4.1.4

Common Prepositions

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By, With, From, To

Prepositions are words that come directly before another word to express the relationship between the words that come before or after it.

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En - in

  • 'En' is used to show location, time or how something is done.
    • E.g. Estoy en mi casa.
      • I am in my house.
    • E.g. Tengo una reunión en una hora.
      • I have a meeting in an hour.
    • E.g. Vamos en avión.
      • We are going by plane.
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Hacia - towards, about

  • 'Hacia' is used to show movement or opinion towards something and the rough time.
    • Corrí hacia mi casa.
      • I ran towards my house.
    • Nuestra responsabilidad hacia el medio ambiente.
      • Our responsibility towards the environment.
    • Hacia medianoche.
      • At about midnight.
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Hasta - until, as far as

  • 'Hasta' is used in a lot of idiomatic expressions, mostly to do with saying goodbye.
    • Hasta luego, hasta mañana
      • Until later (goodbye), until tomorrow.
  • It is also used to show a time limit.
    • La tienda está abierta hasta las tres.
      • The shop is open until 3.
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Según - according to

  • 'Según' means according to, it is normally followed by a noun.
    • E.g. Según el autor.
      • According to the author.
    • E.g. Según la encuesta.
      • According to the survey.
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Sin - without

  • 'Sin' means without, it can be followed by a noun or a verb.
    • E.g. Sin saberlo.
      • Without knowing it.
    • E.g. Sin perjuicio.
      • Without prejudice.
  • It is also used in certain phrases:
    • E.g. Sin embargo - however.
    • E.g. Sin duda - certainly (without a doubt).
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Cerca - Near

  • 'Cerca' means near, it can be followed by a noun or a verb.
    • E.g. Cerca de mi casa hay una tienda.
      • Near my house there is a shop.
    • Puedo caminar hasta la escuela porque está cerca.
      • I can walk to school because it is close.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Home & Abroad

3Education & Employment

4Personal Life & Relationships

5The World Around Us

6Social Activities, Fitness & Health

7Listening

8Common Tenses

9Important Verbs

10Advanced Tenses

11Extra Grammar

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