On, at, by, with, about

On:

• Mum and dad are going on
• We watched the documentary on the television.
• Dad listens to the news on the radio.
• My sister is always on the phone to her best friend.
• The kitchen is on
• You better be on time tomorrow.
• Write your name on your homework.
• Make a note of what you want on the board.

At:

• My dad got married at the age of 26.
• My little brother started walking at the age of 15 months.
• She became a teacher at the age of 33.
• Emma bought her own house at the age of 22.
• The speed of the car was  at
• A truck uses more petrol at 100km than a car.
• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
• Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
• The bus will arrive at 5:30.
• The plane is going to leave at

By:

When we talk about travel we use by:

• I travel to school by
• Do you like travelling by bus?
• My sister goes to work by
• My brother went to town by
• My grandparents feel sick when they travel by

BUT… when you talk about travelling by foot, you CANNOT say by foot, you say on foot.

Example:

You can’t get there by bus. You have to go on foot. (= saying on foot means you have to walk)

We use by when saying who made something:

• The book is by Jane Austin.
• Have you read any books by JK Rowling?
• I’m reading a book by Charlotte Bronte.
• Have you seen any movies by Warner Brothers?
• The movie is produced by Tom Cruise.
• Have you heard that new song by Chris Brown?
• Who is that song by?
• Who is that painting by?

We use by after the passive:

• My sister got bitten by a dog.
• My mum’s car got hit by a police officer.
• The cake was eaten by my sister.
• The vase was smashed by
• Josh was tackled by Jack in football.

With/Without:

We use with/without when talking about being accompanied by another or not:

• Did you get the bus with your mum or with your friends?
• I stayed the night with a few friends.
• Sue went to the new restaurant in town with her family.
• I’m going shopping with my mum.
• Are you going to come  with me?
• My sister’s gone out with her boyfriend.
• Don’t go without
• Do you like your tea with or without sugar?
• I can’t cut a slice of cake without a sharp knife.
• Maria went on the train without her sister.
• I can see the TV without my glasses.

We use with/without when talking about having or possessing something:

• I want to buy a dress with
• She wants a headband with a bow.
• Do you know a man with a beard?
• She’s wearing a dress without
• Is there anyone in your class without a phone?
• They have a bathroom without a toilet inside.

About:

Verb + about

• They were talking about going on holiday at lunch.
• Mum spoke about you to grandma.
• I don’t know a lot about
• I don’t think about Josh anymore.
• Did you hear about Sharon’s parents?

Noun + about

• There was a programme about hurricanes on television.
• There was a documentary about Martin Luther King.
• We filled in a questionnaire about the government.
• Did you have any information about Nick’s party?
• Do you have any queries about your stay at our hotel?