Prepositional Words and Phrases

The use of prepositions is one of the difficult aspects of learning English. A preposition is a functional word that appears before nouns and relates to some other constructions in the sentence.

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and one or more prepositions that functions as a single unit of meaning. Phrasal verbs are commonly used in writing. As an ESL learner, learn some prepositional phrases:

BRING

Bring about: cause something to happen.

e.g. The racial discrimination brought about the social unrest.

Bring off: achieve something difficult.

e.g. The research on DNA was difficult and unpredictable, but the scientists were able to bring it off.

Bring on: cause something to happen.

e.g. What brought the event on?

e.g. The riot was brought on by the Mayor's proposed policy.

Bring to: revive; make it clear.

e.g. The man fainted, but was soon brought to with some smelling salt.

e.g. I hope this incident will bring you to your senses.

Bring to a close: end something.

e.g. I hope this verdict will finally bring the matter to a close.

Bring out emphasize.

e.g. That tragedy brought out the best of humanity: all the neighbors were caring and compassionate.

Bring up: raise; care for.

e.g. In this day and age, it is not easy to bring up children.

KEEP

Keep at: continue to do.

e.g. You must keep at it until it is done.

Keep down: prevent from advancing.

e.g His lack of an advanced degree will keep him down in his career.

Keep on: continue.

e.g. Keep on, and don't give up!

e.g. Keep on with your good work.

Keep up: maintain the pace.

e.g. Keep up and don't fall behind.

e.g. You have to work extra hard to keep up with the rest of the class.

DRESS

Dress down: scold severely.

e.g. The manager dressed him down right in front of all the employees.

Dress up: put clothes on; adorn.

e.g. Wow! Look at you! You really get dressed up for the party in this fancy dress!

CUT

Cut back: reduce the use or amount.

e.g. We should cut back our expenses on grocery.

Cut in: interrupt.

e.g. Don’t cut in when someone is talking; it is very rudeCut off: turn off of a road.

e.g. This is where you should cut off on the left and head straight for the highway.

e.g. You are not cut out to be a politician; you don’t have the temperament to be one.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau