ENGLISH SKILLS TUTORIAL

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DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

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1FREE PREPOSITIONS

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 She ran into the house / out of the house / around the house / up the
stairs / down the stairs / across the street / over the fence / under the
roof / inside the building / outside the house / towards the building etc.

1FREE PREPOSITIONS

`Free` prepositions do not usually pose problems in English. They are used
`freely` with nouns, verbs and adjectives according to meaning
(direction, place, duration, time, etc.).

Simply by looking up in a dictionary prepositions like in, at, on, etc. you will easily
find their general meanings.
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2DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

Adrian.Ciupe.ELT
 2DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

`Dependent` prepositions `depend` on a noun, adjective or verb in the sense

that they cannot be changed, forming fixed expressions (= prepositional
phrases) with these word categories.

To find which preposition goes with a certain noun / adjective / verb, look up
these words (nouns / adjectives / verbs) separately. A good dictionary will
give you all combinations possible.
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3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

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 Our company is now operating at a profit.
Youll be at a disadvantage if you dont revise before the exam.
Shes an accountant by profession.
The house is now yours for life.
Can you quote what she said from memory?
Its a secret Im telling you this in confidence!
The workers have been on strike for ten days now.
If youre under age, you cant buy tobacco or alcohol.

3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

PREPOSITION + NOUN

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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 Whats the reason for your failure?
Theres no cause for concern, dont worry.
She wrote him a cheque for $2,500.
A deficiency of / in calcium can be harmful to your health.
Any discrimination against certain groups is strictly prohibited.
I dont quite like that photo of you.
A countrys reliance on imports alone is not good for its economy.

3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

NOUN + PREPOSITION

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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 She postponed doing it for fear of failure.
The manager was clearly not in the mood for discussing the budget.
He was found in possession of illegal drugs.
In answer / reply / response to your letter, I confirm that payment has already
been made.
You would need more skills in addition to the ones you already have.

3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

PREPOSITION + NOUN + PREPOSITION

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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 In doing business you shouldnt be afraid of failure.
The boss was very critical of the report Id submitted.
Shes quite averse to business trips.
He was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to 2 years in prison.

3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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 Shes against experimenting on animals.
He has established himself as a reputable businessman.
What are the consequences emerging from the takeover?
Shes a university professor, lecturing on business-related topics.
You shouldnt mistake a merger for a takeover!
Have you paid for the tickets yet?

3DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS POSSIBLE STRUCTURES

VERB + PREPOSITION

Any other preposition in the above examples would be incorrect!

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4DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS THE SPECIAL CASE OF THE PREPOSITION TO

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 I look forward to your letter. I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to hear from you.
I object to the proposal. I object to working like this.
I object to work like this.
Im committed to this idea. Im committed to doing my best.
Im committed to do my best.

4DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS THE SPECIAL CASE OF THE PREPOSITION TO

`To` is not only an infinitive marker; it can also be a preposition. In order to

make sure, try using a noun after `to`. If it makes sense (logically and
grammatically), it means that in that particular instance `to` is a preposition
and not an infinitive marker.

After all prepositions, including `to`, verbs must be in their ing forms!
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NOW YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT
DEPENDENT PREPOSITIONS

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