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Prepositions in the IELTS Test

One of the most confusing parts of the English grammar is the usage of

prepositions. Its rules are very varied and there are literally a lot of

prepositions to be familiar with.

Prepositions are words that are used to link words or phrases to a part

of the sentence. There are a lot of kinds of prepositions. Let us have a

clear understanding of the prepositions of place and direction.

To show a position or location that is higher to

something else and “below/under/beneath” for a

lower position or location.

Examples:

The books are placed above the shelves.

Under the sea, you can see a lot of unknown creatures.

Beneath this drawer is a wooden cabinet.

To describe two people or things that are very close to each other

with nothing in between them.

Examples:

A new restaurant has just opened beside the bank.

I sit beside my best friend in class.

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“In front of” is used to point a location which is close to the front part of something while “in back of” is the opposite.

Examples:

A huge tree was standing in back of the palace.

There was once a parking lot in front of the city hall.

It is used to describe a position or location which is in or into the

space that separates two places, people or objects.

Examples:

There is a coffee shop between the bank and the chemist’s.

I saw some money between the pages of his book.

This preposition is used to talk about a

country or city, or when someone or something

is inside or within the confines of a certain place.

Examples:

Most of my students live in Seoul.

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The body was found inside a box filled with sand.

This is used to show that something is placed outside an enclosed area.

Examples:

The garbage is just outside the kitchen door.

He went out of the room and cried.

To show that something is in a position above something else and touching it

Examples:

The butler placed the groceries on the kitchen counter.

The wall clock on the wall fell during the earthquake.

It used for a direction down or away from a position or place, or with actions in which something is removed or removes itself from another thing.

Examples:

Please put your feet off the table.

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I saw the little girl fell off her bicycle.

“Up” shows a higher level or position, or a location at the top of something. “Down” is used in or towards a low position from a higher one.

Examples:

Jack went up the hill.

They ran down the stairs and hurt themselves.

We use across to show that something is on the opposite side of a certain reference point.

Examples:

There is a drinking fountain across the plaza.

The mall is just across from the parking lot.

It is used to show a position or direction surrounding something, or in a direction going along the edge of, or from one part to another.

Examples:

We walked around the plaza and saw lots of cafes.

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There is a meat shop just around the corner.

It shows a direction towards the inside or middle of something and about to be contained, surrounded or closed off by it.

Examples:

The little children jumped into the pool without their floaters.

He went into the room and showed his rage.

This is used to show that something is close to another object.

Examples:

Where is the supermarket? It is near the fire station.

The fire that happened last night was near my house.

This is used to show a direction from one end or side of something to the other.

Examples:

A huge bat flew through the room and scared the students.

The new freeway goes through the city.

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This is used to indicate the purpose of an action and duration of time.

Examples:

My uncle is runing for the senate on the next elections.

There is a seminar for gourmet cooking for three weeks.

This is used to show that you’re in the company or presence of a person or thing. It is also used to show that you have or include something, or to show a method that you are using.

Examples:

When you were in Seoul, did you stay with your students?

I sliced the bread with this knife.

The man with a beard was killed in front of his wife. Practice using these prepositions in your sentences and create more meaningful sentences.

Here are more lessons about prepositions:

http://www.slideshare.net/stephlowe91/ielts-grammar-prepositions http://www.slideserve.com/faithlopez/ielts-training-ielts-writing-and-speaking-preopositins