Blog about English
Situations where prepositions are optional or omitted.
Practice: build the sentences →Some English expressions normally occur without a preposition even when another language may require one.
Preposition omission is especially common with certain time expressions, movement expressions, frequency expressions, and fixed verb patterns.
We went home.
Мы пошли домой.
"Home" is used without a preposition after a verb of movement.
I saw her yesterday.
Я видел её вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
We met last week.
Мы встретились на прошлой неделе.
"Last week" is used without a preposition.
She visits us twice a year.
Она навещает нас два раза в год.
Frequency expressions like "twice a year" omit an additional preposition.
Call me tomorrow.
Позвони мне завтра.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
We discussed the problem.
Мы обсудили проблему.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
She entered the room.
Она вошла в комнату.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
We reached the station.
Мы добрались до станции.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
Home can function as an adverb after verbs of movement without a preceding to.
For example, We went home, She walked home, and They drove home.
We went home.
Мы пошли домой.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
She walked home.
Она пошла домой пешком.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
They drove home.
Они поехали домой.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
He ran home.
Он побежал домой.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
She cycled home.
Она поехала домой на велосипеде.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
We flew home.
Мы полетели домой.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
They walked home together.
Они вместе пошли домой.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
He came home late.
Он пришёл домой поздно.
"Home" is used without "to" after a verb of movement.
Home can take a preposition when it is treated as a noun phrase or when a more specific relationship is expressed.
For example, We went to the house and She was at home. The choice depends on the intended construction.
We went to the house.
Мы пошли к дому.
"To the house" is used when "home" is treated as a noun phrase.
She was at home.
Она была дома.
"At home" is used as a fixed expression for location.
He is at home.
Он дома.
"At home" is used as a fixed expression for location.
We arrived at the house.
Мы прибыли к дому.
"At the house" is used when "home" is treated as a noun phrase.
She stayed at home.
Она осталась дома.
"At home" is used as a fixed expression for location.
They went to their house.
Они пошли в свой дом.
"To their house" is used when "home" is treated as a noun phrase.
I left my keys at home.
Я оставил ключи дома.
"At home" is used as a fixed expression for location.
She returned to the house.
Она вернулась к дому.
"To the house" is used when "home" is treated as a noun phrase.
Yesterday normally occurs without at, on, or in when used as a basic time expression.
For example, I saw her yesterday.
I saw her yesterday.
Я видел её вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
We met yesterday.
Мы встретились вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
She called me yesterday.
Она позвонила мне вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
He left yesterday.
Он уехал вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
They arrived yesterday.
Они прибыли вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
I finished the work yesterday.
Я закончил работу вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
We had a meeting yesterday.
У нас было собрание вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
She visited us yesterday.
Она навестила нас вчера.
"Yesterday" is used without a preposition.
Today and tomorrow normally occur without a preposition in basic time expressions.
For example, I am working today and We will leave tomorrow.
I am working today.
Я работаю сегодня.
"Today" is used without a preposition.
We will leave tomorrow.
Мы уедем завтра.
"Tomorrow" is used without a preposition.
She is coming today.
Она приедет сегодня.
"Today" is used without a preposition.
They will arrive tomorrow.
Они прибудут завтра.
"Tomorrow" is used without a preposition.
I have a meeting today.
У меня сегодня собрание.
"Today" is used without a preposition.
He will call tomorrow.
Он позвонит завтра.
"Tomorrow" is used without a preposition.
We are leaving today.
Мы уезжаем сегодня.
"Today" is used without a preposition.
She will finish it tomorrow.
Она закончит это завтра.
"Tomorrow" is used without a preposition.
Expressions such as last week and next year normally occur without a preposition.
For example, We met last week and I will see you next month.
We met last week.
Мы встретились на прошлой неделе.
"Last week" is used without a preposition.
I will see you next month.
Я увижу тебя в следующем месяце.
"Next month" is used without a preposition.
She called last night.
Она звонила прошлой ночью.
"Last night" is used without a preposition.
We are going next year.
Мы поедем в следующем году.
"Next year" is used without a preposition.
He visited us last summer.
Он навестил нас прошлым летом.
"Last summer" is used without a preposition.
I will start next week.
Я начну на следующей неделе.
"Next week" is used without a preposition.
They moved last year.
Они переехали в прошлом году.
"Last year" is used without a preposition.
We will meet next Friday.
Мы встретимся в следующую пятницу.
"Next Friday" is used without a preposition.
Expressions such as this morning, this week, that evening, and that year normally occur without a preposition.
