Verb-prepositional unity. Set expressions in English with prepositions Prepositional phrases in English

6 cue phrases

I don't know how many "sources" and " constituent parts”, but two sources of modern English idioms can be named without hesitation - this is the Bible in the version of King James (of course, not James!) - the King James Version of 1611(see article Bible words and phrases ) and Shakespeare. In the famous English joke a certain lady says that she likes Shakespeare, but one thing irritates - an abundance of clichés! Shakespeare is the most quoted author, and words, expressions, sometimes whole passages from Shakespeare are found in the speech of people who have read it for a very long time or have not read it at all. The amazing power of Shakespeare's words, no less than his genius as a playwright, makes many doubt that the author of great works really was an unremarkable and, judging by the surviving scraps of historical information, an unattractive resident of Stratford. I share these doubts, but there is no opportunity to consider this topic here. Unfortunately, in concise dictionary there will not be enough space for a small fraction of Shakespeare's idiomatics, with which a self-respecting translator (including those who work mainly orally) should be at least superficially familiar. We confine ourselves to a minimal "Shakespearean educational program" in the hope of the reader's ability to educate himself.

Of course, there are few people who do not know that it is Shakespeare who owns the words To be or not to be: that is the question or A horse! A horse! My Kingdom for a horse(from "Richard III"), or those who are not familiar with their "canonical" translations that have entered the Russian language ( To be or not to be, that is the question and Horse, horse! Half the kingdom for a horse!). Many will correctly point out the origin of another oft-quoted passage:
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell like sweet.
(Romeo and Juliet)
Translated by Shchepkina-Kupernik:
What's in a name? What we call a rose
And under a different name kept b
Your sweet scent.
Two quotations are interesting, which are found almost more often in Russian than in English texts.
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women are merely players.
The whole world is a theater, and the people in it are actors.
(From comedy As You Like It– “As you like it”)
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dream of in your philosophy.
There are many things in the world, friend Horatio,
What our wise men never dreamed of
(From "Hamlet" translated in 1828 (!) by M. Vronchenko; it is in this form that this quotation entered the Russian language.)
But here is another "Shakespearianism", also from Hamlet and also addressed to Horatio: In my mind's eye, Horatio (in translations, with different variations - In the eyes of my soul, Horatio). The vast majority of English speakers who use this common expression do not realize that they are "quoting Shakespeare." (In Russian we say something like in my mind I see or mind's eye.)
A few similar examples:
foregone conclusion (from "Othello"). firmly entered the language. It is used when it comes to a predetermined result, a foregone conclusion, something beyond doubt. The outcome of the general elections was a foregone conclusion(International Herald Tribune);
to the manner born (from "Hamlet"). Means a natural inclination towards something, an innate ability, ease in doing a job or performing duties. There is an option to the manor born(difference in writing, but not in pronunciation). Successful translation: It's in his blood;
True it is that we have seen better days (from "As You Like It"). The translation is obvious: We've seen (we've had) better times. Sometimes they say this about a woman of not her first youth: She has seen better days or about politics in crisis;
to wear one's heart upon one's sleeve (from Othello) don't hide your feelings . In Russian you can say soul wide open;
a plague on both your houses. Mercutio's words from Romeo and Juliet. Often used in Russian speech ( a plague on both your houses), often without the slightest idea of the source;
brevity is the soul of wit. It has become proverbial in Russian too ( Brevity is the soul of wit). But still, it’s good to know that this is also from Hamlet, where the meaning is deeper (in the translation of M. Lozinsky - "Brevity is the soul of the mind");
brave new world (from "The Storm" - The Tempest). And of course, from the title of a novel by Aldous Huxley, which was previously semi-banned in our country. In Shakespeare: O brave new world that has such people in't (Oh, wonderful world where there are such people). Huxley ("Beautiful new world”), we are dealing with a typical (and, in my opinion, rather boring) dystopian novel. It must be borne in mind that this expression is used most often ironically or with a touch of condemnation;
honorable men (from "Julius Caesar" - Julius Caesar). A similar case: the ironically-condemning use of a seemingly understandable phrase. True, there are cases when it is used in its direct meaning ( worthy people). But the translator must be careful. Many English speakers remember the passage in Shakespeare's tragedy where Mark Antony calls Brutus an honorable man, meaning quite the opposite. Quotation marks will help in translation ( "honorable" citizens), verbally you have to take a risk or say something neutral ( human reputable);
