The role of prepositions in English. Articles in English A, An and The

One of the most important and at the same time difficult topics in English is the study of prepositions. It is not surprising that in foreign schools for the study of English, the topic - prepositions in english, ranks first in terms of the number of hours allocated for its study.

Even without a general knowledge of the topic of prepositions, it will be difficult for you to speak on the simplest everyday topic with native speakers. In order not to get confused in terms, remember that the concept - preposition in English means - a preposition. This is the topic we are going to study now.

So, let's begin!

Prepositions call service words that show the connection (relation) of nouns or pronouns with other words:

I need answer her at 10 o "clock - I need to answer her V 10 hours.

He began by beheading the king He started With king's beheading

they came from Dol Guldur- They came from Dol Guldur.

Prepositions are a part of speech have no independent function And are not part of the proposal. In Russian, in addition to prepositions, case endings are used, but as we know, English has practically no case endings.

In fact, the use of prepositions in English is the most important way of expressing the relationship of a noun to other words in a sentence.

Prepositions express:

1) Relationships in space:

On the wall- on wall

In the garden V garden

2) space time:

In June- V July

At 10 o'clock - V 10 hours

3) Various abstract meanings: causes, goals, etc.:

They prayed fo r her life- They prayed behind her life.

Types of prepositions

Prepositions can be classified:

1) according to the form of education on:

a) Simple

Simple prepositions in English consist of only one root:

at, in, for, on, with

b) Derivatives

Prepositions that contain suffixes and prefixes

across, below, behind, along

c) Complex

These are prepositions that have several roots.

inside, without, outside, within

d) Composite

Such prepositions consist of several words.

Because of, in accordance with, in front of

2) depending on their meaning for prepositions:

· Locations ( Place) - in, on, below, under, near, in front of

· Directions(Direction) – to, from, out of, into, in

· time(time) - after, before, at

· abstract relations(abstract relations) - by, with, because of, with a view to

In English, there is a category of prepositions that perform only a grammatical function, i.e. in combination with a noun or pronoun, they convey relations (It is new roof of our house is a new roof ( what?) of our house). In Russian, such an attitude is conveyed by indirect cases without prepositions.

Remember!! the use of prepositions in English in this sense means that they lose their lexical meaning and, accordingly, are not translated into Russian in separate words.

Here are the suggestions:

Genitive case (of whom? What?) - of

1) The preposition of, showing the belonging of an object or person to something. Represents a relationship between two nouns. In this sense, the combination of the preposition of with a noun or pronoun is equivalent to the genitive case in Russian:

the door of the car was broken Door ( what?) car was broken

Our name will be written at the first pages of the books- Our names will be inscribed on the first pages ( what?) books

Dative case (to whom? What?) - to

2) The preposition to before the noun and conveying the relation, in which the object (person) to whom the action is directed is designated. In Russian, this relation is expressed in the dative case (to whom? To what?)

She explained our plan to the manager- She explained our plan to whom?) manager

He showed the note to Jane- He showed a note to whom?) Jane.

Instrumental case - by whom? how? - with

3) The preposition by, if it is after the verb in the form of a passive voice before a noun, which denotes a person and an object. The preposition by in this case is equivalent to the relation, which in Russian is denoted by the instrumental case

The room was cleaned by maid- The room has been cleaned by whom?) maid

Instrumental case (by whom? by what?) - with

4) The preposition with, being in front of the entity, which denotes the object or instrument of action with which the action is performed. In this sense, the preposition with is equivalent to a Russian noun or pronoun in the instrumental case:

His wound was treated with hydrogen peroxide- The wound was treated how?) hydrogen peroxide.

• Most prepositions may have more than one, and multiple values(The meanings of each of the prepositions will be discussed in more detail in the relevant sections). For example, the preposition at - can mean:

1) a place with a value of y, about

I saw your bag at window- I saw your bag at window

2) time with value V, when specifying the moment of time

The meeting will be at 9 o'clock - The meeting will take place at 9 a.m.

• In English, in many cases, the choice of preposition depends only on the word(verb, noun, adjective), which preceded the proposal.