For example, I saw him this morning and We met again that evening.
I saw him this morning.
Я видел его сегодня утром.
"This morning" is used without a preposition.
We met again that evening.
Мы снова встретились в тот вечер.
"That evening" is used without a preposition.
She is busy this week.
Она занята на этой неделе.
"This week" is used without a preposition.
He left that year.
Он уехал в том году.
"That year" is used without a preposition.
I will call you this afternoon.
Я позвоню тебе сегодня днём.
"This afternoon" is used without a preposition.
We had a party that night.
У нас была вечеринка в ту ночь.
"That night" is used without a preposition.
She visited us this summer.
Она навестила нас этим летом.
"This summer" is used without a preposition.
He started his job that month.
Он начал работу в том месяце.
"That month" is used without a preposition.
Every and each are determiners that normally occur directly before a time or frequency noun without a preposition.
For example, every day, every Monday, each week, and each month.
I go to the gym every day.
Я хожу в спортзал каждый день.
"Every day" is used without a preposition.
We have a meeting every Monday.
У нас собрание каждый понедельник.
"Every Monday" is used without a preposition.
She visits us each week.
Она навещает нас каждую неделю.
"Each week" is used without a preposition.
He pays the rent each month.
Он платит аренду каждый месяц.
"Each month" is used without a preposition.
They travel every summer.
Они путешествуют каждое лето.
"Every summer" is used without a preposition.
I call my parents every Sunday.
Я звоню родителям каждое воскресенье.
"Every Sunday" is used without a preposition.
She exercises each morning.
Она занимается спортом каждое утро.
"Each morning" is used without a preposition.
We meet every other week.
Мы встречаемся через неделю.
"Every other week" is used without a preposition.
Expressions such as once a week, twice a month, and three times a year normally omit an additional preposition before the frequency unit.
For example, She visits us twice a year.
She visits us twice a year.
Она навещает нас два раза в год.
"Twice a year" omits an additional preposition.
I go there once a week.
Я хожу туда раз в неделю.
"Once a week" omits an additional preposition.
He calls me three times a day.
Он звонит мне три раза в день.
"Three times a day" omits an additional preposition.
We have a meeting twice a month.
У нас собрание два раза в месяц.
"Twice a month" omits an additional preposition.
She goes to the gym four times a week.
Она ходит в спортзал четыре раза в неделю.
"Four times a week" omits an additional preposition.
I see him once a month.
Я вижу его раз в месяц.
"Once a month" omits an additional preposition.
They travel abroad twice a year.
Они путешествуют за границу два раза в год.
"Twice a year" omits an additional preposition.
She takes the medicine three times a day.
Она принимает лекарство три раза в день.
"Three times a day" omits an additional preposition.
The frequency expression once a day, twice a week, and similar structures uses a directly after the number or frequency expression.
For example, Take the medicine twice a day.
Take the medicine twice a day.
Принимайте лекарство два раза в день.
"Twice a day" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
She goes to the gym once a week.
Она ходит в спортзал раз в неделю.
"Once a week" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
He calls his mother twice a week.
Он звонит матери два раза в неделю.
"Twice a week" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
We meet once a month.
Мы встречаемся раз в месяц.
"Once a month" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
She visits us three times a year.
Она навещает нас три раза в год.
"Three times a year" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
I go there twice a month.
Я хожу туда два раза в месяц.
"Twice a month" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
He exercises four times a week.
Он занимается спортом четыре раза в неделю.
"Four times a week" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
She reads a book once a week.
Она читает книгу раз в неделю.
"Once a week" uses "a" directly after the frequency expression.
Every other is followed directly by the relevant noun without of.
For example, We have a meeting every other week.
We have a meeting every other week.
У нас собрание через неделю.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
She visits us every other month.
Она навещает нас через месяц.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
I go there every other day.
Я хожу туда через день.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
He calls me every other day.
Он звонит мне через день.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
We meet every other week.
Мы встречаемся через неделю.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
She works every other weekend.
Она работает через выходные.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
They travel every other year.
Они путешествуют через год.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
I have a check-up every other month.
Я прохожу обследование раз в два месяца.
"Every other" is followed directly by the noun without "of".
Duration can sometimes be expressed without for when the duration phrase functions naturally as an adjunct.
For example, I waited two hours can be used instead of I waited for two hours.
I waited two hours.
Я ждал два часа.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
She stayed three days.
Она оставалась три дня.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
He worked all night.
