All About Prepositions | Spanish: Elementary A2 Level - Class 6 PDF Download

Introduction

Prepositions are indispensable in Spanish grammar, acting as links that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They establish relationships such as location, direction, time, manner, or cause, and are key to conveying the intended meaning of a sentence.

Certainly! Let’s delve into the common prepositions related to location in Spanish:

Common Prepositions

Location (Lugar)

Prepositions of location describe the position or place where something or someone is located. They are fundamental in providing clear and precise directions or descriptions in Spanish. Here are some of the most common prepositions of location, along with their definitions and examples:

• En (in, on): Indicates a location within a space or on a surface.
  Example: El gato está en la caja. (The cat is in the box.)
• De (from): Specifies the origin or starting point of an action or movement.
  Example: Ella viene de México. (She comes from Mexico.)
• A (to): Points to the direction or end point of a movement.
  Example: Vamos a la playa. (We’re going to the beach.)
• Hacia (towards): Shows movement in the direction of a specific location.
  Example: Corren hacia el parque. (They run towards the park.)
• Cerca de (near): Describes proximity to a place or object.
  Example: La tienda está cerca de la escuela. (The store is near the school.)
• Lejos de (far from): Indicates a significant distance from a place or object.
  Example: Mi casa está lejos de aquí. (My house is far from here.)
• Encima de (above): Refers to a higher position relative to something else.
  Example: Hay un reloj encima de la puerta. (There is a clock above the door.)
• Debajo de (below): Points to a lower position relative to something else.
  Example: El perro está debajo de la mesa. (The dog is under the table.)
• Delante de (in front of): Indicates that something is located ahead or before something else.
  Example: El profesor está delante de los estudiantes. (The teacher is in front of the students.)
• Detrás de (behind): Shows that something is located at the back of something else.
  Example: El jardín está detrás de la casa. (The garden is behind the house.)

Time (Tiempo)

Prepositions of time are used to indicate when something happens. They are crucial for discussing schedules, events, and sequences. Below are some of the most common prepositions of time in Spanish, along with their uses and examples:

• A (at): Specifies an exact time.
  Example: La reunión es a las ocho. (The meeting is at eight.)
• En (in): Refers to months, seasons, years, or parts of the day.
  Example: Nos casamos en junio. (We got married in June.)
• Durante (during): Indicates the duration of an event.
  Example: Estudié durante toda la noche. (I studied during the whole night.)
• Desde (from): Marks the beginning of a period of time.
  Example: Trabajo aquí desde 2010. (I have been working here since 2010.)
• Hasta (until): Marks the end of a period of time.
  Example: La tienda está abierta hasta las nueve. (The store is open until nine.)
• Antes de (before): Indicates that an action occurs prior to a certain time.
  Example: Debes terminar tus deberes antes de ver la televisión. (You should finish your homework before watching TV.)
• Después de (after): Indicates that an action occurs following a certain time.
  Example: Vamos a comer después de la película. (We will eat after the movie.)

Manner (Modo)

Prepositions of manner are used to describe how something is done. They provide information about the method or way in which an action occurs. Here are some of the key prepositions of manner in Spanish, their meanings, and examples of their use:

• Con (with): Indicates the presence of something or someone.
  Example: Ella siempre viaja con su hermano. (She always travels with her brother.)
• Sin (without): Indicates the absence of something or someone.
  Example: No puedo vivir sin música. (I can’t live without music.)
• Según (according to): Refers to conformity with something or someone’s point of view.
  Example: Según el profesor, el examen será difícil. (According to the teacher, the exam will be difficult.)
• De acuerdo a (according to): Similar to ‘según’, it also indicates agreement or conformity with a given standard or authority.
  Example: De acuerdo a las instrucciones, debemos terminar antes del viernes. (According to the instructions, we must finish before Friday.)

Cause (Causa)

Prepositions of cause are used to explain the reason or motive behind an action. They are key to understanding the driving factors or circumstances that lead to certain events or situations. Here are some of the primary prepositions of cause in Spanish, along with their meanings and illustrative examples:

• Por (by, for): Used to indicate a reason or motive, and sometimes to specify a duration of time.
  Example: Estudia por amor al arte. (He studies for the love of art.)
• Debido a (due to): Points to a direct cause or reason.
  Example: El partido se canceló debido a la lluvia. (The match was canceled due to rain.)
• Gracias a (thanks to): Expresses a positive outcome as a result of something.
  Example: Aprobé el examen gracias a tu ayuda. (I passed the exam thanks to your help.)

