Prepositions Part 34
Combinations
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else. There are over 100 prepositions in English. This is a very small number compared with the vast number of nouns, adjectives and verbs found in English. Here are some of the prepositions used in English
Easy on
Pleasant to look at.
Soft colours are easy on the eye.
Soft music is easy on the ear.
Eat at
To have a meal at a particular place.
We couldn’t afford to eat at a five-star hotel.
Eat away
To gradually remove or destroy something.
The stones are being eaten away by pollution.
Eat into
To gradually reduce the amount of time or money.
My daughter’s university fees have been eating into my savings.
Eat out
To eat in a restaurant instead of at home.
Do you eat out a lot?
Eat up
To eat all of something.
Fiona made a cake and wanted us to help eat it up.
Eavesdrop on
To deliberately listen to other people’s conversations.
I don’t like eavesdropping on people talking on the phone.
Economise on
To reduce the amount of money, time or goods that you use.
Higher taxes encourage people to economise on fuel.
Edge over
Something that gives you an advantage over others.
Brian was the eldest, which gave him an edge over the others.
Edge round
To move gradually with several small movements.
Christine edged her way round the back of the house.
Edge with
To put something on the edge or border of something.
The table cloth is edged with lace.
Effect on
A change that is caused by an event or action.
Emma’s parents’ divorce had a big effect on her.
Elaborate on
To give more details or new information about something.
Smith refused to elaborate on his reasons for resignation.
Elect as
To choose someone for an official position by voting.
George was elected as a Member of Parliament.
Elevate above / to
To move someone or something to a more important level or rank.
Language has elevated humans above the other animals.
Colleges of Education are to be elevated to universities.
Elicit from
To succeed in getting information or a reaction from someone, especially when this is difficult.
The test uses pictures to elicit words from the child.
Eligible for
Someone who is eligible for something is able or allowed to do it.
University students following part-time courses are not eligible for loans.
Eliminate from
To completely get rid of something that is unnecessary or unwanted.
Fatty foods should be eliminated from the diet.
Emanate from
To come from or out of something.
Wonderful smells were emanating from the kitchen.
Embargo on
An official order to stop trade with another country
There is a longstanding embargo on trade with Cuba.
