Hello class, and welcome back to our lecture on prepositions. Today, we're going to use the exercises from Unit 88 to review and solidify our understanding of prepositions of position and movement.
Let's begin by going through the exercises together.
88.1: Across vs. Over
This exercise tests our understanding of across and over. While they can sometimes be interchangeable, especially for movement on a horizontal plane, there are specific situations where one is more likely or correct.
After I’d finished work, I walked across / over the car park to where Mona was waiting.
Explanation: Both are possible here. Across emphasizes the movement from one side to the other, while over simply means moving through the space.
They own a house over the river in the old town.
Explanation: Over is the more likely preposition when referring to a house or structure that is built on or spans a river, such as a bridge.
The gate was locked so we had to climb over the wall.
Explanation: When we talk about climbing or going from one side to the other of a vertical barrier, over is the correct preposition.
You’re not allowed to walk across the railway line. You have to use the bridge.
Explanation: Across is used for moving from one side to the other on a flat surface, like a railway line, a field, or a street.
Julie Wafaei was the first woman to row alone across the Atlantic.
Explanation: Similar to walking on a surface, when crossing a large body of water, across is used to mean traveling from one side to the other.
Nuclear waste is transported across the country, despite objections from campaigners.
Explanation: Across is used to describe traveling from one side of a country or region to the other.
The traffic was busy on the main road so we walked over the pedestrian crossing.
Explanation: While you could say "walked across the crossing," over is very common and often feels more natural for a specific marked path or object that you go on top of to cross a street.
She leaned out over the balcony rail and looked for Omar in the square below.
Explanation: Over is the correct preposition when leaning from a height to look down, as it indicates a position of suspension above something else.
88.2: Choosing the Best Preposition
This exercise requires us to choose the most appropriate preposition from a group of options.
It took several minutes to walk through the corridor to the exit.
Explanation: We use through to describe movement in a space with boundaries, like a corridor, a forest, or a crowd.
Across the table I could see Oliver looking at his watch.
Explanation: Across is used here to mean "on the other side of something," in this case, a table.
He fell through the floor into the cellar below.
Explanation: Through is used to show movement from one side of an object (the floor) to the other, indicating a passage or breaking through a surface.
I could see Lisa on the other side of the river.
Explanation: The phrase "on the other side" is a standard and common idiom used to describe location.
He cycles thousands of miles each year all over the country.
Explanation: Over is used here to emphasize movement in many different directions throughout a large area.
Hotels have been built along the beach for about 25 kilometres.
Explanation: Along is the correct choice to describe something that extends in a line next to something else, like a road or a beach.
88.3: Correcting Preposition Use
Now, let's look at some sentences and correct the prepositions if necessary.
He slept with his wallet under his pillow. (Corrected from below)
Explanation: Under is used for things that are directly covered or concealed by something else.
He broke his leg just below his knee. (✓)
Explanation: Below is used correctly here to indicate a position on a lower level but not necessarily directly covered.
The town stood at the top of the hill, and stretching into the distance below it were green fields. (Corrected from under)
Explanation: Below is the best choice for describing something at a lower elevation that is not directly beneath the main object.
She threw a coat over her shoulders and stepped out into the cold. (Corrected from above)
Explanation: Over is used when something is put on to cover a body part.
He lived in a first-floor flat above a greengrocer’s in Leyton. (✓)
Explanation: Above is correctly used to indicate a higher level in a building.
When the police got to the car, they found the driver slumped over the steering wheel. (Corrected from above)
Explanation: Over is used to describe a posture where a person is bent forward to a position that is on top of or rests on something else.
He always wore a vest under his shirt, even in summer. (Corrected from below)
Explanation: Under is used for clothing that is directly covered by another item.
I could hear the plane flying high above the clouds. (✓)
Explanation: Above is correctly used for a position that is at a higher level than another thing.
88.4: Common Idioms
Finally, let's review some common idioms that use these prepositions.
A: What’s wrong? B: I’m just feeling rather under the weather.
Meaning: c) ill.
A: You never arrive on time. You’d be late for your own funeral, you would! B: That’s a bit below the belt, isn’t it?’
Meaning: d) cruel or unfair.
She already has 18 books on gardening under her belt and she is now working on number 19.
Meaning: b) successfully completed.
He had never played well for the club and left under a cloud.
Meaning: e) with some people’s disapproval.
She lost her temper and went completely over the top, accusing him of cheating.
Meaning: f) extreme behaviour; indicating disapproval.
They received a bonus in December over and above their monthly salary.
Meaning: a) in addition to.
This concludes our review of Unit 88. I hope this detailed breakdown has helped to clarify the proper use of these tricky prepositions.
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