Other Prepositions

In addition to the categories of location, time, manner, and cause, there are other prepositions in Spanish that serve specific purposes. Here’s a look at three such prepositions:

• Para (for): Used to indicate purpose, destination, recipient, opinion, or a point in time.
  Example: Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you.)
• Entre (between): Indicates a position or relationship involving two or more parties.
  Example: La conversación es secreta entre nosotros. (The conversation is secret between us.)
• Contra (against): Expresses opposition or resistance.
  Example: El equipo jugó contra el campeón. (The team played against the champion.)

These prepositions are also commonly used in everyday Spanish and are important for expressing relationships and interactions between people and objects.

Prepositions with Articles (Preposiciones con artículos)

In Spanish, certain prepositions can combine with definite articles to form contractions. These contractions are not optional; they must be used whenever the preposition and the article would otherwise come together in a sentence. Here are the two most common contractions:

• A + el = Al: This contraction is used when the preposition a (to) is followed by the masculine singular definite article el (the).
  Example: Voy al mercado. (I’m going to the market.)
• De + el = Del: This contraction occurs when the preposition de (of, from) is followed by the masculine singular definite article el (the).
  Example: Es el perro del vecino. (It’s the neighbor’s dog.)

It’s important to note that these contractions are only formed with the masculine singular definite article el. No contractions are formed with the feminine singular la, the masculine plural los, or the feminine plural las.

Prepositions with Verbs (Preposiciones con verbos)

In Spanish, many verbs are inherently linked to specific prepositions. These combinations are not arbitrary; they are fixed expressions that often do not have a direct translation into English. Learning these verb-preposition pairs is essential for speaking and writing correctly in Spanish. Here are some examples, along with explanations and sentences to illustrate their use:

• Pensar en (to think about): Used when contemplating or considering something or someone.
  Example: Siempre pienso en ti. (I always think about you.)
• Mirar a (to look at): Indicates directing one’s gaze towards something or someone.
  Example: Mira a la cámara. (Look at the camera.)
• Soñar con (to dream of/about): Used when imagining or aspiring to something, often while sleeping.
  Example: Sueño con viajar por el mundo. (I dream of traveling the world.)
• Enamorarse de (to fall in love with): Expresses the development of romantic feelings towards someone.
  Example: Se enamoró de su sonrisa. (He fell in love with her smile.)
• Depender de (to depend on): Indicates reliance on someone or something.
  Example: El éxito depende de tu esfuerzo. (Success depends on your effort.)
• Casarse con (to marry): Used to express the act of entering into marriage.
  Example: Se casó con su mejor amigo. (She married her best friend.)
• Empezar a (to start to/begin to): Marks the initiation of an action.
  Example: Empezó a llover. (It started to rain.)

Distinguishing Prepositions (Diferenciar preposiciones)

In Spanish, certain prepositions can seem similar but have distinct uses depending on the context. Understanding the subtle differences between these prepositions is crucial for accurate communication. Here are some guidelines to help distinguish between commonly confused prepositions:

A vs. En

A is often used to indicate movement towards a place, while en is used to indicate a static position.

• Example: Voy a la tienda. (I’m going to the store.)
• Example: Estoy en la tienda. (I’m at the store.)

Por vs. Para

Por is used to express a reason or cause and is often translated as “for” or “by.” Para is used to indicate purpose or destination and is often translated as “for” or “to.”

• Example: Lo hice por ti. (I did it for you.)
• Example: Esto es para mañana. (This is for tomorrow.)

Sobre vs. Encima de

Both can mean “on top of,” but sobre can also mean “about” or “on,” and is less specific than encima de which clearly indicates “above” or “on top of.”

• Example: El libro está sobre la mesa. (The book is on the table.)
• Example: El cuadro está encima de la mesa. (The picture is above the table.)

Entre vs. Entre Medio de

Entre means “between” and is used for two elements, while entre medio de is used when something is in the middle of several elements.

• Example: La casa está entre el banco y el supermercado. (The house is between the bank and the supermarket.)
• Example: La fuente está entre medio de los árboles. (The fountain is in the middle of the trees.)

Desde vs. Hasta

• Desde indicates the starting point in time or space, and hasta indicates the ending point.
• Example: Trabajo desde las ocho hasta las cinco. (I work from eight to five.)

