I 've analysed several mock and real CAT papers, i 've seen that in terms of grammar, prepositions seem to be one of the most favourite area of Questions Setters. So guys here is some dope on Prepositions. Since i 've collated most of the importants points, you guys could definitely seal this forte after going through this post carefully.
A preposition may be defined as connecting word showing therelation of a noun or a noun substitute to some other word in thesentence (the squirrel in the tree; the preposition in shows therelationship between the squirrel and the tree.).Over ninety percent of preposition usage involves these nine prepositions: with at by to in for from of on
Prepositions cause problems because sometimes they can be usedinterchangeably (He sat on the chair: He sat in the chair), becauseprepositions are often combined with verbs to create phrasal verbs(to look after someone; to look down on someone), and because asingle preposition can be used to express several different ideas(He is tall for his age; I swam for an hour).
The most efficient method of study is to familiarize yourselfwith prepositions and prepositional phrases through practice andmemorization. This is particularly helpful for the bilingualstudent, who often seems to find preposition usage one of the mostdifficult parts of the English language.
Uses of Common Prepositions
Prepositions are used to express a number of relationships,including time, location, manner, means, quantity, purpose, andstate or condition. The following outline demonstrates the uses of common prepositions.
A. TIME
about: about noon (approximately)
at: at five o'clock at last (finally)
after: after the game after lunch after three
by: by midnight (no later than)
for: for an hour (duration)
of: a quarter of three (15minutes before)
in: in the morning in the fall in April in 1987 in six months (at the end of)
B. PLACE OR DIRECTION
around: She walked around the car.
at: They are at home.
down: They lived down the hall.
C. MEANS OR AGENT
by: He was hit by a ball. She came by train. He did it by hard work.
in: He takes pleasure in it.
on: They live on bread and water.
D. MANNER
by: By doing it yourself, you save time
in: He left in confusion The room was in a turmoil. You can do it in a day
on: I swear it on my word of honor
F. QUANTITY OR MEASURE
for: We drove for twenty miles We bought it for ten cents.
by: We bought them by the kilo.
G. PURPOSE
for: He bought it for an emergency. She went to the city for sightseeing.
He loved her for her thoughtfulness.
Uses of Prepositions after Certain Verbs
account for
agree on (something)
agree with (someone)
apologize to
apply for
approve of
argue with (someone)
ask for
believe in
belong to
blame (someone) for (something) blame (something) on (someone)
borrow from
call on (upon)
care for
compliment (someone) on
come from
consent to
consist of
convince (someone) of (something)
decide on (upon)
depend on (upon)
get rid of
hear about hear from hear of
insist on (upon)
invite (someone)
Uses of Prepositions with Certain Adjectives and in Idiomatic Expressions
according to
accustomed to
angry about (something)
capable of
composed of
content with
dependent on (upon)
different from (than)
disappointed in
due to
followed by
fond of
have respect for
in accordance with
to laugh at
So guys , let us try to cage this demon of prepositions :)
ALL THE BEST!!!!