PREPOSITIONS AND ADVERBIAL CLAUSES Nieto Triviño Jorge #28.061.246 ING. Sistemas
Prepositions The prepositions are one of the parts of English that it is more difficult to learn to the speakers of Spanish language because the direct translation is often impossible. Prepositions can be translated differently according to the situation or the context of their use. Therefore it is advisable to memorize the different variations and uses depending on whether we speak of prepositions of place, movement or time. Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usually stand in front of nouns (sometimes also in front of gerund verbs).
Prepositions – Time
English
Usage
Example
on
-Days of the week
-on monday
in
-months/seasons
-in december/in winter
at
-for night
-at night
since
-from a certain point of time
-since 1980
for
-over a certain period of time
-for 2 years
ago
-a certain time in the past
-2 years ago
before
-earlier than a certain point of time
-before 2004
to
-telling the time
-ten to six (5:50)
past
-telling the time
-ten past six (6:10)
Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction) English
Usage
Example
it
-room/town/etc
-in the kitchen/in London
an
-meanig next to, by an object
-at the door/at the station
on
-attached
-the picture on the wall
-Left or right of somebody or something
-Jane is starding by/next to/beside the car
under
-on the ground
-the bag is under the car
below
-lower than something
-the fish are below
Over
-covered by something else
-put a jacket over your shirt
above
-higher than something
-a path above the lake
across
-getting to the other side
-walk across the bridge
through
-something with limits
-drive through the tunel
-movement to person
-go to the cinema
By/next/to/beside
to
Other important Prepositions English from
Usage
Example
-who gave it
-a present for Jane
of
-who/what does it belong to
-a page of the book
by
-who made it
-a book by Mark Twain
on
-walking or riding
-on foot/on horseback
in
-entering a car/taxi
-get in the car
off
-leaving a public tansport vehicle
-get off the train
-leaving a car/taxi
-get out of the taxi
by
-rise or fall of something
-prices have risen by 10 percent
at
-or age
-she learned russian at 45
-for topics
-we were talking about ypu
Out of
about
Adverb Clauses Adverb clauses are groups of words that function as an adverb. To understand this, you need to know about clauses and the functions of adverbs.
Types of Clauses A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb (predicate). This differs from a phrase, which does not have a subject and a verb, like “to the park.” Clauses can be independent or dependent.
Independent clauses are called sentences as they can stand alone and express a complete thought. Dependent clauses, or subordinate clauses, are subordinate to something else, usually an independent clause, and depend on it for meaning.
Functions of Adverbs Since adverb clauses function as adverbs, let’s look at the functions of adverbs. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They tell why, when, where, how, how much, and how often an action occurs. They can begin a sentence that is a question, and give more information. Here are some examples according to what the adverb is modifying:
Verbs: We eat pizza weekly. She watched the wild animal carefully. Adjectives: That is a very nice person. The dog is extremely hyperactive. Adverbs: She sings quite beautifully. My dog is almost always starving.
Examples of Adverb Clauses Adverb clauses can modify by telling the place, time, cause, and purpose of an action. They can also show concession and condition. Basically they answer the questions: Where?, when?, why?, and under what conditions? Here are some examples with the adverb clause underlined:
Place: Wherever there is music, people will often dance. If you know where they live, you can drop in for a visit. Time: After the chores are done, we will eat ice cream. When the clock strikes midnight, she has to leave. Cause: She passed the course because she worked hard. Since he has long hair, he wears a ponytail. Purpose: So that he would not ruin the carpet, he took off his shoes. He ate vegetables in order to stay healthy. Concession: Even though you are 13, you can’t go to that movie. Although you gave it your best, you did not win the match. Condition: If you save some money, you can buy a new game. Unless you hurry, you will be late for school.