Type 1: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Preposition

1. El gato saltó ___ la ventana. (through)
2. Estamos en clase ___ las dos ___ las cuatro. (from, to)
3. La tienda está ___ la esquina. (on)
4. Camina ___ la calle sin mirar ___ los lados. (down, to)
5. Puso el vaso ___ la mesa ___ salir. (on, before)
6. El avión vuela ___ las nubes. (above)
7. La película empieza ___ diez minutos. (in)
8. El regalo fue hecho ___ mano. (by)
9. Estudiaré ___ ser abogado. (to)
10. La carta está escrita ___ tinta azul. (in)

Type 2: Choose the Correct Preposition from the Parentheses

1. Vivo (en/a) Madrid.
2. Trabajo (por/para) una compañía internacional.
3. El libro fue escrito (por/para) Gabriel García Márquez.
4. La conferencia es (en/a) la universidad.
5. El tren pasa (por/para) la ciudad.
6. La tarea es (para/por) mañana.
7. El perro está (entre/entre medio de) los arbustos.
8. La flor crece (sobre/encima de) la roca.
9. El museo está abierto (desde/hasta) las nueve.
10. La fiesta es (en/a) casa de Juan.

Type 3: Match the Verb with the Correct Preposition

1. Soñar ___
2. Empezar ___
3. Terminar ___
4. Confiar ___
5. Casarse ___
6. Enamorarse ___
7. Depender ___
8. Participar ___
9. Consistir ___
10. Colaborar ___

Type 4: Translate the Following Sentences

1. The keys are on the table.
2. We will go to the beach in August.
3. The book was written by a famous author.
4. She is interested in studying medicine.
5. They live between the park and the library.
6. The meeting is scheduled for Monday.
7. He works from nine to five.
8. The gift is for my mother.
9. The cat sleeps under the bed.
10. The flowers are for the teacher.

Type 5: Correct the Mistakes in the Following Sentences

1. Voy a la escuela con el autobús.
2. Ellos vienen de el aeropuerto.
3. La película comienza en las ocho.
4. Ellos están casados con cinco años.
5. El perro corre debajo de la lluvia.
6. La carta está escrita con bolígrafo rojo.
7. La conferencia es para la sala grande.
8. El examen es sobre las matemáticas.
9. Ella trabaja desde las ocho hasta las tres.
10. El libro está encima de la estante.

Type 6: Answer the Questions Using Prepositions

1. ¿Dónde está el libro? (on the desk)
2. ¿Cuándo vas a la tienda? (in the morning)
3. ¿Por qué estudias español? (for travel)
4. ¿Cómo llegas a la escuela? (by bus)
5. ¿Con quién te casaste? (with my best friend)
6. ¿Qué hay entre la casa y el supermercado? (a park)
7. ¿Hasta cuándo trabajas hoy? (until six)
8. ¿De quién es este regalo? (for my brother)
9. ¿Dónde duerme el gato? (under the bed)
10. ¿Para qué estudias tanto? (to become a lawyer)

Certainly! Here are the answer keys for each type of exercise question:

Type 1: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Preposition

1. por
2. desde, hasta
3. en
4. por, a
5. sobre, antes de
6. por
7. en
8. a mano
9. para
10. en

Type 2: Choose the Correct Preposition from the Parentheses

1. en
2. para
3. por
4. en
5. por
6. para
7. entre
8. sobre
9. desde
10. en

Type 3: Match the Verb with the Correct Preposition

1. con
2. a
3. con
4. en
5. con
6. de
7. de
8. en
9. en
10. con

Type 4: Translate the Following Sentences

1. Las llaves están sobre la mesa.
2. Iremos a la playa en agosto.
3. El libro fue escrito por un autor famoso.
4. Ella está interesada en estudiar medicina.
5. Viven entre el parque y la biblioteca.
6. La reunión está programada para el lunes.
7. Trabaja desde las nueve hasta las cinco.
8. El regalo es para mi madre.
9. El gato duerme debajo de la cama.
10. Las flores son para la profesora.

Type 5: Correct the Mistakes in the Following Sentences

1. Voy a la escuela en autobús.
2. Ellos vienen del aeropuerto.
3. La película comienza a las ocho.
4. Ellos están casados desde hace cinco años.
5. El perro corre bajo la lluvia.
6. La carta está escrita con un bolígrafo rojo.
7. La conferencia es en la sala grande.
8. El examen es de matemáticas.
9. Ella trabaja desde las ocho hasta las tres.
10. El libro está sobre el estante.

Type 6: Answer the Questions Using Prepositions

1. El libro está sobre el escritorio.
2. Voy a la tienda por la mañana.
3. Estudio español para viajar.
4. Llego a la escuela en autobús.
5. Me casé con mi mejor amigo.
6. Hay un parque entre la casa y el supermercado.
7. Trabajo hasta las seis.
8. Este regalo es para mi hermano.
9. El gato duerme debajo de la cama.
10. Estudio tanto para ser abogado.