PREPOSITIONS Prepositions link their objects to the other structures within the sentence They are used to show placement, time, direction, cause, and location They can be used alone or in two- or three-word combinations Unfortunately, prepositions are often used idiomatically and often ignore rules Therefore, their use must be memorized There are, however, a few rules that will help you PATTERNS TO REMEMBER At is used for a specific time INCORRECT [We will convene to 10 A.M.] CORRECT We will convene at 10 A.M On is used for a specific day INCORRECT [The deadline is at Friday.] CORRECT The deadline is on Friday In is used for a specific city INCORRECT [She was born at San Francisco.] CORRECT She was born in San Francisco On is used for a specific date INCORRECT [The contract was signed in September 5th] CORRECT The contract was … all the applicants, Ms Stern has the most experience (A) From (B) By (C) Of (D) To … all the applicants, Ms Stern has the most experience (A) From (B) By (C) Of (D) To Inspection will be … Monday at A.M (A) at (B) for (C) to (D) on Inspection will be … Monday at A.M (A) at (B) for (C) to (D) on All housekeepers report … the hotel manager (A) for (B) at (C) in (D) to All housekeepers report … the hotel manager (A) for (B) at (C) in (D) to We regret that the plant will be closed … noon tomorrow (A) with (B) in (C) by (D) from We regret that the plant will be closed … noon tomorrow (A) with (B) in (C) by (D) from …… terms of quality and service, our company surpasses the competition (A) In (C) From (B) By (D) With …… terms of quality and service, our company surpasses the competition (A) In (C) From (B) By (D) With Debtors are expected to remain … heavy economic pressure (A) below (B) from (C) beneath (D) under Debtors are expected to remain … heavy economic pressure (A) below (B) from (C) beneath (D) under The sales meeting will be held … Tokyo in May (A) to (B) in (C) at (D) on The sales meeting will be held … Tokyo in May (A) to (B) in (C) at (D) on The shipment is due to arrive … a week (A) within (B) for (C) until (D) on The shipment is due to arrive … a week (A) within (B) for (C) until (D) on The supplies cannot be ordered … next Thursday (A) from (B) to (C) at (D) until The supplies cannot be ordered … next Thursday (A) from (B) to (C) at (D) until 10 They plan to reduce spending … one million dollars (A) at (B) by (C) with (D) of 10 They plan to reduce spending … one million dollars (A) at (B) by (C) with (D) of THANK YOU .. .Prepositions link their objects to the other structures within the sentence They are used to show... cause, and location They can be used alone or in two- or three-word combinations Unfortunately, prepositions are often used idiomatically and often ignore rules Therefore, their use must be memorized