Ch 7 · Lesson 15Esperanto · Chapter 7 · Lesson 15 · Grammar primer

Prepositions: one meaning each

, , : every preposition has one meaning, sorted here by job. And English with is two words: , .

The short version

English with is two words: and per

, .

I eat with friends, with a fork.

Why?

is company and per is the tool or the means. is I eat with friends; is I eat with a . English hides the difference in one word, Esperanto never does, so ask whether the with is a companion or an instrument.

Each preposition has one meaning, and none of them changes the noun after it. , , : the noun stays plain. Five rules cover the whole system:

direction -nkun (together with)per (by means of)What do the colours mean?

Rule	Example	English
one meaning each		with friends
one meaning each		with a
no case after it		on the table
`-n` only for motion		into the house
nothing fits:		at three o'clock
a clause: `,`	`,`	because he was tired

Where: place and movement

direction -nWhat do the colours mean?

Six of the commonest, round one box:

Six small panels with a grey cat and a yellow box: the cat sits on the box; the cat sits under the box, which stands on legs like a little table; the cat pokes its head out of the open box; the cat sits beside the box; the cat peeks over the top from behind the box with its tail sticking out; the cat sits in front of the box.

The rest of the place words:

Preposition	Example	English
		above the table
		at my friend's
		between the trees
		around the house
		outside the town
		across the river

touches, does not: the book is , the lamp hangs .

And the movement words:

Preposition	Example	English
		to the town
		out of the house
		from the town
		as far as the sea
		through the park
		along the river
		past the church

When

, , and work for place and for time; only for time:

Preposition	Example	English
		before the lesson
		after the lesson
		during the night
		until tomorrow
		at about three

. - We will eat after the film.

The rest: with, for, about

Preposition	Example	English
		with friends
		by train
		for you
		because of the weather
		about the film
		without money
		against the wind
		according to my father
		a glass of water
		instead of coffee
		everyone except him
		despite the rain
		two each
		at three

kun (together with)per (by means of)What do the colours mean?

English with hides two words. is company; is the tool:

. - I eat with friends.
. - I eat with a .

Going further: No case after a preposition, except direction and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

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Lesson 15 of 26 in this chapter

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What do the colours mean?