there is method in the madness. Modified quote from Hamlet. It is understood that behind the external illogicality, the strangeness of some act or phenomenon lies its own logic, its own meaning;
more in sorrow than in anger (also from Hamlet). Pasternak's "rather with anguish than with anger" is not very suitable in translating this expression in its modern use. Better to say more with regret than with indignation/anger;
more sinned against than sinning. My favorite quote from "King Lear"(that's what he says about himself) main character: I am a man/more sinned against than sinning). In a beautiful, undeservedly forgotten translation by M. Kuzmin: There are others/sinners before me than I am before them. An example of conciseness and precision!
the wheel has come full circle (from King Lear) Most often used like this: we have come full circle - we have come to where we started;
strange bedfellows (from The Storm). Often quoted as in a play ( Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows - In need with whom you will not lead), but most often, unaware of the Shakespearean roots of this phrase, they say politics makes strange bedfellows. Fresh modification from Time magazine: President Jacques Chirac and newly-elected Prime Minister Lionel Jospin make uneasy bedfellows. This refers to strange (at first glance) political alliances, coalitions, or, as in the last example, "cohabitation" (fr. cohabitation). But it's not just that, but bedfellows! English speakers undoubtedly feel this "bed" connotation. Thus, in Time magazine, the quoted phrase is accompanied by a corresponding caricature. So, if desired, the translator has a place to turn around;
salad days (from "Antony and Cleopatra"). Sometimes quoted, as in the play: My salad days, when I was green in judgment.(Translated by M. Donskoy: Then I was / I am an inexperienced, immature girl. Perhaps the word girl still inappropriate in the mouth of Cleopatra.) It is used quite often, sometimes with irony: the salad days of detente(W. Safire) - détente (of international tension) in its first bloom. In a conversation, you can use Russian young green. More "serious" translation - period / era of formation;
at one fell swoop (from "Macbeth"). Another example, when the Shakespearean origin of a phrase is almost not felt by anyone (there are others - fight till the last gasp - fight / fight until the last breath from "Henry VI" / Henry VI; as good luck would have it - fortunately; and then luck smiled at me from The Wisps of Windsor/ The Merry Wives of Windsor). At one fell swoop - in one fell swoop, overnight, in an instant;
sound and fury. Also from "Macbeth", as well as from the title of Faulkner's novel (Russian translation "The Sound and the Fury"). For lack of space, it is impossible to quote Macbeth's brilliant monologue in full. The main thing: is a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury/Signifying nothing. Translated by M. Lozinsky: This is news, / Told by a fool, where there is a lot / And noise and passions, but there is no point. Shakespeare sounds scary. sound and fury in figurative meaning can have two meanings: one is close to much ado about nothing(by the way, also “Shakespeareanism” - the name of the play Much Ado About Nothing), the second means remarkable passions, dramatic events. And it is not always easy to feel the contextual meaning;
every inch a king (from King Lear) Translated by T. Shchepkina-Kupernik King, from head to toe. Instead of a word king others are often used - gentleman, lady, statesman, etc. In Russian - real, to the bone. Attention: often used jokingly, ironically;
‘tis neither here nor there. So in Othello. In everyday speech, of course, it's. In English-Russian phraseological dictionary A.V. Kunina does not indicate the Shakespearean origin of this phrase. Do not translate it into Russian neither to the village nor to the city(Russian flavor is too strong). May be, this is not from that opera? Perhaps it is better to stay within the framework of a neutral style: this is irrelevant / irrelevant / I was talking about something else;
cry havoc (from the immortal "Julius Caesar"). In the play: Caesar's spirit... shall... cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war. Translated by I. Mandelstam: "Death to all!" - unleashing the dogs of war. AT recent times(perhaps this is the time?) Both parts of this quote are popular - let's recall F. Forsyth's novel The Dogs of War. The figurative meaning is quite diverse - give a signal for robbery, engage in incitement; wage a merciless war, ruin everything around etc. But there is another meaning cry havoc - shout guard, sow panic. Wed play havoc with something - sow destruction, devastate, disorganize.
What can I say in conclusion (and in my defense)? “You can’t embrace the immensity” (this, of course, is not from Shakespeare, but from Kozma Prutkov, but it can also confuse the translator. Possible - I confess, not brilliant - translation You can't cover what's boundless. It can also be said more simply: I couldn't do it if I tried!).

