State of Libya

Al-Mergab University

Faculty of Languages

English Department

Problems Encountered by Forth Year English Students When

Using English Prepositions

A Research Paper Submitted as a Partial Requirement for B. A Degree in

English Language

Prepared by

Amna Ebrahim Al-Ejil

Rawasi Abdelsalam EL-Hosan

Supervised by

Ms. Anwaar Omar Al-Ashab

May, 2023
 Page
Table of contents number
Acknowledgement
3

Abstract 4

Chapter1: Introduction 5

Background of the study 1.1 5

Aims of the study 1.2 6

Research issue and hypothesis 1.3 6

Research methodology 1.4 6

Scope of the research 1.5 6

Chapter2: Literature Review 7

Definition of the prepositions 2.1 7

Position of the prepositions 2.2 7

Forms of prepositions 2.3 8

Simple prepositions 2.3.1 9

Compound preposition 2.3.2 9

Double prepositions 2.3.3 9

Phrasal prepositions 2.3.4 10

Participial prepositions 2.3.5 10

Disguised prepositions 2.3.6 10

Function of the prepositions 2.4 11

Prepositions of time 2.4.1 11

Prepositions of place 2.4.2 11

1
Prepositions of manner 2.4.3 12

Prepositions of condition 2.4.4 12

Prepositions of cause and reason 2.4.5 13

prepositions of means of transport and communication 2.4.6 13

Prepositions of comparison 2.4.7 14

Prepositions of exception 2.4.8 14

Chapter3: Methodology 13

Introduction 3.1 13

Research Participants 3.2 13

Instruments for data collection 3.3 13

Data analysis 3.4 13

The design of the test 3.4 13
Chapter4: Data analysis and discussion 15

Introduction 4.1 15

Analysis of students' answers 4.2 21

Chapter5: Conclusions and Recommendations 22

References 23

Appendices 24

ACKNOWLEDGMENTE

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 First of all, we praise Allah almighty who has helped us to finish this work
satisfactorily.

We would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to Ms.Anwaar Omar
Alashhab, our research supervisor, for her consistent support, critical comments, and
guidance. We particularly appreciate her helpful advice, insightful comments and
enormous patience. .

In addition, we would like to extend our thanks to our families and friends for their
support and encouragement.

Finally, our thanks also go to the Faculty of languages and Faculty of Education
students and teachers for their participation while working on the data collection of
our project and for their welcome and trust.

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the problems that encounter forth year English students in

using English prepositions, simple and complex. The study adopted an experimental method. The

sample of the study consisted of (29) students from the fourth year English students at Faculty of

Education and Faculty of Languages. To collect data, the researcher employed a test. After data

analysis, the researchers mentioned some points concerning the reasons behind committing

mistakes by English students when using prepositions. Besides, this study contained general

background that shows the importance of English grammar and general background about

prepositions followed by some types and functions of prepositions. Data analysis which show the

3
results of the test given to the students . Conclusion and suggestions, which attracted the researcher

attention.

Chapter I: Introduction

1.1 _ General Background

Learning a language necessarily means learning the grammar of that language. "

Learning the grammar rules must begin with a working knowledge of its components

such as the parts of speech." In this educational process, students should be enabled to

distinguish the grammatical tools ranging from words to articles to adverbs to

prepositions. Each of these lexical items or tools function to semantically denote

something different from other items used, although they may occur at the same

sentence. Modern linguists divide language components into "strong forms" which

comprise words and "weak forms" that include articles, prepositions and adverbs.

This division is based merely on their semantic importance in language environment.

The category of "prepositions" in (EL) has been the focus of several language

specialists and semanticists through various stages of human history and this is due to

the sensitive role that "prepositions" play in daily language communications and the

problematic barriers that they exhibit while conveying messages. i.e. Barriers

4
 ''between either speaker and hearer or writer and hearer or writer and reader

. .Hassan, E. R. (2016.)

Any written text might be comprehended differently if it is not well-phrased and

. Hassan, E. R. (2016
supplied with proper prepositions in the language situations.

This research project deals with EL preposition category. We have theoretically relied

on the experimental methodology as an investigation technique in this research. The

differential properties of each type of prepositions, and the semantic image that they

.portray in the overall idea to be conceived

1.2 _ The aim of study

1_ To investigate the difficulties that encounter fourth year English students in terms of using

prepositions

2_ To test students' ability in dealing with prepositions.

3_ To suggest some solutions that may assist in solving preposition using problems.

