A Lesson A Day 10: Prepositions 1 Today, let's talk about prepositions. I know a lot of students struggle with this topic - it's hard! I think the biggest problem is that for most ways we use prepositions, there isn't a rule. It's just a set phrase. A set phrase is something we always say a certain way, even though it's not a rule. It's just the way we say it. And, unfortunately, set phrases just need to be learned! Here are some set phrases that start with prepositions: at once: She left at once. at most: There will be fifty people at most. by accident: I dropped the vase by accident. by far: This is the cheapest restaurant by far. by all means: Please, go ahead, by all means. by mistake: She took the wrong key by mistake. for a change: Let's eat Italian food for a change. for good: She's gone to Australia for good. in a hurry: Why are you always in a hurry? in danger: The climbers are in danger - there's snow on the way. in favour of: She's in favour of a new road through the town. in short: In short, we should buy new books for the students. in the long run: If we save money now, we'll be much happier in the long run. in the meantime: I can't finish the project this week, but in the meantime I'll call the client. off school: The children are off school on Monday - it's a holiday. on a diet: She's always on a diet but she never loses any weight. on foot: I usually go to work on foot. on holiday: They're on holiday just now, so they won't reply to your emails. on the phone: Lucy's on the phone. without fail: You must take these tablets every day without fail. Let's review these set phrases. 1. I usually go to work ___________ foot. 2. The children are ___________ school on Monday – it’s a holiday. 3. You must take these tablets every day ___________ fail. 4. She's gone to Australia ___________ good. 5. She left ___________ once. 6. Why are you always ___________ a hurry? 7. This is the cheapest restaurant ___________ far. 8. The climbers are ___________ danger - there's snow on the way. 9. She took the wrong key ___________ mistake. 10. Lucy's ___________ the phone. 11. They're ___________ holiday just now, so they won't reply to your emails. 12. If we save money now, we'll be much happier ___________ the long run. 13. Please, go ahead, ___________ all means. 14. She's always ___________ a diet but she never loses any weight. 15. I can't finish the project this week, but ___________ the meantime I'll call the client. 16. Let's eat Italian food ___________ a change. 17. She's ___________ favour of a new road through the town. 18. ___________ short, we should buy new books for the students. 19. There will be fifty people ___________ most. 20. I dropped the vase ___________ accident. Answers 1. on 2. off 3. without 4. for 5. at 6. in 7. by 8. in 9. by 10. on 11. on 12. in 13. by 14. on 15. in 16. for 17. in 18. in 19. at 20. by
