conjunctions and prepositions
by
(AGENT/CAUSE) used to show the person or thing that does something: The motorcycle was driven ______ a tiny bald man. I'm reading some short stories (written) ___ Chekhov. I felt frightened ___ the anger in his voice. (METHOD) used to show how something is done: They travelled across Europe ___ train/car. She did the decorating (all) ___ herself (= alone, without help from anyone). We went in ___ (= through) the front door. Suddenly, she grabbed him ___ the arm (= took hold of this part of his body). I refuse to live ____ (= following) their rules. (POSITION) near or at the side of: A small child stood sullenly ____ her side. He wanted to keep her close _____ him always. The policewoman walked _____ (= past) them without saying a word. (NOT LATER THAN) not later than; at or before: She had promised to be back _______ five o'clock. The application must be in _____ the 31st to be accepted. ____ the time I got to the station the train had already gone. (MEASUREMENT) used to show measurements or amounts: Our office floor space measured twelve metres ________ ten (= was twelve metres in one direction and ten in the other). Their wages were increased _____ 15 percent. Freelance workers are paid __ the hour (= for every hour they work). These phones have sold ______ the thousand (= several thousand have been sold). (DURING) during: We travelled ___ night and rested ____ day.
(a)round (preposition, adverb)
(AROUND) in a circular direction or position; around: The moon goes ______ the earth. (IN ALL PARTS) in every part of a place, or in various parts of a place: The landlord showed me ____________ (the house). I had to go all __________ town to find a hotel that was open. This virus has been going ________ (the school) (= many people have had it). More examples (SURROUNDING) 2on all or some sides of something: We sat __________ the fire. The house has trees all _________. The pyramid is 50 meters high and 100 meters _______ (the base). Everyone for a mile __________ (= in the area) heard the explosion. (DIRECTION) in a particular direction: The garden is __________ the back (of the house). I used to live _________ (= near) here when I was a child. You must come ________ (to my house) sometime soon.
round
(AROUND) in a circular direction or position; around: The moon goes _______ the earth. We ran ________ (the outside of the house) to the back, looking for the dog. When one engine stopped, we had to turn ___________ (= turn to face the opposite direction) and fly home. (IN ALL PARTS) in every part of a place, or in various parts of a place: The landlord showed me ______ (the house). I had to go all ________ town to find a hotel that was open. This virus has been going ________ (the school) (= many people have had it) . (SURROUNDING) on all or some sides of something: The house has trees all _______. The pyramid is 50 metres high and 100 metres _______ (the base). Everyone for a mile __________(= in the area) heard the explosion. (DIRECTION) in a particular direction: The garden is ______ the back (of the house). I used to live __________ (= near) here when I was a child. You must come __________ (to my house) sometime soon. UK not standard We're going _______(= to) the pub for a quick drink.
off
(AWAY FROM) away from a place or position, esp. the present place or position: He drove _______ at high speed. She's __________ to Canada next week. The sign says, "Keep _________ the grass." (REMOVED) used with actions in which something is removed or removes itself from another thing: I think I'll take my jacket ______. He fell _______ his bike. Did you leave the phone ________ the hook (= not put back in such a way that a call is ended)? (FAR AWAY) far away in time or space: Graduation is still a long way ________. That's not the right answer, but you're not far _______. (NEAR TO) near to: The island is just ________ the coast of Florida.
beneath
(BELOW) in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something: Jaime hid the letter __________ a pile of papers. We huddled together for warmth _________ the blankets. After weeks at sea, it was wonderful to feel firm ground _________ our feet once more. Emma was so tired and hungry that her legs were beginning to give way _______ her (= she was about to fall over).
along
(FROM ONE END TO ANOTHER) from one part of a road, river, etc. to another: a romantic walk _________ the beach/river (NEXT TO) in a line next to something long: a row of houses _________ the river Cars were parked all ___________ the road. at a particular place on a road, river, etc.: Somewhere __________ this road, there's a garage.
