20 Preposition + Noun Phrases

20 Preposition + Noun Phrases

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. We will look at 20 preposition + noun phrases with the prepositions at, by, for, in and on.

Here is the list:

• At last
• At once
• At times
• By mistake
• By accident
• By choice
• For good
• For the time being
• For one thing
• For a song
• In control
• In any case
• In force
• On second thoughts
• On the whole
• On hold
• Under age
• Under control
• Under pressure
• Under oath

Preposition + Noun Phrases

At last

Meaning: finally.

• When the guests left, we were alone at last.

At once

Meaning: immediately

• The doctor said he was coming at once.

At times

Meaning: sometimes.

• Tom’s brother can be rather arrogant at times.

By mistake

Meaning: by accident.

• Here is your phone, I took it by mistake.

By accident

Meaning: by chance; without intending to.

• I met Sean by accident in the park.

By choice

Meaning: because you have chosen it.

• Mary lives alone by choice.

For good

Meaning: forever.

• Jill left her home town for good.

Preposition + Noun Phrases

For the time being

Meaning: for now.

• This flat is a bit small for us but we have to stay here for the time being.

For one thing

Meaning: use it to mention one reason for something when there are more of them.

• For one thing, I don’t have time to go with you; for another, I’m not interested.

For a song

Meaning: very cheaply.

• They are selling computers for a song because they need to clear out the warehouse.

In control

Meaning: to manage an organisation or a situation.

• Celia seemed relaxed and in control of the car.

In any case

Meaning: also.

• The park was far from our home and in any case, our car was broken so we stayed in.

In force

Meaning: in large numbers.

• People were standing in force at the stadium despite the bad weather.

Preposition + Noun Phrases

On second thought

Meaning: use it to say that you changed your opinion.

• At first, he accepted the offer, but on second thought, he decided to wait.

On the whole

Meaning: in general.

• On the whole, I think that women are better drivers than men.

On hold

Meaning: delayed until later.

• Please, stay on hold, our operator will get back to you as soon as possible.

Under age

Meaning: not old enough legally to do a particular activity.

• She is not allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol because she is under age.

Under control

Meaning: to be able to deal with something successfully.

• A good gardener needs to keep the weeds under control.

Under pressure

Meaning: being forced to do something.

• The minister was under pressure to resign after the scandal.

Preposition + Noun Phrases

Under oath

Meaning: to give a formal promise to tell the truth.

• The witness said under oath what happened on the night of the crime.

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