71 I can use prepositions in phrases
A Preposition + word(s)
Phrase
Example
Meaning
by chance
We
met in the shop by chance.
without
it/sth being planned.
on board
Are
all the passengers on board?
on
a plane or ship or bus.
on purpose
She
broke my watch, but she didn’t do it on purpose.
with
a definite intention; not accidentally. SYN deliberately.
at least
It
takes at least an hour to get home.
not
less than, and probably more.
at first
I
didn’t understand him at first.
at
the beginning.
in a hurry
He
got up late and left in a hurry.
quickly,
and usually because you haven’t enough time. SYN in a rush.
in advance
Can
I buy tickets in advance?
before
a particular time or event.
in charge of
sth/sb
Who’s in charge of the office
while Matt’s on holiday?
in
a position of control over sth/sb. SYN responsible
for sth/sb.
in general
In general, I don’t work on Saturdays.
usually;
in most cases. SYN generally.
in public
I
don’t like it when people argue with each other in public.
when
other people are present. OPP in private.
spotlight in the
end and at the end
In the end can
mean ‘finally’, ‘after a period of time’, or ‘in conclusion’.
All the
restaurants closed early, so in the end we went home.
At the end can
mean ‘in the final part’, or ‘when sth finishes’.
At the end of the film, they go to live in New York.
1 Make eight more phrases using in, at, by, or on, and one of the words below.
general purpose advance
least private public
first board chance
► in advance
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
in general; in private; in public; at least; at first; by chance; on purpose; on board
B Word(s) + preposition
Phrase
Example
Meaning
access to sth
Do
you have access to the internet?
the
chance to use or have sth.
make the most of
sth
If
he lets you use the gym, you must make the most of it.
make
the best use of sth that will help you. SYN take advantage of sth.
capable of (doing)
sth
She’s capable of passing the exam if
she works hard.
having
the ability or qualities to do sth.
involved in sth
He’s
become very involved in local politics.
connected
with sth or taking an active part in it.
approve of sb/sth
My
mother doesn’t approve of men who smoke.
think
that sb/sth is good or suitable. OPP disapprove
of sb/sth.
get rid of sth/sb
We
got rid of our old sofa. They got rid of two workers.
throw
sth away, or make yourself free of sth/sb you don’t want.
care about sth/sb
She cares about people. He doesn’t care about money.
be
interested in sb/sth and think it or they are important.
take care of
sb/sth
After
their mother died, they took care of their father.
help
and protect sb/sth. SYN look after sb/sth.
insist on (doing)
sth
He insisted on paying for dinner.
say
strongly that you must have or do sth, or that someone else must.
cope with sth/sb
I’ll
have more work next year, but I think I can cope with it.
take
action successfully with a difficult situation. SYN manage.
spotlight depend on
sb/sth
1 be able to trust someone or something. SYN rely
on sb/sth.
You can never depend on the trains in this country.
2 be decided or influenced by someone or something.
We may go out - it depends on the weather.
