Prepositions,
made clear.

Preposition (kata depan) adalah kata yang digunakan untuk menunjukkan hubungan antara suatu kata dengan kata lain dalam sebuah kalimat.

Preposition dapat menunjukkan hubungan:

• tempat

• waktu

• arah

• tujuan

• cara

• alat

• sebab

• topik

• hubungan abstrak

• dan berbagai makna lainnya

Contoh preposition yang umum:

in, on, at, to, from, for, with, by, about, of, into, onto, under, over, between, among, through, across, during, since, until

Dalam bahasa Inggris, preposition biasanya diikuti oleh noun phrase, pronoun, gerund, atau adverb, tergantung pada strukturnya.

Examples:

in the room

with her

after leaving

until tomorrow

through there

Kata atau kelompok kata yang mengikuti preposition disebut object of the preposition ketika berfungsi sebagai objeknya.

Example:

in the room

in = preposition

the room = object of the preposition

Gabungan antara preposition dan object-nya disebut prepositional phrase.

Example:

They walked towards the setting sun.

towards the setting sun

= prepositional phrase

Prepositional phrase dapat memberikan informasi tentang where, when, how, why, dan berbagai hubungan lainnya.

Prepositions of place digunakan untuk menunjukkan posisi atau lokasi sesuatu dan, dalam banyak kasus, arah pergerakan.

Common prepositions of place:

in / inside

→ di dalam

She is in the room.

outside

→ di luar

He is waiting outside.

on

→ pada permukaan

The book is on the table.

under

→ di bawah

The cat is under the chair.

above

→ lebih tinggi dari

The picture is above the door.

below

→ lebih rendah dari

The table is below the window.

over

→ di atas / melintasi

A lamp hangs over the table.

through

→ melalui bagian dalam

We walked through the forest.

into

→ ke dalam

She went into the room.

out of

→ keluar dari

He walked out of the building.

onto

→ ke atas suatu permukaan

She stepped onto the platform.

off

→ menjauh dari permukaan

He fell off the bike.

at

→ di suatu titik atau lokasi

She is at the station.

from

→ dari

He came from London.

to

→ ke

We went to the airport.

towards

→ menuju ke arah

She walked towards the station.

away from

→ menjauh dari

He walked away from the building.

next to

→ tepat di sebelah

The bank is next to the café.

beside / by

→ di samping / sangat dekat dengan

She sat beside me.

near / close to

→ dekat

The hotel is near the station.

in front of

→ di depan

The car is in front of the house.

behind

→ di belakang

The car is behind the bus.

between

→ di antara hal-hal yang terpisah

The shop is between the bank and the café.

among

→ di tengah suatu kelompok

She was standing among the crowd.

along

→ sepanjang / mengikuti jalur

We walked along the beach.

past

→ melewati

We walked past the station.

opposite

→ berseberangan dengan

The bank is opposite the supermarket.

across

→ menyeberangi / di sisi lain

The school is across the street.

around

→ di sekitar

People were standing around the building.

beyond

→ di luar atau melewati suatu batas

There is a village beyond the mountains.

against

→ menempel atau bersandar pada

He leaned against the wall.

Prepositions of place dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan position atau movement.

POSITION

Digunakan ketika sesuatu berada di suatu tempat.

Examples:

We were at the café.

She was sitting in the café.

She stood on the balcony.

MOVEMENT

Digunakan ketika sesuatu bergerak menuju, masuk ke, atau melewati suatu tempat.

Examples:

We went to the café.

We went into the café.

She walked onto the balcony.

Secara umum:

at → position

to → movement

in / on → position

into / onto → movement

Compare:

They are in the room.

→ mereka berada di dalam ruangan.

They went into the room.

→ mereka bergerak masuk ke ruangan.

She is on the balcony.

→ dia berada di balkon.

She walked onto the balcony.

→ dia bergerak ke atas/ke permukaan balkon.

Dalam informal English, in dan on terkadang juga digunakan untuk movement.

Example:

We went in the café.

Namun, untuk pola pembelajaran dasar, gunakan:

be in → berada di dalam

go into → bergerak masuk ke dalam

be on → berada di atas permukaan

go onto → bergerak ke atas suatu permukaan

Preposition juga dapat mengubah makna.

We walked on the beach.

→ berjalan di area pantai.

We walked onto the beach.

→ bergerak menuju pantai.

Setelah lay, place, put, dan sit, biasanya digunakan on/in, bukan onto/into.

Examples:

They laid the body on a blanket.

Tom sat down in the armchair.

AT, ON, dan IN adalah tiga preposition of place yang paling sering membingungkan.

AT

At digunakan ketika suatu tempat dilihat sebagai sebuah titik atau lokasi.

Examples:

at the bus stop

at the station

at the door

at the lights

There's someone at the door.

The car was waiting at the lights.

At juga digunakan dengan events.

We met at the party.

At dapat digunakan dengan bangunan ketika yang dimaksud adalah aktivitas atau fungsi normal tempat tersebut.

Examples:

She's at school.

The Browns are at the theatre.

I bought these dishes at the supermarket.

Bandingkan:

She was in the supermarket.

→ secara fisik berada di dalam supermarket.

She was at the supermarket.

→ berada di supermarket sebagai lokasi atau tempat tujuan.