above
(HIGHER POSITION) in or to a higher position than something else: There's a mirror __________ the sink. It's on the shelf just ____________ your head. A crack had started to appear just ___________ the light on the ceiling. (MORE) more than an amount or level: It says on the box it's for children aged three and __________. Temperatures rarely rise ___________ zero in winter. She values her job _________ her family. They value their freedom ___________ (and beyond) all else. (RANK) in a more important or advanced position than someone else: Sally's a grade ______ me. (TOO IMPORTANT) too good or important for something: No one is ____________ suspicion in this matter. He's not _____________ lying (= he sometimes lies) to protect himself.
under
(LOWER POSITION) in or to a position below or lower than something else, often so that one thing covers the other: In AD 79 the city of Pompei was buried ______ a layer of ash seven metres deep. She was holding a folder _________ her arm (= between her upper arm and the side of her body). If a book, article, or piece of information is ________ a particular title, you can find it below or following that title in a list, book, library, etc.: Books on Ansel Adams will probably be _________ Art or Photography. Custard? That comes __________ Desserts. (LESS THAN) less than: All items cost/are _________ a pound. The discount applies only to children _________ (the age of) ten (= younger than ten). If you get __________ 50 percent, you fail the exam. Opposite ---- over (EXPERIENCING) happening during, as a result of, or according to a particular situation, event, rule, etc.: The work was completed _______ very difficult conditions. Now that the deadline is approaching we all feel __________ pressure. (CONTROL) controlled or governed by a particular person, organization, or force: He's a Colonel, with hundreds of soldiers _______ him (= obeying his orders). People born ________ (= during the period of) the zodiac sign Pisces are supposed to be dreamy and artistic. (NAME) using a particular name, especially one that is not your real name: He writes ___________ the name (of) John le Carré. For his own safety, he has to operate ___________ a false name.
out of
(MADE FROM) (also of)used to show what something is made from: The dress was made ____ ___ velvet. (BECAUSE OF) used to show the reason why someone does something: I took the job ______ ___ necessity because we had no money left. You might like to come and see what we're doing ____ ____ interest (= because I think you might be interested). (FROM AMONG) from among an amount or number: Nine out of ten people said they liked the product. No one got 20 out of 20 (= all the answers correct) in the test. (ORIGIN) used to describe where something came from or began: She dresses like a character ____ ___ a 19th-century novel. I paid for the computer ____ _____ (= using some of) my savings. (NOT INVOLVED) [ after verb ] no longer involved in: I got ____ __ the habit of riding my bike to work.
out of somewhere/sth
(NO LONGER IN) no longer in a stated place or condition: An apple rolled ____ ___ the bag. Professor Aitchison is ____ ___ town this week. The patient is now ______ ___ danger. The coffee machine is _____ ____ order (= does not work). Both she and her husband are _____ ___ work (= no longer have jobs).
past
(ON THE FAR SIDE) on the far side of something, or from one side to the other: They live just ________ the post office. Three boys went ________ us on bikes. (BEYOND) beyond or above a particular point: Melissa is _______ the age where she needs a babysitter. It's already ______ noon.
according to
(OPINION) as stated by: ______________ ______ Sarah they're not getting on very well at the moment. ______________ ____ our records you owe us $130. (METHOD) in a way that agrees with: Students are all put in different groups ____________ _____ their ability.
against
(OPPOSING) disagreeing with a plan or activity: 50 people voted _______ the new proposal. I'm very much __________ the idea that it is the woman's job to bring up the child. Germany are playing ______ Brazil in the cup final tonight. Are you for or ______ my proposal? We came up __________ a lot of problems in the course of building our extension. (TOUCHING) next to and touching or being supported by (something): Why don't we put the bed _________ the wall? He loved the feel of her soft hair ______ his skin. The rain beat ______ her face as she struggled through the wind. (IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION) in the opposite direction to: The last part of the course was hard because I was running ________ the wind. Commuting is not so bad when you are travelling ___________ the traffic. (AS PROTECTION) as a protection or defence from the bad effects of: We've insured the car ________ fire, theft, and accident. The police have to arm themselves _________attack.
