Home Random Page


CATEGORIES:

BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism






During or while? By or until? As or like?

A During or while?

Compare these examples.

1 often read during a meal. I often read while I'm eating.

It happened during the night. It happened while they were asleep.

You'll have to be quiet during the performance. Were there any phone calls while I was out?

During is a preposition (like in). It comes before a While is a linking word (like when). It comes

phrase like a meal or the night. before a clause, e.g. I'm eating.

B By or until?

Compare these examples.

I'm very busy this week. I have to finish this I'll be busy for most of this week. I won't have

report by Thursday. any time until Friday.

Trevor will be home by half past six. He'll be at work until half past five.

They hope to build the new bridge by next July. We won't have another holiday until next

The post should be here by now. summer.

Till is more informal than until. / slept till ten o'clock.

We can use by the time or until before a clause, e.g. we arrived.

There was no food left by the time we arrived. I'll wait until you're ready.

not by we-arrived See Unit 27B for the present simple after until, etc.

C As, like and as if

Compare these examples.

She works as a fashion model. She dresses like a fashion model.

(= She is a model.) (= Her clothes are similar to a model's.)

As a beginner you simply have to learn the Mark is a good golfer, but today he played like a

basics. beginner.

I'm using this tin as an ashtray. You look like your brother.

We use as to talk about a job or function. We use like to talk about things being similar.

We can also use as or like before a clause.

We drive on the left here, as/like you do in Britain.

Mike and Sarah are going to Paris for the weekend, as/like they did last year. Like is more informal than as before a clause.

We also use as with verbs of speaking and knowing, e.g. say, know, expect. As I said before, I'm sorry. (= I'm sorry, and I said so before.) I haven't much money, as you know. (— I haven't much money, and you know it.) Rachel arrived late, as we expected. (= We expected her to arrive late, and she did.)

We use as if before a clause to say how something seems. Tom looks really awful. He looks as if he's been up all night. Nick can be a difficult person. He sometimes behaves as if he's the only one with problems.


122 Exercises

1 During or while? (A)

Put in during or while.

► Did you take notes during the lecture?

1 Shall we have a coffee.................. we're waiting?

2 Try not to make any noise.................... the baby is asleep.

3 The fire alarm rang ................... yesterday's meeting.

4 Trevor tried to fix the shelves .................... Laura was out shopping.

2 By or until? (B)

Rachel is talking to her teacher. Put in by or until.

Mrs Lewis: You'll need to hand your project in (►) by the end of the week.

I'd like to have it (1).................. Friday, ideally.

Rachel: Well, I'm going on a three-day study trip tomorrow. I'll be away (2)…………….. Thursday.



The project will probably take me (3)…………….. the middle of next week.

I can't finish it (4)…………….. the end of this week.

Mrs Lewis: Well, let me have it (5)……………….Wednesday of next week, please.

3 As or like? (C)

Put in as or like.

► Sarah works in here. She uses this room as her study.

1 Matthew worked .......... a waiter last summer.

2 The way your sister plays the violin sounds ...................... two cats fighting.

3 Do you mind using this saucer................... a plate?

4 The body sank………….. a stone to the bottom of the river.

\ As or as if? (C)

Put in as or as if.

► That poor dog looks as if it never gets fed.

1 Rachel failed her driving test,..................... she expected.

2 Daniel spends money………….. it grows on trees.

3 We shall deliver the goods on the twenty-seventh,......................... we promised.

4 From what Emma said, it sounds…………… she and Matthew are going to get married.

S While, by the time, until, as and like (A-C)

Decide what to say. Use the word in brackets to join the two ideas together.

► Tell Matthew he needs to click on the box. You showed him. (like)
You need to click on the box, like I showed you.

1 Tell Tom that you arrived at his flat, but he'd left, (by the time)

2 Tell your friend that Rita went to the party with Tom. Your friend predicted this, (as)

3 Tell Claire that you saw her sister. You were shopping in London, (while)

4 Tell Vicky she can keep the book. She can finish it. (until)


123 Preposition + noun, e.g. on holiday

A Some useful phrases

on holiday, on business, on a journey/a trip/a tour

I'm travelling on business. We're on a coach tour of Europe. in cash, by cheque/credit card

It's cheaper if you pay in cash. Can I pay by credit card? in writing, in pen/biro/felt-tip/ink/pencil

Could you confirm that in writing? I'll write the names in pencil. on television, on the radio/the phone/the Internet

/ saw the programme on TV. Mark is on the phone at the moment. for sale, on the market

The house next door is for sale. It's the best hi-fi on the market. on the whole, in general

On the whole it's a good idea, but there are one or two problems.

People in general aren't very interested in politics. in advance, up to date, out of date

The company wants us to pay for the goods in advance.

Oh no! My passport is out of date. These latest figures are up to date. in my opinion, from my point of view

All sport is silly in my opinion.

Matthew never sees things from Emma's point of view. on purpose, by mistake/chance/accident

/ didn't spill my drink on purpose. I pressed the wrong button by mistake.

We didn't arrange to meet. We met by chance in the street.

B Way and end

On the way = during the journey. In the way = blocking the way.

I'm driving into town. I'll get some petrol on the We couldn't get past because there was a parked

way. car in the way.

In the end = finally, after a long time. At the end = when something stops.

It took Claire hours to decide. In the end she We all left quickly at the end of the meeting,

chose a long blue dress.

C Transport

We use by without a/the when we talk about a means of transport. We decided to go to Brussels by train, not go-by the-train

We can also use in and on.

It'll be quicker to go in the car. Richard came on the train.

Note that on foot means 'walking'.

We came all the way on foot, not by foot

BY: air, bicycle/bike, boat, bus, car, coach, ferry, helicopter, hovercraft, plane, rail, sea, ship, taxi, train, tube

IN: the/my/your car, a helicopter, a taxi

ON: my bicycle/bike, the boat, the bus, the ferry, the hovercraft, the plane, the ship, the train


Exercises

1 Preposition + noun (A-B)

Put in by, from, in or on.

► There's something I want to listen to on the radio.

1 They've promised me more money, but I haven't got it………….. writing.

2 Why can't you look at the problem………….. my point of view?

3 Would you mind moving? You're rather…………….the way here.

4 I rang the wrong number………….. mistake.

5 I booked our seats more than a month............. …. advance.

6 Sarah's mobile phone was stolen while she was away …………. a business trip.

7 Could you be quiet for a minute, please? I'm………… ... the phone.

8 We've had a few nice days, but …………. general it's been a poor summer.

9 I was lucky. I found the solution .............. accident.

10 It's a long journey. Let's stop somewhere ………….. the way and have a meal.

11 I spent ages looking for a phone box. …………. the end I found one.

12 Are you here ............. holiday or.................... business?

2 Preposition + noun (A-B)

What would you ask? Use the word in brackets with the correct preposition. You may also need to use the or your.

► Ask if you can book a cabin before you travel, (advance)
Can / book a cabin in advance ?

1 Ask if you can pay in notes, (cash)

Can...............................................................................................................................................

2 Ask if the information is current, (date)

Is ..................................................................................

3 Ask your friend if he dropped the ball deliberately, (purpose)
Did …………………………………………………………………………………………...

4 Ask if there is anything to watch tonight, (television)
Is ………………………………………………………………………………………………...

5 Ask your teacher if he or she will be here on the last day of July, (end)

Will ...............................................................................................................................................

6 Ask Melanie if she thinks nuclear power is a good idea, (opinion)

Is ....................................................................................................................................................

7 Ask Nick if he is selling his car. (sale)

Is ................................................................................................................................................

8 Ask Sarah if she approves of the plan in general, (whole)
Do ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

3 Transport (C)

Complete the conversation. Put in by, in or on.

Sarah: It's a long way to Glasgow. Why don't you go (►) on the train?

Mark: I don't know. I think I'd rather go (1)....... ………car.

Sarah: How far is your hotel from the station?

Mark: Oh, it's only five minutes (2) ……………..... foot, but with all my luggage,

I'd probably go (3) …………. a taxi.

Sarah: Well, why not? It's less tiring going (4) …………….train, isn't it?

Mark: I could go (5) ……………. air. That would be quickest.


124 Noun + preposition, e.g. trouble with

A Introduction

Read this true story about a prison escape.

