PREPOSITIONS

Preposition Time Space Idiomatic expression

At + time At home At best
At 8 a.m At work At last/ first
At lunchtime/ breakfast at an address at least
At the office at most
At night At school at risk
At Charismas At + a certain point at times
At Easter At the crossroad/ at a low price
At the moment/ this time/ bus-stop at table
present/ At the top/ bottom at random
At the end at rest
at all times

On + days and dates On a street On foot

On Saturday On a street corner On vacation
On 13 May 1985 On the floor On time
On Friday afternoon On a coast On duty
On a river On the other hand mặt khác
+ a means of public On strike
transportation On the wane
On bus/ train/ ship/ On a business trip đi công
plane tác
On sale
On schedule
On a diet
On leave
On purpose
On top of
On one’s own
On behalf of
On account for

In + parts of the days In a room In my opinion

In the morning In a building In the future
+ time in the future In a corner of a room In the past
In a week/ in two days In a car/ taxi/ boat In danger of
+ Longer periods: In a country/ state/ In general
months, year, season,… province/ county/ In particular
In March city In person
In 1969 In stock-out of stock
In winter In print-out of print
In the 1990s In detail
In line/ part/
In time = soon enough In the end/ front of/ the

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 middle of
Other frequently- used prepositions

For For free for sale

For rent for good

By By taxi/ car
By credit card/ cheque
By far
By chance
In spite of/
Despite/
Due to/ owing to/ because of/ thanks to/
Except Except (for)+ Noun
Except that + S+ V
Aside from/ barring/ without/ but for + Noun

Between She is between Nam and Lan.

Among She is among the top of the most famous politicians.

For For a long time

During During the day/ the vacations

Over Over the last few years
Throughout Throughout the year/ (throughout the country)
Within Within 10 days

Under Under construction/ warranty/ inspection/ repair/ discussion

Concerning/ regarding/ with regard to/ with reference to

Notes:

1. During/ for/ while

During (used to say when For (used to say how long it While (a conjunction used to
something happened) took) introduce 1 background
situation)
e.g. It rained for five days e.g. We have been waiting We didn’t get much sunshine
during our holiday. for you for 2 hours. while we were on our
holiday.
2. Like (unlike)/ as

Like/ unlike- preposition ≈ similar to/ the As – both a preposition and a conjunction
same as/ for example

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 e.g. He is a broker like most of his friends. - He works as a reporter in the TV station.
- You should have replied as I told you/ told.
I. Fill in the blank with suitable preposition

1. Our department meeting is on Friday 27. How long does it take you to get…here…from
afternoon. .your office?
2. I don’t like meeting in the morning. 28. It’s a great airport. You never wait very long
At noon/ at night …for……your luggage.
3. The first interview is on 17 December. Wait for: chờ đợi cái gì/ai đó
4. The second interview is in January. 29. Passengers for flight BA784 …to……. Rome,
5. When he travels all day, he can’t sleep at please go…to…..gate 36. Hướng tới … => to
night.
6. She usually visits our head office in the 30. Could you book me a room…from…… 30
autumn. August…to……3rd September.
7. They never work at the weekend.
At the weekend/on weekend 31. The share price fell…from…..$15…to….$13.
8. Are you free on Wednesday. 32. He sold his car…to/for….his friend…for….$3,000.
9. He starts the meeting……at ….8:30. 33. I took the plane……to..London.
10. Most days she works…from..8: 30…to…5: 34. What time did you arrive…in……Madrid?
30. 35. Could you send the document…to……my
11. She has lunch……between….12: 30 and company?
2:00. 36. He carries guests’ luggage…to/ into…..their room.
12. She deals with her mail…….about an hour. 37. What would you like……for..breakfast?
13. Can I see you………..next Tuesday? 38. She serves…in…..the restaurant.
Next/last/this/that/these/those/every/each + time 39. Can I borrow some money……from…..you?
(không dùng giới từ) 40. Could you lend some books…to…..me?
14. They’ll deliver the goods……at….the end of Lend/give/send/borrow + Somebody + Sth
the month. Lend/give/send/borrow/ receive+ Sth + to Sb
15. We need to have a meeting this afternoon.
16. There is a staff party …every December. 41. Last month, she spent a lot……on…….buying
17. She worked very hard……last winter. clothes.
18. He traveled to China…in…..2000. 42. I’m often …go to….Europe…for…..business.
19. My boss and I don’t like watching 43. Where is your boss now? – He is …in…..the
football……on….TV. office.
On TV/radio in newspaper/manazine 44. We specialize…in…..electrical equipment.
20. This car belongs……to….him. 45. Every year, our share price grows…about 5 %.
21. You never listen…to…….classical music? 46. My father’s company is located…in……Hanoi.
22. A: Where can you know this news? B: I 47. The location ……of……. your shop is very
see it……in…newspaper. important if you want to attract customers…
23. How often do you go abroad…on…holiday? in…..the streets.
24. A lot of my colleagues go to work..by..car. 48. The company is based…in….France.
25. I go to the office...by....foot. Base on
26. I get……on…the bus at the City Park, then I Tobe + Base in
walk……at……the office. 49. Peter works……for….Motorola.
50. This year, we have turnover of / about $22
billion........and.............profits…of/about….$

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 1billion.