through
(PLACE) from one end or side of something to the other: They walked slowly _________ the woods. How long the journey takes will depend on how long it takes to get _________ the traffic. Her words kept running ____________ my mind/head (= I kept hearing her words in my imagination). We drove ________ the tunnel. I saw him drive ________ a red light (= he did not stop at the red traffic light). (TIME) from the beginning to the end of a period of time: It rained all/right _______ June and into the first half of July. We sat ____________ two of the speeches and then left. (RESULT) as a result of: The company lost the order ________ production delays. (USING) by; using: I got my car ________ my brother who works in a garage. We sold the bike ___________ advertising in the local paper.
whether
(used especially in reporting questions and expressing doubts) if, or not: I wasn't sure _______ you'd like it. She asked me _______ I was interested in working for her. I'm wondering ___________ to have the fish or the beef. I doubt whether it'll work. I was merely questioning _______ we have the money to fund such a project. It all depends on __________ or not she has the time. Anyway, it's a good story, ___________ or not it's true.
whether...or
(used to introduce two or more possibilities) it is not important if: I'm going, ______ she likes it __ not. Someone has to tell her, ______ it's you __ me. Let's face it - you're going to be late _________ you go by bus ___ the subway.
Conjunction
A word used to join words or groups of words
behind
at the back (of): Look ______ you! I hung my coat __________ the door. Alex led, and I followed along _________. figurative I knew that _________ (= hidden by) her smile was sadness. responsible for or the cause of: He wondered what was ________ his neighbour's sudden friendliness. Marie Curie was the woman ________ enormous changes in the science of chemistry.
although
despite the fact that: She walked home by herself, ____________she knew that it was dangerous. He decided to go, _________I begged him not to. but: He's rather shy, _______ he's not as bad as he used to be. She'll be coming tonight, ______ I don't know exactly when.
whenever
every or any time: I blush ______________ I think about it. _______________ I go there they seem to be asleep. "Will it be okay if I do it tomorrow?" "Sure, __________ (= then or at any other time)." Do it in a spare moment this weekend or _____________ - it really doesn't matter.
across
from one side to the other of something with clear limits, such as an area of land, a road, or a river: She walked ____________ the field/road. They're building a new bridge _______ the river. When I reached the river, I simply swam ________. on the opposite side of: The library is just _________ the road. in every part of a particular place or country: Voting took place peacefully _________ most of the country.
provided that, as long as
if, or only if: ILO conventions allow schoolchildren to work during their holidays and free time provided that strict safety measures are taken.
opposite
in a position facing someone or something but on the other side: We're in the building ___________ the government offices. They sat ____________ each other. Put a tick ___________ (= next to) the answer that you think is correct.
near enough
mainly UK informal ---- almost: They're the same age or _________ _______.
above all
most importantly: ___________ ______, I'd like to thank my family. This book is _________ ____ a story of a mother's love. Any furniture you buy must be cheap, attractive and, __________ ________, practical. His goal, ________ ______, was to prevent another war.
conscious
used after nouns and adverbs to mean "knowing about and worried about a particular thing," or "thinking that something is important": fashion-_________ teenagers the health-______________ consumer He's never been especially politically ____________. See also self-_____________(NERVOUS)
suppose
used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to mean 'what would happen if': ___________ we miss the train - what will we do then? We'd love to come and see you on Saturday, ________ing (= if) I don't have to work that day.
including
used for saying that a person or thing is part of a particular group or amount: A customer base _____________ 15 of the Fortune 100 companies is a strong start. The camera sells for $550, not ________ the tripod. The position requires consensus-building, __________ taking the views of all stakeholders into consideration. ____________ me, our office now has 15 full-time employees.
darn
used instead of a damn to express anger: ______ it! There goes my bus!
unless
used to say what will or will not happen if something else does not happen or is not true; except if: You can't get a job _______ you have experience (= you can only get a job if you have experience). ________ you call me to say you're not coming, I'll see you at the theater (= I will see you there if you do not call to say you are not coming).