Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

prepositions again

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Simon_23



Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Location: Poland

PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:43 pm    Post subject: prepositions again Reply with quote

Hey,

Could you explain to me one thing.
There are examples of my problem:
-A bird beat its wings against the wires.
-A bird thrust its beak into the piece of grass.

-He kissed it with its beak.
-Eat it with your fingers.
-They adorned it with flowers.
-They covered it with flowers.

I can't understand why a preposition with occurs and why it sometimes doesn't.

I would like to say but I don't know in what way:
I dig with a spade, or I dig a spade,
I hold it with fingers, or by fingers or my fingers.

And can I say:
Eat it yours fingers.



Thanks in advance,
Simon
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 3:11 pm    Post subject: Re: prepositions again Reply with quote

Simon_23 wrote:
I can't understand why a preposition with occurs and why it sometimes doesn't.

I would like to say but I don't know in what way:
I dig with a spade, or I dig a spade,
I hold it with fingers, or by fingers or my fingers.

And can I say:
Eat it yours fingers.

In this case, with (or by) functioning as an adverb. With answers the question: how? If you ask the question: what? then you don't use a preposition (because you would then be using a direct object or other noun).
For example:
I dig.
What do you dig?
I dig the soil.
How do you dig?
I dig with a spade.
Put it together...
I dig the soil with a spade.

So, your statement: Eat.
Eat how?
Eat with your fingers.
Eat what?
Eat it.
Put it together...
Eat it with your fingers.

Your statement: I hold.
You hold how?
I hold by my fingers.
Hold what?
Hold it.
Put it together...
I hold it by my fingers.

Prepositions will answer questions: how, where, when, which and function as adverbs or adjectives.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
river1974



Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan

PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is there any difference between the following examples?
(a)John was killed with a stone.
(b)John was killed by a stone.

Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BMO



Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 705

PostPosted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think there is a difference. Killed with a stone is certainly done by a person, whereas killed by a stone can be by a falling stone from the sky, mudslides. My opinion.

b
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal

PostPosted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BMO wrote:
I think there is a difference. Killed with... killed by...

Makes sense to me. Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
river1974



Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan

PostPosted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks. I've never thought it that way. Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Learning English All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group