Module on Prepositions In, On, At and From

Interamerican UniversityGuayama CampusProyecto Titulo V CooperativoImproving Academic Outcomes Through a Technology-Based Consortium Program for the Core Curriculum Module onPrepositionsIn, On, At and From DRA. JEAN RODRIGUEZ PAZO Subject: Basic English Area: Grammar

ObjectiveThrough the study of this module on the prepositions: at, on, in, and from, the students will be able to: • recognize prepositions in context correctly. • identify relationship among other words in sentences through the use of prepositions. • understand the uses of prepositions of time, place and direction in different contexts. • identify prepositions in sentence structures correctly.

What is a preposition? When is a preposition used? Which prepositions are most commonly used? When are the prepositions in, on, at, and from used? OVERVIEW • The students will understand the purpose of prepositions in sentences and determine their use effectively through levels of critical thinking skills. • Focus questions:

Framework Time-Frame: • You may work at your own pace to complete this module. Resources: • Rules, examples, grammatical frames. Assessment: • Pre-test, and post-test. Evaluation: • To master the module, you should obtain at least 72% in your post-test. Instructional Activities: • Skill-building activities Creativity and Empowerment: links and exercises

INTRODUCTION Dear students, Welcome to the presentation of the Module on Prepositions. You will learn when, why and how to use prepositions. Prepositions are important to understand because they relate nouns or pronouns to other elements of the sentences. We hope that will master the use of prepositions by the end of this module. First, you will take a pre-test to find out how much you know, or need to know to be able to pass to the next levels. Before you complete the Assessment Exercises, you must read carefully the rules that will be presented to you in the explanatory notes. You will have examples accompanying the explanations, which will guide you in the use of prepositions. Then, you may proceed with the exercises. Finally, you will answer the post-test found at the end of the Assessment Exercises. You must reach a score of 72% or more to pass the module. At the end of the module, you will find a list of additional links which can help you with more practice and reinforcement in the use and knowledge of prepositions.

PRE-TEST Part I. Complete the following blank spaces using in, on, at, or from. • I walk school to my house everyday. • Ana came with her skates the evening. • Bobby sells newspapers Avenida Las Américas everyday. • The girls received money their dad today. • Dr. Rodriguez will be the classroom 7:00 p.m. • Susa watches a series television week ends. • I met Joea calypso party last night. • It is a half hour distance my hometown to Ciales. • When the children are bed, I can listen to music from my CD. • My son will go a cruise June.

Which does a • preposition come • before? • verb or adverb • noun or pronoun • conjunction • adjective • Which is not • correct? • in Winter • on 5:00 o clock • at my house • on May 2 • Which is not • a preposition? • at • has • on • in • Which is a • preposition? • some • at • class • things • Which is a • preposition? • bed • pillow • sheet • from PRE-TEST Part II. Choose the correct answer for the following exercises.

4. • We’re having a pajama party at the 25 th of July. • We’re having a pajama party on the 25 th of July. • We’re having a pajama party in the 25 th of July. • We’re having a pajama party from the 25 th of July. • 1. • The bus is due at 1:30 p.m. • The bus is due on 1:30 p.m. • The bus is due in 1:30 p.m. • The bus is due from 1:30 p.m. • 2. • My husband is coming at Sunday. • My husband is coming in Sunday. • My husband is coming on Sunday. • My husband is coming from Sunday. • 5. • The best beer comes at Germany. • The best beer comes on Germany.. • The best beer comes in Germany. • The best beer comes from Germany. • 3. • She likes to walk at the evening. • She likes to walk on the evening. • She likes to walk in the evening. • She likes to walk from the evening. PRE-TEST Part III. Select the correct sentence in each frame.

EXPLANATORY NOTES As we mentioned before, using prepositions in English is not easy, especially for second language learners. Memorization is the key. Lots and lots of practice is required. In the following explanatory notes and examples you will be able to associate the principles in using prepositions. Definitions: A preposition is defined as a word which shows a relationship in time, space, cause or manner between the object of the preposition and another word in the sentence. The object of the preposition may be a noun, a pronoun, or other noun substitutes such as a gerund (ing form). A preposition helps locate something in time and space, modify a noun, or tell when or where or under what conditions something happened. There is one simple rule about prepositions: A preposition cannot be followed by a verb. If you want to follow a preposition by a verb, you must use a gerund (a verb in a noun form by adding –ing form).

EXAMPLES • The delicious food is onthe table. p noun

EXAMPLES • She livesinPuerto Rico. p proper noun

EXAMPLES • They get together isatyourhouse. p pronoun

EXAMPLES • I learned a lotinmy first job. p noun group

EXAMPLES • He is excellent atdancing. p gerund

COMMON PREPOSITIONS above before down like through about behind during near under across below except of until after beneath for off up against between in since with among but inside to within at by into toward

in Prepositions at on from In the following Module we will be emphasizing:

Basic Prepositions: Time

Preposition of Time: At I have a dental appointment with Dr. Báez at three o’clock.

at • I like to stay in my apartment at night and relax.

Prepositions of time: on My mother–in-law goes to the Marie Tailor gym on Mondays and Wednesdays and practices spinning.

on Americans celebrate the Independence of the United States on the 4th of July, but I celebrate my Father’s birthday on that day.

Prepositions of time: in My brother’s birthday is in December. Joan was born in 1951. I watch films in the evening.

Prepositions of Time: from Our courses are from 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. I stay from Monday to Friday at my mother’s house. On Sunday I am staying home from morning to night time.

1. _____summer 4. ______night 7. ______July 4th 5. ______1967 2. _____the moment 8. ______spring 3. ______Saturday 6. _____20 minutes 9. ______September 10. ______Guayama, Puerto Rico Activity 1 Complete the blank by using the prepositions in, on or at.

