Step 1: General introduction
The grammar items in this unit focus on prepositions and prepositional phrases. You are expected to review the usage of some common prepositions to express time, place and movement, as well as how to use them in different situation. You will also learn that prepositions can be combined with verbs, nouns and adjectives to form prepositional phrases and the ways to use prepositional phrases in various situations. At the same time, you are expected to apply what they have learnt to practice by fulfilling some written tasks.
Step 2: Exercises:
Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions:
1. His father will be back from London＿＿＿a few days.
2. The train leaves＿＿＿6：00 p.m., so I have to be at the station＿＿＿5：40 p.m. at the latest?
3. ＿＿＿the gate and you’ll find the entrance＿＿＿the park＿＿＿the other side.
4. One＿＿＿ five will have the chance to join in the game.
5. -- Do you go there ＿＿＿bus?
-- No, we go there ＿＿＿a train.
6. I made the coat ＿＿＿my own hands. It was made＿＿＿hand, not with a machine.
7. The trees ＿＿＿front of the house are ＿＿＿the charge of Mr. Li.
8. The old man died＿＿＿ cold ＿＿＿a cold night.
9. My uncle lives＿＿＿116 Changhe Street. His room is ＿＿＿the sixth floor.
10. I don’t think you can work out the maths problem＿＿＿her help.
Keys:
1. in 2. at; by 3. At; to; on 4. in 5. by; in
6. with, by 7. in; in 8. of; on 9. at; on 10. without
Step 3: Explanation and practice:
Prepositions are used before a noun or a noun phrase. And when a verb is used after a preposition, it is usually used in its-ing form.
1. Revision some common prepositions of time like at, in, on, for, by and since:
2. Revision some common prepositions of time like at, in, on, above, against, behind, between, by, near, opposite and under:
3. Revision some common prepositions of time like to, across, along, down, into, off, over, out of, past, round, through, under, and up:
4. Read the dialogue on Page 8 and fill in the blanks with proper prepositions.
Answers
(1) for (2) at (3) until (4) by (5) during (6) to
1. Prepositions with verbs.
Some verbs in English are paired with a particular preposition to create an expression. Each of these expressions has a particular meaning. Even though there are often two or more prepositions paired with the same verb, each expression has a different meaning and they cannot be used interchangeably. For example, look at, look for, and look up have the same verb but three different prepositions. The phrases have different meanings and you cannot use look up when you need look for in your sentence.
speak to 和……说话 stay with 和某人呆在一起 think about 考虑有关……
write to 给某人写信 look for 寻找 wait for 等待
take care of 照顾 call on（sb.）拜访 arrive at（in） 到达
2. Prepositions with nouns
Prepositions can also be combined with nouns, e.g. in time for, on time, by means of, by accident, for/on sale, in air, on the market, in that case, up to date …
at least 至少 at present 目前 at first起初 at once立刻 at last最后（终于）
at night夜晚 on foot 步行 on one’s way 在去某地的路上 on the telephone 用电话
on time 准时 on behalf of 代表......利益 for a while 一会儿 for example 例如
for oneself 为了自己 for hours（days, years）有好几小时（天，年） in English 用英语
in those days在当时 in class 课上 in time 及时 in all 总计 in advance 事前
in the meantime 与此同时 in place 适当地 in hopes of(或in the hope of) 怀着.......希望
in connection with 和……有关 in contact with 和……联系 in addition to 除......以外
in case of 倘若，万一 in conflict with 和......冲突 in force 有效的，大批
in depth 彻底地 in regard to 关于 in the neighborhood of 大约、邻近
in retrospect 回顾，一想起 in the least 一点，丝毫 in alarm 惊慌、担心
in the opinion of 据……见解 in the long run/term 从长远说来 in one's opinion 在……看来
in word 口头上 in a word 总之 in vain 无益地, 白白地 in case 如果，万一，以防
in detail 详细地 in haste 急急忙忙地 in conclusion 总之 in spite of 尽管
in honour/memory of 为纪念 in charge of 负责 in praise of 赞扬
in other words... 换句话说 in return 作为回报 in the name of 以......名义
in doubt 怀疑 in debt 负债 by the way 顺便说 by oneself 独自地
after school 放学后 of course 当然 at work 在工作 at school在上学
at war 在交战
3. Prepositions with adjectives
Some prepositions can also be combined with adjectives, e. g. good at, capable of, fond of, full of, happy with …
be absent from 缺席 be proud of 以……为自豪 be different from 和……不同
be famous for 因……而著名 be fond of…… 爱好，喜欢 be pleased with 乐于
be sorry for（sth.）为……抱歉 be afraid of 害怕…… be kind to 对某人亲切
be good at 在……做得好；擅长于…… be late for迟到 be confident in 对 ……有信心
be interested in对 ……感性趣
4. Now, please complete the introduction to the digital camera on page 9.
Answers
(1)on sale (2) up to date (3) capable of (4) stands for (5) satisfied with
(6) on the market (7) In that case (8) in time for (9) up to (10) agree with
For reference: More explanation of Preposition:
1. Prepositions of manner and means. The prepositions in (---manner/way), by , with , without , as or like can be used to refer to manner, meaning ‘how one does something’. For example:
She spoke in her usual way as if nothing had happened.
