Daily Quick Fix – 7 (Prepositional Phrases)
Prepositional Phrases
Phrases with AT
- I could see at a glance that something was wrong.
- We have no solutions at hand.
- They started singing at once.
- The whole area is at risk of flooding.
Phrases with IN
- Let me know in advance.
- There were sixty of them in all.
- Who’s in charge here? I’m the boss.
- Have we got anything in common?
Phrases with ON
- How much do teachers earn in your country on average?
- We met on board an ocean liner.
- She’s gone to Barcelona on business.
- We’re on good terms in spite of the divorce.
at a glance - with a quick look; as soon as you see it
// She was able to identify the problem at a glance.
// He saw at a glance what had happened.
at hand - near in time or position
// Having the right equipment at hand will be enormously helpful.
// Realizing that his retirement was near at hand, he looked for some additional income.
// Don’t worry, help is at hand!
at once - 1. immediately
// You have to call him at once
// I have to go, I really must, at once.
// The audience at once greeted him warmly.
// Go upstairs at once and clean your room!
// When I saw him I recognized him at once.
2. together, at the same time
// I can’t do two things at once!
// Don’t all talk at once - Не говорите все сразу.
at risk - in danger of being harmed or damaged, or of dying;
To be at risk means to be in a situation where something unpleasant might happen.
// She works in a home for at-risk children.
// Many residents in at-risk areas move their cars to higher ground when floods threaten.
// We must stop these rumors; the firm’s reputation is at risk.
in all - in total number; altogether.
// There were about 5,000 people in all
// The bill came to £25 in all
// Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations
all in all - considering all the different parts of the situation together
// It wasn't funny, but all in all it was a good movie.
// All in all, I think you've done very well.
// The cruise wasn't perfect, but all in all it was pretty good.
// I think this proposal is, all in all, quite reasonable.
in charge - being the person who has control of or is responsible for someone or something
// Who will be in charge of the department when Sophie leaves?
// There were more than 30 people working on the project, with no single person in charge.
// If I were in charge, I would insist on better timekeeping.
leave someone in charge
// I left Jack in charge of the suitcases while I went to get the tickets.
in common - to share interests, experiences, or other characteristics with someone or something:
// We don't really have much in common.
// He had very little in common with his sister.
// The two actors have little in common other than both having Oscars.
// When you meet Alice, you'll find that you have a lot in common, including your love of classical music.
"On average" means typically, or as a general rule, based on a typical example of a group or a calculation of typical values. It indicates a central tendency or a common occurrence rather than a precise or absolute value.
Synonyms:
"Usually," "generally," "normally," or "typically" can be used interchangeably with "on average".
// On average, American firms remain the most productive in the world.
// Men also received bonuses of almost twice those paid to women on average.
// On average of about 80% get each question correct.
// On average, it rains 10 days a month
// On average ticket prices will rise by 6.2 per cent in January.
// Under the new scheme, it would be based on average lifetime earnings.
on board - on or in a ship, plane, or other vehicle
// There were several movie stars on board traveling incognito
// “There really is no one our age on board,” she reported.
adjective
// The train is about to go. Are we all on board?
1. provided, occurring, etc., on a vehicle
// among the ship's many on-board services
2. installed and functional within a vehicle
// on-board computers for aircraft
2. as part of a group or team, especially for a special purpose:
bring someone on board:
// Let's bring Rob on board for the Saudi deal - he's the expert.
in agreement with a particular course of action, especially so that you get involved with it:
// Seeing his enthusiasm and expertise, others quickly got on board with his grand ideas.
// Despite the benefits, getting everyone on board can be difficult.
on-board adjective [only before noun] -
carried on a ship, plane, car etc
// an on-board computer
on business - doing something connected with your job:
// I'm in Baltimore on business.
// I sometimes fly business class when travelling on business, but not if it's just for a holiday.
// Hello, Madam, are you here on business or for pleasure?
// I've been to London on business but didn't get much of a chance to see the city.
// She met up with some old school friends when she was in town on business last month.
on good terms - means that two or more people have a friendly or positive relationship. It implies that they are not in conflict or experiencing animosity towards each other. They might be friends, or at least not enemies, and can interact without tension or negativity.
// Madeleine is on good terms with Sarah. [+ with]
// Bill is on good terms with the people he works with.
// We shook hands and parted on good terms.
// No, Stephanie and I are on good terms now—we reconciled after that argument.
// You should always try to be on good terms with your boss.
// We are not on very good terms and don't speak to each other much.