Prepositions and complements
Prepositions encode relations such as time, place, direction, cause, method and dependency, and many are selected by the word before them.
01 · Concept foundation
Understand the terms before applying the rule
Each term below names a different grammatical object. Open examples and compare their function rather than memorising a Vietnamese translation alone.
preposition/ˌprepəˈzɪʃən/
giới từA function word that introduces a noun phrase and expresses its relation to another element.
at the station, because of erosion, by satellite
tại trạm, do xói lở, bằng vệ tinh
prepositional phrase/ˌprepəˈzɪʃənəl freɪz/
cụm giới từA preposition together with its complement, normally a noun phrase.
in the estuary
trong cửa sông
complement/ˈkɒmplɪmənt/
bổ ngữAn element required or licensed by another word to complete its meaning.
depend on data; responsible for monitoring
phụ thuộc vào dữ liệu; chịu trách nhiệm giám sát
adjunct/ˈædʒʌŋkt/
trạng ngữ tùy chọnAn optional phrase adding circumstances such as time, place or manner without being selected by the head word.
We sampled near the inlet in March.
Chúng tôi lấy mẫu gần cửa vào trong tháng Ba.
dependent preposition/dɪˈpendənt ˌprepəˈzɪʃən/
giới từ phụ thuộcA preposition conventionally selected by a particular verb, adjective or noun.
depend on; effect on; responsible for
phụ thuộc vào; ảnh hưởng lên; chịu trách nhiệm cho
object of a preposition/ˈɒbdʒɪkt əv ə ˌprepəˈzɪʃən/
bổ ngữ của giới từThe noun phrase, object pronoun or -ing clause that completes a preposition.
with them; by comparing records
với họ; bằng cách so sánh các chuỗi
Complete lesson scope
Do not stop at one formula
Time, place, direction, cause, means and accompaniment
Dependent prepositions after verbs, adjectives and nouns
Prepositional complements versus optional adjuncts
Multi-word prepositions and formal alternatives
Decision boundary: Learn the controlling word together with its preposition and complement pattern.
02 · Controlling rule
A preposition heads a phrase with a noun phrase, object pronoun or -ing complement. Choose it by semantic relation and established dependent pattern, then distinguish required complements from movable optional adjuncts.
preposition + NP/object pronoun/-ing | head + dependent prepositionPrepositions and prepositional phrases
Interpret the relation expressed by a preposition, distinguish required complements from optional adjuncts and learn dependent patterns as complete lexical units.
1. Structure and function
A preposition heads a prepositional phrase and is followed by a complement, normally a noun phrase or an -ing clause. The whole phrase can modify a noun, verb, adjective or clause.
preposition + noun phrase / pronoun / -ing clauseUse an object pronoun after a preposition: between you and me, for them, with us.
After a preposition, a verb normally takes -ing: interested in modelling, before collecting data.
A PP can postmodify a noun: the station near the inlet; or function as an adjunct: We sampled near the inlet.
The measurements from the offshore station were excluded from the analysis.
Core semantic contrasts
These are conceptual defaults; fixed expressions still need to be learned as units.
| Relation | Contrast | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Time | by = no later than; until = continuing to | finish by Friday / work until Friday |
| Movement | across = one side to another; through = inside a space | across the river / through the tunnel |
| Cause/result | result from / result in | damage from waves / damage results in closure |
| Contrast | despite + NP / although + clause | despite the rain / although it rained |
High-value dependent patterns
Record each word together with its preposition and complement type.
| Head | Pattern | Meaning/use |
|---|---|---|
| depend | depend on + NP/-ing | condition/reliance |
| contribute | contribute to + NP/-ing | add to a cause/result |
| responsible | responsible for + NP/-ing | duty or cause |
| effect | effect on + NP | influence |
| solution | solution to + NP | answer to a problem |
High-risk contrasts
Discuss is transitive in this meaning and takes a direct object.
Use despite directly before a noun phrase, or in spite of.
Here flooding causes the closure, so use result in. Result from would introduce the cause of flooding.
A verb following a preposition normally takes the -ing form.
Concept and form check
Apply the system in context
Write a four-sentence IELTS explanation using one cause phrase, one method phrase, one dependent adjective pattern and both result from and result in with logically correct direction.
- ✓The complement after a preposition is a noun phrase, pronoun or -ing form.
- ✓Cause and consequence directions are not reversed.
- ✓Dependent patterns are learned and used as complete units.
03 · Worked examples
Observe form, function and meaning together
The shoreline was mapped by analysing satellite images.
Đường bờ được lập bản đồ bằng cách phân tích ảnh vệ tinh.
The discrepancy resulted from a timing error and resulted in an incorrect estimate.
Sai khác bắt nguồn từ lỗi thời gian và dẫn đến một ước tính sai.
Despite the limited record, the researchers reached a defensible conclusion.
Mặc dù chuỗi số liệu hạn chế, các nhà nghiên cứu vẫn đạt được kết luận có thể bảo vệ.
The result depends on how the boundary condition is specified.
Kết quả phụ thuộc vào cách điều kiện biên được xác định.
04 · High-risk contrast
Explain why one form fails, not only which answer is correct
We discussed about the uncertainty.
We discussed the uncertainty.
Discuss is transitive in this meaning and takes a direct object; English does not copy the preposition used in some other languages.
05 · Mastery check
Apply the rule before marking the lesson complete
Which sentence is grammatically acceptable in the target system?
Which description best defines “preposition”?
Which example is one of the verified target patterns in this lesson?
Which structural formula belongs to this lesson?
Complete all four checks, then submit a sentence for target-form feedback.
06 · IELTS Academic
Transfer grammar into a real communicative task
Use precise dependent patterns and method/cause phrases: an increase in demand, an effect on prices, caused by migration, measured by comparing two periods.
Use object case and -ing forms after prepositions.
Contrast at/in/on, by/until, across/through and result from/in.
Recognise dependent verb, adjective and noun patterns.
Distinguish despite + phrase from although + clause.