At juga dapat digunakan untuk rumah seseorang.

I had a cup of coffee at Angela's.

---

ON

On digunakan ketika sesuatu berada pada suatu permukaan.

Examples:

The book is on the table.

There are pictures on the walls.

On juga digunakan untuk garis atau jalur.

Paris is on the Seine.

The house is on the main road.

---

IN

In digunakan ketika sesuatu berada di dalam suatu ruang atau area.

Examples:

There are five pounds in my pocket.

He's in the room.

She is in the waiting room.

Bandingkan:

It was cold in the library.

→ secara fisik berada di dalam bangunan.

We were at the library.

→ berada di perpustakaan sebagai lokasi atau untuk aktivitas tertentu.

Untuk negara dan kota, biasanya digunakan in.

She lives in Indonesia.

He works in Istanbul.

Untuk tempat yang lebih kecil, at dapat digunakan ketika tempat tersebut dipandang sebagai titik atau lokasi.

We arrived at the station.

Untuk waktu, cara berpikirnya berbeda dari place. Perhatikan jenis dan skala waktu yang dimaksud.

AT

Gunakan at untuk clock times, meal times, dan beberapa fixed time expressions.

Examples:

at 7 a.m.

at half past five

at breakfast

at the moment

at night

At juga digunakan untuk beberapa holiday periods.

at Christmas

at Thanksgiving

at the weekend

NOTE:

Dalam American English, on the weekend juga umum digunakan.

At juga dapat digunakan dengan usia.

She started working at eighteen.

---

ON

Gunakan on untuk single days dan dates.

Examples:

on Monday

on 7 August

on my birthday

on Easter Sunday

She was born on Monday.

Perhatikan perbedaan:

at Christmas

→ selama periode Natal

on Christmas Day

→ pada hari Natal secara spesifik

on 25 December

→ pada tanggal tertentu

---

IN

Gunakan in untuk longer periods.

Examples:

in July

in 2001

in spring

in the nineteenth century

In juga digunakan dengan bagian hari.

in the morning

in the afternoon

in the evening

Jika hari disebutkan, gunakan on.

on Tuesday morning

on Friday afternoon

on the evening of 12 August

Exception:

at night

I usually study at night.

In the night juga dapat digunakan, terutama ketika membicarakan sesuatu yang terjadi pada malam tertentu atau di tengah malam.

I heard a noise in the night.

Kita biasanya tidak menggunakan at, on, atau in dengan:

last

this

next

every

later

yesterday

tomorrow

Examples:

I saw her last Monday.

NOT:

I saw her on last Monday.

We've been busy this week.

NOT:

We've been busy in this week.

I'll visit you next year.

NOT:

I'll visit you in next year.

The same thing happens every day.

NOT:

The same thing happens at every day.

I'll see you tomorrow morning.

NOT:

I'll see you in tomorrow morning.

Untuk later, tidak perlu menambahkan in atau at.

A week later, I got a reply.

NOT:

In a week later, I got a reply.

Dalam informal English, on terkadang dapat dihilangkan sebelum nama hari.

I'll see you Monday.

In + length of time dapat memiliki dua makna utama.

1. Menunjukkan berapa lama sesuatu membutuhkan waktu.

She finished the exam in two hours.

Artinya proses tersebut membutuhkan waktu dua jam.

2. Menunjukkan waktu yang dihitung dari sekarang.

I'll call you in two hours.

Artinya dua jam dari sekarang.

Bandingkan:

I can finish it in two hours.

→ membutuhkan waktu dua jam.

I'll finish it in two hours.

→ akan selesai dua jam dari sekarang.

WITHIN

Within juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan batas waktu.

I'll be back within an hour.

Artinya dalam waktu satu jam atau kurang.

DURING

During digunakan dengan event atau periode tertentu yang sudah jelas.

Examples:

during the meeting

during the festival

during that week

during the movie

She slept during the movie.

During juga dapat digunakan ketika sesuatu terjadi satu kali atau beberapa kali dalam suatu periode.

The letter arrived during the festival.

I suddenly felt ill during the show.

Untuk menyatakan durasi menggunakan length of time, gunakan for, bukan during.

NOT:

The festival lasted during a week.

Use:

The festival lasted for a week.

---

FOR

For digunakan untuk menunjukkan durasi.

Examples:

for two hours

for three weeks

for ten years

for five minutes

I stayed there for two years.

Bandingkan:

She slept during the movie.

→ selama event tertentu.

She slept for two hours.

→ selama dua jam.

THROUGHOUT

Throughout berarti sepanjang seluruh periode atau di seluruh bagian suatu tempat.

Examples:

The population grew rapidly throughout the nineteenth century.

The epidemic spread throughout the country.

ALL THROUGH

All through juga dapat menekankan bahwa sesuatu berlangsung sepanjang seluruh periode.

Jeremy kept staring at Naomi all through lunch.

OVER

Over dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan sesuatu yang terjadi sepanjang suatu periode.

Examples:

Over the next few days, we saw each other several times.

Over a period of two months, there were many changes.

Perhatikan bahwa over dapat memiliki berbagai makna lain tergantung konteks.

FOR + DURATION

Gunakan for dengan panjang waktu.

Examples:

for two years

for a week

for three months

for ten minutes

I've lived here for five years.