The teacher came into the classroom, with some books on her hands.
The soldier answered the question without hesitation.
My aunt makes tea like my mother.
He cannot run as quickly as his brother.
By can be used to show the meaning ‘by means of ’. For example:
They must have broken into the house by the back door.
We managed to sell our car by advertising it in the newspaper.
I usually go to school by bike.
With or without can be used to express using awn instrument to do something.
He opened the tin with a knife.
I can draw a straight line without a ruler.
2. The functions of prepositional phrases
● as an adverbial
My mother has worked in the school for nearly twenty years.
To our great surprise, all of the students have passed the exam.
My father goes to work on foot, but if it rain, he will go by bus.
● as an attribute
The girl under the tree is my good friend.
The book with a red cover was given to me as a birthday present.
Please pass me the one on the left.
● as an object complement
Later, I found my watch in my pocket.
I left my book in the classroom.
Before it is ready to eat, we’d better keep it in the fridge for a while.
3. When a preposition is used after an intransitive verb to form a prepositional verb, the prepositional verb can be followed by an object. For example :
Who will look after the children when Mother is away?
You can always believe in him. He won’t let you down.
Let’s look over the notes before the test.
For reference
英语介词的用法口诀
早、午、晚要用in，at黎明、午夜、点与分。
年、月、年月、季节、周，阳光、灯、影、衣、冒in。
将来时态in...以后，小处at大处in。
有形with无形by，语言、单位、材料in。
特征、方面与方式，心情成语惯用in。
介词at和to表方向，攻击、位置、恶、善分。
日子、日期、年月日，星期加上早、午、晚，
收音、农场、值日on，关于、基础、靠、著论。
着、罢、出售、偷、公、假，故意、支付、相反，准。
特定时日和"一……就"，on后常接动名词。
年、月、日加早、午、晚，of之前on代in。
步行、驴、马、玩笑on，cab，carriage则用in。
at山脚、门口、在当前，速、温、日落、价、核心。
工具、和、同随with，具有、独立、就、原因。
就……来说宾译主，对、有、方状、表细分。
海、陆、空、车、偶、被by，单数、人类known to man。
this、that、tomorrow，yesterday，next、last、one。
接年、月、季、星期、周，介词省略已习惯。
over、under正上下，above、below则不然，
若与数量词连用，混合使用亦无关。'
beyond超出、无、不能，against靠着，对与反。
besides，except分内外，among之内along沿。
同类比较except，加for异类记心间。
原状because of,、 owing to、 due to表语形容词
under后接修、建中，of、from物、化分。
before、after表一点, ago、later表一段。
before能接完成时，ago过去极有限。
since以来during间，since时态多变换。
与之相比beside，除了last but one。
复不定for、找、价、原，对、给、段、去、为、作、赞。
快到、对、向towards，工、学、军、城、北、上、南。
but for否定用虚拟，复合介词待后言。
ing型由于鉴，除了除外与包合。
之后、关于、在......方面，有关介词须记全。
in内to外表位置，山、水、国界to在前。
介词短语
介词是学习英语的难点之一，特别在阅读过程中是一个“拦路虎”。介词短语是构成长难句的一个重要因素。介词短语可用作定语、状语、表语和补足语。介词可与动词、名词、形容词等连用。
高考链接
1. The Internet has brought ________big changes in the way we work. ( 2005北京春)
A. about B. out C. back D. up
2. It was a pity that the great writer died _____his works unfinished. (2004福建)
A. for B. with C. from D. of
3. You can’t wear a blue jacket _____that shirt-it’ll look terrible. (2004湖南)
A. on B. above C. up D. over
4. I feel that one of my main duties ____ a teacher is to help the students to become better learners.（2004广东）
A. for B. by C. as D. with
5. In order to change attitudes _____employing women, the government is bringing in new laws. ( 2004北京春)
A. about B. of C. towards D. on
6. I am sorry it’s ________my power to make a final decision on the project. (2004上海春)
A. over B. above C. off D. beyond
7. They had a pleasant chat _______a cup of coffee. (2003北京)
A. for B. with C. during D. over
8. The conference has been held to discuss the effects of tourism ________the wildlife in the area. (2003上海)
A. in B. on C. at D. with
9. The speech by the mayor of Shanghai before the final voting for EXPO 2010 is strongly impressed ______my memory. (2003上海春)
A. to B. over C. by D. on
10. ---what do you want ______those old boxes?