8 positional

9 positional

10 fluent phrases

11 important phrases

12 positional

13 sententious phrases

14 positional

15 sententious phrases

16 positional

17 positional

[ˌprepəˈzɪʃənl]

prepositional gram. prepositional

18 intelligibility of phrases

19 fluent phrases

20 lofty phrases

List of set expressions in English with translation

Yes, we have prepared a small list of ≈ 140 expressions. The same set phrases are duplicated in our set of words -.

And yes, just in case: set expressions- these are combinations of 2 or more words that are often used together with each other and sound natural to a native speaker. It can be noun + adjective, noun + verb, verb + adverb, etc.

Translation of set expressions from English into Russian

1. Set expressions with the verb to do in English

To do someone a favor (Provide someone a favor)

To do the cooking (Cook)

To do the housework (Do housework)

To do the shopping (Make purchases)

To do the washing up (Wash the dishes)

To do your best (Try)

To do your hair (Comb your hair)

2. Set expressions with the verb to have in English

To have a good time (Have a good time, more often used as a wish)

To have a bath (Take a bath)

To have a drink (Drink)

To have a haircut (Cut your hair)

To have a holiday (Have a vacation / vacation)

To have a problem (Have a problem, face a problem)

To have a relationship / to be in relationship (To be in a relationship)

To have lunch (Dine, have lunch)

To have sympathy (Sympathize)

3. Set expressions with the verb to break

To break the law (Break the law)

Break a leg (Informal: Good luck! No fluff, no feather!)

To break a promise (Break a promise)

To break a record (To break a record)

To break someone's heart (Break someone's heart)

To break the ice (Idiom: break the ice, take the first step, soften the situation, make a start)

To break the news to someone (Tell someone important news)

To break the rules (Break the rules)

4. Set expressions with the verb to take

To take a break (Take a break)

To take a chance (Take a chance, use a chance)

To take a look (Look)

To take a rest (Relax)

To take a seat (Sit down)

To take a taxi (Take a taxi)

To take an exam (Take an exam)

To take notes (Take notes)

To take someone's place (Take someone's place)

5. Set expressions with the verb to make

To make a difference (Make a difference, make a difference, significantly change things)

To make a mess (Make a mess)

To make a mistake (Make a mistake)

To make a noise

To make an effort (Make an effort)

To make money (Earn)

To make progress

To make room (Give room for someone)

To make trouble (Deliver problems)

6. Phrases with the verb to catch

To catch the bus (Catch the bus)

To catch a ball (Catch the ball)

To catch a cold (Catch a cold)

To catch a thief (Catch a thief)

To catch fire (Light up)

To catch sight of (See, notice)

To catch someone's attention (Catch someone's attention)

To catch someone's eye (Get someone's attention)

To catch the flu

7. Set expressions with the verb to pay

To pay respect (Express respect)

To pay a fine (Pay a fine)

To pay attention (Pay attention)

To pay by credit card (Pay by credit card)

To pay cash (Pay cash)

To pay interest

To pay someone a visit (Visit someone)

To pay the bill (Pay the bill)

To pay the price (Pay the price)

8. Stable expression with the verb to keep

To keep the change

To keep a promise (Keep a promise)

To keep an appointment (Come to the appointed place)

To keep calm (Keep calm)

To keep in touch (Stay in touch)

To keep quiet

To keep someone's place (Take, hold someone's place)

9. Phrases with the verb to save

Dictionary of set expressions of the English language

Phew, that's quite an impressive list, isn't it? to learn these expressions through interactive training.

But that's not all. Let's move on to the promised dictionaries. Oxford Collocation Dictionary- an amazing dictionary of set expressions in the English language. It works like this: you open the word that you are currently learning and look at lists of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, collective words, etc.) that match with it.

There is another source where you can find the context of a word - these are English-English online dictionaries: Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. You type a word into the search bar and you will find a bunch of usage examples next to its meaning. It is immediately clear which independent and service parts of speech are used together with it.

Learn not only individual words, but also set phrases that native speakers use. Learn and perceive them together as a whole.
To search for them, use a special dictionary with stable expressions or look at the context in which the word is used in English-English dictionaries. You need to do this with every new word that you learn!
When you read texts / watch movies / listen to songs in English, also write down the combinations of words that you hear there.
You can memorize set expressions in English in different ways: by topic (food, time, business, etc.) or by keyword(as in our article). If it is more convenient for your memory to memorize by topic, take our examples and break them into such thematic groups.
If you are writing a text or compiling a story in English on a topic, then look for English-language articles on this topic. Look at what expressions are used there (most often, they will be the same). If you find it, feel free to use it: this is exactly what native speakers say about this topic.

: we have a huge amount of authentic materials in English, from where you can pick up set expressions, and then drive them away in training. 🙂

Phrases with prepositions Set expressions with prepositions

In English, there are a number of set expressions with prepositions that you need to remember:
1. Prepositions with nouns
a. Nouns with the preposition by
by mistake
by accident
by chance
by the way, by the way
by your favor/with your permission
b. Nouns with for
for a walk/swim etc. walk swim etc. .
for breakfast/lunch etc. for breakfast/lunch, etc.
in. Nouns with in
in somebody's opinion
in fact, in fact, actually
in case
d. Nouns with the preposition on
on the radio/television, etc. on radio/television
on holiday/business/a trip/an cruise etc. on vacation / on a business trip / on a trip / on excursions / on a cruise, etc.
2. Prepositions with adjectives (prepositions with adjectives)
a. Adjectives with the preposition of
to be afraid/frightened of being frightened/frightened of something or someone; afraid
to be ashamed/proud of being ashamed/proud of something or someone
to be aware of something
to be fond of loving anything
to be full of being full of something (strength, energy)
to be jealous/envious of
to be tired of
it is nice (kind/good/stupid/impolite, etc.) of someone from someone's side
b. Adjectives with the preposition at
to be bad/good/hopeless, etc. at have no ability (success) / have the ability (success) / be hopeless, etc. in any activity
to be shocked/surprised, etc. at/by being shocked/surprised, etc. anything
in. Adjectives with with
to be disappointed/satisfied with
d. Adjectives with the preposition about
to be angry/annoyed about
e. Adjectives with the preposition for
to be responsible for
to be famous for being known for something (record, deed, etc.)
to be/feel sorry for smb. pity/sympathize with someone
e. Adjectives with the preposition in
to be interested in
in general
and. Adjectives with the preposition to
to be similar to
to be glad to meet smb. be glad to meet someone
to be married/engaged to be married (married)/engaged
it is nice to meet you
3. Prepositions with verbs
a. Verbs with the preposition for
apply for
care for
look for To look after
punish for
search for to look for something, someone
wait for to wait for something, someone
go for a (walk/swim)
b. Verbs with the preposition in
believe in
succeed in
in. Verbs with the preposition to
belong to
happen to happen
listen to listen to something, someone
speak to/with say something
d. Verbs with about/of
complain about
dream about/of
think about/of
consist of
remind of be like, remind
e. Verbs with the preposition on
depend on
insist on
live on
rely on
be on go
e. Verbs with the preposition at
laugh at
mock at
look at
shout at
and. Verbs with the preposition after
look after
h. Verbs with the preposition through
look through (newspaper, magazine)
and. Verbs with the preposition from
suffer from
j. Verbs with the preposition by
stand by to be nearby, to be ready to help
l. Verbs with the preposition off
be off to go
put something off
m. Verbs with the preposition around/about
wait around/about
n. Verbs with the preposition up
wake up
get up

Many experienced English language learners complain that no matter how much they read, watch and listen to English-language sources, no matter how many words they learn, they can never put these individual words into an organized and logical statement. Do you know what the problem is? Experienced teachers have long been saying that it is necessary to learn not words, but unity. Then, in the speech stream, words will automatically fly out not separately, but as part of a phrase - correct and prepared in advance. We begin to study such combinations with verbs. It is known that most verbs are connected with other words through prepositions - listen to, look at etc. There is a whole set of such unities, and studying them will allow not only remembering the correct preposition for each verb, but also learning many new and extremely necessary verbs! At the first stage, we will learn only the most frequent, so to speak, first aid verbs.

Table. English verbs with prepositions

verb+preposition	Translation	example
AGREE WITH	agree with	Don't you AGREE WITH Jemy?
BEGIN WITH	start with	Let's BEGIN WITH an exercise.
BELIEVE IN	believe in	Many people don't BELIEVE IN God.
DREAM ABOUT	dream about	What are you DREAMING ABOUT?
EXCUSE FOR	sorry for	Please, EXCUSE me FOR yesterday "s argument.
FORGET ABOUT	forget about	Let's FORGET ABOUT our argument.
FORGIVE FOR	sorry for	Please, FORGIVE me FOR yesterday "s argument.
HEAR ABOUT	hear about	Have you HEARD ABOUT a new reform?
HOPE FOR	hope for	Let's HOPE FOR the best.
INTEREST IN	be interested in something	Children are INTERESTED IN cartoons.
KNOW ABOUT	know about	Do you KNOW anything ABOUT yesterday's argument?
LAUGH AT	laugh at	Don't LAUGH AT his mistakes!
LISTEN TO	listen to something	Let's LISTEN TO "The Beatles".
LOOK AT	take a look at	LOOK AT that man! He is stealing Rob's car!
PAY FOR	pay for	Would you like to PAY FOR the dress with a credit card?
RESPECT FOR	respect for	We RESPECT him FOR being a talented boss.
SMELL OF	smell of something	Why does the soup SMELL OF candy?
SMILE AT	smile at someone	look! This handsome guy is SMILING AT you!
TALK ABOUT	talk about	The employees were TALKING ABOUT a pay rise.
THANK FOR	give thanks for	I would like to THANK you FOR this romantic dinner.
WAIT FOR	wait for someone/something	We are now WAITING FOR the bus.
WORRY ABOUT	worry about	Don "t WORRY ABOUT him! He"ll be fine.

If you have mastered the most commonly used verbs, then we offer you a more complete

In order not to miss new useful materials,

Based on my own teaching experience, I can say with confidence that work on prepositions is like a repair: it cannot be completed, but can only be suspended. We first encounter prepositions on the most early stages language learning, but do not forget about them for more high levels. In this article, we will consider set expressions with prepositions on, in, by, for, at, out of, from, to, up. I think this material will be useful to all students from Elementary to Advanced level.