SINCE + STARTING POINT

Gunakan since dengan titik awal.

Examples:

since 2020

since Monday

since last week

since 8 o'clock

I've lived here since 2020.

Cara mudah membedakannya:

FOR = how long

SINCE = when it started

Compare:

I've been studying English for five years.

I've been studying English since 2021.

AGO

Ago digunakan untuk mengukur waktu ke masa lalu dari sekarang.

Examples:

I graduated three years ago.

She left ten minutes ago.

BEFORE

Before dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan waktu yang lebih awal daripada suatu titik waktu lain.

Jika titik acuannya adalah masa lalu, before menunjukkan waktu sebelum titik masa lalu tersebut.

Example:

Giles left the company last year. He had started work there ten years before.

Artinya dia mulai bekerja sepuluh tahun sebelum titik waktu tersebut.

Bandingkan:

She left two years ago.

→ dua tahun sebelum sekarang.

She left in 2024. She had started the job three years before.

→ tiga tahun sebelum titik waktu 2024.

Before berarti lebih awal daripada sesuatu.

I slept before midnight.

After berarti lebih lambat daripada sesuatu.

We met after lunch.

Keduanya juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan urutan.

J comes before K.

K comes after J.

After juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan seseorang yang mengikuti atau mengejar orang lain.

The thief ran across the road with a policeman after him.

Before dan after dapat diikuti oleh noun phrase atau gerund.

Examples:

before lunch

after lunch

before leaving

after eating

UNTIL / TILL

Until menunjukkan bahwa sesuatu terus berlangsung sampai waktu tertentu.

Examples:

Wait here until 10 p.m.

I'll stay here until Friday.

She worked until midnight.

Till memiliki arti yang sama dengan until, tetapi lebih informal.

I'll wait till tomorrow.

---

BY

By berarti tidak lebih lambat dari waktu tertentu.

Examples:

Finish this task by tomorrow.

Please finish the report by Friday.

Artinya pekerjaan selesai pada Jumat atau sebelumnya.

I'll be home by eight.

Artinya saya akan sampai di rumah pada pukul delapan atau sebelumnya.

BY vs UNTIL

I'll work until Friday.

→ pekerjaan berlangsung sampai Jumat.

I'll finish the work by Friday.

→ pekerjaan selesai paling lambat Jumat.

BY vs BEFORE

Finish the work before Friday.

→ sebelum Jumat.

Finish the work by Friday.

→ Jumat atau sebelumnya.

FROM

From menunjukkan kapan sesuatu dimulai.

Tickets will be on sale from next Wednesday.

FROM ... TO ...

Digunakan untuk menunjukkan awal dan akhir suatu periode.

The course runs from April to September.

FROM ... UNTIL / TILL ...

Juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan awal dan akhir suatu periode.

The road will be closed from Friday evening until Monday morning.

BETWEEN

Between dapat menunjukkan periode di antara dua waktu.

Not many people work between Christmas and New Year's Day.

THROUGH

Through digunakan ketika sesuatu bergerak melalui bagian dalam suatu ruang, area, atau benda.

We walked through the forest.

The train went through the tunnel.

ACROSS

Across digunakan ketika sesuatu bergerak dari satu sisi ke sisi lainnya.

She walked across the road.

They ran across the field.

Across juga dapat menunjukkan posisi di sisi lain.

The school is across the street.

ALONG

Along digunakan ketika sesuatu bergerak mengikuti suatu garis, jalan, sungai, pantai, atau jalur.

We walked along the beach.

They drove along the coast.

Ringkasnya:

through

→ melalui bagian dalam

across

→ dari satu sisi ke sisi lain

along

→ mengikuti suatu jalur

TO

To menunjukkan destination atau tujuan.

We're going to London.

She went to the university.

TOWARDS

Towards menunjukkan arah, tetapi tidak selalu berarti sampai ke tujuan.

We're walking towards the station.

Artinya bergerak ke arah stasiun, tetapi belum tentu sampai di sana.

Bandingkan:

She walked to the station.

→ stasiun adalah tujuan.

She walked towards the station.

→ stasiun adalah arah gerakan.

NEAR / CLOSE TO

Near dan close to berarti tidak jauh dari sesuatu.

The mosque is near my house.

We live close to the hospital.

BY

By dapat berarti berada di samping atau sangat dekat dengan sesuatu.

We live by the hospital.

Come and sit by me.

NEXT TO

Next to berarti tepat di sebelah sesuatu atau seseorang.

The hospital is next to the park.

She sat next to me.

Perhatikan perbedaannya:

near

→ dekat, tetapi tidak harus tepat di sebelah

next to

→ tepat di sebelah

IN FRONT OF

Menunjukkan posisi di depan sesuatu.

He stood in front of the class.

There is a statue in front of the museum.

BEHIND

Menunjukkan posisi di belakang sesuatu.

The car is behind the house.

She is standing behind me.

Untuk posisi tempat, gunakan in front of dan behind, bukan before dan after.

NOT:

There is a statue before the museum.

Use:

There is a statue in front of the museum.

OPPOSITE

Opposite berarti berada di sisi lain atau berseberangan.

The bank is opposite the supermarket.

She was sitting opposite me.

BETWEEN

Between digunakan ketika kita melihat beberapa orang atau benda sebagai individu yang terpisah.

