Prepositions before particular words and expressions

This is a list of a few expressions which often cause problems. For other preposition + noun combinations, see a good dictionary.

• at the cinema (BrE); at the theatre; at a party; at university

  • What’s on at the cinema this week?

• a book (written) by Dickens; a concerto (composed) by Mozart; a film (directed) by Orson Welles (not of) or from

  • I’ve never read anything by Dickens.

• by car/bike/bus/train/boat/plane/land/sea/air; on foot (but in the car, on a bus, etc)

  • Let’s take our time and go by boat.

• for … reason

  • My sister decided to go to America for several reasons.

• from … point of view (not according to) or after

  • Try to see it from my point of view.

• in … opinion (not according to) or after)

  • In my opinion, she should have resigned earlier.

• in the end (= finally, after a long time)

  • In the end, I got a visa for Russia.

• at the end (= at the point where something stops)

  • I think the film’s a bit weak at the end.

• in pen, pencil, ink, etc

  • Please fill in the form in ink.

• in a picture, photo, etc (not on)

  • She looks much younger in this photo.

• in the rain, snow, etc

  • I like walking in the rain.

• in a suit, raincoat, shirt, skirt, hat, etc

  • Who’s the man in the funny hat over there?

• in a … voice

  • Stop talking to me in that stupid voice.

• on page 20, etc (not in/at)

  • There’s a mistake on page 120.

• on the radio; on TV; on the phone

  • Is there anything good on TV tonight?
  • It’s Mrs Ellis on the phone: she says it’s urgent.

• on time (= at the planned time, neither late nor early)

  • Daniel wants the meeting to start exactly on time.

• in time (= with enough time to spare, before the last moment)

  • He would have died if they hadn’t got him to the hospital in time.