The use of some prepositions is easy to remember because expressions similar in meaning are used with the same prepositions. In addition, such phrases are quite logically translated into Russian, which also makes them easier to remember.

for: example, for instance- for example ( for example);
in: in a pair of trousers, in a dress – in some clothes;
at: at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner – per some kind of meal, meal (but for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner – on the breakfast, lunch or dinner, talking about food).

It often happens that expressions with a similar meaning (place, mode of action, etc.) are formed using different prepositions:

in cash(cash) – by credit card(by credit card);
by accident(by chance) - on purpose(intentionally);
at the bottom(at the bottom) - in the bottom of the right-hand corner of the page(in the lower right corner of the page);
by car(by car) - on foot(on foot);
holiday(on vacation / vacation) – at work(at work);
in a loud voice(loud voice) - at the top of his voice(in a loud voice);
on earth(on the ground) - in the world(in the world).

As for the expression "on the ground", here, of course, one can draw a parallel with a certain surface on which we live. Accordingly, the “world” is the place in which we live. That is, the last pair of expressions will be easy to remember, because they are literally translated into Russian and seem logical to us. Similarly with the expression by car it helps us to know the rules for using the preposition by: We use it when we refer to a mode of transport. However, with the majority prepositional phrases(expressions with prepositions) this number will not work, they should just be remembered.

In order to better understand the nature of such expressions, the purpose of their use in a sentence, and also to know what prepositional phrase or set expressions with prepositions in English, I suggest watching the following video:

As we can see, knowing and using prepositional phrases helps us write and read better. Our speaking skill is also greatly improved by the correct use of these expressions, as they bring more detail and color to our speech.

Prepositional phrases are used to indicate the location ( location), directions ( direction), time ( time), mode of action ( manner), feelings ( feeling), the relationship of the speaker to the subject of discussion ( attitude).

We bring to your attention a table with a selection of frequently used expressions with prepositions on, in, by, for, at, out of, from, to, up:

on
on behalf of on behalf of (someone) on condition that- provided that on no account- in no case on my own- on one's own on purpose- on purpose, on purpose on second thoughts- on mature reflection, weighing everything again on the whole- generally	on business- on business on a diet- dieting on arrival- on arrival on average- average on foot- on foot on the one hand- one side on the other hand- on the other hand on line- in action, at work	on duty- in the performance of (official) duties on fire- engulfed in flames on horseback- on a horse on the left/right- left (right) on my part- from my side on the phone- by phone on the screen- on the screen holiday- on holiday on my side- on my side
in
in conclusion- Finally in the west - in the West to be in control- control, manage in danger- in danger in favor of- in defense, in support of someone (something); in favor of someone (something) in general- all in all	in other words- in other words in time- in time in cash– cash in a uniform- in uniform in a dress- in a dress in haste- in a rush in German- in German in pencil- pencil	in a group– group in addition to- in addition to in answer to- in response to in the future- in future in the news- in the news in pairs– in pairs in this respect- in this respect
by
by accident- unintentionally by heart- by heart by chance- by chance by mistake- by mistake by the way- by the way by bus– by bus by sea/land/air– by sea / by land / by air by example- by example (example)	by sight- approximately by means of– through by no means- in no way; by no means by check– by check day by day- every day, day by day by Mozart– (written by) Mozart by airmail– by airmail	by e-mail– by email by fax/phone– fax (telephone) by far- clearly, avowedly, unequivocally by the rules- according to the rules by the arm- by the hand (to take) by telepathy- using telepathy by hand– manually
for
for a change- for variety for ages- for ages for breakfast- for breakfast for fear of- out of fear for fun- for fun for pleasure- for pleasure for good- forever and ever; for the good	for granted- for granted for ever- forever, forever for luck- for luck for life- for life for nothing- in vain, in vain for sale- for sale for short- for short, abbreviated	for a walk- to walk for a while- for some time for now- for now for birthday- for a birthday for better or worse Is it for the better or not? anyway for my sake- for me for the moment- for now
at
at all times- at all times at first sight- at first sight at the moment- Currently at the age of- aged at the beginning- at first at breakfast- at breakfast at the bottom of- at the bottom at the bus stop- on a bus stop	at dawn- at dawn at sea- bewildered, bewildered at the corner- in the corner at last- finally at the door- at the door at the end- in the end at first- first at once- straightaway	at home- at home at arm's length- at arm's length at least- at least at the same time- in the same time at times- sometimes at daybreak- at dawn at work- at work
out of
out of order- spoiled, out of order out of favor- objectionable, not respected, not honored out of the way- not on the way, off to the side out of touch- lost connection out of the wood- be out of danger out of work- unemployed	out of breath- out of breath out of control- uncontrolled out of danger- out of danger out of date- obsolete out of doors- outside, on the street out of luck- things are not going my way out of money- without money	out of print- sold out; sold out (goods) out of sight- great, great out of tune- false, not in unison out of earshot- out of hearing out of time- untimely
from
from now on- from now on from A to B- from point A to point B from bad to worse- from bad to worse (speaking of a situation that is getting worse)	from place to place- from place to place from time to time- occasionally	from morning to night- from morning till night from my point of view- from my point of view
up
up to date- modern up to you- at your discretion up and down- up and down	up till/until until (at some point) up the hill- up the hill up the spout- in a hopeless position	up to no good- have nothing good in mind up and about- be on your feet, get better after an illness
to
to some extent/degree- to some extent to the point- relevant to my surprise- to my surprise	to your benefit- to your advantage to our amazement- to our amazement	to your health- For your health for some purpose- unsuccessfully, with some success

