References: English for Maritime Students; eslus.com; www.interlinepublishing.com; www.englishpage.com; www.writingcenter.uottawa.ca
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PREPOSITION
This module intends to make the learners be aware of the different uses of the preposition.
The word Preposition means ‘that which is placed before’.
A preposition is a word which shows relationships among other words in the sentence. The relationships include direction, place, time, cause, manner and amount. A preposition relates its object to some other words in a sentence.
A preposition always goes with a noun or pronoun which is called the object of the preposition. The preposition is almost always before the noun or pronoun and that is why it is called a preposition. The only exception occurs in a sentence or clause introduced by an interrogative pronoun or relative pronoun.
The preposition and the object of the preposition together are called a prepositional phrase. The following chart shows the prepositions, objects of the preposition, and prepositional phrases of the sentences above.
Preposition | Object of the Preposition | Prepositional Phrase |
to | the store | to the store |
by | bus | by bus |
at | three o'clock | at three o'clock |
under | the table | under the table |
Prepositional phrases are like idioms and are best learned through listening to and reading as much as possible. Below are some common prepositions of time and place and examples of their use.
Prepositions of Time | Prepositions of Place |
at two o'clock | at my house |
on Wednesday | in New York, in my hand |
in an hour | on the table |
near the library | |
across the street | |
under the bed | |
between the books |
Kinds of Prepositions
There are three kinds of prepositions:
1. Simple preposition
2. Compound preposition
3. Phrase preposition
1. Simple preposition
A simple preposition is a word that shows the relationship between two things without the help of another word.
Examples:
1. The purse is in the box.
2. The current passes throughout the wire.
2. Compound preposition
A compound preposition is formed by prefixing a preposition to a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
Examples:
1. The dog ran along the road.
2. Stand behind me.
3. Phrase preposition
These are groups of words that have the force of a single preposition.
Examples:
1. It was done according to your instructions.
2. The spot is away from public road or dwelling.
3. Owing to illness he was absent.
Prepositions have several meanings and applications.
1. used to describe position
a. at/away from – used with reference to a point
a. at/away from – used with reference to a point
Examples:
The helmsman stood at the vessel.
The cook stayed away from the fire when not necessary.
b. on/off – used with reference to a hold or surface.
b. on/off – used with reference to a hold or surface.
Examples:
The captain placed the papers on the table.
The ship was off course.
c. into/in/out of – used with reference to an area or volume
Examples:
The cargo was lowered into the hold.
The cargo was stowed in the boiler.
The carpenter got the tools out of the tool box.
2. used to describe destination
a. to/from – used with reference to a point
a. to/from – used with reference to a point
Examples:
The crew sailed the ship to the Caribbean.
The MV Martin sailed from Siberia.
b. towards/away from – express motion with reference to a directional path
Examples:
The injured passenger was moved towards the wharf.
The flotsams drifted away from the boat.
c. up/down – express motion with reference to a vertical axis
Examples:
The flag was hoisted up the pole.
The seaman came down the mast.
d. across/along – express motion with reference to a horizontal axis or plane
Examples:
They sailed across the ocean.
The ferry passed along the bay.
3. used to describe passage
a. over/under
a. over/under
Examples:
The sailors ran over the bridge.
The boat slowed down under the bridge.
b. behind/in front of
Examples:
The fireman passed behind the gate.
The fireman passed in front of the gate.
c. around/through
Examples:
The crew jogged around the mess hall.
The crew jogged through the mess hall.
d. by/past
Examples:
The fishermen rowed past the buoy.
The fishermen rowed by the buoy.
Note A:
1. Sometimes, the object to a preposition is an adverb of time or place.
Examples:
a. I will be done by then. (that time)
b. Come away from there. (that place)
2. Sometimes the object to a preposition is an adverbial phrase.
2. Sometimes the object to a preposition is an adverbial phrase.
Examples:
a. Each article was sold at over a rupee.
b. He did not see her till a few days ago.
3. A clause can also be the object to a preposition.
3. A clause can also be the object to a preposition.
Examples:
a. Pay careful attention to what I am going to say.
b. There is no meaning in what you say.
4. The object to a preposition when it is a relative pronoun is sometimes omitted.
4. The object to a preposition when it is a relative pronoun is sometimes omitted.
Examples:
a. He is the man I was looking for. (the object whom is understood)
b. These are the good rules to live by. (the object which is understood)
Note B:
1. Barring, concerning, considering, during, notwithstanding, pending, regarding, respecting, touching etc are present participles of verbs and are used without any noun or pronoun being attached to them. They are also considered prepositions and are sometimes distinguished as participial prepositions.
2. Some words can be used either as adverbs or as prepositions.
2. Some words can be used either as adverbs or as prepositions.
Examples:
a. I could not come before.
b. I came the day before yesterday.
II. EXERCISES
A. Complete each sentence with a preposition. Select your answers from the above list.
1. The cargo must be securely stowed __________ the holds.
2. The handling of cargo __________ and __________ the ship’s holds requires great skill.
3. The poster is __________ the cabin wall.
4. He stood __________ the wheel.
5. The engineer stood __________ the flames.
6. The ship moored __________ the harbor.
7. The keel was just __________ the seabed.
8. The chart lay __________ the table.
9. The barge sailed __________ the bridge.
10. The cargo was lifted __________ the hold.
B. Word Stress Drill:
a. primary stress on initial syllable of two-syllabic words
fáthom rúdder máster tánker
sígnal cómpass éngine plátform
hélmsman stárboard cábin cárgo
b. primary stress on initial syllable of three-syllabic words
b. primary stress on initial syllable of three-syllabic words
cómpetence énvelope dígital
máritime ófficer émbassy
cárrier máintenance bánkruptcy
quántity náutical álmanac
III. VOCABULARY
III. VOCABULARY
Fill in the blanks with the correct words or group of words that fit the following descriptions/definitions. Choose your answers from the list below.
__________ 1. depth from waterline to vessel’s bottom, maximum/deepest unless otherwise specified.
__________ 2. place where a specific vessel is anchored or is to anchor
__________ 3. vessel moving, under control, with anchor moving along the sea bottom
__________ 4. an anchor moving over the sea bottom involuntarily because it is no longer preventing the movement of the vessel
__________ 5. height of the highest point of the vessel’s structure above waterline, e.g., radar, funnel, cranes, masthead
__________ 6. mandatory speed in a fairway
__________ 7. navigable part of waterway
__________ 8. a mark or place at which a vessel is required to report to establish its position
__________ 9. a mark or place which a vessel comes under obligatory entry, transit or escort
__________ 10. Formation of ice on vessels
icing way point fairway
receiving point fairway speed draught
dragging (of anchor) anchor position air draught
dredging anchor offshore installation traffic lane
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