1.3 _ Research issue and hypothesis

Students face some problems when they use prepositions in different structures.

The students are affected by their mother tongue.

1.4 _Research methodology

In this research project, the researchers will use testing methodology to investigate the difficulties

that encounter college students while using prepositions. .

1.5 _ Scope of the study

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 The present study is a case study in which 29 students from different colleges
have been involved in this study in order to get a clear evaluation for the process of
the research.

1.6 The Research questions

Q1 What are the problems that face English students while using prepositions?
Q2 How to reduce the bad effect of the MT on EFL learners in learning the
English prepositions?

Chapter II: Literature Review

2.1 Definition of prepositions

_ A preposition is a word or group of words that is used before a noun, pronoun,

noun phrase, and gerund to show direction, location, time, place, special relationships or to

introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like: "in ,on,at,of,to,unde ,etc..

2.2 Position of English prepositions

Prepositions are used before a noun, pronoun, noun phrase and a gerund.

Examples:

1) The car went under the bridge. (Prep+ noun phrase)

2) Fatima sent a gift to Huda. (Prep+ noun)

3) Can you go with me? (Prep+ pronoun)

4) You can't understand anything without listening carefully.(gerund)

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_Some verbs and adjectives are followed by a certain prepositions:

Examples:

He worries about his exams. (V+Prep)

She complained about her homework. (V+Prep)

My friend is good at painting. (Adj+ prep)

I am happy about my achievements. ( Adj+prep)

_Prepositions in English are highly idiomatic. Although there are some rules for using prepositions,

much prepositions usage is dictated by fixed expressions such as laugh at, look at, listen to,

worry about, and search for etc.. In these cases, it is best to memorize the phrase instead of

individual preposition.

Although verb + preposition combination appear similar to phrasal verb, the preposition in the

prepositional verb cannot be separated like phrasal verbs. In other words, phrasal verbs are often

separated by nouns and pronouns while prepositional verbs cannot be separated and the two words

must remain fixed together.

Examples:

Put your jacket on ( phrasal verb)

put it on (phrasal verb)

Someone laughs at you. (prepositional verb)

I always agree with you. (prepositional verb)

-There are also prepositions in relative clauses ,and a relative pronoun is the object of that

preposition. In everyday English, the preposition is normally placed at the end of the relative clause

and the relative pronoun may be included or omitted. In formal English, the preposition is placed

before the relative pronoun, and the relative pronoun cannot be omitted.

Examples:

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Is that the man (who) she arrived with?

Is that the man with whom she arrived?

I don't know (which) house they live in.

I don't know in which house they live.

I go where I like to

I go to wherever I like.

2.3 Forms of English preposition

Prepositions have no particular form .The majority of prepositions are one

_word prepositions, but some are two- or three_ word phrases known as complex_

Prepositions.

1_ Simple prepositions

At, in, to, on, up, with, out, over, under, through, down, off, opposite, till, since,

For, from, etc..

Examples:

_ He is sitting under a tree.

_ I have not seen him since Monday.

He was sleeping on the floor.

2_ Compound prepositions:

Prefixes are generally used to form compound prepositions, e.g. inside, outside,

below, beneath, beside, within, without, underneath, about, above, among, along,

across, amidst, etc.,

Examples:

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_ your cousin is sitting beside me.

_ There is a bird above the tree.

_ We can‘t live without air.

3_ Double prepositions. (preposition+ preposition combinations)

From behind, down beside, down around, from within, under, from inside, from

beside, out of, from among, etc,.

Examples:

_ The snake crawled from under the table.

_As he ran away,he was shot from behind.

_A snake crawled from within the grass.

4_ Phrasal prepositions:

On account of, with reference to, in the back of , in the light of, with the exception

of, in favour of, in front of, in spite of, etc.

Examples:

- He didn’t speak even a single sentence in favour of me.

-There is a lake in front of my house.

-He kept on smoking in spite of his illness.

5_ Participial prepositions:

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Concerning (about) - Notwithstanding (in spite of)- Considering (taking into account)- Respecting

(concerning)- Regarding (concerning)- Pending (while awaiting, until)

Examples:

-There is no news regarding our result.

-Pending further orders, Dr. James will act as the Dean of language Centre.

6_Disguised prepositions:

It is the weakened form of the prepositions 'on' and 'of'.

