Delia's English Hub

  Preposition “Up”   Direction/Location: Upward: Moving or pointing in a higher position.   She looked up at the stars.   The cat climbed up the tree.     Towards a Higher Place: When going to a place of higher elevation.   We hiked up the mountain.   Can you drive up to the summit?   These are some of the most common meanings of the preposition up in English, and there can be additional nuances depending on the context in which it is used.     Up with numbers: Up can be used with numbers and amounts to indicate an approximation or an increase. Here are some examples:     There were up to 50 people at the event. This suggests that there were approximately 50 people at the event, but not necessarily exactly 50.     The cost of the project could be up to $10,000. This implies that the project’s cost may reach as high as $10,000, but it could be less.       The temperature is expected to rise up ...

Preposition “Towards”   The preposition towards has several meanings, and its usage can vary depending on the context. Here are some of the most common meanings of towards with examples:   In the direction of: Towards is often used to indicate movement or direction.   She walked towards the park.   The car was driving towards the mountains.   Can you point me towards the nearest subway station?     In relation to: Towards can also express a relationship between two things or indicate a target or goal.   His attitude towards work is very positive.   They have a friendly attitude towards their neighbors.   She has a strong commitment towards environmental conservation.   Approximating or  nearing: Towards can imply that something is approaching a particular state or condition.   The project is moving towards completion.   The weather is getting colder towards winter.   Prices are rising towards the e...

Preposition “To”   The preposition to is a versatile word in English with several meanings and uses. Here are some of the most common meanings and uses of to:   Direction or  Movement: To is often used to indicate the direction or movement toward a place or destination.   We are going to the park.   She walked to the store.     Indicating a  Destination: To can specify a destination or endpoint   He drove from New York to Los Angeles.   The flight is going to London.     Expressing  Purpose: To can be used to express the purpose or intention of an action.   I am studying to become a doctor.   She went to the store to buy groceries.     Time: To can indicate the time when something will happen:   The movie starts at quarter to 9, so we should grab our tickets now.   I’ll meet you at the cafe at ten to eight; that should give us plenty of time to chat     Comparison of...

  Prepositions “Till”  and “Until”   Till and until can convey the same meaning as from…till when used as prepositions. They indicate the duration of an action or event, starting from a specific point in time and ending at another. Here are examples:     Till (Until):   Meaning: From a specified starting point in time up to a specified ending point in time.   Examples:   The store is open till (until) 5 PM.   She worked diligently till (until) Friday.   They stayed at the beach from sunrise till sunset.   The library is open till (until) 8 PM.   He studied math problems till (until)  the afternoon.   The party will continue till (until) midnight.       In these examples, till and until are used as prepositions to convey the idea of a time range, just like from…till. They indicate the starting and ending points of an action, event, or time period.     Till (Until) as  conjunctions:...

    Preposition “Through”   The preposition through has several meanings, and I’ll provide examples for each of them:     Spatial Passage or  Movement:   Refers to moving from one side or point to another side or point, often while passing inside or within something.   Example: She walked through the forest to reach the other side.   Example: The tunnel goes through the mountain.     Duration or  Continuation:   Indicates the duration of an action or a state.   Example: They worked through the night to finish the project.   Example: I read the book through the weekend.     In the Midst or  Company of:   Suggests being surrounded by or in the presence of something or someone.   Example: He made his way through the crowd to see the performer.   Example: We walked through the bustling market.     Completion or  Conclusion:   Indicates reaching the en...

    Prepositions “Since” and “From” to compare   Since and from are both prepositions, but they are used in slightly different ways and contexts. Here’s a comparison with examples for each:        Since:   Since is primarily used to indicate a specific starting point in time or a cause-and-effect relationship. Examples: I have been working here since 2010 . (Starting point in time)   She hasn’t eaten anything since breakfast . (Starting point in time)   He lost his job. He’s been unhappy since then. (Cause-and-effect relationship)     From:   From is used to indicate a starting point in time, place, or a range of values.   Examples: I work from 9 a.m. to 5 p,m. . (Starting and ending points in time)   The book is from the library . (Indicating the source or place)   The price of the product ranges from $10 to $50. (Range of values)   In summary, since primarily focuses on specifying a starting...

    Preposition “Since”   The preposition since has several meanings and can be used in various contexts. Here are the main meanings of since with examples for each:   Time-related meaning – Point in time: Since can indicate a specific point in time when an action began or an event occurred. Example: I have been working at this company since 2010.       Time-related meaning – Duration: Since can be used to show the duration of an action or event that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: She has been studying English since her childhood.         Time-related meaning – From a past point until now: Since can indicate a starting point in the past that continues up to the present. Example: He has lived in this city since his graduation from college.         Reason or Cause: Since can be used to introduce a reason or cause for something. Example: Since the heavy raining , we shoul...

  Prepositions “Round” and “Around”   The prepositions round and around can have various meanings and usages. Here are some of their meanings along with examples:   Preposition round: Circular Movement: Meaning: Indicating movement in a circular direction or around a central point. Example: She walked round the park to enjoy the scenery.     Approximately or  Nearly: Meaning: Referring to an approximate or nearly exact number or time. Example: It’s going to cost round $50 to fix the car.     In Every  Direction: Meaning: Denoting a general area without specifying a precise location. Example: There are flowers round the house.     Expressing  Encirclement: Meaning: Showing that something surrounds or encircles another thing. Example: The fence goes round the garden to keep out animals.     In Sequence: Meaning: Referring to events or actions occurring in a sequence or order. Example: We go through the s...

  Preposition “Past”   The preposition past has several meanings and uses in English. Here are some of the most common meanings with examples:   Temporal Meaning: Indicating a Duration of Time  That Has Already Occurred:   I lived in New York for the past five years. (referring to the last five years leading up to the present)   She has been studying for the past hour. (referring to the duration of time just before now)     Spatial Meaning: Indicating Movement or Position about  Something Else:   He walked past the park. (indicating movement to the park)   The cat ran past me and into the house. (indicating movement to the speaker)     As an Adjective, Meaning  Gone By or Former:   In past years, this area was heavily industrialized. (referring to years that have gone by)   Her past experiences shaped her worldview. (referring to previous experiences)     As a Noun, Meaning All That  Ha...

  Preposition “Over”     Over and under are often considered opposites when used as prepositions indicating position or location:   Over typically means above or on top of something.   Under typically means below or beneath something.   For example:   The book is over the table. (It’s on top of the table.)   The cat is under the table. (It’s beneath the table.)   However, it’s essential to remember that context can influence the interpretation. In some cases, over and under can have other meanings, and they might not always be strict opposites.       Preposition over with  different meanings:   The preposition over has several meanings and can be used in various contexts. Here are some of its meanings with examples:     Above or  on top of: The plane flew over the city.   The cat jumped over the fence.     Across or from one  side to the other: She walked over the bridge. ...