on behalf of on behalf of (someone)

on condition that- provided that

on no account- in no case

on my own- on one's own

on purpose- on purpose, on purpose

on second thoughts- on mature reflection, weighing everything again

on the whole- generally

on business- on business

on a diet- dieting

on arrival- on arrival

on average- average

on foot- on foot

on the one hand- one side

on the other hand- on the other hand

on line- in action, at work

on duty- in the performance of (official) duties

on fire- engulfed in flames

on horseback- on a horse

on the left/right- left (right)

on my part- from my side

on the phone- by phone

on the screen- on the screen

holiday- on holiday

on my side- on my side

in conclusion- Finally

in the west - in the West

to be in control- control, manage

in danger- in danger

in favor of- in defense, in support of someone (something); in favor of someone (something)

in general- all in all

in other words- in other words

in time- in time

in cash– cash

in a uniform- in uniform

in a dress- in a dress

in haste- in a rush

in German- in German

in pencil- pencil

in a group– group

in addition to- in addition to

in answer to- in response to

in the future- in future

in the news- in the news

in pairs– in pairs

in this respect- in this respect

by accident- unintentionally

by heart- by heart

by chance- by chance

by mistake- by mistake

by the way- by the way

by bus– by bus

by sea/land/air– by sea / by land / by air

by example- by example (example)

by sight- approximately

by means of– through

by no means- in no way; by no means

by check– by check

day by day- every day, day by day

by Mozart– (written by) Mozart

by airmail– by airmail

by e-mail– by email

by fax/phone– fax (telephone)

by far- clearly, avowedly, unequivocally

by the rules- according to the rules

by the arm- by the hand (to take)

