Do prepositions really matter? Does the use of wrong prepositions change the meaning of a sentence? These were some of the questions which the participants of a communication skills workshop raised recently
The answer is, yes it does matter. Consider these two sentences:
1. We’ll start the meeting at 10 o’clock. I expect the members to be in time.
2. We’ll start the meeting at 10 o’clock. I expect the members to be on time.
The prepositional phrase, ‘in time’ in the first sentence implies that the members should be present in the meeting hall before 10 o’clock but the phrase ‘on time’ in the second sentence implies that the members should come at 10 o’clock.
The students went to their respective classrooms in time.
The teacher entered the classroom on time.
Why do learners of English find it difficult to master prepositions? Some prepositions, especially the ones related to spatial relationships like location and direction, are easy to understand as in these examples:
i) My book is on the table in the dining hall. (preposition of location)
ii) He has gone to the canteen. (preposition of direction)
When the meaning of prepositions is conceptual or idiomatic, learners find it difficult to master the use of correct prepositions. Look at these examples:
i. The entry is restricted to higher officials. (Only higher officials can enter)
ii. You are restricted from entering the campus. (You are not allowed to enter the campus)
In the first sentence above, the preposition ‘to’ has a positive sense of doing something and in the second sentence, the preposition ‘from’ carries the idea of not doing something. Here are examples with similar meanings:
We have been advised to keep to your original plan.
His lack of interest kept him from completing the assignment in time.
In some cases the meaning of prepositions is idiomatic. In such cases, certain verbs are followed by prepositions before the object of the verb as in the following examples:
No one will approve of the minister’s indecent language.
You should apologise for making the comment.
Every kind person cares for his aged parents.
Why don’t you refer to the dictionary?
Very recently, I came across the following sentences in different emails, advertisements and circulars. The prepositions in bold in the sentences are incorrect and the correct prepositions are given in parentheses.
1. The model examination on (in) physics will be held on 15th March.
2. The 2nd class committee meeting is scheduled on (for) 22nd March.
3. I read it in (on) the BBC website.
4. You should plan for (no preposition) your holidays.
5. I couldn’t find the information in (on) the Internet.
“Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.”
– Winston Churchill— rayanal@yahoo.co.uk