English 24
14 December 2002
A little bit of GRAMMAR

We all know how difficult it is to put the correct preposition before certain words. So this week we decided to give you a hand … however we must stress that the only way to be sure is to study the following by heart and then practice! Practice! Practice!

At the bank or when you have to pay for something:
You can pay BY cheque OR IN cash
(also pay cash -without the preposition)
e.g. How did you pay for your car? By cheque or in cash?

Events beyond your control!! (or something like that!)
(to do something) BY accident/ BY mistake/ BY chance:
§ We hadn't arranged to meet in that bar. We met there completely by chance
§ I'm sorry I rang this number by mistake
§ To be honest I arrived here by accident, I took a wrong turn about 30 miles from here.

Authors and Artists
§ A play BY Skakespeare / a painting BY Picasso/ a novel BY McEwan
Have you read any books by Philip Roth? (=a novel written by Philip Roth)

Lovers
(to be /to fall ) IN love WITH someone:
§ Have you ever been in love with anyone?
§ I've only ever been in love with one person..
§ My sister has just fallen in love for the first time…

Express yourself!
IN (my) opinion:
In my opinion the new financial report will be our ruin.

Keep fit & Socialise!
To go / to come) FOR a walk/ FOR a swim/ FOR a drink etc.:
§ Peter takes his dog FOR a walk every morning before going to work.
§ Every Thursday night after work we pop into The Trent FOR a drink.
§ I go FOR a swim every Sunday morning.

For foodies
(to have something) FOR breakfast/ FOR lunch/ FOR dinner:
§ What are you having FOR lunch today?
§ Francesca has tea and toast FOR breakfast every morning.
§ Do you eat pasta FOR dinner in Ireland?

Pratice Exercises

1. Complete the sentences below with a preposition and one of the following words or phrases.

mistake - breakfast - Philip Roth
cheque - love - a swim
a drink

1. I didn't mean to take your car keys this morning. I picked them up ………
2. I fell …………with my present boyfriend the very first moment I met him.
3. I married a communist and American pastoral are novels ………….
4. I'd forgotten to get some cash from the cashpoint (bancomat), so I had to pay ……..
5. In the summer we went …….. every day.
6. Every Sunday evening we meet our friends …… .
7. On Saturday mornings I make pancakes ………… .

2. This time complete the following sentences with the correct the prepositions.

1. …… my opinion there should be less vulgarity on television.
2. Stephanie likes reading novels …. Russian authors.
3. Do you know any songs ….. Colplay?
4. What are we having ……. dinner tonight?
5. I knew I was being taken for a ride when they insisted that I paid … cash.
6. I met the man who became my husband ….. chance.
7. How can you still be …love … him after he cheated on you!!!
8. Did you go to that photography exhibition in town? You should go they have some amazing photos …… Henri Cartier - Bresson.

Answers
1. 1. by mistake; 2.in love with; 3. by Philip Roth; 4. in cash; 5.for a swim; 6. for a drink; 7.for breakfast;
2. 1.In; 2. by; 3. by; 4. for; 5.in; 6.by; 7. in love with; 8. by;