The shop is between the bank and the café.

The ball went between the player's legs.

Between tidak terbatas secara mutlak hanya untuk dua benda.

Yang penting adalah orang atau benda tersebut dipandang sebagai individual and separate.

Example:

The village lies between the mountains, the river, and the sea.

AMONG

Among digunakan ketika sesuatu berada di tengah-tengah suatu kelompok atau collection.

She was among friends.

I couldn't find her among the students.

The President was standing among his bodyguards.

Jadi, jangan hanya menghafalkan:

between = 2

among = lebih dari 2

Yang lebih tepat adalah:

between

→ separate, individual items

among

→ a group or collection

ABOVE

Above menunjukkan posisi yang lebih tinggi daripada sesuatu.

The picture is above the door.

The temperature is above 30°C.

OVER

Over dapat digunakan untuk posisi di atas sesuatu, area, atau movement.

Examples:

A lamp hangs over the table.

The plane flew over the city.

There is a bridge over the river.

Over juga sering digunakan dengan angka.

There were over 100 people at the event.

Dalam beberapa konteks, above dan over dapat sama-sama digunakan untuk menunjukkan posisi yang lebih tinggi. Pilihan preposition bergantung pada konteks dan makna yang ingin disampaikan.

BELOW

Below menunjukkan posisi yang lebih rendah daripada sesuatu.

The temperature fell below zero.

Write your name below the picture.

UNDER

Under sering digunakan ketika sesuatu berada langsung di bawah sesuatu yang lain.

The cat is under the chair.

The children are playing under the tree.

Under juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan batas atau limit.

Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult.

AROUND

Around menunjukkan posisi atau gerakan di sekitar.

People were standing around the building.

We travelled around the country.

AGAINST

Against menunjukkan posisi menempel atau bersandar pada sesuatu.

He leaned against the wall.

BEYOND

Beyond menunjukkan sesuatu yang berada di luar atau melewati suatu batas.

There is a village beyond the mountains.

THROUGHOUT

Throughout berarti di seluruh bagian suatu area atau tempat.

The epidemic spread throughout the country.

WITHIN

Within berarti di dalam batas tertentu.

Delivery is free within a ten-mile radius.

BENEATH

Beneath memiliki makna yang mirip dengan under, tetapi biasanya terdengar lebih formal atau literary.

The town lay beneath us.

Preposition tidak hanya digunakan untuk tempat dan waktu. Preposition juga dapat menunjukkan topik, sumber informasi, tujuan, dukungan, kepemilikan, alat, cara, alasan, dan hubungan abstrak lainnya.

ABOUT

Menunjukkan topik.

We were talking about the weather.

ACCORDING TO

Menunjukkan sumber informasi atau pendapat.

According to the teacher, you're right.

AGAINST

Dapat berarti menentang.

Most people are against these changes.

FOR

Dapat menunjukkan tujuan, penerima, atau dukungan.

This gift is for you.

Are you for the plan?

BY

Dapat menunjukkan pencipta atau penulis.

I'm reading a book by Iris Murdoch.

IN CHARGE OF

Berarti bertanggung jawab atas sesuatu.

She is in charge of the department.

INSTEAD OF

Berarti menggantikan atau sebagai alternatif dari sesuatu.

Can I use a pencil instead of a pen?

ON

Dapat menunjukkan topik.

I went to a lecture on Einstein.

ON BEHALF OF

Berarti mewakili seseorang atau kelompok.

On behalf of everyone here, I'd like to say thank you.

UP TO

Dapat menunjukkan bahwa sesuatu merupakan keputusan atau tanggung jawab seseorang.

It's up to you to make your own decision.

With memiliki beberapa makna.

1. ACCOMPANIMENT

I went to the party with a friend.

2. POSSESSION OR CHARACTERISTIC

He's the man with long hair.

3. INSTRUMENT

I'll cut the wood with my electric saw.

4. MANNER

They worked with enthusiasm.

5. CIRCUMSTANCE

With people watching, I felt embarrassed.

WITHOUT merupakan kebalikan dari with dalam banyak konteks.

Who's the man without any shoes?

They worked without enthusiasm.

Perhatikan bahwa singular countable noun setelah with atau without biasanya membutuhkan article atau determiner.

NOT:

I went with friend.

Use:

I went with a friend.

WITH

Gunakan with untuk menunjukkan alat atau benda tertentu yang digunakan untuk melakukan sesuatu.

He broke the door with a hammer.

She cut the paper with a pair of scissors.

BY

By sering digunakan untuk menunjukkan cara atau metode.

I paid by credit card.

The motor is powered by electricity.

By + gerund dapat menunjukkan cara melakukan sesuatu.

She improved her English by reading books.

BY dalam passive

By dapat menunjukkan agent, yaitu orang atau sesuatu yang melakukan tindakan.

The door was broken down by two men.

WITH dalam passive

With dapat menunjukkan instrument yang digunakan.

The door was broken down with a hammer.

Bandingkan:

The door was broken down by two men.

→ dua orang melakukan tindakan tersebut.

The door was broken down with a hammer.

→ palu adalah alat yang digunakan.

BY + TRANSPORT

Gunakan by + means of transport untuk membicarakan sarana transportasi secara umum.

Examples:

by train

by bus

by plane

by car

I usually travel by train.

She went there by bus.

They travelled by plane.

Dalam pola by + transport untuk sarana transportasi secara umum, biasanya tidak digunakan article.

I travelled by train.

Bukan:

I travelled by the train.

Namun, ketika membicarakan kendaraan tertentu, pola yang berbeda dapat digunakan.

I went in my car.

She was in the car.

We went in a taxi.

I went on my bike.

He fell asleep on the train.

They were on the plane.

Untuk berjalan kaki:

We went on foot.

Bukan:

We went by foot.

LIKE = SIMILARITY

Like digunakan untuk menunjukkan comparison atau similarity.

She sings like a professional.

She looks like her mother.

He talks like an expert.

AS = ROLE / FUNCTION

As digunakan untuk menunjukkan role atau function.

She works as a teacher.

We used the sofa as a bed.

Bandingkan:

He works as a teacher.

→ dia bekerja sebagai guru.

He talks like a teacher.

→ cara bicaranya seperti seorang guru.

Ketiganya dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan exception dalam konteks tertentu.

EXCEPT / EXCEPT FOR

Everyone was there except Nigel.

Everyone was there except for Nigel.

APART FROM

Apart from juga dapat digunakan untuk menunjukkan exception.

Everyone was there apart from Nigel.

BUT

But dapat digunakan setelah kata seperti anything, everything, everyone, dan nothing.

Examples:

I can eat anything except fish.

I can eat anything but fish.

Setelah preposition, ketika kita menggunakan verb, gunakan gerund (-ing).

Examples:

She's interested in learning English.

They left without saying goodbye.

He improved his English by watching movies.

We're thinking of moving house.

Jangan gunakan to-infinitive setelah preposition.

NOT:

She's interested in to learn English.

Use:

She's interested in learning English.

NOT:

They left without to say goodbye.

Use:

They left without saying goodbye.

Namun, perlu dibedakan antara preposition to dan to-infinitive.

Example:

I want to learn English.

Di sini to learn adalah infinitive, bukan preposition + gerund.

Secara umum, preposition tidak digunakan langsung sebelum that-clause.

NOT:

We're hoping for that we'll win.

Gunakan:

We're hoping for a win.

atau:

We're hoping that we'll win.

Namun, preposition dapat digunakan sebelum wh-clause.

Example:

I'd better make a list of what we need.

Perhatikan bahwa dalam struktur ini, what we need merupakan wh-clause yang mengikuti preposition of.

Dalam bahasa Inggris, preposition tidak selalu harus berada sebelum object-nya.

Dalam beberapa struktur, terutama questions, relative clauses, passive structures, dan infinitive clauses, preposition dapat berada di akhir.

QUESTIONS

Who did you go to the party with?

RELATIVE CLAUSES

That's the article I told you about.

PASSIVE

War reporters sometimes get shot at.

INFINITIVE CLAUSES

I've got a tape for you to listen to.

Struktur ini merupakan bagian normal dari English, terutama dalam conversational English.

Beberapa kata dapat berfungsi sebagai preposition maupun adverb.

Perbedaannya dapat dilihat dari apakah kata tersebut memiliki object.

Compare:

I waited outside the bank.

Di sini outside adalah preposition karena memiliki object:

outside + the bank

Tetapi:

I waited outside.

Di sini outside berfungsi sebagai adverb karena tidak memiliki object.

Contoh lain:

We haven't seen Julia since last summer.

since + last summer

→ preposition

We haven't seen Julia since.

since

→ adverb

Kata seperti up, down, in, out, dan away juga dapat berfungsi sebagai adverb atau particle dalam phrasal verbs.

Examples:

We had to walk up the stairs.

We had to walk up.

I threw the bag away.

I threw it away.

Banyak expression dalam bahasa Inggris menggunakan preposition sebagai bagian tetap dari expression tersebut.

Expression seperti ini sebaiknya dipelajari sebagai satu kesatuan.

Common expressions:

at risk

at top speed

by mistake

for sale

from my point of view

in advance

in a hurry

on average

on holiday

on business

on leave

on the market

on television

on the radio

out of order

Examples:

All the money is now at risk.

I dialled the wrong number by mistake.

The tickets are for sale.

Please pay in advance.

I'm in a hurry.

The machine is out of order.

Perhatikan:

on holiday

→ fixed expression

on business

→ fixed expression

on leave

→ fixed expression

IN TIME

In time berarti cukup awal sehingga tidak terlambat untuk sesuatu.

We arrived at the hotel in time for dinner.

We arrived in time to catch the train.

JUST IN TIME

Just in time berarti tepat sebelum terlambat.

We arrived just in time for dinner.

ON TIME

On time berarti tepat sesuai jadwal atau waktu yang telah ditentukan.

The train left on time at 11:23.

Jadi:

in time

→ early enough

on time

→ punctually / according to schedule

Bandingkan:

We arrived in time for the meeting.

→ kami tiba cukup awal sehingga tidak terlambat.

We arrived on time for the meeting.

→ kami tiba tepat sesuai waktu yang dijadwalkan.

IN THE END

In the end berarti akhirnya atau pada akhirnya.

There were many arguments, but in the end we reached an agreement.

No one wanted to accept the offer, but in the end she agreed.

AT THE END OF

At the end of berarti pada saat sesuatu berakhir atau pada bagian akhir sesuatu.

No one wanted to go home at the end of the holiday.

At the end of the meeting, she left the room.

Bandingkan:

In the end, she accepted the offer.

→ akhirnya dia menerima tawaran tersebut.

At the end of the meeting, she left the room.

→ pada akhir meeting, dia meninggalkan ruangan.

IN THE WAY

In the way berarti menghalangi jalan atau menghalangi sesuatu.

Your bag is in the way.

Someone had parked right in the way.

ON THE WAY

On the way berarti sedang dalam perjalanan menuju suatu tempat atau tujuan.

We stopped for coffee on the way home.

I bought some food on the way to work.

Bandingkan:

Your bag is in the way.

→ tasmu menghalangi.

We stopped for coffee on the way home.

→ kami berhenti minum kopi dalam perjalanan pulang.

Banyak verb dalam bahasa Inggris memiliki preposition tertentu yang mengikutinya.

Kombinasi ini sering disebut prepositional verb.

Contoh:

believe in

look into

insist on

hint at

see to

come from

look after

cope with

consist of

hope for

feel like

Examples:

I believe in you.

We need to look into the problem.

She insisted on absolute silence.

He is looking after his younger brother.

The team consists of ten students.

I'm hoping for good news.

Pada prepositional verb, preposition memiliki object.

believe in God

look into the matter

insist on absolute silence

Preposition yang digunakan sering merupakan bagian dari word combination yang perlu dipelajari bersama verb-nya.

Verb + adverb/particle dan verb + preposition bukan struktur yang sama.

VERB + ADVERB / PARTICLE

= PHRASAL VERB

Examples:

Come in.

Sit down.

I threw away my old bag.

VERB + PREPOSITION

= PREPOSITIONAL VERB

Examples:

I was looking at the photo.

We didn't go into all the details.

Pada prepositional verb, preposition memiliki object.

look at the photo

go into the details

Pada phrasal verb yang memiliki object, particle dapat berada sebelum atau setelah object.

I threw away my old bag.

I threw my old bag away.

Namun, jika object berupa pronoun, pronoun biasanya berada sebelum particle.

I threw it away.

NOT:

I threw away it.

Pada prepositional verb, object berada setelah preposition.

I paid for it.

NOT:

I paid it for.

Banyak adjective memiliki preposition tertentu yang lazim mengikutinya.

Kombinasi ini perlu dipelajari sebagai word combination karena preposition-nya tidak selalu dapat ditebak dari terjemahan bahasa Indonesia.

Common combinations:

afraid of

interested in

good at

responsible for

proud of

similar to

different from

grateful for

Examples:

She's afraid of spiders.

I'm interested in economics.

He is good at mathematics.

She is responsible for the project.

I'm grateful for your help.

Noun juga dapat memiliki preposition tertentu yang lazim mengikutinya.

Contoh:

an interest in

an answer to

a reason for

a solution to

a link between

a need for

Examples:

She has an interest in music.

We didn't get an answer to our question.

There is a strong link between exercise and health.

We need a solution to this problem.

Noun + preposition sebaiknya dipelajari sebagai word combination, bukan berdasarkan terjemahan kata per kata.

Perhatikan bahwa beberapa noun dapat memiliki lebih dari satu preposition tergantung konteks dan makna. Karena itu, fokuslah pada collocation yang paling umum.

Beberapa kelompok kata berfungsi sebagai satu prepositional expression.

ACCORDING TO

Berarti "menurut".

According to the teacher, you're right.

IN FRONT OF

Berarti "di depan".

He waited in front of the house.

IN ADDITION TO

Berarti "selain".

In addition to English, she speaks French.

INSTEAD OF

Berarti "alih-alih" atau "sebagai pengganti".

She went to the park instead of the library.

IN CASE OF

Berarti "jika terjadi sesuatu".

In case of fire, call 911.

OUT OF

Memiliki beberapa makna.

He is out of money.

PRIOR TO

Berarti "sebelum" dan terdengar lebih formal daripada before.

Wash your hands prior to eating.

ON ACCOUNT OF

Berarti "karena" atau "disebabkan oleh".

The game was canceled on account of rain.

BECAUSE OF

Menunjukkan sebab.

He was late because of traffic.

DUE TO

Menunjukkan sebab dan sering digunakan dalam konteks yang lebih formal.

The flight was delayed due to the storm.

THANKS TO

Menunjukkan sebab yang menghasilkan sesuatu yang biasanya positif atau dianggap menguntungkan.

I passed the test thanks to your help.

FOR

For dapat menunjukkan tujuan atau penerima.

This gift is for you.

Bandingkan:

because of the rain

→ karena hujan

due to the storm

→ disebabkan oleh badai

thanks to your help

→ berkat bantuanmu

a gift for you

→ hadiah untukmu

DESPITE

Despite berarti "meskipun" atau "walaupun".

Despite the rain, we went out.

IN SPITE OF

In spite of memiliki arti yang sama dengan despite.

She came in spite of being tired.

UNLIKE

Unlike berarti "tidak seperti" atau menunjukkan perbedaan.

This car is unlike the other one.

Perhatikan bahwa despite dan in spite of diikuti oleh noun phrase atau gerund.

Examples:

Despite the rain, we went out.

Despite being tired, she continued working.

In spite of the difficulties, she continued her studies.

NOT:

Despite of the rain

Gunakan:

Despite the rain.

atau:

In spite of the rain.

BY — AGENT

By dapat menunjukkan orang atau sesuatu yang melakukan suatu tindakan, terutama dalam passive structures.

The book was written by her.

WITH — INSTRUMENT

With dapat menunjukkan alat yang digunakan untuk melakukan sesuatu.

He fixed it with a hammer.

VIA — ROUTE OR MEANS

Via berarti "melalui" dan sering digunakan untuk menunjukkan jalur atau medium yang digunakan.

We sent the package via DHL.

We sent the documents via email.

THROUGH — MEANS OR PASSAGE

Through dapat menunjukkan movement through a place maupun means.

We walked through the forest.

We received the information through a friend.

Bandingkan:

written by her

→ dia adalah agent.

cut with a knife

→ knife adalah instrument.

sent via email

→ email adalah medium.

Preposition yang sama dapat memiliki banyak makna tergantung context dan relationship yang ingin disampaikan.

Contoh IN:

She is in the room.

→ place

She was born in 2001.

→ time

She is interested in economics.

→ adjective + preposition

Contoh ON:

The book is on the table.

→ place

She was born on Monday.

→ time

I went to a lecture on Einstein.

→ topic

Contoh WITH:

I went with a friend.

→ accompaniment

He cut it with a knife.

→ instrument

The man with long hair is my brother.

→ characteristic

Karena itu, preposition sebaiknya tidak dipelajari hanya dengan satu terjemahan bahasa Indonesia.

Makna preposition bergantung pada context dan relationship yang ingin disampaikan.

Beberapa preposition yang awalnya digunakan untuk tempat juga dapat digunakan secara abstrak.

INTO

I'm really into modern jazz.

→ interested in / sangat tertarik pada

FROM

Ian comes from Scotland.

→ menunjukkan asal

BEYOND

The show was beyond criticism.

→ terlalu baik atau berada di luar jangkauan criticism

TOWARDS

We are working towards a United States of Europe.

→ menuju suatu tujuan atau hasil

BEHIND

The party is behind its leader.

→ mendukung pemimpinnya

AMONG

City is among the most successful teams in the country.

→ merupakan salah satu bagian dari kelompok tersebut

Perhatikan bahwa makna preposition tidak selalu berkaitan dengan physical place.

Preposition dapat diikuti oleh beberapa jenis complement.

PREPOSITION + NOUN PHRASE

She is in the room.

He waited at the station.

PREPOSITION + PRONOUN

She came with me.

This gift is for you.

PREPOSITION + GERUND

She is interested in learning English.

They left without saying goodbye.

PREPOSITION + ADVERB

until tomorrow

through there

at once

Preposition juga dapat diikuti oleh wh-clause.

I'd better make a list of what we need.

Preposition tidak menentukan apakah noun setelahnya harus menggunakan a, an, atau the.

Penggunaan article tetap mengikuti aturan noun phrase.

Examples:

I went with a friend.

She is in the room.

He went to the university.

They arrived at the station.

Jangan menghilangkan article pada singular countable noun tanpa alasan yang tepat.

NOT:

I went with friend.

Use:

I went with a friend.

Namun, beberapa fixed expressions memang tidak menggunakan article.

Examples:

at risk

by mistake

on holiday

on business

at night

Beberapa expressions justru menggunakan article.

in a hurry

at the end

in the morning

Penggunaan article pada expressions seperti ini perlu dipelajari sebagai bagian dari expression atau noun phrase-nya.

PREPOSITION + NOUN

in the room

at the station

on the table

PREPOSITION + PRONOUN

with me

for her

between us

PREPOSITION + GERUND

before leaving

after eating

without saying

by practising

instead of going

ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION

interested in

afraid of

good at

responsible for

VERB + PREPOSITION

listen to

wait for

believe in

depend on

NOUN + PREPOSITION

interest in

answer to

reason for

solution to

Pola-pola ini sering merupakan word combinations atau collocations.

Karena itu, preposition sebaiknya dipelajari bersama kata yang mengikutinya.

Karena bahasa Indonesia tidak memiliki sistem preposition yang sama dengan bahasa Inggris, kesalahan sering terjadi ketika satu preposition diterjemahkan secara langsung.

MISTAKE 1 — FOR vs SINCE

NOT:

I have lived here since five years.

Use:

I've lived here for five years.

I've lived here since 2021.

For

→ duration

Since

→ starting point

---

MISTAKE 2 — BY vs UNTIL

Jika maksudnya selesai paling lambat Jumat:

I'll finish the work by Friday.

Jika maksudnya aktivitas berlangsung sampai Jumat:

I'll work until Friday.

---

MISTAKE 3 — INTERESTED IN + GERUND

NOT:

I'm interested in to learn English.

Use:

I'm interested in learning English.

---

MISTAKE 4 — BY vs WITH

Jika yang dimaksud adalah alat tertentu:

He opened the door with a key.

Jika yang dimaksud adalah cara atau metode:

He opened the door by using a key.

---

MISTAKE 5 — BY CAR vs IN MY CAR

Untuk transportasi secara umum:

I went by car.

Untuk kendaraan tertentu:

I went in my car.

