CSG287

Unit 23

Prepositions

Prepositions are used to indicate the relationship between words. The word itself (“pre-position”) tells us it is placed before other words. Think of preposiciones as connectors, linking a noun, a pro-noun, or a phrase to other words in a phrase or sentence.

Observe the relationship or connection established by the high-lighted prepositions in the following examples:

Ellos trabajan para ml    They workfor me.

Mi casa esta cerca de la    My house is close to the

mansión.    mansion.

Para and de introduce objects of prepositions. The words or phrases that follow the preposition are called the object of the preposition.

Spanish prepositions can present a challenge to English speakers. You will need to acquire them gradually. Viajan por Espana means They are treweling through Spain. If you change the preposition por to para, you alter the meaning of the sentence: Viajan para

Espana. (They are treweling t o Spain. )

Spanish speakers face similar challenges in learning English. Get in, get in with, and get through are only a few of the distinctions they must master. Notę the Spanish equivalents: entrar, llegar a, atra-vesar. (A co median, joking about the regional uses of words in the United States, objected to being told to get on the piane instead of to get in the piane. Getting in does sound morę logical and safer than getting on a piane.) Significant changes in meaning can take place with a preposition.

As you study, it will be useful to group the common Spanish prepositions according to their form and meaning.

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