---To put thing in when I move to the new flat. (2002北京)
A. by B. for C. of D. with
11. Luckily, the bullet narrowly missed the captain ______an inch. (2002上海)
A. by B. at C. to D. from
12. The home improvements have taken what little there is _____--my spare time.(2001全国)
A. from B. in C. of D. at
13. Rose was wild with joy _____the result of the examination. (2001上海春)
A. to B. at C. by D. as
14. This new model of car is so expensive that it is _______ the reach of those with average income. (2006江苏）
A. over B. within C. beyond D. below
15. It’s quite ________me why such things have been allowed to happen. (2006安徽） A．for B．behind
C．against D．beyond
16. --Can he take charge of the computer company?
--I’m afraid it’s _____ his ability. （2006四川）
A. beyond B. within C. of C. to
17. Sorry, Madam. You’d better come tomorrow because it’s______the visiting hours.（2006福建）
A. during B. at C. beyond D. before
18. －You know, Bob is a little slow ____ understanding, so…
－So I have to be patient ____ him. (2005重庆)
A. in; with B. on; with C. in; to D. at; for
19. He got to the station early, ____ missing the train. (2004江苏)
A. in case of B. instead of C. for fear of D. in search of
20. Marie Curie took little notice __ the honors that were given to her in her later years. (2002上海)
A. of B. on C. about D. from
答案：1-5 ABDCC 6-10 CDBDD 11-15 ACBCD 16-20 ACACA
Step 4: Consolidation:
I. Multiple choice:
1．He is running＿＿the wind towards the station＿＿Tom running ＿＿the right.
A. down； and； on B. against； with； on
C. for； with； in D. with； while； to
2. In Hangzhou Mr. Black was so struck＿＿the beauty of nature that he stayed＿＿another night.
A. at；on B. with；at C. for；in D. by； for
3. -- How long has the bookshop been in business?
-- ＿＿＿＿＿＿1987.
A. After B. In C. From D. Since
4. We offered him our congratulations＿＿＿＿＿his passing the college entrance exams.
A. at B. on C. for D. of
5. Guangdong lies＿＿＿the south of China and Fujian is＿＿＿the east of it. Hainan is＿＿the coast of the mainland.
A. in；in；on B. in；on；off
C. on；to；on D. in；to；away
6. The student, ＿whom all the teachers are pleased, is very strict ＿himself ＿ everything.
A. to； with；in B. with；with；in
C. with；at；with D. at；with；at
7. Some doctors were sent to the front where medical workers were ＿＿＿.
A. in great need B. in great need of
C. needed great D. needed in
8. ＿＿＿＿＿hearing the good news, they jumped with joy.
A. For B. To C. On D. At
9. She is well-known＿＿＿＿her poems and she is also famous ＿＿＿an actress.
A. for；for B. as；for C. for；as D. by； for
10. He climbed silently＿＿＿＿＿＿seizing the thief＿＿＿＿＿＿.
A. in the purpose； by surprise
B. with purpose of； surprisingly
C. with purpose of； surprisedly
D. with the purpose of； by surprise
11. The touch they had both kept in ＿＿＿many years broke.
A. for B. on C. into D. with
12. The pianist began to play and the girl in red began to sing ＿＿＿＿the music.
A. with B. along C. through D. to
13. He divided the sweets＿＿＿the children who were divided ＿＿＿three groups.
A. in；in B. into；into C. between；in D. among；into
14. Early ＿＿＿the morning of May 1, we started off＿＿＿the mountain village.
A. in；for B. in；to C. on；／ D. on；for
15. Ted has been absent＿＿＿＿＿class for quite some time.
A. for B. with C. of D. from
16. The railway was opened＿＿＿＿＿＿traffic＿＿＿＿＿＿＿ April 4, 1985.
A. to；on B. to；in C. by；on D. for；on
17. _____ being a little large, the hat looks nice.
A. Apart from B. Except for C. But for D. All above
18. The key ____ success lies ______ persistence and hard work.
A. to; in B. of; for C. for; to D. of; in
19. －This is Jane speaking.
－Oh, it’s you. Your voice sounds quite different ____ on the phone.
A. for B. from C. by D. on
20. The picture looks very beautiful _____ the light wall.
A. in B. of C. over D. against
II. Translation:
1. 他们在临行前夕举行了一次告别宴会，他们的团长发表了告别讲话.
2. 靠月薪100元的收入，你是买不起奢侈品的。
3． 相反，这事儿很容易理解。
4．昨天他看望了他的叔叔(call)。
5. 他的继母对他很好。
6. 我确实不能用英语流利地表达我的思想。
7.这学期开始，我们的班主任老师对我们要求非常严格
8．这位教师正用一支新笔批改论文。
Keys :
I. 1-5 BDDBB 6-10 BACCD 11-15 ADDAD 16-20 DDABD
II.
1. On the eve of their departure they gave a farewell banquet and their head gave a farewell speech.
2. You can't afford luxuries, on an income of 100 yuan a month．
3．On the contrary, it was very easy to understand.
4．He called on his uncle yesterday.
5．His step-mother was kind to him.
6. I really can't express my idea in English freely in-deed．
7. At the beginning of this term the teacher in charge of our class was very strict with us.
8. The teacher is correcting the paper with a new pen.