51. They have a good bus service to the city center. The buses run every 5 minutes.
52. The clerk said she was tired of hearing complaints day after day.
53. Could you lend 10 million VND to my brother. He is …in…….need.
54. Did Mr. Kennedy sell his car to/for.his colleague…. last weekend?
55. According to a recent survey, there are many companies.in.trouble.
56. I shall stay in London ……in……about 3 weeks.
57. Would you like to pay……in……………cash or…by…….credit card.
58. He spent a lot of money on playing game.
59. I have applied……for/to….many post but haven’t got the results yet.
60. How much money did you borrow from .him?
61. We made a big profit from my shops.
62. Would you like to pay in advance.
63. Mr. Peter thinks that we should go ahead with this project but I’m afraid that I don’t agree
with him.
64. How long do you think we have to wait……for…..a reply…to…….our proposal.
65. I don’t have much experience……in…….dealing……with….difficult customers.
66. Let me know if you can think………of….a solution…to….the problem.
67. This machine doesn’t work. It is……out of……order. Hỏng
68. You can read such advertisements…in…the newspaper, or watch them…on…TV.
69. Harry comes to work……by…..car but I prefer to come…on…..foot, although I am late…
for..work.
70. I thought you had paid…for…..the rent……until…the end of last year.
71. Do you get tired…of…….answering the same questions every day.
No, I am interested …in…. my job.

72. We always keep…in….touch…with…….our clients…by……mail.

73. The level of discount depends…on…..the size of the order that is placed.
74. We are looking forward…to……seeing you…at…next year’s conference.
75. Could you please remain……in…contact……with……the head office until the
negotiations are completed?
76. US’ economy is ……in…..danger……of…a recession …at ……..present.
77. As a rule, cheap imports lead…to………greater competition. .
78. Our sales executives have used the same hotel for 20 years. Thì htht
79. I insist on seeing the manager.
80. Our son is working on a farm in four weeks.
81. Would you like to go for a walk in the park this afternoon.
82. If there is a problem with a contract, we deal with it.
83. She leaves home for work at 7.30 am. She drives to work.
84. Did Mr. Kennedy park his car …in……..front …of………..the house?
85. The growth rate in Paradiso was around 4% a year …in…… ten years.
86. We have a discussion ……about… our new marketing strategy this afternoon.
87. I look forward …to…… hearing from you soon.

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88. Ask Amanda where to stay …in…… New York.
89. I shall stay in London …in…… about 3 weeks.
90. I manage a team looking …for…… the possibilities …in…… different countries.
91. I like working …with…… figures.
92. Are you leaving now, or are you staying …for…… lunch?
93. They search ……for… the number …in…… the phone directory.
94. Calcium is good …for…… the development ……of… strong bone and teeth.
Good/bad + at : giỏi / dở về
Good/bad + for : tốt/không tốt về
95. We never agree ……with… the manager.
96. I’m really interested ……in… marketing.
97. It looks …like…… rain.
98. He looked …at……… me angrily when I interrupted him.
99. Those shops are in… competition …for……customers in the Christmas season.
100. A great deal ……of…… money has been spent ……on…… fuel.
II. Applied exercises (choose the best answer)
1. Please return the customer survey (within/ by) 7 days.
2. The current high oil prices will have a negative impact (in/ on) the economy.
3. The community center runs free English classes for residents (prior to/ throughout) the year.
4. Detailed information about the seminar will be provided (by/ within) the sales manager. ĐỊ
ĐỘNG
5. There is a growing demand (for/ through) experienced teachers. Demand for: nhu cầu về
6. The survey results will be released (in/ of) two weeks.
7. Any questions (concerned/ concerning- liên quan đến) the revised tax law should be
forwarded to the accounting department.
8. S & P Co. ranks (among/ at) the most influential consulting firms in the field.
9. Please submit the required documents (by/ to) our loan office. đến đâu đó: to
10. The company announced they will open a new hotel (with/ for) a brand – new fitness center.
11. Travelers can obtain city guide books (from/ to) one of the information centers.
12. You can be acquainted with the new system (on/ through) frequent use.
13. The outdoor concert has been canceled (due to/ concerning) the heavy rain.
III. Fill in the blank with suitable words
1. Construction workers should wear safety helmets ..........at................ all times.
2. Product catalogs are avaible ............unpon................... request.
3. Children under seven can enter museum .............at.......... no cost.
4. Tommy was transfered to Boston in accordance .............with......... his request.
5. Products which are within a year from purchase are ............under........ warranty.
6. The secon-quater earnings were significantly ...above.......... the director’s expectations.
7. The president expressed her sincere thanks to all empoyees on behalf .......of.......the board
of directors.
8. We offer comprehensive benefits in addition.....to...........special incentives.
9. Maggie has been noted ............for................her bold and creative designs.