Он работал всю ночь.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
We talked an hour.
Мы разговаривали час.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
They lived there five years.
Они жили там пять лет.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
She studied two hours.
Она училась два часа.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
I slept eight hours.
Я спал восемь часов.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
He waited a long time.
Он ждал долго.
Duration can be expressed without "for".
With spend, a duration expression can normally occur directly without for.
For example, I spent two hours studying.
I spent two hours studying.
Я потратил два часа на учёбу.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
She spent three days working.
Она потратила три дня на работу.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
He spent an hour reading.
Он потратил час на чтение.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
We spent a week travelling.
Мы потратили неделю на путешествие.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
They spent two months building it.
Они потратили два месяца на строительство.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
I spent a long time waiting.
Я потратил много времени на ожидание.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
She spent five years studying medicine.
Она потратила пять лет на изучение медицины.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
He spent all day working.
Он потратил весь день на работу.
With "spend", a duration expression occurs without "for".
Expressions containing last or next normally omit a preposition before the time period.
For example, I worked last weekend and We are leaving next summer.
I worked last weekend.
Я работал в прошлые выходные.
"Last weekend" is used without a preposition.
We are leaving next summer.
Мы уезжаем следующим летом.
"Next summer" is used without a preposition.
She visited us last weekend.
Она навестила нас в прошлые выходные.
"Last weekend" is used without a preposition.
I will see you next week.
Я увижу тебя на следующей неделе.
"Next week" is used without a preposition.
They moved last month.
Они переехали в прошлом месяце.
"Last month" is used without a preposition.
We are going next year.
Мы поедем в следующем году.
"Next year" is used without a preposition.
He worked last summer.
Он работал прошлым летом.
"Last summer" is used without a preposition.
I will start next month.
Я начну в следующем месяце.
"Next month" is used without a preposition.
Ago follows a quantity of time directly and does not require another preposition.
For example, She left three days ago.
She left three days ago.
Она уехала три дня назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
I saw him a week ago.
Я видел его неделю назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
We met two years ago.
Мы встретились два года назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
He called an hour ago.
Он звонил час назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
She moved here a month ago.
Она переехала сюда месяц назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
They left ten minutes ago.
Они ушли десять минут назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
I finished it a few days ago.
Я закончил это несколько дней назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
She graduated five years ago.
Она окончила университет пять лет назад.
"Ago" follows a quantity of time directly without another preposition.
Place adverbs such as everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, and nowhere normally occur without an additional preposition when used as complete location expressions.
For example, We looked everywhere and I cannot find it anywhere.
We looked everywhere.
Мы искали везде.
"Everywhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
I cannot find it anywhere.
Я нигде не могу это найти.
"Anywhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
She went somewhere quiet.
Она пошла куда-то в тихое место.
"Somewhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
There is nowhere to sit.
Нигде нет места, чтобы сесть.
"Nowhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
I have looked everywhere for my keys.
Я везде искал свои ключи.
"Everywhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
He is somewhere in the building.
Он где-то в здании.
"Somewhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
We cannot go anywhere tonight.
Мы никуда не можем пойти сегодня вечером.
"Anywhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
She searched everywhere for the missing file.
Она везде искала пропавший файл.
"Everywhere" functions as a complete location expression without a preposition.
Here and there can function as complete adverbial expressions without a preceding preposition.
For example, Come here and Put the box there.
Come here.
Иди сюда.
"Here" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
Put the box there.
Поставь коробку туда.
"There" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
She lives here.
Она живёт здесь.
"Here" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
The book is there.
Книга там.
"There" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
Please sit here.
Пожалуйста, сядьте здесь.
"Here" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
I will wait there.
Я подожду там.
"There" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
He left it here.
Он оставил это здесь.
"Here" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
She put her bag there.
Она поставила сумку туда.
"There" functions as a complete adverbial without a preposition.
Call can take a direct object without to when identifying the person being contacted.
For example, Call me tomorrow and I called John yesterday.
Call me tomorrow.
Позвони мне завтра.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
I called John yesterday.
Я позвонил Джону вчера.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
She called her mother.
Она позвонила матери.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
He called the police.
Он позвонил в полицию.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
I will call you later.
Я позвоню тебе позже.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
She called the office.
Она позвонила в офис.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
They called their friends.
Они позвонили друзьям.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
He called me last night.
Он звонил мне прошлой ночью.
"Call" takes a direct object without "to".
Answer can normally take a direct object without to when identifying the person or communication being responded to.
For example, She answered me immediately and He did not answer my question.
She answered me immediately.
Она ответила мне сразу.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
He did not answer my question.
Он не ответил на мой вопрос.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
She answered the phone.
Она ответила на телефон.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
He answered the letter.
Он ответил на письмо.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
She answered his email.
Она ответила на его письмо.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
He answered the door.
Он открыл дверь.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
She answered all the questions.
Она ответила на все вопросы.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
He answered me politely.
Он вежливо мне ответил.
"Answer" takes a direct object without "to".
Enter can take a direct object naming the place entered and normally does not require into or to in the standard construction.
For example, She entered the room, not She entered into the room in the ordinary physical-entry meaning.
She entered the room.
Она вошла в комнату.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
He entered the building.
Он вошёл в здание.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
They entered the classroom.
Они вошли в класс.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
She entered the competition.
Она вошла в соревнование.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
He entered the house.
Он вошёл в дом.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
They entered the office.
Они вошли в офис.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
She entered the data.
Она ввела данные.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
He entered the room quietly.
Он тихо вошёл в комнату.
"Enter" takes a direct object without "into".
Approach can take a direct object and normally does not require to before the destination.
For example, We approached the station and The car approached the bridge.
We approached the station.
Мы приблизились к станции.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
The car approached the bridge.
Машина приблизилась к мосту.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
She approached the door.
Она подошла к двери.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
He approached the problem carefully.
Он осторожно подошёл к проблеме.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
They approached the city.
Они приблизились к городу.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
She approached the manager.
Она подошла к менеджеру.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
He approached the task with caution.
Он подошёл к задаче с осторожностью.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
We approached the airport.
Мы приблизились к аэропорту.
"Approach" takes a direct object without "to".
Discuss can take a direct object and normally does not require about before the topic.
For example, We discussed the problem, not We discussed about the problem.
We discussed the problem.
Мы обсудили проблему.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
She discussed the plan with her team.
Она обсудила план с командой.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
He discussed the issue with his boss.
Он обсудил вопрос с начальником.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
They discussed the changes.
Они обсудили изменения.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
We discussed the details.
Мы обсудили детали.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
She discussed the proposal.
Она обсудила предложение.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
He discussed the results.
Он обсудил результаты.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
We discussed the matter.
Мы обсудили дело.
"Discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
Request can take a direct object for the thing requested and does not require for in that construction.
For example, She requested more information.
She requested more information.
Она запросила дополнительную информацию.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
He requested a meeting.
Он запросил встречу.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
They requested assistance.
Они запросили помощь.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
She requested a copy of the report.
Она запросила копию отчёта.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
He requested permission.
Он запросил разрешение.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
They requested a refund.
Они запросили возврат средств.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
She requested the documents.
Она запросила документы.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
He requested further details.
Он запросил дополнительные детали.
"Request" takes a direct object without "for".
Mention takes a direct object and normally does not require about before the subject mentioned.
For example, He mentioned the problem during the meeting.
He mentioned the problem during the meeting.
Он упомянул проблему во время собрания.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
She mentioned the change to me.
Она упомянула об изменении мне.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
They mentioned the issue.
Они упомянули этот вопрос.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
He mentioned your name.
Он упомянул твоё имя.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
She mentioned the deadline.
Она упомянула о сроке.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
They mentioned the new policy.
Они упомянули новую политику.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
He mentioned the meeting.
Он упомянул собрание.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
She mentioned the delay.
Она упомянула задержку.
"Mention" takes a direct object without "about".
Reach takes a direct object naming the destination and normally does not require to.
For example, We reached the station at six, not We reached to the station.
We reached the station at six.
Мы добрались до станции в шесть.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
She reached the top of the mountain.
Она достигла вершины горы.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
He reached the airport on time.
Он добрался до аэропорта вовремя.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
They reached the city at noon.
Они добрались до города в полдень.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
She reached the office early.
Она добралась до офиса рано.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
He reached the end of the road.
Он дошёл до конца дороги.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
We reached the hotel late.
Мы добрались до отеля поздно.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
She reached the finish line.
Она достигла финишной черты.
"Reach" takes a direct object without "to".
Resemble takes a direct object and normally does not require to.
For example, She resembles her mother, not She resembles to her mother.
She resembles her mother.
Она похожа на свою мать.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
He resembles his father.
Он похож на своего отца.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
The twins resemble each other.
Близнецы похожи друг на друга.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
She resembles her sister.
Она похожа на свою сестру.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
He resembles his grandfather.