by telepathy- using telepathy

by hand– manually

for

for a change- for variety

for ages- for ages

for breakfast- for breakfast

for fear of- out of fear

for fun- for fun

for pleasure- for pleasure

for good- forever and ever; for the good

for granted- for granted

for ever- forever, forever

for luck- for luck

for life- for life

for nothing- in vain, in vain

for sale- for sale

for short- for short, abbreviated

for a walk- to walk

for a while- for some time

for now- for now

for birthday- for a birthday

for better or worse Is it for the better or not? anyway

for my sake- for me

for the moment- for now

at all times- at all times

at first sight- at first sight

at the moment- Currently

at the age of- aged

at the beginning- at first

at breakfast- at breakfast

at the bottom of- at the bottom

at the bus stop- on a bus stop

at dawn- at dawn

at sea- bewildered, bewildered

at the corner- in the corner

at last- finally

at the door- at the door

at the end- in the end

at first- first

at once- straightaway

at home- at home

at arm's length- at arm's length

at least- at least

at the same time- in the same time

at times- sometimes

at daybreak- at dawn

at work- at work

out of

out of order- spoiled, out of order

out of favor- objectionable, not respected, not honored

out of the way- not on the way, off to the side

out of touch- lost connection

out of the wood- be out of danger

out of work- unemployed

out of breath- out of breath

out of control- uncontrolled

out of danger- out of danger

out of date- obsolete

out of doors- outside, on the street

out of luck- things are not going my way

out of money- without money

out of print- sold out; sold out (goods)

out of sight- great, great

out of tune- false, not in unison

out of earshot- out of hearing

out of time- untimely

from

from now on- from now on

from A to B- from point A to point B

from bad to worse- from bad to worse (speaking of a situation that is getting worse)

from place to place- from place to place

from time to time- occasionally

from morning to night- from morning till night

from my point of view- from my point of view

up to date- modern

up to you- at your discretion

up and down- up and down

up till/until until (at some point)

up the hill- up the hill

up the spout- in a hopeless position

up to no good- have nothing good in mind

up and about- be on your feet, get better after an illness

to some extent/degree- to some extent

to the point- relevant

to my surprise- to my surprise

to your benefit- to your advantage

to our amazement- to our amazement

to your health- For your health

for some purpose- unsuccessfully, with some success

Difficult cases of using prepositions in set expressions

In the beginning or at the beginning?
Pretext at used with the word beginning when we talk about the beginning of something (history, book, program, etc.):

He fell asleep at the beginning of the performance. - He fell asleep at the beginning representation.

As for the suggestion in, it is used as part of the phrase in the beginning, which has the same meaning as the introductory phrase at first/firstly, - "at first", "at first". After in the beginning we don't use preposition of:

In the beginning, he was shocked but then he got used to the idea. - First he was shocked, but then got used to the idea.
At the end or in the end?
With these two phrases, the same principle applies as with the previous pair. Pretext at used with the word end when we talk about the end of something:

Jane who understood the criminal was at the very end of the detective story. Jane figured out who the culprit was in the end detective.

Pretext in used in phrase in the end, which has the same meaning as finally, - "in the end", "ultimately". After in the end we don't use of:

In the end, you will see that I was right. - Finally you will understand that I was right.
By bus or on the bus?
Pretext by used with the name of a certain mode of transport when we say how we like to travel: by car, train, plane, etc.

I like to travel by car because it's fast and comfortable. - I like to travel machine because it's fast and convenient.

We use the preposition on when talking about a certain journey or direction, and also when we indicate that we are in a vehicle.

I met my husband-to-be on a train. - I met my future husband on the train.
Made of, made out of or made from?
We use made of, when it is obvious what exactly the thing is made of:

The bag is made of leather. - Bag made from skin.

We use made out of, paying special attention to what the thing is made of:

Is the chain fake? Is the chain fake?
Are you kidding?! It's made out of pure gold. – Are you kidding?! She is made from pure gold.

We use made from, naming the ingredients from which something was made, and also when the composition is not obvious:

The dish is made from minced meat, vegetables and cheese. - Dish made of mince, vegetables and cheese.
For example or by example?
Everyone knows the stable expression example- for example:

I like fruit. For example, oranges and apples - I love fruits. For example, oranges and apples.

By example means "by example" (of someone or something), "according to the model":

I did the task by the example which was given. - I did the job. on given exemplary.

In conclusion, we suggest that you complete the test for prepositional phrases and download the table of set expressions with prepositions in English.

(*.pdf, 212 Kb)

See also other dictionaries: