Prepositions and connectors · Preposiciones y conectores
Small words that link
- Prepositions show time and place: at, in, on, to.
- Connectors join ideas: and, but, so, because.
- They are small words, but they hold sentences together.
I study at six, on Monday, in April; the calendar is impressed.
Palabras pequeñas que unen
- Las preposiciones indican tiempo y lugar: at, in, on, to.
- Los conectores unen ideas: and, but, so, because.
- Son palabras pequeñas, pero mantienen las oraciones unidas.
Estudio a las seis, el lunes, en abril; el calendario queda grabado.
Prepositions of time: at / in / on
- at + a clock time / point: at 7 o'clock, at night.
- on + a day / date: on Monday, on May 1st.
- in + a longer period: in the morning, in July, in 2020.
- Small → large: at → on → in.
Preposiciones de tiempo: at / in / on
- at + una hora del reloj o punto específico: at 7 o'clock, at night.
- on + un día o fecha: on Monday, on May 1st.
- in + un periodo más largo: in the morning, in July, in 2020.
- De pequeño a grande: at → on → in.
at, in or on? (time) · ¿at, in o on? (tiempo)
at a clock time, on a day/date, in a month/year/longer period. · a una hora en punto, en un día/fecha, en un mes/año/período más largo.
Choose the correct preposition: The class starts ___ 9 o'clock. · Elige la preposición correcta: La clase comienza ___ las 9 en punto.
A clock time uses “at”: at 9 o'clock. · Una hora en punto usa “at”: at 9 o'clock.
Prepositions of place: at / in / on
- at + a point / place: at the bus stop, at home.
- in + an enclosed space: in the room, in China.
- on + a surface: on the table, on the wall.
Preposiciones de lugar: at / in / on
- at + un punto o lugar específico: at the bus stop, at home.
- in + un espacio cerrado: in the room, in China.
- on + una superficie: on the table, on the wall.
Complete: The book is ___ the table. (surface) · Completa: El libro está ___ la mesa. (superficie)
A surface uses “on”: on the table. · Una superficie usa “on”: on the table.
Connectors: and, but, so, because
- and = adds; but = contrast; or = a choice.
- so = result: I was tired, so I went to bed.
- because = reason: She stayed home because it was raining.
- so gives the result; because gives the reason.
Conectores: and, but, so, because
- and = añade; but = contraste; or = una elección.
- so = resultado: I was tired, so I went to bed.
- because = razón: She stayed home because it was raining.
- so da el resultado; because da la razón.
Choose the connector: She stayed home ___ it was raining. · Elige el conector: Se quedó en casa ___ llovía.
“it was raining” is the reason → use “because”. (so introduces a result.) · “it was raining” es la razón → usa “because”. (so introduce un resultado.)
Translate into English: 我累了,所以去睡觉了。 · Traduce al inglés: 我累了,所以去睡觉了。
Result → so: “I was tired, so I went to bed.” · Resultado → so: “I was tired, so I went to bed.”
Common mistakes
- ❌ Because it was raining, so we stayed home. → keep only one: because or so.
- ❌ in Monday → ✓ on Monday; ❌ at July → ✓ in July.
- ❌ listen music → ✓ listen to music — don't drop the preposition.
Errores comunes
- ❌ Because it was raining, so we stayed home. → mantén solo uno: because o so.
- ❌ in Monday → ✓ on Monday; ❌ at July → ✓ in July.
- ❌ listen music → ✓ listen to music — no omitas la preposición.
at, on or in? Match the time. · ¿at, on o in? Une el tiempo.
at + clock time, on + day, in + month / year / season. · at + hora en punto, on + día, in + mes / año / estación.
Which sentence is correct? · ¿Cuál oración es correcta?
One connector is enough: “…, so we stayed in.” or “Because it rained, we stayed in.” · Un conector es suficiente: “…, so we stayed in.” o “Because it rained, we stayed in.”
- Time: at (a time) → on (a day) → in (a month / year).
- Place: at (a point), in (inside), on (a surface).
- so = result; because = reason.
- Tiempo: at (una hora) → on (un día) → in (un mes / año).
- Lugar: at (un punto), in (dentro), on (una superficie).
- so = resultado; because = razón.
Write one sentence that gives a reason, using “because”. (For example: why you like something.) · Escribe una oración que dé una razón, usando “because”. (Por ejemplo: por qué te gusta algo.)
Example: “I like winter because I can play in the snow.” · Ejemplo: “I like winter because I can play in the snow.”