Prepositions

CONJUNCTIONS and PREPOSITIONS

Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses and Prepositions are those connecting words that show the relation of a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence. 1) CONJUNCTIONS - used in connecting words, phrases, or clauses: a) Coordinate Conjunctions such as and and but are placed next to the words and ideas they connect. Examples: He was strong in body and mind. She was strong mentally but not physically. b) Subordinate Conjunctions are used when one idea in a sentence is dependent upon another idea. The subordinate conjunction is used to connect the dependent with the main thought. Examples: to indicate concession (i.e. although, even if, though) Though some of the volunteers never showed, we still packed a great number of boxes. to show cause (i.e. now that, because, as, since) He was terminated because of his excessive absenteeism. to express a condition (i.e. if only, provided that, except that, unless) The whole project will be delayed unless that shipment arrives today. to indicate purpose (i.e. in order that, so that) He called in a replacement so that she could go home and get some rest. to fix a time (i.e. as long as, ever since, until, after, when, now that, before) Ever since we installed that new software, tracking our shipments is easier. c) Correlative Conjunctions are those used in pairs (i.e. neither/nor, either/or, not only/but also) and should be placed next to the words they connect. Examples: Either we meet the budget or downsizing will be the alternative. She is respected by neither her clients nor her colleagues.

 They not only finished the project on time but also came in below budget. 2) PREPOSITIONS are used to show the relation of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence: Examples: The defendant was shocked by the verdict from the jury. (preposition by shows the relation of the noun verdict to the verb shocked. Care must be taken with the use of prepositions. Often there is confusion using the following prepositions: at, with My colleagues were angry with me. (not at me) He was angry at the decisions being made. (not with the decisions) The contractor was impatient at the delays. (not with the delays) She was impatient with her children. (not at her children) among, between The proceeds were divided among the team members. (not between the team members) The proceeds were divided between the two participants. (not among the two participants) in, into Tommy ran in the gym. (within its walls) Tommy ran into the gym. (entered the gym) agreed to, on, with He agreed to the terms of the contract. (not agreed with the terms) The board members agreed on implementing a hiring freeze. (not agreed with implementing) She agreed with Tom to share in the responsibilities.

Prepositions and Conjunctions/los Preposiciones y las Conjunciones

Prepositions Prepositions join with an objects (nouns or pronouns) to form phrases.

to, at, on

hacia

toward

ante

before, in front of

hasta

until

bajo

below, underneath

no obstante

nevertheless

con

with

para

for, in order to

contra

against

por

for, because of

de

of, from

salvo

except

desde

from, since, for

segn

according to

durante

during

sin

without

en

on, inside, at, into

sobre

on, above

entre

between

tras

behind

excepto

except

A.

Many verbs are used along with prepositions: 1. a: empezar a (to begin to), ir a (to go to), aprender a (to learn to), ponerse a(to begin to)

con: contar con (to count on), soar con (to dream about), quedarse con (to keep) de: acabar de (to have just [done something]), dejar de (to stop [doing something]), olvidarse de (to forget about), tratar de (to try to) en: insistir en to (insist on), tardar en (to take ones time doing), pensar en(to think about) por: preocuparse por (to worry about) B. The preposition por has many meanings and uses: 1. For, because of: Brazil es conocido por sus playas. 2. Denoting time or duration: Voy a leer por una hora. 3. Through: Tiene que ir por la puerta. 4. Around: El restaurante est por aqu. 5. By means of: Escrbame por email. 6. Rate, price, speed, per, in exchange: Pagu demasiado por el sombrero. C. Uses of the preposition para (compared to por): 1. For, in order to (intention, purpose, destination, direction): Estudio mucho para entender bien.

2. The use of something: La tinta es para la pluma. D. The personal a: Spanish requires an a before a direct object that refers to a person: Voy a visitar a mi ta.