Prisoners at a jail in Iowa in the US were trying to think of a way of escaping. At last they found an answer to their problem. They told the governor about their interest in drama and their need for creative activities. They put in a request for some tunnel-digging equipment for a play about coalminers. They knew that the governor felt sympathy for his prisoners and wanted a good relationship with them, but they weren't surprised when he said no. But later, when the prisoners mentioned the importance of physical fitness, the governor agreed to let them use a trampoline. Their skill at trampolining was put to good use when six prisoners bounced over the prison wall and escaped.

Some nouns can have a preposition after them, e.g. way of, answer to, interest in. The preposition often has a phrase with a noun after it.

the answer to the problem their interest in drama And the preposition can sometimes have an ing-form after it.

a way of escaping their skill at trampolining

B Noun + preposition

Here are some more examples.

your ability in maths an example of this your opinion of the film

a cheap alternative to leather some experience of selling the price of food

an attack on the government an expert on computers the reason for the delay

my attitude to/towards him no hope of winning respect for the environment

a belief in God an invitation to a party a student of chemistry

the cause of the accident some knowledge of Italian a substitute for meat

the cost of living a lack of money success at golf/in my search

some damage to the car something the matter with you a tax on alcohol

a difficulty over/with visas a new method of storing data having trouble with my teeth

C Connection, difference; increase, reduction, etc

One thing has a link with another. There is a link between two things.

a connection with another crime a connection between the two crimes

Matthew's relationship with Emma the relationship between Matthew and Emma

the contrast with yesterday's weather the contrast/difference between town and

country

Look at these words for increases and decreases. We use in before the thing that is increasing or decreasing and of before the amount of the increase or decrease.

an increase/rise in the price an increase/rise of £10

a reduction/fall in the number of unemployed a reduction/fall of 3%

D Need, wish, etc

Nouns meaning 'need', 'wish' or 'request' can have for after them.

There's a need for more houses. There was no demand for the product.

Here are some examples: appetite for, application for, demand for, desire for, need for, order for, preference for, request for, taste for, wish for


124 Exercises

1 Noun + preposition (A-B)

Complete the conversation. Put in at, in or of.

Daniel: What's the job you've applied for?

Vicky: It's with a travel company. But the advert says that you need some experience (►) of work in

tourism. I haven't got that. And I don't think my knowledge (1)…………… foreign languages will

be good enough. I'm having no success at all (2)…………….my attempts to get a job.

Daniel: What about your interest (3)………….. computers? And your skill (4)…………… typing? That's

the sort of thing employers are looking for.

2 Noun + preposition (A-B)

Complete the sentences. Use a preposition after these nouns: answer, cause, damage, difficulty, invitation, matter, tax, way

► I've had an invitation to Laura's barbecue.

1 The accident caused some............................................................... the car.

2 I'm trying to think of the best.................................................................. getting this piano upstairs.

3 I can't think of an .......................................................... the problem, I'm afraid.

4 The .................................................... the accident is still unknown.

5 The government has introduced a new ............................................................... luxury goods.

6 Unfortunately there was some ................................................................... the arrangements.

7 The television won't come on. What's the..................................................................... it?

3 Noun + preposition (B-C)

Complete the advertisement for a supermarket. Put in between, for, in, of or with.

Why not shop at Greenway Supermarket? You'll find the cost (►) of your weekly shopping is much lower.

There's quite a contrast (1).............................................. other stores. Here's one example

(2)...................................... this: from today many of our products have a price reduction

(3) ………………………. five per cent! But this is not the only reason (4)………………………. Greenway's

success. We're proud of our good relationship (5) ……………………… our customers. We believe there is

simply no substitute (6).......................................... quality. And there is no lack

(7) ………………………. choice at Greenway. That's the difference (8) ……………………… Greenway and

ordinary stores.

4 Noun + preposition (A-D)

What are they saying? Read about each situation and complete the sentence.

► A motorist has rung the garage and requested a breakdown truck.
Mechanic: I've just had a request for a breakdown truck.

1 Claude can answer all the quiz questions.

Claude: I can tell you the ...................................................................................................

2 Matthew doesn't know any French.
Matthew: Unfortunately I have no ……………………………………………..

3 The Prime Minister greatly desires progress.

Prime Minister: I have a great .................................................................................................

4 Vicky thinks the two colours are the same.

Vicky: I can't see any...............................................................................................................

5 Most people say they prefer Zedco products.
Zedco: Most people express a ...........................................................................................