Examples:

It is just ten o'clock. (of the clock)

He has gone a bed.(on bed )

2.4 Function of prepositions

24.1 prepositions of Time:

These prepositions refer to an action or event related to time, e.g

_ There are several prepositions of time such as :_

Example:

_We went to the sea in August /in the summer.

_My parents got married in 1977.

_I fell asleep at two the afternoon.

_I came home at night.

_My brother will come on Friday.

_ I have been a student since 2004.

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_ I have been a student here for 2 years.

_ My appointment is from 13:30 to 14:00.

a period of time up to a specific point in time.

_ I will wait until you arrive.

_ My essay is due by the end of the week.

2.4.2 Prepositions of place.

These prepositions indicate the place, position, movement, direction or specific point.

_ She put the bag in class.

_The girls are in the shop now.

_ I will meet you at the cinema entrance.

_ I left the keys on the table.

_Every morning, I take a bus to the campus.

_ I used carrots from my garden.

_ I suddenly saw a dog running towards me

_ I swam across the lake.

_ I entered the room through an open window.

_ I was standing between my brother and my parents.

_ France is among the countries of Western Europe.

2.4.3 Prepositions of manner.

Prepositions of manner show the manner in which an action is performed.

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_ He delivers lectures as a scholar.

_ I will contact you by E-mail.

_ He greeted me in a friendly way.

_ Omer looks upon his job with pride.

2.4.4 Prepositions of Condition:

The two prepositions used to indicate an element of condition are :'in case of'

and 'in the event of' .

_Contact me at this number in the event of an accident.

_We will inherit all his property in the event of his death .

_ You can go off in case of fine weather.

_ You have to see a doctor in case of pain.

2.4.5 prepositions of cause and reason:

These prepositions indicate the reason and cause for any action.

_ He did it at my request.

_ I was supervised at her behaviour.

_ What is the reason behind this sudden change of opinion?

_ Ail will suffer work for his bad habits.

_ The baby hid her chocolates for fear of her elder sister.

_ Expertise comes from constant practice.

_ He died of cholera.

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_ She is proud of her noble birth.

_ You can get good marks through correct answers.

_ We quarreled over money. (reason)

_ He is sick with fever. (cause)

2.4.6 prepositions of means of transport and communication:

These prepositions express means of travel and communication.

_ He came here by car.

_ I got a letter by email.

_ She came here in a taxi.

_ He goes to market on foot.

_ We can't travel fast without a car.

2.4.7 prepositions of comparison:

_ There are three hundred students in Medical College this year against two

hundred last year.

_She is as wise as her mother.

_ Turkey is not far behind developed nations in trade and technology.

_ He is senior to me.

2.4.8 prepositions of Exception:

These prepositions refer to a person or a thing about which a statement doesn't

belong.

_ Nobody but Ali speaks good English in the class.

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_ Everyone was present but you.

_ But for you, we should have lost the match.

3_ Except

_ All except Aisha have passed.

_ We work every day except Fridays. (O. Alashab,2018)

Chapter III: Research Methodology

Introduction 3.1

This chapter describes the methodology that is used to carry out this
study. The present study followed a quantitative type of data collection
. .method which is a TEST

.3.2Research participants

The total number of participants are 29 students (females and males) on

whom the test was randomly applied. All of them are EFL students in Al-
mergib University at English language department. They are all in the
forth year at the college. They are given a test to investigate the problems
. . . in using prepositions

. 3.3Instruments for data collection

Since this study is an experimental study, 29 students from
different collages were given a test to answer about using prepositions.
Then the researchers will investigate their answers to come up with a result
that may help to know the reason of the difficulties that encounter students
. .in suing prepositions

Date analysis 3.4

For data analysis, the researchers use Docs program and Excel for
.drawing the results in tables

3.5 The design of the test

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 The test was composed fifteen questions contain different types of using
English prepositions, simple, compound and complex.

Chapter IV: Data analysis and discussion

:Introduction 4.1

This chapter is concerned with the analysis of the data that have been
collected using the students testing. The results of the analysis are discussed to find
out the mistakes of students while using prepositions and to figure out the research
:question
?Q1 What kind of difficulties that EFL learners has while using prepositions
?Q2: How to reduce the difficulties that face students in using prepositions

4.1_ Analysis of all structures:

Choose the most suitable prepositions (a, b, c, or d) for no preposition to fill in
the blank.

Structure 1: I fell (of- off )……. the table and broke my hand.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 17 12 59% 41%

Structure 2: It is raining (via- on- throughout-…..) the whole country.