For example, the verb to laugh (to laugh). After it, the preposition at is needed:

Our enemies will be laugh at us- Our enemies will laugh at us

• In some cases, one specific verb can have a different meaning if different prepositions are used:

Sara is looking at her cat- Sarah look at your cat

Sara is looking for her cat- Sarah looking for your cat

Saar is looking after her cat- Sarah takes care of to your cat

• Prepositions are also used in stable combinations: after all - in the end, at all - in general, to the end - to the end

• There is no 100% correspondence between Russian and English prepositions. This means that one English preposition can be translated into Russian by various Russian prepositions:

She will be here in two minutes - she will be here through two minutes

We've been living in USA since 2013 – we are living V USA since 2013

Our company will make new branches in 1 year- our company will build new branches behind 1 year.

I got a lot of tips for growing my business in one month - i learned a lot of tips for growing my business in one month

• On the other hand, one Russian preposition can correspond to different prepositions in English:

I could not pick up the box because something was heavy on it- I couldn't lift the box because on she had something hard

Hey! Why are looking at me? - Hey! Why are you look at me

I really want to go to trip- I really want to go V journey

The great battles were in the south- On there were great battles in the south

• There are cases when an English verb is used exclusively with a preposition, although the same verb in Russian does not require a preposition after itself:

Can you wait for me 5 minutes can you wait for me 5 minutes?

Listen to us - listen to us

• In English there are verbs that do not require a preposition, while in Russian a preposition is required after the corresponding verb:

We entered the White House we entered V The White house

James followed us James followed behind us

He did not answer all questions he did not answer either on one question

These rules of prepositions in English are the most common and learning them will allow you to speak confidently with foreigners.

Place of a preposition in a sentence

1) A preposition always comes before a noun or pronoun (there are exceptions, which we will consider later). Accordingly, if the noun has an object, then the preposition is placed before this object:

I am looking at my cat- I look on my cat

I am looking at my fat cat I look on my fat cat

But the exception mentioned above: the preposition is placed at the end of the sentence - after the verb, or if there is an addition - after the addition in the following cases:

1) In the so-called indirect and direct questions. In such questions, the preposition refers to the pronouns which, who, what, whom, or the adverb where. But also a preposition, can stand before a question word:

What did you look for when selecting a girlfriend? - what do you look for (what do you pay attention to) when choosing a girlfriend?

Who did Monica speak to? - Who was Monica talking to?

2) In subordinate attributive sentences. In such sentences, the preposition refers to the relative pronoun. However, a preposition can also be placed before a relative pronoun:

The flat which she lives in is very small (The flat in which she lives is very small) Apartment, V where she lives, very small

3) In passive turns (passive). In such turns, the subject corresponds to the prepositional indirect object of the parallel real turn:

The police was sent for - Behind police sent

4) In infinitive turns:

i don't have photo camera to photograph with - I don't have a camera that I can take pictures with

So the theory ended there. As you can see, the correct use of prepositions in English requires knowledge of not only the rules, but also vocabulary replenishment. After all, prepositions are used in stable phrases that just need to be learned. This can take a long time, but the use of prepositions in English is the most important topic that will help you achieve the result.

Many beginners to learn English are familiar with the preposition “of” in only one of its qualities - the designation of the genitive case, which answers the questions “who?” and what?". And this is not surprising, because in most cases it is used this way:

The importance of education– the importance of (what?) education

The convenience of Skype lessons– convenience (of what?) of Skype lessons

The professionalism of teachers– professionalism of (whom?) teachers

However, there are other applications of this wonderful and pleasant to the ear preposition (by the way, it is by no means pronounced [ɔf] - remember, only [ɔv]). There are not so many such cases, and they are less common, but it is desirable to know them in order to adequately translate English thoughts into Russian when communicating and, no less important, translate Russian thoughts into English.

So, the uses of the preposition “of” that may be of interest to you and will certainly be useful:

1) instrumental

This case answers the questions “about whom?” and “about what?”. Examples:

Will you please tell me of your last night adventures?
won't you tell me (about what?) about your adventures last night?

Have you heard of the recent upheaval in Egypt ?
Heard (about what?) about the recent unrest in Egypt?

Do you ever read anything of famous people? Because you're confusing their names like hell!
Do you read anything (about whom?) about famous people? It's just that you constantly confuse their names and surnames!

Note: with the verbs “tell”, “hear”, “read” in these and similar examples, you can use the preposition “about” in almost the same meaning, but “of” will give your speech more variety and elegance. By the way, the title of the article is composed exactly according to this principle, only without the verb.

2) belonging

The question of belonging "whose?" in most cases, it can be easily replaced by the question of the genitive case “whom?”

“The Green Mile” is one of the best novels of Stephen King.
The Green Mile is one of the best novels (whose/whom?) Stephen King.

However, in the situation with pronouns, difficulties can arise. I am sure that many of you will not find the examples below difficult and incomprehensible, since they teach this even in schools quite early, but it is never superfluous to play it safe, right?

Asia and Landysh are friends of mine , and I'm happy about it.
Asya and Lily of the valley - (whose?) my friends and it's great.

A mistake here may be to use, for example, “me” instead of “mine”. Let's list all the friends so as not to be mistaken:

friend of mine
friend of yours
friend of his
friend of hers
friend of ours
friend of theirs

The place of the word "friend" can be taken by any other - "pen", "idea", "ability".

“Which is this pen?” “This one is of mine.” (or you can just “This is mine”)
Whose is this pen? This my.

They stand an idea of yours!
They stole yours idea!

It is an ability of hers to seduce men.
Have her such an ability to seduce men.

3) an indication of the city, locality, country where the person was born

In the following example, the question "from where?" will appear. Using “of” is a rather original way to answer it. A great way to impress when meeting :)

Hello! Where did you come from? What is your name? “Greetings! I am Daniel of the Russian Federation .”
Oh, hi! Where are you from ? What is your name?
Greetings! My name is Daniel and I from Russian Federation.

Note: the same can be said about an organization, company, society

My name is Bill Gates, and I am of Microsoft.
My name is Bill Gates and I'm from Microsoft.

Please note that in such examples, you can put a noun before “of”: the citizen of the Russian Federation, the director of Microsoft.

4) definition

The construction “of + noun” (“of” + noun) performs the function of a definition (adjective) in a sentence and answers the question “which one?”. It is translated either as a verb with an adjective, or simply as an adjective. Compare:

This diamond is of tremendous value; it must be protected no matter the cost.
This diamond is of incredible value and must be protected at all costs.

This diamond of tremendous value must be protected no matter the cost.
This diamond (Which?) of incredible value must be protected at all costs.

Apply in the same way:
of taste, of flavor, of importance, of significance, of beauty, etc.

5) motivation

Sometimes in a sentence to a noun with the preposition “of” you can ask the question “why?”, “From what motives?”, “For what reason?”. Study an example:

I am doing it for you of sheer necessity, not of compassion.
I do it for you (Why?) only because it is necessary, not out of compassion.

Here it should be noted that examples of the use of the preposition “of” in its usual genitive case deserve separate consideration. In this article, I focused on less familiar formulations. Follow the updates on our website so as not to miss interesting information!

Hello my wonderful readers!

You can probably guess what is the most frequently used word in English speech, right? Of course it is the article "the". And today we will analyze where its use in English is appropriate and where it is not. We will study the rules for its use, look at numerous examples, and analyze a table with stable expressions that you can always have at hand. And then you can go to and to consolidate everything you learned here.

Go ahead, friends!

A little bit of grammar

If the article “a” (about it in detail!) Is used only with nouns that can be counted, then “the” is used with all nouns: and in singular and plural; both countable and non-countable items .

By the way, the pronunciation of the article also changes depending on which letter the next word begins with. If the word begins with a consonant, then the article is pronounced like [ðə], for example the banana - banana. But if the subject begins with a vowel, then it is pronounced like [ði], for example, the apple - apple.

When to use

• If in speech or in writing already mentioned subject, then in the future you can put this article with it.

I received an e-mail from my friends. The letter told me that they would visit me on the weekend.- I received a letter from my friends. The letter said that they would visit me over the weekend.

• With unique items that are one and only of their kind, we also use the - the sun, the moon, the Earth.

The moon today is extremely beautiful. The moon is incredibly beautiful today.

• The article has a special relationship with geographical names. With titles rivers, deserts, oceans, island groups and mountain ranges we can confidently use the article, but we must not forget about exceptions. I am very detailed about them.

The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.- The Atlantic Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on the planet.

The Comoro Islands attract lots of tourists every year.- Comoros attracts many tourists every year.

• With titles hotels, cinemas, ships, museums, galleries and newspapers we most often also use the definite article.

