20 Preposition + Noun Phrases

20 Preposition + Noun Phrases

Hi 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

The English teachers at My Lingua Academy are happy to help you improve your English. You can learn English for free with our blog posts where you will find loads of grammar and vocabulary lessons, as well as exercises and quizzes. 

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.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation. Choose the most suitable app: Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp, Viber or Facebook Messenger. You should certainly join us for 30-minute conversation sessions. Check it out!

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 managing an organization 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 thoughts

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

• At first, he accepted the offer but on second thoughts 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.