely upon someone.
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Up
1. To a higher place - We went up the stairs.
2. In a higher place - She lives up the hill.
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Up to
1. As far as - up to now; I have read up to page 100.
2. Depending on - The decision is up to you.
3. As good as; ready for - His work is up to standard.
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with
1. Accompanying - He came with her; I have my keys with me.
2. Having; containing - Here is a book with a map of the island.
3. By means of; using - I repaired the shoes with glue.
4. Manner - with pleasure; with ease; with difficulty
5. Because of - We were paralyzed with fear.
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Within
1. Inside of - within twenty minutes; within one kilometer
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Without
1. Not having - Do not leave without your coat; without money
Maxutils.com Contents Highlights
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