Prepositions (Grade 11 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Prepositions
What is a preposition?
Prepositions are connecting words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. They help us understand the relationships between different elements in our writing and speech.
These small but powerful words show us various relationships, including:
- Time – when something happens
- Place – where something is
- Direction – movement towards or away from something
- Position – the location of something
- Possession – who owns or has something
Examples of Prepositions in Context:
- The cat is on the chair. (position)
- We arrived after lunch. (time)
- The books belong to Sarah. (possession)
Understanding prepositions helps you write clearer sentences and avoid common grammatical mistakes in your exams.
Types of prepositions
1. Possession (having)
These prepositions indicate who owns or possesses something. They create a relationship that shows belonging between two things.
Common prepositions of possession: of, to
Examples of Possession:
- The ending of the movie. (The movie has an ending.)
- The keys to the car. (The car has keys that belong to it.)
2. Time
Time prepositions tell us when something happens. They help place events in a temporal sequence or specify particular moments.
Common prepositions of time: before, after, at, during, since, until
Examples of Time:
- Two days before the weekend. (Indicates timing in relation to the weekend.)
- The meeting starts at 9 a.m. (Specifies an exact time.)
Exam tip: Pay attention to whether you need to show a specific time (at), a period (during), or a sequence (before/after).
3. Direction
Direction prepositions show movement towards something or away from it. They indicate the path or course of motion.
Common prepositions of direction: towards, into, through, across, away from
Examples of Direction:
- He ran towards the taxi rank. (Movement in the direction of the taxi rank.)
- She walked into the room. (Movement from outside to inside.)
4. Position
Position prepositions describe where something or someone is located in relation to something else. They give us static spatial information.
Common prepositions of position: under, beside, above, below, behind, in front of
Examples of Position:
- She is under the table. (Located beneath the table.)
- The dog sat beside its owner. (Positioned next to the owner.)
5. Place
Place prepositions identify specific locations. While similar to position prepositions, these focus more on identifying particular spots or areas.
Common prepositions of place: beneath, outside, inside, at, in, on
Examples of Place:
- The shoes beneath the bed. (Located under the bed.)
- The children played outside the house. (In the area around the house, not inside it.)
Common errors and correct usage
Choosing the correct preposition
Many students struggle with selecting the right preposition because some words sound similar or have subtle differences in meaning. Here's a common mistake:
Common Mistake: Before vs. In
Incorrect: The guards had to appear before court.
Correct: The guards had to appear in court.
Remember:
- "Before court" means in front of the building (outside, physically before the entrance)
- "In court" means in the courtroom (inside, during legal proceedings)
This distinction is crucial for expressing your exact meaning. Always consider whether you're talking about physical location or participation in an event.
Fixing prepositional errors
Some prepositions work together as phrasal structures, and using the wrong combination changes the meaning entirely.
Common Mistake: On to vs. Onto
Incorrect: He will go onto attend university.
Correct: He will go on to attend university.
Explanation:
- "On to" (two words) indicates progression, continuation, or moving to the next step in a sequence
- "Onto" (one word) shows movement to a surface or position on top of something
Example of "Onto" (one word):
She climbed onto the roof. (Physical movement to a surface.)
Completing sentences with prepositions
Practice choosing the right preposition by considering the relationship you want to show. Look at this example:
Worked Example: Choosing the Right Preposition
Example: Research has shown that a diet without meat is associated with a lower risk of disease.
Analysis: The preposition "with" connects the diet to its associated outcome. Think about what relationship you're trying to express: cause and effect, association, location, time, or possession.
Exam tip: Read the sentence carefully and identify what type of relationship exists between the words. This will help you choose the correct preposition.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Prepositions are linking words that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to show relationships in sentences.
- There are five main types: possession, time, direction, position, and place—each serving a specific purpose.
- Common errors include confusing "before court" with "in court" and "on to" with "onto."
- Always consider the exact meaning you want to express when choosing a preposition—small words can make big differences!
- Practice identifying prepositions in your reading to become more familiar with their correct usage in your writing.