Prepositions and postpositions
Which word shows the link, and does it come before or after the words it goes with?
Merkitys
Some languages use separate words before or after a noun or pronoun to show its relation to the rest of the sentence. These words can express place, time, direction, cause, or links between participants. Prepositions come before the words they go with, postpositions after them; some languages rely on attached endings instead. Unlike Endings, prepositions and postpositions are separate words.
Näin tunnistat sen
Look for recurring separate words that stand before or after words naming a person, thing, place, or time and link them to the rest of the sentence.
Opiskeltavalla kielelläsi
English uses prepositions such as in, on, at, to, and with, normally before a noun or pronoun. They express place, time, and other links, and particular verbs or adjectives may require a particular preposition. In many questions, the preposition can stay after the verb rather than moving to the front.
Your glasses are on the shelf.
On comes before the shelf and marks a surface location.
The shop opens at nine.
At marks a clock time.
Who are you waiting for?
For stays with wait even though who comes at the start.
Learners whose language marks relations with noun endings or postpositions may omit prepositions or place them after the noun. Learners whose language uses one marker for several place or time relations may overuse a single English preposition.