Prepositions

At a glance 9 rules

1. 1At, on, in'At' a clock time, 'on' a day or date, 'in' a month, year or season: 'at 6 pm on Monday', 'in May'.
2. 2Since or for'Since' + a starting point, 'for' + a length of time, usually with has or have: 'since March', 'for two hours'.
3. 3By or until'By' is a deadline, done any time before: 'submit it by Monday'. 'Until' means it goes on up to then: 'open until 10 pm'.
4. 4On time, in time'On time' is at the planned time: 'The match began on time.' 'In time' is early enough: 'We got there in time for the toss.'
5. 5Verbs with partnersSome verbs keep a fixed partner: insist on, abstain from, comply with, enter into a deal. Some change with the object: agree to a plan, agree with a person.
6. 6Verbs with noneDiscuss, reach, enter (a place), resemble and request take the object directly: 'We reached the hotel', not 'reached at'; but 'arrive at'.
7. 7Adjectives with partnersInterested in, aware of, fond of, capable of, proud of, good at: 'She is aware of the deadline.'
8. 8To plus -ingIn 'look forward to', 'be used to' and 'object to', 'to' is a preposition, so the verb takes -ing: 'I look forward to meeting you.'
9. 9Between or amongFor two, use 'between': 'shared between the twins'. 'Among' needs a group of three or more: 'popular among the students'.