How do native English speakers learn prepositions? I understand each rough meaning of them but the one should be used seems to depend on verbs, adjectives or following nouns. I always have trouble choosing the proper one every time I make a sentence with unfamiliar words, especially verbs. Is there anything I can do for this except for learning one by one?

I can't come up with any good examples now, but for example:

know it
think of it
come up with it
depend on it
be surprised at it
be interested in it

Thank you in advance.

Antworten

Sannettie

11 Apr 2021

Englisch (US)

Native speakers don’t actively learn them. We hear them from the time we’re babies so we instinctively know the right one to use. I think you just have to learn them one by one and practice them. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.

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Geeverny

11 Apr 2021

Englisch (US)

Native speakers in any language are learning from shortly after birth. It is pure repetition of hearing others talk and then trying to communicate. People know most of their language's everyday phrases before they can read. You're right; there aren't any reliable rules. Prepositions are said to be tricky in languages in general, not just English 😒
It really is just repeated exposure through stories, TV, films, listening to conversations.

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moondogfermata

12 Apr 2021

Japanisch

@Sannettie Thank you so much for the explanation. I got it! I'll try to learn them one by one.

By the way, if you don't mind, I would like to ask you another question. I said "the one should be used seems to depend on verbs...". Does this sentence make sense? My doubt is the usage of "the one".

The thoughts popping in my head:
1.ones should be used seems to depend on verbs.
2.the right one seems to depend on verbs.

moondogfermata

12 Apr 2021

Japanisch

@Geeverny I see! It is really difficult for me to use prepositions properly, as much as non-Japanese people use Japanese particles.😭 I will keep exposing myself to English every day. Thank you so much for answering.