Activity 2 Complete the sentences using the correct preposition of time in, on, or at. • Come here ______once. • I arrive_____ Rome _____ April 23rd. • I’ll meet you _____ noon Tuesday.

Other uses of In, An, On and From

in Today I have to travel in a a “publico” because my car broke down.

in When I was a kid, I use to put lightning bugs in jars with my mother and cousins.

on Please, put some salt and pepper on my sirloin steak.

on Should we travel on this plane? It looks too small.

at I like to look at the snowflakes as they fall. I love winter!

at They were waiting for Mrs. Folch at the new airport.

from My sister received a bunch of balloons from a secret admirer on Saint Valentine’s Day!

from The chef tossed the pizza from side to side.

I was born ____ Lares. • a. on • b. in • c. at • d. from • My family used to live____ • 622 Villa Street. • a. in • b. on • c. at • d. from • I had more relatives living • _____the same street. • a. in • b. on • c. at • d. from • The students______ my • school travel on a “publico”. • a. in • b. on • c. at • d. from • I would like to travel _____ • Oregon to Australia. • a. in • b. on • c. at • d. from Activity 3 Select the correct answer to complete each sentence

POST-TEST Part I. Write the missing preposition. Use in, on, and at. • _______O’ Conner Street. • _______Three King’s Eve. • _______night. • _______413 Peterson. • _______Puerto Rico.

POST-TEST Part II. Complete the following sentences with the prepositions in, on, at, and from. • It can get extremely hot here______ _ summer. • Sheila spent the evening_______the pool. • The couple danced_______dusk to dawn. • The boys are practicing basketball ______the field. • We arrived______the house______3:30 p.m. • The cows are grazing______the pasture. • The chiken’s eggs are______the nest. • The girls danced_______the party. • I’m staying ______Luquillo _______Friday to Sunday. • Leave the money_______the table.

Which one is incorrect? • a. in the movies • b. at the mall • c. on the roof • d. from my desk • Which one is incorrect? • a. in Manhattan • b. at Marín Street • c. on Ohio City • d. from Tennessee • Which one is incorrect? • a. on the soccer field • b. on the valley • c. on the pasture • d. on the barn • Which one is incorrect? • a. on Monday • b. at Monday • c. in 1970 • d. from Monday to Tuesday POST-TEST Part III. Answer the following questions by selecting the appropriate phrase.

POST-TEST Part IV. Choose the correct statement. • 1. • The fan is on the ceiling. • The fan is in the ceiling. • The fan is at the ceiling. • The fan is from the ceiling. • 3. • I arrived on 9:30 p.m. • I arrived at 9:30 p.m. • I arrived in 9:30 p.m. • I arrived from 9:30 p.m. • 2. • The people are in the train. • The people are on the train. • The people are at the train. • d. The people are from the train. • 4. • I like to shop at weekends. • I like to shop on weekends. • I like to shop in weekends. • I like to shop from weekends.

Challenge • I’ll be able to leave ________ ten minutes. • I’ll meet you ________ noon ________ Tuesday. • I will be back to the United States _______ fall. • She is _____ Ponce, Puerto Rico. • They came _____ skates. You may want to do this additional exercise to really know if you master the skill.

Part I • from • in • at • from • in, at • at, on • Part II • noun or pronoun • on 5:00 o’clock • has • at • from • Part III • The train is due at 12:0 p.m. • My brother is coming on Monday. • She likes to jog in the morning. • We’re having a party on the 4th of July. • The best cheese comes from Poland. PRE- TEST Show the Answers: Remember that you must score 72%, or 18 items correct. If you do not score 72%, please go back, review and do the tests and activities again.

Activity 1 • in • at • on • at • in • in • on • in • in • in • Activity 2 • at • at, on • in • at, on • in • in • Activity 3 • in • at • on • from • in • in • from • at • at • in ACTIVITIES Show the Answers: Remember that you must score 72%, or 18 items correct. If you do not score 72%, please go back, review and do the tests and activities again.

Part I • on • on • at • at • in • Part II • in • at • from • at, at • on • in • in • at • at, from • on • Part III • in the movies • at Marin Street • on the soccer field • at Monday • Part IV • The fan is on the ceiling. • The people are on the plane. • I arrived at 10:30 p.m. • I like to party on weekends. POST- TEST Show the Answers: Remember that you must score 72%, or 18 items correct. If you do not score 72%, please go back, review and do the tests and activities again.

Challenge Show the Answers: Remember that you must score 72%, or 18 items correct. If you do not score 72%, please go back, review and do the tests and activities again. • 1. in • 2. in • 3. in • 4. in • 5. on

CREATIVE AND EMPOWERMENT SECTION • http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/prepositions.htm • http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/prepositions.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/preposition • http://www.clres.com/grammar/prepostions.htm/#inventory • http://englishclub.com/grammar/prepositionslist.htm • http://www.edict.com.hk/vlc/preps/preptable.htm • http://www2.su.edu/~wwwesl/egu/verbprep.htm • http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/lunsford/html • http://exchanges.state.gov/education/engteaching/gpm.htm • http://www.geocities.comsuzkeadie/learninglinks.html • http://a4esl.org/ • http://a4esl.or/q/h/9901/jh-wisconsin.html • http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/200/grammar/prepo1.htm • http://www.eslpartyland.com/quiz%20center/preptimec.htm • http://esl.about.com/library/beginnercourse/bl_beginner_course_gr_quiz-pre_1.htm • http://www.better-english.com/vocabulary/findtheprepositionq.htm • http://www.pacificnet.net/~sperling/quiz/prep3.html

Module on Prepositions In, On, At and From