---

MISTAKE 6 — ON FOOT

NOT:

We went by foot.

Use:

We went on foot.

---

MISTAKE 7 — IN TIME vs ON TIME

We arrived in time for the meeting.

→ cukup awal sehingga tidak terlambat.

We arrived on time.

→ datang tepat sesuai jadwal.

---

MISTAKE 8 — IN vs ON vs AT

She is in the room.

→ berada di dalam ruangan.

She is at the station.

→ berada di stasiun sebagai lokasi.

The book is on the table.

→ berada pada permukaan meja.

Preposition

Function

Example

in

→ di dalam

She is in the room.

inside

→ di dalam

Let's go inside the building.

outside

→ di luar

He is waiting outside.

on

→ pada permukaan

The book is on the table.

at

→ suatu titik atau lokasi

She is at the station.

under

→ di bawah

The cat is under the chair.

above

→ lebih tinggi dari

The picture is above the door.

over

→ di atas / melintasi

A lamp hangs over the table.

below

→ lebih rendah dari

The temperature is below zero.

through

→ melalui bagian dalam

We walked through the forest.

across

→ dari satu sisi ke sisi lain

She walked across the road.

along

→ mengikuti jalur

We walked along the beach.

into

→ bergerak ke dalam

She went into the room.

out of

→ bergerak keluar

He walked out of the building.

onto

→ bergerak ke atas permukaan

She stepped onto the platform.

to

→ menuju tujuan

We went to London.

towards

→ menuju arah

We walked towards the station.

from

→ asal

She came from Indonesia.

near

→ dekat

The hotel is near the station.

by

→ di samping / sangat dekat

She sat by me.

next to

→ tepat di sebelah

She sat next to me.

between

→ di antara hal-hal yang terpisah

The shop is between the bank and the café.

among

→ di tengah kelompok

She was among friends.

behind

→ di belakang

The car is behind the house.

in front of

→ di depan

He stood in front of the class.

opposite

→ berseberangan

The bank is opposite the supermarket.

around

→ di sekitar

People stood around the building.

against

→ menempel / bersandar

He leaned against the wall.

beyond

→ di luar / melewati suatu batas

There is a village beyond the mountains.

within

→ di dalam batas tertentu

The hotel is within walking distance.

Preposition

Function

Example

at

→ clock time, meal time, and some fixed time expressions

at 7 a.m.

on

→ days and dates

on Monday

in

→ months, years, seasons, centuries, and parts of the day

in 2001

for

→ duration

for two years

since

→ starting point

since 2020

during

→ an event or definite period

during the meeting

throughout

→ the whole of a period

throughout the year

over

→ throughout a period / during a period of change

over the next few days

before

→ earlier than

before midnight

after

→ later than

after lunch

ago

→ a time before now

two years ago

until / till

→ up to a particular time

until Friday

by

→ not later than

by Friday

from

→ starting point

from Monday

to

→ ending point in a range

from Monday to Friday

between

→ in the period separating two times

between Monday and Friday

Preposition

Function

Example

about

→ topic

We talked about the problem.

according to

→ source / opinion

According to the teacher, you're right.

because of

→ reason

We stayed home because of the rain.

due to

→ reason

The flight was delayed due to the storm.

thanks to

→ beneficial cause

I passed thanks to your help.

for

→ purpose / recipient

This gift is for you.

with

→ instrument / accompaniment

He cut it with a knife.

by

→ agent / means / method

The book was written by her.

via

→ route / medium

We sent it via email.

despite

→ contrast

Despite the rain, we went out.

in spite of

→ contrast

In spite of the rain, we went out.

unlike

→ difference / contrast

Unlike his brother, he is quiet.

instead of

→ alternative / replacement

She stayed home instead of going out.

in addition to

→ addition

In addition to English, she speaks French.

in case of

→ situation or event

In case of fire, call 911.

out of

→ outside / no longer having

He is out of money.

prior to

→ before

Wash your hands prior to eating.

on account of

→ reason

The game was canceled on account of rain.

Preposition tidak dapat selalu diterjemahkan dengan satu kata dalam bahasa Indonesia.

Misalnya IN dapat berarti:

She is in the room.

→ di dalam

She was born in 2001.

→ pada tahun

She is interested in economics.

→ bagian dari combination interested in

We succeeded in solving the problem.

→ bagian dari combination succeed in

Begitu juga ON:

The book is on the table.

→ di atas / pada permukaan

She arrived on Monday.

→ pada hari

I went to a lecture on Einstein.

→ tentang / mengenai topik

Karena itu, cara terbaik mempelajari preposition bukan hanya dengan menghafalkan:

in = di dalam

on = di atas

at = di

Tetapi dengan memahami relationship dan context yang dibentuk oleh preposition tersebut.

Preposition juga sering menjadi bagian dari:

fixed expressions

verb + preposition

adjective + preposition

noun + preposition

Karena itu, kombinasi tersebut perlu dipelajari sebagai satu kesatuan.

Examples:

interested in

afraid of

depend on

listen to

an answer to

a reason for

in advance

by mistake

on time

in the end

Prinsip paling penting:

Jangan selalu menerjemahkan preposition satu per satu dari bahasa Indonesia ke bahasa Inggris.

Perhatikan relationship, context, dan word combination yang digunakan dalam English.