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 Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 8 12 28% 72%

Structure 3: It took me (on-over-up-……) an hour to do my homework.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 20 9 69% 31%

Structure 4: It is not (with- within-except-…..) my power to help you.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 13 16 45% 55%

Structure 5: Ahmed and Ali ran (like-with-up-……) the hill.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers Answers Correct Incorrect

29 23 6 79% 21%

Structure 6: Waleed has worked in a bank (since-Alongside-beside-…..) 2000.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers Answers‫؛؛‬ Correct Incorrect

29 29 0 100% 0%

Structure 7: It was dark (Than-Inside-beside-…..) the room.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers Answers Correct Incorrect

29 29 0 100% 0%

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Structure 8: I'll be ready to leave (In-On-at-…..) about twenty minutes.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 25 4 86% 14%

Structure 9: It's only two weeks (On-before-as-…..) Christmas .

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers Answers Correct Incorrect

29 29 0 100% 0%

Structure 10: Do you live (Than-With-at-……) your parents ?

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers Answers Correct Incorrect

29 27 2 93% 7%

Structure 11: He has coffee (On-in-at-….) 7:00 am every morning.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 1 28 3% 97%

Structure 12: I think Laila spent the entire afternoon (in-on-at-…..)the phone.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 4 25 14% 86%

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Structure 13: I'll wait (until- at-from-…..)2:30 ,but then I'm going home.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 0 29 0% 100%

Structure 14: my fingers were injured so my brother had to write those mails ( to-
with-for-…..) me.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 0 29 0% 100%

Structure 15: My son Qutaiba is named ( After-to-over-……) his grandfather.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 2 27 7% 93%

Structure 16: I have been married (of-on-to-…..) my wife for over 35 years.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 2 27 7% 93%

Structure 17: The cat ran ( Away from-But for- because of -…..)the dog and escaped.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

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 Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 19 10 66% 34%

Structure 18: Ali is not(in spite of- instead-in avour of-…..) your idea. It work.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 9 20 31% 69%

Structure 19: Take your hands (inside-outside of-up to-….)your pockets and help me.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 15 14 52% 48%

Structure 20: I never spoke French (Thanks to-prior to-up to-….) living in France.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 23 6 79% 21%

Structure 21: I'd like to talk to you (with regard to-up to-thanks to-….) your work.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 22 7 76% 24%

Structure 22: Is there a doctor (on to-on board-on top of-……) this plane ?

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

19
 29 13 16 45% 55%

Structure 23: You should telephone (As to-as well as-but for-….)write, just to be sure.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 11 18 38% 62%

Structure 24:Your car is (about two cars away-close to-contrary to-but for-…..)to my
car.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 8 14 48% 52%

Structure 25: (In view of-next to- in addition to-….) of your illness, we will wait for a
week.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

Students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 16 13 55% 45%

Structure 26: the school is(outside of-next to-in addition to-…..)the bank. Between
the hotel and the bank.

Total of Correct Incorrect Percentage

students answers answers Correct Incorrect

29 27 2 93% 7%

4.2 Data Analysis of students' answers:

After analysis of student's answers, it becomes clear that many of the students have a problem with

20
using the right English preposition. Accordingly, these points may be the reasons behind students

mistakes:

1- Polysemy of prepositions, where the same preposition has different meaning according to the

context in which it is used.

2-Lack of a spoken and written guide on how to use prepositions in class or in actual life. Since

prepositions are considered as small particles.

3- Native language interference so that students committed different types of mistakes such as a-

omission for the main preposition in a sentence. Also students make an error of b-addition. They

add preposition where it is not needed. c-substitution or wrong selection of the right preposition.

d-disordering and putting the right preposition in the wrong position.

Chapter IV: Conclusion and recommendations

In conclusion, this study aimed to shed light on Al-Mergib university students problems

in using correct English prepositions. This problem was a clear among the students at faculty of

Education and Faculty of Languages. The study revealed that college students experienced

problems with the correct use of English simple and complex prepositions. Based on the results

and conclusions of this study, the following recommendations are suggested: Students need to

21
revise the use of English prepositions in general. They need more practice in using prepositions

after certain verbs. Students need to focus more on including English prepositional phrases in

their written work. Regarding writing courses, students need more lessons that focus on the

general and specific uses of prepositions. Curriculum designers need more attention about teaching

prepositions in their textbooks and curriculums.

The researchers suggest the following.

1_ Teachers of English should concentrate on preposition when teaching grammar to make their

student understand this part of speech well.

