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……說話 stay with 和某人呆在一起 think about 考慮有關……

write to 給某人寫信 look for 尋找 wait for 等待

take care of 照顧 call on（sb.）拜訪 arrive at（in） 到達

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（終于）

at night夜晚 on foot 步行 on one’s way 在去某地的路上 on the telephone 用電話

on time 準時 on behalf of 代表......利益 for a while 一會兒 for example 例如

for oneself 為了自己 for hours（days, years）有好幾小時（天，年） in English 用英語

in those days在當時 in class 課上 in time 及時 in all 總計 in advance 事前

in the meantime 與此同時 in place 適當地 in hopes of(或in the hope of) 懷著.......希望

in connection with 和……有關 in contact with 和……聯系 in addition to 除......以外

in case of 倘若，萬一 in conflict with 和......沖突 in force 有效的，大批

in depth 徹底地 in regard to 關于 in the neighborhood of 大約、鄰近

in retrospect 回顧，一想起 in the least 一點，絲毫 in alarm 驚慌、擔心　　

in the opinion of 據……見解 in the long run/term 從長遠說來 in one's opinion 在……看來

in word 口頭上 in a word 總之 in vain 無益地, 白白地 in case 如果，萬一，以防

in detail 詳細地 in haste 急急忙忙地 in conclusion 總之 in spite of 盡管

in honour/memory of 為紀念 in charge of 負責 in praise of 贊揚

in other words... 換句話說 in return 作為回報 in the name of 以......名義

in doubt 懷疑 in debt 負債 by the way 順便說 by oneself 獨自地

after school 放學后 of course 當然 at work 在工作 at school在上學

at war 在交戰

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……為自豪 be different from 和……不同

be famous for 因……而著名 be fond of…… 愛好，喜歡 be pleased with 樂于

be sorry for（sth.）為……抱歉 be afraid of 害怕…… be kind to 對某人親切

be good at 在……做得好；擅長于…… be late for遲到 be confident in 對 ……有信心

be interested in對 ……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

英語介詞的用法口訣

早、午、晚要用in，at黎明、午夜、點與分。

年、月、年月、季節、周，陽光、燈、影、衣、冒in。

將來時態in...以后，小處at大處in。

有形with無形by，語言、單位、材料in。

特征、方面與方式，心情成語慣用in。

介詞at和to表方向，攻擊、位置、惡、善分。

日子、日期、年月日，星期加上早、午、晚，

收音、農場、值日on，關于、基礎、靠、著論。

著、罷、出售、偷、公、假，故意、支付、相反，準。

特定時日和"一……就"，on后常接動名詞。

年、月、日加早、午、晚，of之前on代in。

步行、驢、馬、玩笑on，cab，carriage則用in。

at山腳、門口、在當前，速、溫、日落、價、核心。

工具、和、同隨with，具有、獨立、就、原因。

就……來說賓譯主，對、有、方狀、表細分。

海、陸、空、車、偶、被by，單數、人類known to man。

this、that、tomorrow，yesterday，next、last、one。

接年、月、季、星期、周，介詞省略已習慣。

over、under正上下，above、below則不然，

若與數量詞連用，混合使用亦無關。'

beyond超出、無、不能，against靠著，對與反。

besides，except分內外，among之內along沿。

同類比較except，加for異類記心間。

原狀because of,、 owing to、 due to表語形容詞

under后接修、建中，of、from物、化分。

before、after表一點, ago、later表一段。

before能接完成時，ago過去極有限。

since以來during間，since時態多變換。

與之相比beside，除了last but one。

復不定for、找、價、原，對、給、段、去、為、作、贊。

快到、對、向towards，工、學、軍、城、北、上、南。

but for否定用虛擬，復合介詞待后言。

ing型由于鑒，除了除外與包合。

之后、關于、在......方面，有關介詞須記全。

in內to外表位置，山、水、國界to在前。

介詞短語

介詞是學習英語的難點之一，特別在閱讀過程中是一個“攔路虎”。介詞短語是構成長難句的一個重要因素。介詞短語可用作定語、狀語、表語和補足語。介詞可與動詞、名詞、形容詞等連用。

高考鏈接

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廣東）

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全國)

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江蘇）

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重慶)

A. in; with 　　　B. on; with 　　　 C. in; to 　　　 D. at; for

19. He got to the station early, ____ missing the train. (2004江蘇)

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. 他們在臨行前夕舉行了一次告別宴會，他們的團長發表了告別講話.

2. 靠月薪100元的收入，你是買不起奢侈品的。

3． 相反，這事兒很容易理解。

4．昨天他看望了他的叔叔(call)。

5. 他的繼母對他很好。

6. 我確實不能用英語流利地表達我的思想。

7.這學期開始，我們的班主任老師對我們要求非常嚴格

8．這位教師正用一支新筆批改論文。

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.