In 1923, the Prime Minister resigned because of ill health.
He was dying of pneumonia.
As is used to show the function or purpose of something.
He worked as a truck driver.
During the war they used the theatre as a warehouse.
Prepositions used with verbs
in phrasal verbs
6.111 Some verbs always have a prepositional phrase after them in particular meanings. They are called phrasal verbs, and information about them can be found in paragraphs 3.83 to 3.116.
She sailed through her exams.
What are you getting at?
verbs with optional prepositional phrases
6.112 Some verbs can have a prepositional phrase instead of a direct object. For more information on these verbs, see paragraph 3.10.
The Polish Army fought the Germans for nearly five weeks.
She was fighting against history.
We climbed the mountain.
I climbed up the tree.
indirect objects of verbs with two objects
6.113 A prepositional phrase is used as an indirect object when the indirect object comes after the direct object.
For information on verbs with two objects, see paragraphs 3.73 to 3.82.
If the action described by the verb involves the transfer of something from one person or thing to another, the preposition to is used.
I passed the letter to my husband.
The recovered animals will be given to zoos.
If the action involves a person doing something for the benefit of another person, the preposition for is used.
She left a note for her on the table.
with reciprocal verbs
6.114 Some reciprocal verbs require a prepositional phrase when a second noun phrase is mentioned.
For information on reciprocal verbs, see paragraphs 3.68 to 3.72.
Our return coincided with the arrival of bad weather.
She has refused to cooperate with investigators.
with passive verbs
6.115 Prepositional phrases are used after verbs in the passive.
Ninety men were cut off by storms.
Moisture is drawn out with salt.
The use of prepositional phrases after passive verbs is explained in paragraphs 9.14 to 9.16.
position of prepositional phrases and adverbs after verbs
6.116 When verbs are followed by prepositional phrases and adverbs, a long prepositional phrase is usually placed after the adverb.
He listened calmly to the report of his aides.
A short prepositional phrase can come before or after the adverb.
The women shouted at me savagely.
Miss Burns looked calmly at Marianne.
Prepositional phrases after nouns and adjectives
6.117 Prepositional phrases are sometimes used after nouns and adjectives to describe the subject or object of a clause rather than the manner of an action or situation. See the section beginning at paragraph 2.275 for more information.
…a girl in a dark grey dress.
…a man with a quick temper.
particular prepositions after nouns and adjectives
6.118 Particular prepositions are used after some nouns and adjectives when you are adding information. See paragraphs 2.45 to 2.50 and 2.287 to 2.290.
My respect for her is absolutely enormous.
Women’s tennis puts an emphasis on technique, not strength.
He is responsible for pursuing the claim.
comparisons with than and like
6.119 A prepositional phrase with than often shows the person or thing that is the basis of a comparison.
He was smarter than you.
She was more refined than her husband.
For more information on comparisons, see the section beginning at paragraph 2.103.
The preposition like is used to show that someone or something is similar to someone or something else, without comparing any specific quality.
The British forces are like permanent tourists.
We need many more people like these.
of
6.120 Of is used in prepositional phrases after any noun to indicate various relationships between one noun phrase and another, especially belonging, possession, and connection. It can be used to state what something is, what it contains, what it is made from, or how much of it there is.
He was a member of the golf club.
She’s a friend of Stephen’s.
…the Mayor of Moscow.
Extended meanings of prepositions
6.121 The uses of prepositional phrases to express time and manner are really extended or metaphorical uses that cover a wide range of prepositions and are part of a metaphor that affects many other aspects of language as well. For example, when you talk about approaching a point in time, a short stretch of time, and so on, you are using words that refer to space to talk about time.
However, there are also extended meanings that apply only to small groups of prepositions, or sometimes only to individual prepositions.
For example, in basically indicates position inside a container.
What’s that in your bag?
It will end up in the dustbin.
However, it is often used with reference to areas rather than containers.
Emma sat in an armchair with her legs crossed.
Then we were told what had happened in Sheffield.
In is also used to talk about relative position.
We had to do something in the centre of the town to attract visitors.
However, in is also used in ways that extend its meaning further away from physical position. For example, it can be used to say that someone is involved in a particular situation, group, or activity.
They were in no danger.
The child was in trouble with the police.
This government won’t be in power for ever.