Prepositions (Grade 10 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Prepositions
What is a preposition?
A preposition is a small but powerful linking word that helps connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. Think of prepositions as the glue that holds your sentences together, showing how different elements relate to each other.
Prepositions work by establishing clear relationships between words. These relationships help readers understand important details about:
Prepositions show five key relationships:
- Time: when something happens
- Place: where something is located
- Direction: which way something is moving
- Position: where something sits in relation to other objects
- Possession: who owns or has something
Understanding how prepositions function will help you write more precise and accurate sentences. Let's look at some examples:
- "The cat is on the chair." (The preposition 'on' shows the position of the cat)
- "We arrived after lunch." (The preposition 'after' shows the time relationship)
- "The books belong to Sarah." (The prepositional phrase 'belong to' shows possession)
Notice how each preposition creates a bridge between different parts of the sentence, making the meaning clear.
Types of prepositions
1. Possession (having)
Prepositions of possession indicate ownership or belonging. They tell us who something belongs to or what relationship exists between objects. These prepositions answer the question "Whose is it?" or "What does it belong to?"
Common prepositions of possession include 'of', 'to', and similar words that create a sense of ownership or connection.
Examples of Possession Prepositions:
- "The ending of the movie." (The ending belongs to the movie)
- "The keys to the car." (The keys belong to the car)
When you see these prepositions, they're helping you understand the relationship between a possession and its owner.
2. Time
Prepositions of time tell us when something happens. They help place events on a timeline, whether that's a specific moment, a period, or a sequence of events.
Time prepositions are essential for understanding the order and timing of actions. They can indicate precise moments (like "at 9 a.m.") or relative timing (like "before the weekend").
Examples of Time Prepositions:
- "Two days before the weekend." (Shows the timing relative to another event)
- "The meeting starts at 9 a.m." (Shows a specific time)
Understanding time prepositions helps you communicate clearly about schedules, deadlines, and sequences of events.
3. Direction
Prepositions of direction show movement towards or away from something. These words indicate the path or trajectory of motion, helping readers visualise how someone or something is moving through space.
Direction prepositions are particularly useful when describing actions, journeys, or any kind of movement from one place to another.
Examples of Direction Prepositions:
- "He ran towards the taxi rank." (Shows movement in the direction of the taxi rank)
- "She walked into the room." (Shows movement from outside to inside)
These prepositions help create dynamic sentences that capture motion and change.
4. Position
Prepositions of position describe where something is located in relation to other objects. They paint a picture of spatial relationships, helping readers understand the arrangement of objects in space.
Position prepositions are static – they describe where something is, not where it's going. They're crucial for giving clear descriptions and instructions.
Examples of Position Prepositions:
- "She is under the table." (Shows position below the table)
- "The dog sat beside its owner." (Shows position next to the owner)
Using position prepositions correctly helps you create clear, visual descriptions.
5. Place
Prepositions of place identify a specific location. While similar to position prepositions, place prepositions tend to name or identify particular locations rather than just describing relative positions.
These prepositions help you specify exactly where something is happening or where something can be found.
Examples of Place Prepositions:
- "The shoes beneath the bed." (Identifies a specific location under the bed)
- "The children played outside the house." (Identifies a location beyond the house boundaries)
Place prepositions are essential for giving directions and describing settings.
Common errors and correct usage
Choosing the correct preposition
One of the most challenging aspects of using prepositions is selecting the right one for each context. Some prepositions have very similar meanings but are used in different situations. Let's look at a common mistake:
Common Error: "Before" vs "In" Court
Incorrect example:
- "The guards had to appear before court."
Correct version:
- "The guards had to appear in court."
Why this matters: The difference between "before court" and "in court" is significant. When we say someone appears "before court," it suggests they are standing in front of the building. However, when someone appears "in court," it means they are inside the courtroom participating in legal proceedings. This is a crucial distinction!
Memory aid:
- "Before court" = in front of the building (outside)
- "In court" = in the courtroom (inside, participating in proceedings)
Fixing prepositional errors
Another common error involves confusing "onto" with "on to." These look similar but have different meanings and uses.
Common Error: "Onto" vs "On to"
Incorrect example:
- "He will go onto attend university."
Correct version:
- "He will go on to attend university."
Explanation: The phrase "on to" (two separate words) indicates progression or continuation from one stage to another. It suggests moving forward in a sequence of events. In contrast, "onto" (one word) shows movement to a surface, like "The cat jumped onto the table."
When discussing education, career progression, or sequences of events, use "on to" (two words) to show continuation.
Completing sentences with prepositions
When writing, you'll often need to choose the right preposition to complete your meaning. The correct preposition depends on the relationship you're trying to express.
Example of Correct Preposition Choice:
"Research has shown that a diet without meat is associated with a lower risk of disease."
In this sentence, "with" is the correct preposition because it connects the diet to its associated effect. The phrase "associated with" is a common collocation (words that naturally go together) in English.
Exam tip: Pay attention to common prepositional phrases and collocations. Some verbs and adjectives naturally pair with specific prepositions, and learning these combinations will improve your writing.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
-
Prepositions are linking words that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words, showing relationships like time, place, direction, position, and possession.
-
There are five main types of prepositions to master: possession (showing ownership), time (showing when), direction (showing movement), position (showing where in relation to other objects), and place (showing specific locations).
-
Watch out for common errors like confusing "before/in" (before court vs in court) and "onto/on to" (movement to a surface vs continuation/progression).
-
Context is crucial – the same preposition can have different meanings in different situations, so always consider what relationship you're trying to express.
-
Learn prepositional phrases as units – some verbs and adjectives naturally pair with specific prepositions (like "associated with"), and knowing these combinations will strengthen your writing.