The Hilton hotel is about to open in our city.- In our city, the Hilton hotel is about to open.

The Louvre is the most attended museum in Europe.- The Louvre is the most visited museum in Europe.

• With adjectives in the highest degree of comparisons: the most, the best, the worst.

The most beautiful place I've ever been is Japan in spring.- The most beautiful place I have ever seen is Japan in the spring.

The best books I've ever read were about Harry Potter.- The best books I've read are Harry Potter.

• With musical tools and titles dancing.

The violin is my most beloved musical instrument.- The violin is my favorite musical instrument.

The contemporary has become very popular among dancers some years ago.- Contempo became very popular among dancers a few years ago.

When not used

It is important to know when the definite article is used, but it is equally important to know when it is. Not used.

• with plural nouns that can't be counted when we say something general.

Trees produce oxygen.- Trees produce oxygen. (any trees, in general)

• With names own and before names we never use it.

Jinny is very talented. She can play 3 different musical instruments. Ginny is very talented. She can play three different instruments.

• With titles countries, cities, streets, parks, mountains, lakes, bridges and islands we try to avoid it.

Spain is mostly famous for its football club Barcelona. - Spain is mostly known for its football club Barcelona.

I dream of climbing Everest.- I dream of climbing Everest.

• With titles sports, activities, games, colors, days, months, drinks, meals he is not friendly.

I can speak Turkish a little.- I can speak Turkish a little.

I was born in July. - I was born in July.

My favorite color is green. - Green is my favorite color.

• If we have pronouns this, that, those- We Not use "the". In addition, with possessive pronouns (and the possessive case in general!) we also do not use it.

This the ball was signed by a famous football player.- This ball was signed by a famous football player.

Kathy's dress is ready. I've already cleaned it.- Casey's dress is ready. I cleaned it yesterday.

• With words school, church, hospital, college, university, court, prison we use it or we don't use it depending on meaning. Let's see an example:

I go to school from Monday to Friday.- I go to school from Monday to Friday. (as a student)

My mother went to the school for a meeting. My mother went to school for a meeting. (As a parent, not as a student)

• With titles diseases we can also use or do not use article.

I've got (the) flu. - I got sick.

Set expressions

Both the and a form fixed expressions that cannot be changed in any way. So let's get to know them (By the way, if you need general information about the articles of the English language, then you are).

I am sure that now that you have a hint in the form of a table and structured rules in your hands, it will be much easier for you to master the ones that I have prepared for you. And after them, you can move on to. Practice as much as possible, study, learn new rules and improve your English.

And I'm ready to help you with this. The materials on my blog are constantly updated, and my subscribers receive them even before they appear on the site. I look forward to seeing you there as well, to share important materials with the very first.

And for today I say goodbye.

This article will focus on English prepositions and the rules for their use.

Hello my blog followers and guests! I hope you enjoyed the past holidays and returned to work rested and with bright emotions. It is always very difficult to start working after a long weekend, but nothing can be done.

On New Year's Eve, I received a large number of letters with kind words and congratulations, friends! Thank you very much, it was very nice! I am very glad that my articles are useful. It is very important for me!

Once again, I congratulate everyone on the upcoming 2014 and the upcoming holiday of the Old New Year! Best wishes to you and your families! Have a wonderful year! Enjoy life!

I will tell you about the rules for their use, and also go over the rest of the prepositions of the English language.

A preposition is a function word that expresses various relationships between words in a sentence or phrase.

Prepositions in, at, on, to, of.

1. The preposition "in"

We use this word when something is INSIDE of something. For example:

I'm in the car.

(I'm in the car)

The gift is in the box.

(Gift in a box)

We are in the train.

(We are on the train)

These thoughts are in my head.

(These thoughts are in my head)

You're in my dreams.

(You are in my dreams)

This key is in my fist.

(This key is in my fist)

Also, the preposition "in" is used when naming the time of the year: in January (in January), in February (in February), in summer/winter/autumn/spring (in summer/winter/autumn/spring), in the evening/morning /midnight (in the evening, in the morning, at midnight), etc. BUT " At the end of smth!

I always take my exams at the end of December.

(I always take my exams at the end of December)

I'm going to visit London in February.