125 Adjective + preposition, e.g. proud of

A Introduction

Matthew: Why are you angry with me, Emma?

Emma: I'm tired of talking to myself. You never listen. I get annoyed at the way you behave.

Matthew: Sorry, but I have to go now or I'll be late for the basketball game.

Emma: You aren't interested in us, are you? You never worry about our relationship, do you?

Some adjectives can have a preposition after them, e.g. angry with, tired of, late for. The preposition often has a phrase with a noun or pronoun after it.

annoyed at the way you behave late for the game angry with me The preposition can sometimes have an ing-form after it.

tired of talking to myself

B Feelings

Here are some examples of adjective + preposition which are to do with feelings.

afraid of the dark excited about the holiday proud of our work

amazed at/by the changes fed up with waiting satisfied with the result

ashamed of myself fond of my sister shocked at/by the violence

bored with doing nothing happy about/with the surprised at/by the reaction

disappointed with/about the arrangements tired of housework

poor figures keen on sport worried about money

eager for action nervous of flying

Compare these examples.

I'm sorry about the mistake. I feel sorry for poor Melanie.

We were angry at/about the delay. Sarah was angry with Henry.

We were annoyed at/about the delay. Emma was annoyed with Matthew.

I was pleased about winning. The winner was pleased with himself.

Vicky is anxious about her exam. People are anxious for news.

C Good, bad, etc

To talk about a person's ability, we use good at, bad at, etc.

good at tennis brilliant at crosswords bad at games hopeless at cooking To talk about whether something makes you healthy or ill, we use good for and bad for.

Oranges are good for you. Smoking is bad for you. For behaviour towards another person, we use good to, kind to, nice to, polite to and rude to.

My friends have been good to me. You were very rude to the waitress.

D Other adjectives

Here are some more expressions with other adjectives.

accustomed to the noise fit for work responsible for running a business

aware of the facts full of water safe from attack

capable of looking after myself guilty of murder the same as before

different from our usual route involved in a project similar to my idea

(see page 381) prepared for action typical of David

famous for her film roles ready for the big day used to the traffic

71 Afraid, anxious, ashamed, interested, sorry 72 Used to


125 Exercises

1 Feelings (A-B)

Say what these people's feelings are. Use the adjectives in brackets and a preposition. ► The children are leaving on a trip to the zoo. (excited) They're excited about the trip to the zoo.

1 Vicky doesn't like the dark, (afraid)
She's ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2 Nick was watching a video, but he's going to switch it off. (bored)
He's …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3 Emma is reading about computers, (interested)

She's .............................................................................................................................................................................

4 Mark has just heard some news that he didn't expect, (surprised)
He's .....................................................................................................................................................................

5 United have won a victory, (proud)

They're .....................................................................................................................................................................

6 Olivia's children are being very silly, (annoyed)
She's …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

7 The Zedco staff don't think their pay increase is big enough, (not satisfied)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2 Good, bad, etc (C)

Complete the conversation. Put in at, for or to.

Sarah: You were very rude (►) to Henry when you said he needs to lose weight.

Claire: Well, it's true. Exercise would be good (1)………… . him. He started jogging and then gave it up.

Sarah: Yes, but we can't all be good (2).............. taking physical exercise.

Claire: Anyone can do a bit of jogging. You don't have to be brilliant (3)…………… it.

And eating so much must be bad (4)................ you.

Sarah: Well, you could have been more polite.

Claire: Sorry. I'm not very good (5)................ saying the right thing.

I'll try to be nice (6) ............... him next time I see him.

3 Other adjectives (A, D)

Complete these paragraphs from a letter Emma has received from her brother. Use these adjectives and put a preposition after each one: aware, different, famous, full, interested, late, ready, responsible, similar, used

Everything was strange here at first because this new job is (►) different from any I've had before. But I've
got (►) used to it now, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm mainly (1)………………………………………. controlling

the costs of the project. The work is quite hard, and I must say I feel (2)……………………………………… a

holiday. The company expect people to do overtime. I wasn't (3) .......... ………………………… that before

I arrived because they hadn't told me at the interview, but I don't mind.

I've got a nice flat, which is very (4) ............................................... the one I had in London.

The only difference is that my flat here is (5)................................................. horrible old furniture.

I keep falling over it! I live right by the harbour. It's a pity

I've never been (6) ………………………………………… boats, because this is a good place for sailing.

The noise of the motor boats wakes me up every morning, so I'm never

(7) ……………………… work. The area is (8) ....................................... …………………….. its seafood, which

is great, because I love eating fish, as you know.


TEST 21 Prepositions (Units 118-125)

Test 21A

Write the sentences correctly.

I'll see you at Monday. I'll see you on Monday.

1 The doctor has been working since twelve hours.

2 We had a great time in the disco.

3 The woman was getting from the car.

4 The players had-numbers at their shirts.

5 The new manager takes over at two weeks' time.

6 Anna drove at the garage to get some -petrel.

7 We were sitting -in the back of the room.

Test 21B

Read Polly's postcard and write the missing words. Use one word only in each space. Sometimes more than one answer is correct.

This is our first real holiday (►) for ages, and I'm enjoying it tremendously. I love being (1)…………… an

island. We arrived here almost a week (2) …………, and I can't believe the time is going so fast. We finally
completed the journey here (3) ……………..Friday evening (4)………… about eleven o'clock. The journey

wasn't too bad, but we had to wait ages (5)................. the airport for our flight.

Our apartment here is fine. It's (6).................. the top floor. The beach isn't far away- we can walk there

(7)…………… five minutes. The only problem is that we have to get (8)…………….a busy main road,

which can be difficult.

We don't do much (9) …………the day, but we go out every evening. Last night's disco went on very late,
and today we slept (10)................. eleven.

Test 21C

Some of these sentences are correct, and some have a word which should not be there. If the sentence is correct, put a tick (V). If it is incorrect, cross the unnecessary word out of the sentence and write it in the space.

? The cat was sitting on top of the shed. V

? Coventry is near by Birmingham. by

 

1 Luckily our train arrived on the time.

2 People were running away from the gunman

3 It sounds as if the company is in trouble.

4 The car was in the front of a bus.

5 There's a meeting on next Tuesday.

6 Lisa drew a plan on the back of an envelope

7 I'll be exhausted by the time I get home.


Test 21D

Decide which word is correct.

► I saw a really funny programme on television. a) at b) from c) in d) on

1 You can see all the information .…………. the screen. a) at b) in c) inside d) on

2 Are these pictures.............. … sale? a) at b) for c) in d) to

3 Could you let me know …………. Friday at the latest? a) by b) to c) up to d) until

4 The audience clapped …………... the end of the show. a) at b) for c) in d) to

5 I've lived here ............. last year. a) after b) by c) for d) since

6 What's the matter ………….. your car? a) by b) for c) on d) with

7 We could see the balloon high …………... the town. a) above b) on c) onto d) up

8 There was a fall …………... ten per cent in prices. a) at b) by c) in d) of

9 The house was burgled .…………. we were out. a) at b) during c) time d) while

10 What's the difference …………. a boat and a ship? a) between b) from c) under d) with

11 Rupert's new car looks more …………. an aeroplane. a) as b) like c) near d) similar

12 We're all bored .……….. this game. a) about b) at c) for d) with

13 I can't find my keys. I had them a minute …………… a) ago b) before c) behind d) back

14 We get lots of requests ................ help. a) at b) for c) of d) on

15 The babysitter will stay there ………… we get home. a) by b) for c) to d) until

16 I'm going to be late …………. the meeting. a) at b) for c) in d) to

17 We do most of our business ………..summer. a) along b) at c) in d) on

18 The job is similar …………. my old one. a) as b) at c) to d) with

Test 21E

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Use the word in brackets.

► This is the Glasgow train, (going)
This train is going to Glasgow.

1 Scott is a resident of Washington, (lives)

2 I'm travelling to Italy as part of my job. (business)

3 Friday morning is a busy time for me. (I'm)

4 They started playing an hour ago. (been)

5 Jonathan can play tennis very well, (good)

6 I'm rather busy now. (moment)

7 We took a plane to Budapest, (air)

8 Nigel passes the newsagent's every day. (goes)

9 The company is planning to reduce the workforce, (reduction)

10 We got to our guest-house early enough for a meal, (time)



Date: 2014-12-22; view: 1625


<== previous page | next page ==>
In, on and at (time) | Prepositional verbs, e.g. wait for
doclecture.net - lectures - 2014-2024 year. Copyright infringement or personal data (0.029 sec.)