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多益閱讀文法 - Prepositions Part 3

In this lesson, we will deepen our understanding of how to use prepositions to express time periods, directions, and positions. We will look at prepositions such as “within”, “during”, “throughout”, “for”, “until”, “by”, “since”, “before”, “from”, “to”, “toward”, “through”, “across”, and “along”. To master these prepositions, we recommend practicing reading example sentences regularly. Think of it like exercising muscles - the more you practice, the more intuitive the usage of these prepositions will become.

Prepositions Used to Express Time Periods

▶️ within
Within" is used to express that something will happen inside a certain time period.
I will finish the report within two days (The report will be completed no later than two days from now.)

The clothes I bought online are supposed to arrive within a week.
We'd better find a new place to live within two months, otherwise we'd be homeless.
The wedding is in six months, so we need to finalize all the details within that time frame.

▶️ during
"During" is used to say when something happens and it is often followed by a noun that represents an event or a period of time.
I met a lot of interesting people during my stay in New York.

What did you do during the weekend?
I plan to visit my grandparents during the holidays.
Consumer spending had dropped significantly during the past eight months.

During the first few minutes of the meeting, the power was out.
▶️ throughout
"Throughout" refers to the entire duration of a period of time or every part of a place. It is used when something is continuously happening during a certain period, or in all parts of a certain area.

It rained throughout the night (This sentence indicates that it rained all night without stopping.)
I was really bored throughout the meeting.
I worked throughout the week as the deadline was approaching.

It's important to stay hydrated throughout the day, especially in hot weather.
▶️ for
In terms of time, "for" is used to specify the duration or length of time an action has been occurring.

I've been waiting here for two hours.
James has lived in Canada for five years.
Kevin has worked as chief of the advertising section of our company for ten years.

The interview went on for almost 3 hours.
▶️ in
When combined with a specific period in the past, 'in' is used to signify 'during that certain period'. Similarly, 'in' plus a certain period in the future means 'during that upcoming period'. for example, 'in the past few years', 'in 10 minutes', or 'in a week'.

In the last six years, the value of a house has increased by 35% in this country.
I haven't gone outside very much in the past few years.
I want to lose at least 10 pounds in two months.

Can you finish the job in two weeks?
She could get that essay done in a couple of hours if she really tried.
I'm just setting off, so I should be with you in half an hour.

I haven't had a decent night's sleep in years.
▶️ until/till
We didn't eat till past midnight.

We waited till nine to have breakfast because that was when our favorite cafe opened.
I was up until three o'clock trying to get my work finished!
The conference is postponed until the end of this month.

Mr. Garcia will be out of the office until June 18.
▶️ by
All staff are required to hand in the report by 6 p. m.

I will finish my homework by 4 p. m.
Can we finish this meeting by five? I have to pick up my son at five-thirty.
▶️ since

Susan has worked for the payroll department at the headquarters since she joined the company 5 years ago.
He has been unemployed since last June.
I have been happily married for 14 years, since the age of 22.

▶️ before/before
The construction work will be completed before August.
Most landlords require full payment of the security deposit before the tenant receives the keys.

I need to clean out my closet before the end of the summer and donate any clothes I no longer wear.
Tenants should clean the apartment a few days before the move-out date.
before going back to school, I will need to make arrangements for childcare if necessary.

Prepositions Used to Express the Direction

▶️ for
I have to leave for a business seminar in Jersey City at 1 p. m.
I want to book a flight that leaves for New York.

It says this train is for the airport terminal.
Let's head for the exit before the movie ends to avoid the rush.
▶️ toward

He ran toward me.
He went toward the drugstore.
Our restaurant strives toward offering the best dining experience.

The couple on the bench leaned toward each other and whispered.
The soccer team huddled together before the game, and their coach gave them a pep talk before they headed toward the field.
▶️ to

I will go to the office at 10 p. m. tonight.
$200 will be transferred to your savings account tomorrow.
I walked from the café to the bookstore because the weather was so lovely.

The money goes to the construction of an art museum.
Please fax all correspondence to our head office in Seattle.
▶️ from

You can pick up the brochure from the front desk.
Could I speak to someone from the sales department?
She keeps in touch with her friends from college.

What time does the flight from Amsterdam arrive?
The wind is coming from the north.
I walk all the way from Robson Street.

▶️ through
The preposition "through" can be used to indicate movement from one side to the other.
We will drive through the tunnel.

They walked through the woods.
I saw him drive through a red light.
The new highway will run through mountains.

I have to be at the airport 2 hours early to go through security.
It is going to take 2 hours to get through the traffic.
I'll put you through to the sales department.

Usages of the preposition “through”

The preposition "through" is used in several ways.

Indicating movement from one side to the other

We will drive through the tunnel.
I saw him drive through a red light.
The new highway will run through mountains.

I have to be at the airport 2 hours early to go through security.
It is going to take 2 hours to get through the traffic.
I'll put you through to the sales department.

Indicating the means or process

I bought my car through a dealership.
Cold air was getting in through a crack in the wall.
People usually come in through the side door.

I learned Spanish through an online course.

Referring to a period of time

The detective went through the evidence carefully.

▶️ across
The bridge across the river was closed for repairs, so pedestrians had to take a ferry instead.
The bank is just across the street.

A delivery truck was parked across the driveway, making it difficult for other cars to get through.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sky.
▶️ along

We walked along the beach.
He parked his car along the sidewalk.
To make the perfect fold, crease and press along the dotted line.

Thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better friend to help me along the way.
▶️ along with
Can you go along with me?

Paul is bringing his new girlfriend along with him tonight. I can't wait to meet her.
When returning an item, please bring the product along with the sales receipt and the original packaging if possible.

Prepositions: over/above

The difference between “over” and “above”

Both the prepositions "over" and "above" can indicate that something is directly above something else. For example:

My new jeans are over $100.
The temperature tonight is above 30 degrees Celsius.

The preposition "over" can also imply that something is covering another thing. This usually implies direct contact between the two objects.

I am going to put a blanket over my legs.
The bride's mother placed a veil over her daughter's shoulders before she walked down the aisle.
The preposition over can also mean "downward direction" and "on the other side of...", for example:

In addition to these uses, "over" can indicate a downward direction or be used to mean "on the other side of...".

He tripped and fell over.
There's a bar over the road we could go to.
There's a drugstore just over the road from my house, which is really convenient when I need to pick up some medicine or toiletries in a hurry.

▶️ over
There's a mirror over/above the sink.
She held the umbrella over/above both of us.

The sun's coming up over the mountain.
Could you put some cling film over the salad?
After rolling out the dough, spread a layer of tomato sauce over the dough.

U. S. officials believe a missile took down Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 17 as it flew over eastern Ukraine Thursday.
The cat jumped over the couch to catch the toy mouse.
My neighbor and I often chat over the garden fence, discussing everything from the weather to our favorite Netflix shows.

She leaned over and kissed him.
I hurt my back bending over to pick up my child.
She knocked over the lamp.

The car hit the fire hydrant and knocked it over. The water sprayed everywhere.
There's a bar over the road we could go to.
There's a drugstore just over the road from my house, which is really convenient when I need to pick up some medicine or toiletries in a hurry.

▶️ Above one's expectations
The food at the restaurant was above my expectations.
Our company's sales in the last quarter are above my expectations.

▶️ Above average
Rates of pay are above average.
My grades in math are just above average.

Prepositions: under/below

The difference between “under” and “below”

The prepositions “under” and “below” are both used to describe objects in relation to other objects, typically indicating a position beneath a specific space. Generally, these objects are three-dimensional. However, 'below' tends to highlight the vertical relationship between two objects situated on the same level.

He hid under the bed.
The envelope is below the folder.

Both the prepositions “under” and “below” can be used to mean "below a certain number", but under is mostly used to describe money or age "below a certain number", while below is used to express an index number "below a certain number".

Most second-hand clothes are under $25.
The temperature has dropped below freezing point tonight.

The preposition under can also express that clothes are "worn inside". For example, if you wear a T-shirt and put on a coat, then you can say:

I'm wearing a sweater under my jacket.

▶️ “under” and “below” are used to describe a position beneath a specific space
The ball rolled under the car.
You need to put the thermometer under the tongue.

She was holding a folder under her arm.
We stood under a tree to avoid getting wet.
Our apartment is below theirs.

The author's name was printed below the title.
For further information on this subject, see below.
Do you usually wear your skirts above or below the knee?

▶️ under = (money/age) below a certain number; below = (indicator) below a certain number
Most second-hand clothes are under $100.
The discount applies only to children under ten.

They have three children under the age of four.
For some time now, her English grades have been below average.
Last night, it was ten degrees below zero.

▶️ common collocations with “under”

under construction
under supervision
under investigation

under new policy
under new management
under control

under pressure

The annex to the office building on Lester Avenue will be under construction until April.
The company is currently under investigation for alleged fraud.
The company will be under new management following the acquisition.

Everything is under control.
Thanks to the quick response of the firefighters, the fire is now under control.
Our company's main assembly line is under the supervision of Mr. Robert.

He is under a lot of pressure now.

Prepositions: next to/beside/adjacent to/near/around/behind

▶️ next to/beside/adjacent to
Who works in the office next to yours?
The car next to mine in the parking lot has a dent in the door.

Come and sit here beside me.
She knelt down beside her young daughter to help tie her shoelaces.
The bus station is adjacent to the railway station.

The movie theater is adjacent to the mall. It’s hard to miss.
▶️ near
Is there a restaurant near here?

I'd like to sit near a window, please.
Don't come too near me—you might catch my cold.
The hotel is near the airport.

Which bus stop is nearest to your house?
The grocery store is near my house, so I can easily walk there to get food.
▶️ around

We sat around the table.
A crowd had gathered around the scene of the accident.
The moon goes around the earth.

I walked around the side of the building.
I spent a year traveling around Africa and Asia.
The museum's collection includes works of art from all around the world.

She went into town and spent two hours just walking around.
I used to live around here.
▶️ behind

Look behind you!
I hung my coat behind the door.
As hard as she tried, she always fell behind the other swimmers in the races.

She tucked her hair behind her ears and put on her earrings, ready for a night out with friends.

Prepositions: within/between/among

▶️ within
The manager sent a memo about policy changes within the firm.
The bus station is within walking distance.

Two-thirds of Californians live within 15 miles of the coast.
The resort lies within easy reach of the ski slopes.
▶️ between/among

Among those recognized at the company awards ceremony were senior business analyst Natalie Obi and sales associate Peter Comeau.
The leader was standing among his supporters.
Prescription drug use has steadily increased among people aged 45 years and above over the past two decades.

The town lies halfway between Rome and Florence.
Standing between the two towering skyscrapers, he felt small and insignificant.