• Intended goal/target

He stared/looked/glanced at her.

He threw a plate at her.

• be good/bad at something

In is used for

• works of art, printed material, publications

In his essay he discusses public transportation.

In the photograph/painting/picture there were three little girls.

• to show what someone is wearing

The woman in the red dress is my cousin

• to show how things are arranged or expressed

She planted the lilies in a circle.

In a dictionary words are arranged in the alphabetical order.

We spoke to them in Finnish.

He turned to me in anger.

• with small private vehicles

In a taxi/car/jeep

• have skill in something

I have no skill in languages

ON is used

• to indicate the topic of an academic work

She made a presentation on Hieroglyphics.

His paper on the habitat of the flying squirrel was published in a journal.

• to show that something is included on a list

His name was included on the list of winners.

There were several items on the agenda.

• with public transportation and telephone communication

On the bus/plane/boat/train/streetcar

We spoke on the phone.

• go on a trip/journey/holiday/picnic

Exercise 19. Fill the prepositions in.

1. The audience threw tomatoes ______ the horrible comedian.

2. He spoke ________me ________ a loud voice.

3. She is good/successful/skillful _________ chess.

4. Her skill ________ chess impressed me.

5. _________ this painting we can see Lawrence’s use of light.

6. She cried ________ the sight of the starving child.

7. She was glancing impatiently ________ her watch.

8. I laughed _______ her ability to talk _______ circles.

Other common prepositions with multiple meaning

BY

• Agent In this factory bicycles are made by robots.

• How/through the means of by plane/bus/train

FOR

• Length of time for two weeks

• Purpose I came here for my studies.

This is the best medication for a cold.

• Recipient I brought a present for my friend.

OF

• Belonging to the mother of the child

• Being part of the lid of the saucepan

• Coming from a background of Italian descent

• Showing a map of India

• Concerning talk/dream/think of doing something

WITH

• Accompanying She brought her children with her.

• Having He wore a shirt with a button-down collar

• By means of/using He tied it up with a piece of cloth.

Exercise 20. Fill the prepositions in.

1. She improved her vocabulary _______ using a monolingual dictionary.

2. Do you take medicine _______ your cold?

3. There was a picture ________ her boyfriend on the desk.

4. His family is ________ Japanese origin.

5. I spoke with him _______ the telephone.

6. He contacted me _______ telephone.

7. I came to see you _______some advice.

8. She wore a sweater ________ ѕ length sleeves.

9. She wiped the table ________ paper towel.

10. His name was ______ the list of candidates.

11. His articles ______ computer technology have appeared _______ many journals.

12. There is a message ______ you from the office.

13. You can make this soup better _______ adding some cream to it.

14. I feel sorry _____ you and _____ what happened.

15. I dream _____ marrying Bill _____ one day.

16. I dreamed ______ Bill _____ last night.

17. Butter is made ______ cream, and shoes are made _____ leather.

18. He is married ______ a lawyer.

19. We discussed _____ the problem.

20. I have not seen my friend ____ 6 months. ______ July she has been travelling _____ a station wagon  _____ Canada ____Newfoundland ____British Colombia.

Unfortunately, her car broke _____ somewhere ______ Toronto and Winnipeg, so she had to return  ____ train. She has been _____ the train ______ Tuesday.

Exercise 21. Fill in the gaps with in, at or on.

1. I have to be ...at... the airport two hours before my flight leaves.

2. I went to visit Joanne, but she wasn't … home.

3. There were so many dishes … the menu; I couldn't decide what to have.

4. I'd love to stay … a beautiful hotel near the sea.

5. Jason is … hospital with a broken leg.

6. The weather … Ireland is often cold and wet.

7. She waited … the platform to see the train come in.

8. It must be wonderful to live … an island, surrounded by water.

9. What did you learn … school today?

10. Suzy is the girl sitting … my left.

Exercise 22. Underline the correct preposition.

1. The children climbed under/over the wall to escape from the angry gardener.

2. She walked quickly past/along the shops without looking in the windows.

3. The current is very strong. It would be dangerous to swim through/across this river.

4. She got dressed quickly and ran up/down the stairs to the kitchen.

5. Fiona is going to come to the party by/in her car.

6. I saw a man walking from/towards me smiling, but I didn't recognize him.

7. We tried to push our way through/towards the crowds to see our favorite singer.

8. There was no way to cross the lake, so we had to walk through/round it.

9. The boy got over/out of bed and went to the window.

10. I put the bags onto/into the table, then I put the shopping away.

11. You will see the post office on your right when you go through/round the corner.

12. She looked along/into her crystal ball and told the girl her fortune.