English Prepositions:
How to learn them?
How do you use
English prepositions?
People have a hard time learning prepositions and who can blame them! It is difficult to learn English prepostitions because there are so many exceptions to the rules. *Most prepositions have several different functions.
*Different prepositions can be used to signify similar ideas
(in the afternoon, on Tuesday afternoon, at 5pm Tuesday afternoon).
*Also, some verbs are used with particular prepositions, which create new expressions.
TIP: It is best to learn the expression as a whole rather than trying to remember the preposition.
So how are you supposed to learn English prepositions?
In reality the best way is to gradually use them and learn them as you are surrounded by the language (ie living in an English speaking country).
If you don't live in an English speaking country, then your next option is to find a good book that explains the concept clearly.
Not sure what books are good?
Here are two books that I highly recommend for learning English prepositions AND any grammar point.
Practical English Usage
by Micheal Swan-Third Addition
Practical English Usage, Third Edition: Paperback
This grammar book is for advanced learners.
I use it when I don't remember something about grammar (yes I sometimes I don't know either!!)
This book is very good. It takes a grammatical point such as prepositions (page 425-438) and explains
it in an easy to understand way. If you are a
beginner this book might be too hard for you, but an intermediate English learner or higher would really
benefit from it.
English Grammar in Use
by Raymond Murphy - Third Addition.
English Grammar In Use with Answers and CD ROM:
A Self-study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate English Students
This book is fabulous!
All of the books in this series (Grammar in Use)
are great. I think that this book might be able
to help students better than Micheal Swan's book, as it combines the grammatical explanation with a page of activities for that grammar point. So you can learn the grammar and then practice it.
I hope that this article has helped you and that if you do get either of these books that they help explain prepositions and make them easier to learn. Good luck!
-Diana
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