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 10. .....On..........their way to New York, the delegates will stop over in the Tokyo office.
11. Please complete the budget report by this Wednesday ......at.....the latest.
12. A special lunchon will be held ....on......celebration of the opening of the new plant.
13. All the heavy office equipment has been moved by means of/ in compliance with a crane.
14. Ms. Lee will be promoted according to (theo) / regardless of (bất kể) the company
newsletter.
15. You need to report customs officials if you have money in excess....of.....$ 10,000.

Phrases meaning
On behalf of Thay mặt cho
In celebration of Trong lễ kỷ niệm
At no cost Không mất phí
On one’s way to Trên đường tới
In accordance with Phù hợp với
In addition to Ngoài ra
According to Dựa theo
Under warranty Đang bảo hành
Upon request Theo yêu cầu
By means of Bằng cách
Above one’s expectation Trên cả sự mong đợi của một người
In excess of Vượt quá
Be noted for Được lưu ý cho
At the latest Vào lúc muộn nhất
At all times Vào mọi lúc
Prior to (=before) Trước (=trước)
In favour/favor of ủng hộ/ủng hộ
In charge of / responsible for Phụ trách/chịu trách nhiệm về
On account of (=because of) Vì (=vì)
Take advantage of something Tận dụng cái gì đó
Be at stake (be in danger) Bị đe dọa (gặp nguy hiểm)
Be concerned about Nên chú ý về
Take something into consideration Hãy cân nhắc điều gì đó
Demand for Nhu cầu về
Revision exercises

1. ………….the three associates (trợ lí – người ) không dùng in được eligible for the
promotion, Roan was considered the most promising.
a. With b. for c. of d. in

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2. The health club does not assume responsibility for personal items left ………… in the locker
room.
a. In b. with c. for d. to
3. When placing an order with Kalo electronics, be advised that the product is free of charge if
it is not delivered ……… three working days.
a. Under b. until c. before d. within
4. …..Thursday, all employees will be entitled to a free lunch in the cafeteria located on the
second floor.
a. Outside b. starting on c. afterward d. instead of
5. Ajax incorporated is offering a discount to employees ……… recognition of their
outstanding contribution to its success.
a. Of b. under c. at d. in
6. They are required to inform the human resources department when resigning due…… a
disagreement over company policy.
a. To b. by c. on d. for
7. This notice provides general guidance on how you can obtain the best available information
………… other sources.
a. Over b. from c. behind d. out of
8. We are not happy to announce that due to recent cutbacks on members, we won’t be able to
accept new projects ………….further notice.
a. Except b. next to c. onto d. until
9. If you plan to rent equipment, delivery and collection times, plus insurance coverage for any
damage should all be dealt with ………….. advance.
a. In b. of c. at d. for
10. Along the shore of the lake is a recreational family camping site, complete ………. fire
places, showers and refrigerators.
a. With b. beside c. across d. from
11. You are advised to check documents related to the continuation of health insurance
coverage……… leaving your current job.
a. Before b. until c. therefore d. because
12. Employees must get approval from their supervisors ………. deleting data even if the data
seem unused.
a. Before b. until c. from d. during
13. Anyone who has questions concerning our community service can leave a message ……. My
secretary or our answering service.

leave a message with sb

a. Off b. from c. by d. with

14. A banquet was held for the researchers to be honored for : vinh danh vì ……… their
exceptional achievements in creative research activities.

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 a. Across b. over c. at d. for
15. The recent increase in people who suffer from asthma has raised concerns ………. the safety
of air.
a. Regard b. regards c. regarded d. regarding
16. Through our online graduate program, you can get your master’s degree…….. a year.
a. Instead of b. within c. under d. besides
17. Thanks to its strong performance, the company’s stock price has nearly doubled ……. It
went public twenty years ago.
a. If b. since c. regarding d. than
18. Please be aware that we are not able to process your loan application ………. Proper
documentation.
a. Upon b. until c. without d. along
19. It has been decided by the joint committee to equally distribute the research grant ……… the
participating research institutions. Distribute sth among sth: phân phối … thành …
a. Toward b. after c. among d. during
20. It is advisable for employees to submit vacation preferences by next Friday ………the latest.
a. At b. before c. until d. up to