Prepositions

4. Prepositions

Prepositions include the words 'to', 'for', 'with', 'by', 'on', 'in', 'of', 'through' and 'from', among others. They can be very troublesome, as certain prepositions belong with certain verbs.

For example, I tell my students we can

'talk to' someone; as when I address you as your teacher in this book
'talk with' someone, as when you and a friend discuss something
'talk of' someone, as when I talk about Socrates and Plato
'talk for' someone, as when you represent another person

but we cannot

'talk through' someone
'talk by' someone
'talk from' someone
'talk in' someone
'talk on' someone

Although they can be used as slang expressions, these constructions do not have a place in formal grammar.

Another example is that we can

'sit on' something, meaning 'to place oneself upon', as in "please sit on the chair".
'sit in' something, also meaning 'to place oneself upon', as in "please sit in the chair".
'sit by' something, meaning 'to place oneself down next to or alongside'
'sit with' someone, also meaning 'to place oneself down next to or alongside'
'sit for' someone, meaning 'take the place of someone'
'sit through' something, meaning to 'endure something'

but we cannot

'sit from' someone or something
'sit to' something or someone
'sit of' someone or something

The better grammar handbooks will contain a list of the most common prepositions and their correct usage. Look it up!

5. Articles: "a", "an" and "the"

In English, we constantly use these articles. We almost never use a noun without an article. Many new English speakers have difficulty with articles. Here my advice is, when in doubt include the article!

a. The article "a" is called the 'indefinite' article in that it does not signify a specific item but rather refers to any of the type indicated.

For example: "a dog" indicates any dog, regardless of size, shape, breed, or any other characteristics of the animal.

Note: "a" changes to "an" before a vowel, as in 'an article', 'an oven' or 'an idiot'.

b. The article 'the' is called the definite article in that it signifies a specific item.

For example: "the dog" indicates a specific dog. Not just any dog, but the particular dog that is being discussed or written about.

Or 'the' can indicate 'the category of all dogs', as in the sentence:

"The dog is a four legged animal."