Position & Movement
He jumped over/across the fence into the garden.
over
Note: We use 'over' rather than 'across' when talking about reaching the other side that is high, or higher than it is wide
She held the diamond _______ her thumb and forefinger.
Between.
Note: Use 'between' when talking about two or more things and people which we see as individual or separate.
I stayed at home during/in/at the summer.
During or In
Note: Use during or in when talking about the time within which the activity or event occurs.
The price of the holiday includes all the meals _____ (for) the lunch.
Except (for).
Note: Used to introduce the only thing or person that the statement does not include.
a place where people can go to the bathroom when they are camping.
an outhouse.
He suddenly saw Sue across/over the room.
Across
Note: When talking about something that we think of as a flat surface, or an area such as a country or sea, we use 'across' rather than 'over'.
There should be a better balance on the committee __________ various ethnic groups.
Between
Note: Preposition between is also used when talking about relationships and comparisons.
The President made his speech during/in/throughout a visit to Madrid.
During
Note: We use 'during' to mean 'at some time in the period of' before nouns such as
visit, illness, holiday, meal, stay, treatment.
There is likely to be rain everywhere today __________ in Wales.
Except
Note: Except is used instead of except for when placed before prepositions, bare infinitives, and that-clauses.
someone who is blamed for problems that are actually caused by other people
a scapegoat
We walked along/through the path until we came to a small bridge.
along
Note: We use 'along' when we talk about following some kind of a line (e.g., road, path, river).
He stood _____ all his friends and felt very happy.
Among
Note: Use 'among' when talking about people or things (three and more) seen as a part of the group or mass.
Weather conditions have been improving over/in/throughout the past few days.
During/over
Note: Use 'over or during' when talking about something that goes on for a length of time within a period of time.
I don't enjoy watching any sports, _____ from cricket.
Apart
Note: This preposition is used in the same meaning as 'except for' or 'besides' to mean 'as well as' or 'in addition to'.
perplexing and uncertain situation or dilemma in which one feels iffy about the best course of action to take.
a quandary
I saw a helicopter fly out ________ the water, near the fishing boat.
over
Note: We use 'over' (not 'above') when talking about horizontal movement at a higher level than something.
The concert features, ____ others, Karl Frisk and the Johnsons.
Among
Note: among others is a common expression meaning what it said also applies to other people or things.
It was certainly the best match of the football season _____.
So far
Note: If something is likely to or will continue into the future, we use 'so far'.
____ for the foot injury he suffered last year, he would have been probably picked for the national team by now.
But for
Note: But for is used to say what might or would have happened if the thing introduced by the preposition did not happen.
to be beneficial or advantageous in a particular situation or to be of use or help to someone or something.
avail
Example: You should leverage your skills and expertise to avail new opportunities and achieve your professional goals.
The flower is found __________ the island.
Throughout
Note: We use 'throughout' to emphasize that something is in every part of the place.
_________ ourselves, I don't think Tom is as honest as he should be.
Between.
Note: Between ourselves is used as a common expression to say that something that you say should be kept as a secret.
1. We have to be at home _____ 2.30 (We must not leave home before 2.30).
2. We have to be at home ____ 2.30 (We must arrive home either before or at 2.30).
1. until
2. by
Note: Until is used when talking about something that continued or will continue to a particular time. By is used when talking about something that happened or will happen either before or at that time at the latest.
Tom had difficulties with question two. This ____, he did very well in the exam.
Aside/excepted/apart
Note: These preps are used after mentioning a person or thing to say that they are not included in the statement we make.
a thing that lacks logic, meaning, and coherence
Nonsensical