2_ Students should be engaged in a lot exercises to be aware of the correct uses of

English prepositions form first stage at school.

3_ Prepositions should be considered by syllabus designers.

4_We have theoretically relied on the “experimental Methodology" as an investigation

technique in our research. Attempts are made to cover all preposition types used in EL.

5_Recommandations of future research:

Researchers recommend other colleague to conduct other researches about the

prepositions to find out more about the difficulties that encounter students when using prepositions

in English constructions.

References

Gassmallah, A., A. 2017. Investigating Difficulties Encountering MA Students of Linguisticin in

Using Prepositions in a Written Text. Unpublished M.A. Thesis. Sudan University of Science
and Technology

Hassan, E. R. (2016).Investigating EFL Learners’ Problems of Using and understanding

Prepositions. Unpublished A.M. Thesis. Sudan University of Science &Technology.

22
Ibrahim, Y,O. 2017.Writing Difficulties in Prepositions of Place Encountered by Albaha University

Students' at Preparatory Year Program. In International Journal on Studies in English Language

and Literature. Volume 5,

Khayal, A., S. (2011).Problems of English Prepositions of Time Encountered by Libyan Secondary

Stage Students. In University of Asmaria Journal.Vol.23, 2011.Reterived

from:http://www.asmarya.edu.ly/journal2/wpcontent/uploads/2017/03/16Problems-of-

English.pdf

Lam, Y. (2009). Applying cognitive linguistics to teaching the Spanish prepositions por and para. In

Linguistic Portfolios.Vol.12012,Art.14.Retrievedfrom:

http://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=stcloud_ling

Lindstromberg, S, 1991. 'Reaching prepositions'. In International Journal on Studies in English

Language and Literature. Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2017, PP 1-8.Reterived from:

https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijsell/earlyview/1.pdf

APPENDIX

One-word prepositions (A)

Choose the most suitable preposition (a, b, c or d) for no preposition to fill in the
blank .

1. I fell------ the table and broke my hand.

a. of b. off c. like d. ----

2. It is raining ------ the whole country.

23
a. via b. on c. throughout d. ----

3. It is took me ------ an hour to do my homework.

a. on b. over c. up d. ----

4. It is not ------ my power to help you.

a. with b. within c. except d. ---

5. Ahmed and Ali ran ------ the hill.

a. Like b. with c. up d. ---

6. Waleed has worked in a bank ------ 2000.

a. Since b. alongside c. beside d. ---

7. It was dark ------ the room.

a. Than b. inside c. beside d. ---

8. I'll be ready to leave ------ about twenty minutes.

a. In b. on c. at d. ---

9. It's only two weeks ------ Christmas.

a. on b. before c. as d. ---

10. Do you live ------ your parents ?

a. Than b. with c. to d. ---

11. He has coffee ------ 7:00 am every morning.

a. on b. in c. at d. ---

12. I think Laila spent the entire afternoon ------ the phone.

a. in b. on c. at d. ---

13. I'll wait ------ 2:30 but then I'm going home.

a. Until b. at c. from d. ---

14. My fingers were injured so my brother had to write those mails ------ me.

a. to b. with c. for d. ---

15. My son Qutaiba is named ------ his grandfather.

24
a. After b. to c. over d. ---

16. I have been married ------ my wife for over 35 years.

a. of b. on c. to d. ---

Complex- preposition (B) choose the most suitable preposition (a, b, c or d) for no
preposition to fill in the blank.

17. The cat ran ------ the dog and escaped.

a. Away from b. But for c. because of d. ---

18. Ali is not ------ your idea. It won't work.

a. In spite of b. Instead of c. in favor of d. ---

19.Take your hands ------ your pockets and help me.

a. inside b. prior to c. up to d. ---

20. I never spoke French ------ living in France.

a. Thanks to b. Prior to c. up to d. ---

21. I'd like to talk to you ------ your work.

a. With regard to b. up to c. thanks to d. ---

22. Is there a doctor ------ this plane ?

a. on to b. on board c. on top of d. ---

23. Your should telephone ------ write, just to be sure.

a. As to b. as well as c. but for d. ---

24. Your car is ------ to my car. About two cars away.

a. Close to b. contrary to c. but for d. ---

25. ------ of your illness, we will wait for a week.

a. In view of b. instead of c. in front of d. ---

26. The school is ------ the bank. Between the hotel and the bank.

a. outside of b. next to c. in addition to d. ---

25
Thank you very much for your participation.

26