Prepositions: Other Meanings

 

A. Prepositions can have meanings other than place or time. Here are some examples.

We were arguing about politics.
According to the opinion polls, the government is very popular.
The resort was very crowded. And as for the accommodation, it was awful.
We need some advice as to what we should do next.
I'm reading a book by Thomas Keneally.
Contrary to popular belief, prisons are not holiday camps.
The couple want to stay together for the sake of the children.
On behalf of the company, I would like to express my thanks.
No action has been taken regarding / with regard to my complaint.

B. For has a number of different meanings. Here are some of them.

Could you do something for me, please? (= to help me)
I've called in for a chat. (purpose)
She's a very clever girl for her age. (= considering her age)
Are people for the scheme or against it? (= in favor of/supporting)

When for means 'in favor of', it is normally stressed.

C. With has these meanings.

I went to the concert with a friend. (We were together.)
Matthew is the man with long hair. (He has long hair.)
I cut the wood with an electric saw. (I used an electric saw.)
We all set to work with enthusiasm. (= enthusiastically)
With people watching I felt embarrassed. (= Because people were watching...)

Without is the opposite of with.

Who's the man without any shoes on?
We all set to work, but without enthusiasm.

NOTE: 

We can use with + noun to form an adverbial expressing manner or feeling. 

I listened to the discussion with interest.

With certain nouns we use in. 

The losers sank to the ground in despair.

D. Of has a number of different meanings.

a tin of soup
the end of the game
some of my friends
our first sight of land

We can also use of in this pattern.

These souvenirs are of no value. (They have no value.)
She's an actress of great ability. (She has a great ability)

Prepositions of Place

A. Basic meanings

B. Position and movement 

Most prepositions of place can say where something is or where it is going.

Position:        There was a barrier across the road.
Movement:   A dog ran across the road in front of us.

At usually expresses position, and to expresses movement.

Position:        Everyone was at the cafe.
Movement:   Everyone went to the cafe.

As a general rule, in and on express position, and into and onto express movement.

Position:       We were sitting in the cafe.
                     She stood on the balcony.

Movement:   We went into the cafe.
                     She walked onto the balcony.

But we can also use in and on for movement, especially in informal English.

We went in the cafe.
Someone pushed me in the swimming-pool.
Babies often throw things on the floor.

After lay, place, and put we usually use in or on rather than into or onto. 

They laid the body on a blanket.
A number of advertisements were placed in the newspapers. 
I put a clean sheet on the bed.

After sit we use in or on.

Tom sat down in the armchair.
We could go and sit on that seat.

NOTE:

Compare these examples.
We walked on the beach (for half an hour)
We walked (from the car park) onto the beach.

C. Other meanings

Prepositions of place can also have more abstract meanings. 

No one is above/beyond criticism. (= too good to be criticized)
Our next game is against Arsenal. (The opposing team is Arsenal)
The band is among the most successful ever. (= one of the most successful)

D. Exercise

Write a sentence to explain each of the pictures below. Good luck!^^