(I am going to visit London in February)

It seems to be not difficult, but sometimes it is really difficult to use this preposition correctly. When I first started learning English, I was always confused about the difference between "at" and "in". I couldn’t decide how to say “I’m in the school” or “I’m at school” correctly. I'll try to explain the difference.

2. The preposition "at" - on, in.

We use "at" when:

- we are in some place (most often public) and we are engaged in some kind of activity there. For example, we study, work, etc.:

I'm at hospital (I'm in the hospital)

(Or "I'm at the hospital"). You can say this and that. (you can read about articles in the article)

This means that I am probably sick, I am in the hospital and being treated. Also, I can visit someone there, etc.

I'm at university.

(I am at the university)

This means that I sit in pairs and study.

I'm at the supermarket.

(I'm at the supermarket)

It means I'm shopping.

(I'm at work)

I am working.

(I'm home). Just remember this phrase.

I'm at my friend's.

(I'm at my friend's)

This means that I'm visiting my friend.

I'm at my girlfriend's/my brother's/my sister's.

(I'm with my girlfriend/brother/sister), etc. The same meaning - I'm away.

Remember these designs!

Every New Year's eve we seat at the table with my family and celebrate each other.

(Every New Year we gather at the table with the whole family and congratulate each other)

- when talking about time, we also use "at":

(At seven o'clock)

I wake up at six o'clock.

(I wake up at six o'clock).

(You can read about how to call time in English in the article)

To be honest, even now I sometimes confuse the use of "at" and "in". But I'm not very worried about this, because this is not a strong mistake;) If you get confused, it's okay, over time you will feel the difference. But, nevertheless, we must try to speak correctly.

I'm at the airport (I'm in the airport). Not a serious mistake.

3. The preposition "on" - on.

We use "on" when:

- something is located on something.

The bottle is on the table.

(The bottle is on the table)

My flat is on the second floor.

(My apartment is on the second floor)

We are talking about the days of the week.

I'll come to you on Sunday.

(I will come to you on Sunday)

I'll start working on Monday.

(I will start working on Monday)

Let's see on Friday.

(Let's see you Friday)

We use an electronic device to talk. For example:

Hi, I'm sorry I'm on my cellphone and I can't send you a letter right now.

(Hi, sorry, I'm on my cell phone right now, so I can't send you an email)

I'm on my tablet, so let's speak on voice chart when I come home.

(I'm talking to you on my tablet right now, so let's have a voice chat when I get home)

4. The preposition "to" - in, on, to.

I had problems with this preposition at the very beginning of the study. But you only need practice to get used to it and use it automatically.

We use it when we are heading somewhere to indicate direction.

I go to work five days a week.

(I go to work 5 days a week)

I'm going to university.

(I'm going to the university)

I'm going to Moscow.

(I'm going to Moscow)

I'm going to a supermarket.

(I go to the supermarket)

I'll come to you tomorrow.

(I will come to you tomorrow)

BUT, we DO NOT USE "TO" with the following words: to go abroad (to go abroad), to go underground (to go to the subway), to go downtown (to go to the city center), to go somewhere/anywhere (to go somewhere) , to go there/here (go there/here), to go in/inside (go inside), to go out/outside (go outside), to go upstairs/downstairs (go up/down the stairs). REMEMBER THEM!

I'm going there.

(I go there)

I'm going abroad.

(I'm going overseas)

Also, the preposition "to" conveys the meaning of the dative case in Russian.

I'll give it to you.

(I'll give it to you)

I'll sing this song to you.

(I'll sing this song to you)

And of course, “to” is used with the infinitive: to go (walk), to read (read), etc.

5. Preposition "of".

Not a very difficult suggestion. As you know, it conveys the meaning of the genitive case in Russian.

A friend of my sister.

(Friend of my sister)

A teacher of this university.

(Lecturer at this university)

But sometimes this preposition can correspond to the meaning of the preposition "about" - about (something). For example:

I'm thinking of this problem.

(I think about this problem)

I'm thinking of going abroad.

(I'm thinking about going abroad)

We have to talk about the facts.

(We must talk facts)

So keep that in mind ;)

Well, I talked about the main prepositions in English. It is very important to know them and understand when they are used. Below are tables with these and some other prepositions.

Prepositions in English: Table

Now you know all the prepositions of the English language. Keep learning English and take care of yourself!

» All prepositions in English