Set expressions with prepositions

Set expressions with prepositions

Examples

at a loss

When her son finally left home, Emily felt completely at a loss. He seemed, for once, at a loss for words.

at all costs

We must avoid a scandal at all costs.

at first

At first, Gregory was shy and hardly spoke.

at least

It will take you at least 20 minutes to get there.

at random

The gang picked their victims at random.

at risk

We must stop these rumours; the firm's reputation is at risk.

at the bus stop

I had to wait for 20 minutes at the bus stop.

at the station/ airport/ concert/ party/ at my sister’s

Were there many people at the party? I met him at my brother’s yesterday.

at the table/desk

Julia is working at her desk now.

at the top / bottom

Look for this word at the bottom of page 72.

at the traffic lights

She slowed down at the traffic lights by Sloane Street.

at war / at peace

In 1920 Poland and Russia were still at war. The country is at peace with its neighbours for the first time in years.

Set expressions with prepositions

Examples

by/from all accounts = according to what a lot of people say

It has, from all accounts, been a successful marriage.

by all means (= of course)

'Can I bring Alan?' 'By all means!'

by chance

I bumped into her quite by chance in Oxford Street.

by far ( = better than anything else)

Godard's first film was by far the best he made.

by mistake

Someone must have left the door open by mistake.

by no means = by ant means (= not at all)

It is by no means certain that the game will take place. She's not a bad kid, by any means.

by sight # on sight (as soon as you see someone)

I only know her by sight (= I often see her but have not really spoken to her).The army has been ordered to shoot rebel soldiers on sight.

by surprise

His unexpected arrival took her by surprise.

Set expressions with prepositions

Examples

in a hurry

It won’t do to do such things in a hurry.

in a low (loud, high, quiet) voice

Stop talking to me in that stupid voice!

in a way/in no way

In a way, you are right. This should in no way be seen as a defeat.

in a whisper / in whispers

'Where are we going?' he asked in a whisper.

They were speaking in whispers.

in debt

Dickens’s father was constantly in debt.

in difficulties; in trouble

The business is in financial difficulty.

in one’s opinion

It's a terrible shame, in my opinion, that the building was knocked down.

in particular (= especially)

It was a good concert - I enjoyed the last song in particular.

in pen (pencil, ink)

Please, fill in the form in ink.

in place of = instead

John is going to the meeting in place of Mr. Savage.

in private; in public

It’s advisable to discuss such question in private not in public.

in the hope of = in hopes (Am.E.)

We came to the island in the hope of finding a simpler way of life.

in the north (south, east, west)

Milan is in the north of Italy.

in the picture / photo

You look very happy in this photo.

in the rain (snow)

I like walking in the rain.

in the shade (shadow) of / in shadow

She was sitting in the shade of a large oak tree. It was hot, and we decided to walk in the shadow of the wall. The side of the valley was in shadow.

in the sun

We sat in the sun, eating ice cream.

in turn/ in turns

Each of us in turn had to describe how alcohol had affected our lives.

not in the slightest (= not at all)

'Did he mind lending you the car?' 'Not in the slightest.'

once in a while (= not often)

I do get a little anxious once in a while.

to catch smb in the act of doing smth

The gang was caught in the act of unloading the smuggled cigarettes.

to get in touch with/to keep in touch

I’ll get in touch with him as soon as I come to London.

to have smth in common

I found I had a lot in common with these people.

to take pride in smth

He takes great pride in his children's achievements.