Why do we say 'go ON a diet'? Or 'be IN a hurry'? Unfortunately, there's usually no good explanation! But the phrases don't change, so once you know them, you can be sure you're correct.
Set
phrases with prepositions 1
Often, when we use prepositions, there isn't a rule. It's just a set
phrase. A set phrase is something we always say a certain way. It's just the
way we say it. And, unfortunately, set phrases just need to be learned! Here are some set phrases that start with prepositions:
at once =
immediately: She left at once.
at most = no
more than: There will be fifty people at most.
by accident =
not intentionally: I dropped the vase by accident.
by far =
definitely: This is the cheapest restaurant by far.
by all means =
of course: Please, go ahead, by all means.
by mistake =
not intentionally: She took the wrong key by mistake.
for a change = to
do something different: Let's eat Italian food for a change.
for good =
forever: She's gone to Australia for good.
in a hurry =
rushing: Why are you always in a hurry?
in danger =
in a dangerous situation: The climbers are in danger - there's snow on the way.
Let's review! Put in the correct preposition.
1. She's gone to Australia ___________ good.
2. She left ___________ once.
3. Why are you always ___________ a hurry?
4. This is the cheapest restaurant ___________
far.
5. The climbers are ___________ danger -
there's snow on the way.
6. She took the wrong key ___________ mistake.
7. Please, go ahead, ___________ all means.
8. Let's eat Italian food ___________ a change.
9. There will be fifty people ___________ most.
10. I dropped the vase ___________ accident.
Answers
1. She's gone to Australia for good.
2. She left at once.
3. Why are you always in a hurry?
4. This is the cheapest restaurant by far.
5. The climbers are in danger - there's snow on
the way.
6. She took the wrong key by mistake.
7. Please, go ahead, by all means.
8. Let's eat Italian food for a change.
9. There will be fifty people at most.
10. I dropped the vase by accident.
Set phrases with prepositions 2
Yesterday we talked about some set phrases that include prepositions.
Today, let's look at some more.
in favour of: She's in favour of a new
road through the town.
in short: In short, we should buy new books for the
students.
in the long run: If we save money now, we'll be
much happier in the long run.
in the meantime: I can't finish the project this
week, but in the meantime I'll call the client.
off school: The children are off school
on Monday - it's a holiday.
on a diet: She's always on a diet but she
never loses any weight.
on foot: I usually go to work on foot.
on holiday: They're on holiday just now, so
they won't reply to your emails.
on the phone: Lucy's on the phone.
without fail:
You must take these tablets every day without fail.
Let's review! Put in the correct preposition.
1. I usually go to work ___________ foot.
2. You must take these tablets every day
___________ fail.
3. If we save money now, we'll be much happier
___________ the long run.
4. She's always ___________ a diet but she
never loses any weight.
5. The children are ___________ school on
Monday - it's a holiday.
6. Lucy's ___________ the phone.
7. I can't finish the project this week, but
___________ the meantime I'll call the client.
8. They're ___________ holiday just now, so
they won't reply to your emails.
9. She's ___________ favour of a new road
through the town.
10. ___________ short, we should buy new books for the students.
Answers
1. I usually go to work on foot.
2. You must take these tablets every day
without fail.
3. If we save money now, we'll be much happier
in the long run.
4. She's always on a diet but she never loses
any weight.
5. The children are off school on Monday - it's
a holiday.
6. Lucy's on the phone.
7. I can't finish the project this week, but in
the meantime, I'll call the client.
8. They're on holiday just now, so they won't
reply to your emails.
9. She's in favour of a new road through the
town.
10. In short, we should buy new books for the students.