As in many languages, prepositions are perhaps the most difficult part of grammar to learn because direct translation is often impossible. Prepositions can be translated differently depending on the situation or context of their use. It is therefore recommended that the student memorize the different types and uses of the various prepositions, depending on their relationship to the object in the sentence (place, time, movement/direction). As we will see, many of the prepositions can be used in various contexts (place, time or movement/direction).
Note: Prepositions are always followed by a noun, not a verb (except in the gerund form).
In / At / On
Among the most common prepositions are “in”, “at”, and “on”. These three prepositions can be used to indicate either place or time.
IN
Use (place): “In” is used to indicate both open and closed spaces. We use this preposition to indicate that something is included within the limits of something, a closed space or the interior of something in a physical sense. As we can see from the following examples, “in” can also be used to indicate the geographical location of something.
| | I found your address in the phone book. |
| | My parents arrive in France on Monday. |
Use (time): “In” is used with months, years, periods of time, seasons and parts of the day.
| | We went to Mexico in May. |
| | I always run in the mornings. |
| | I will see him in a week. |
AT
Use (place): “At” is used in front of buildings such as “home”, “the airport”, “university”. It is also used before “top”, “bottom” and “the end of”, as well as to indicate events such as meetings, parties, concerts, sports events, etc. “At” is also used after the verb “arrive” when we are referring to places other than cities or countries.
| | I always visit my sister at work. |
| | She will see him at the theatre. |
| | Her name is at the bottom of the page. |
| | When did you arrive at the airport? |
Use (time): We use “at” before the hour or holidays.
| | He runs every morning at 6. |
| | I will see them at Christmas. |
ON
Use (place): “On” is used with surfaces, when we are referencing a location within a room, such as the ceiling or the wall, or to indicate that someone is inside a mode of transport or on the floor of a building.
| | They have a photograph of Paris on the wall. |
| | Her apartment is on the second floor. |
Use (time): “On” is used with days of the week, dates and holidays.
| | They went to Mexico on the first of May. |
| | He runs on Mondays and Fridays. |
| | I will see Luis on his birthday. |
Las preposiciones son una de las partes del inglés que más cuesta aprender a los hablantes de lengua española porque la traducción directa a menudo es imposible. Las preposiciones pueden ser traducidas de manera distinta según la situación o el contexto de su uso. Por ello es recomendable memorizar las diferentes variaciones y usos dependiendo de si hablamos de preposiciones de lugar, movimiento o tiempo. Veremos que muchas de las preposiciones se repiten en los diferentes apartados.
Nota: Las preposiciones siempre van seguidas por un sustantivo, no un verbo (excepto en la forma de gerundio).
In / At / On
Son unas de las preposiciones más comunes que se pueden usar para indicar lugar o tiempo: in, at y on.
IN
Significado: en, dentro, dentro de
Uso (lugar): Se usa para indicar tanto espacios cerrados como espacios abiertos. Lo utilizamos para indicar que algo está dentro de una cosa, en un lugar cerrado, o en el interior de algo físicamente. Sin embargo, como vemos en los ejemplos, también se utiliza para indicar que se está en un lugar geográfico.
Ejemplos:
| | I live in Brighton.(Vivo en Brighton.) |
| | The cat is in the box.(El gato está dentro la caja.) |
| | I found your address in the phone book.(He encontrado tu dirección en la guía telefónica.) |
| | My parents arrive in France on Monday.(Mis padres llegan a Francia el lunes.) |
Uso (tiempo): Lo utilizamos con meses, años, épocas, partes del día y períodos de tiempo.
Ejemplos:
| | We went to Mexico in May.(Fuimos a México en mayo.) |
| | I always run in the mornings.(Siempre corro por las mañanas.) |
| | I will see him in a week.(Le veré en una semana.) |
| | She was born in 1976.(Nació en 1976.) |
AT
Significado: en, a, al, cerca de, tocando
Uso (lugar): Se usa delante de edificios como casas, aeropuertos, universidades, para acontecimientos como reuniones, fiestas, conciertos, deportes, etc., antes de “top” (parte superior), “bottom” (parte inferior), “the end of” (al final de) y detrás de “arrive” (llegar) cuando nos referimos a lugares que no sean ciudades o países.
Ejemplos:
| | He is at home.(Él está en casa.) |
| | I always visit my sister at work.(Siempre visito a mi hermana en el trabajo.) |
| | We eat at the table.(Comemos en la mesa.) |
| | She will see him at the theatre.(Le verá en el teatro.) |
| | Her name is at the bottom of the page.(Su nombre está en la parte inferior de la página.) |
| | When did you arrive at the airport?(¿Cuándo llegaste al aeropuerto?) |
Uso (tiempo): Lo utilizamos delante de la hora y de fiestas.
Ejemplos:
| | He runs every morning at 6.(Él corre cada mañana a las 6.) |
| | I will see them at Christmas.(Les veré en Navidad.) |
ON
Significado: sobre, encima de algo, tocando
Uso (lugar): Se coloca delante de nombres de lugares con base como mesas, suelos, etc., cuando nos referimos a partes de una habitación como el techo o la pared y para indicar que alguien está dentro de un transporte público o en una planta de un edificio.
Ejemplos:
| | The pen is on the table.(El bolígrafo está sobre la mesa.) |
| | They have a photograph of Paris on the wall.(Tienen una foto de París en la pared.) |
| | I am on the bus.(Estoy en el autobús.) |
| | Her apartment is on the second floor.(Su piso está en la segunda planta.) |
Uso (tiempo): Lo utilizamos con días de la semana, fechas y fiestas.
Ejemplos:
| | They went to Mexico on the first of May.(Fueron a Méjico el día uno de mayo.) |
| | He runs on Mondays and Fridays.(Él corre los lunes y los viernes.) |
| | I will see Luis on his birthday.(Veré a Luis en su cumpleaños.) |
