Ski l l 6: Identifying the Correct Prepositions In Part 5, your understanding of the context of the sentence will help you choose the correct preposition. Prepositions are words used to show the relationship between things in a sentence. They are commonly used in prepositional phrases to show relationships of time or location.
Sample TOEIC Test Question 1 . We are so glad you could come. Welcome
___
Rome.
(A) in (B) at (C) to (D) of
Answer Choice (C) is the correct answer. The sentence should read, Welcome to Rome. The combination of Welcome and Rome indicates that Rome is a destination. Destinations use the preposition of place, to. Choice (A) is also a preposition of place, but it is not used with destinations. Use it after you get there: I vacationed in Rome. Choice (B) is a preposition of place (but not with cities) and time. Choice (D) is a preposition that shows possession.
Ski l l Focus There are many prepositions in English. Pay attention to the prepositions that you hear and read every day; that is the best way to learn them. There are a few rules, however, about the use of prepositions. Study the prepositions in the following chart for common ways to express location and time. Notice the contrasts in the ways the prepositions are used.
I
Prepositional Phrase
Use
Exa mples
to Rome
destination
I went to Rome.
in Rome
within a location
While I was in Rome, I saw many Roman rums.
from Rome
direction away
I went from Rome to Vienna.
from Rome
source
I brought you this souvenir from Rome.
to the meeting
destination
I went to the meeting.
in the meeting
within a location
I was in the meeting all morning.
from the meeting
direction away
I went from the meeting to my office.
at the meeting
during
Some people got bored at the meeting this morning.
at the airport
66
Reading
general location
I can catch a cab at the airport.