Hello, EnglishUs learners! Welcome back to our blog. Today, we’re going to dive into two important prepositions in English: “in” and “from”: Using these Prepositions Correctly. These small words are powerful and are used all the time in everyday conversation. They might seem simple, but they can be tricky for beginners. Let’s explore their meanings, uses, and see plenty of examples to help you understand them better.
What Are Prepositions?
Before we get started, let’s quickly review what prepositions are. Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other parts of the sentence. They often tell us about time, place, direction, and origin.
Using “In”
The preposition “in” is used to indicate:
- Location or Place;
- Time;
- Condition or State;
- Location or Place
We use “in” to talk about being inside a place or area. Think of “in” as meaning “inside” or “within.”
- In a City or Country
1- Example: I live in New York.
2- Example: She was born in Brazil.
- In a Room or Building
1- Example: They are in the kitchen.
2- Example: We have a meeting in the office.
- In a Container
1- Example: There is water in the bottle.
2- Example: The keys are in my bag.
- Time
We use “in” when talking about parts of the day, months, seasons, years, and longer periods of time.
- Parts of the Day;
1- Example: I study in the morning.
2- Example: He works in the afternoon.
Note: For night, we say “at night” instead of “in the night.”
- Months;
1- Example: Her birthday is in July.
2- Example: We are going on vacation in December.
- Seasons;
1- Example: Flowers bloom in spring.
2- Example: It’s hot in summer.
- Years;
1- Example: He was born in 1995.
2- Example: They got married in 2020.
- Condition or State
We use “in” to describe a condition, state, or appearance.
- Condition or Situation;
1- Example: She is in trouble.
2- Example: They are in love.
- Clothing or Appearance.
1- Example: He is dressed in black.
2- Example: She looks beautiful in that dress.
Using “From”
The preposition “from” is used to indicate:
- Origin or Source
- Starting Point
- **Material or Substance**
- Origin or Source
We use “from” to talk about where someone or something originates or comes from.
- Place of Origin;
1- Example: I am from Italy.
2- Example: She comes from Japan.
- Source of Information.
1- Example: I heard the news from John.
2- Example: This information is from a reliable source.
- Starting Point
“From” is used to show the starting point in time or space.
- Starting Point in Time;
1- Example: The store is open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
2- Example: I have been working here from January.
- Starting Point in Space.
1- Example: The bus leaves from the station.
2- Example: He walked from his house to the park.
- Material or Substance
We use “from” to indicate the material or substance something is made of.
- Material;
1- Example: The table is made from wood.
2- Example: This wine is made from grapes.
More Examples in Sentences
Let’s put everything together with some examples to show the difference between “in” and “from.”
- Location or Place
In: She is in the library. (She is inside the library.)
From: She is from Canada. (Her origin is Canada.)
- Time
In: I will see you in the evening. (During the evening.)
From: The concert starts from 7 PM. (The starting time is 7 PM.)
- Origin or Source
In: He is in the city now. (He is currently inside the city.)
From: He is from New York. (His origin is New York.)
- Condition or State
In: She is in a good mood. (Her condition is a good mood.)
From: The smell comes from the kitchen. (The source is the kitchen.)
- Material or Substance
In: The cookies are in the jar. (Inside the jar.)
From: The cookies are made from flour and sugar. (The materials are flour and sugar.)
Understanding and using these prepositions correctly is crucial for speaking and writing in English. Remember, “in” often tells us about being inside a place or time, while “from” tells us about the origin, source, or starting point.
Practice using these prepositions in different contexts to become more comfortable with them. Don’t worry if it feels tricky at first. Practice makes perfect! Keep revisiting these examples and soon you’ll use “in” and “from” like a pro.
Stay tuned to EnglishUs for more helpful lessons and tips. Happy learning!