Он похож на своего деда.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
The design resembles the original.
Дизайн похож на оригинал.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
She resembles her aunt.
Она похожа на свою тётю.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
The copy resembles the original closely.
Копия очень похожа на оригинал.
"Resemble" takes a direct object without "to".
A preposition can sometimes remain implicit when the relative structure itself makes the relationship clear.
For example, The person I spoke to can omit the relative pronoun but retain the preposition at the end.
The person I spoke to was helpful.
Человек, с которым я говорил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The book I was looking for is on the shelf.
Книга, которую я искал, на полке.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The friend I went out with is a teacher.
Друг, с которым я гулял, учитель.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The house we looked at is too expensive.
Дом, который мы смотрели, слишком дорогой.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The candidate we voted for won.
Кандидат, за которого мы голосовали, победил.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The doctor I spoke to was very kind.
Врач, с которым я говорил, был очень добр.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The person I called to was helpful.
Человек, которому я звонил, был полезен.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
The topic we talked about was interesting.
Тема, о которой мы говорили, была интересной.
The relative pronoun can be omitted, but the preposition remains at the end.
In some informal constructions, prepositions may be omitted when the intended relationship is obvious from context, although the omission is not equally acceptable in all structures.
For example, Where are you going? does not need an additional to because where already provides the directional information.
Where are you going?
Куда ты идёшь?
"Where" already provides directional information, so no additional "to" is needed.
Where do you live?
Где ты живёшь?
"Where" already provides location information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Where is she?
Где она?
"Where" already provides location information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Where did you go?
Куда ты пошёл?
"Where" already provides directional information, so no additional "to" is needed.
Where are they?
Где они?
"Where" already provides location information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Where does he work?
Где он работает?
"Where" already provides location information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Where are you from?
Откуда ты?
"Where" already provides origin information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Where is the station?
Где находится вокзал?
"Where" already provides location information, so no additional preposition is needed.
Certain destinations such as home, school, work, and bed can occur in conventional structures without an additional preposition or article depending on their meaning.
For example, go home, go to school, be at work, and go to bed.
go home
идти домой
"Home" occurs without a preposition in this conventional structure.
go to school
ходить в школу
"School" occurs with "to" and no article in this conventional structure.
be at work
быть на работе
"Work" occurs with "at" and no article in this conventional structure.
go to bed
ложиться спать
"Bed" occurs with "to" and no article in this conventional structure.
go to church
ходить в церковь
"Church" occurs with "to" and no article in this conventional structure.
go to university
ходить в университет
"University" occurs with "to" and no article in this conventional structure.
be at home
быть дома
"Home" occurs with "at" in this conventional structure.
go to prison
попасть в тюрьму
"Prison" occurs with "to" and no article in this conventional structure.
A preposition should not be omitted when it is part of a required verb, noun, adjective, or phrase pattern.
For example, depend on, interested in, and responsible for require their usual prepositions.
depend on
зависеть от
The preposition "on" is part of the required pattern.
interested in
интересоваться
The preposition "in" is part of the required pattern.
responsible for
ответственный за
The preposition "for" is part of the required pattern.
listen to
слушать
The preposition "to" is part of the required pattern.
wait for
ждать
The preposition "for" is part of the required pattern.
belong to
принадлежать
The preposition "to" is part of the required pattern.
good at
хороший в
The preposition "at" is part of the required pattern.
afraid of
бояться
The preposition "of" is part of the required pattern.
Some expressions allow different preposition patterns depending on the variety of English or level of formality.
For example, different regions may prefer different patterns with weekend expressions, while the underlying meaning remains the same.
at the weekend
на выходных
"At the weekend" is common in British English.
on the weekend
на выходных
"On the weekend" is common in American English.
write to me
напиши мне
"Write to me" is common in British English.
write me
напиши мне
"Write me" is common in American English.
in hospital
в больнице
"In hospital" is common in British English.
in the hospital
в больнице
"In the hospital" is common in American English.
different from
отличаться от
"Different from" is widely accepted in all varieties.
different to
отличаться от
"Different to" is common in British English.
Some verbs that learners expect to be followed by prepositions instead take direct objects because they are transitive in the intended construction.
For example, discuss the issue, enter the building, reach the station, and mention the problem.
discuss the issue
обсудить вопрос
"Discuss" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
enter the building
войти в здание
"Enter" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
reach the station
добраться до станции
"Reach" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
mention the problem
упомянуть проблему
"Mention" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
answer the question
ответить на вопрос
"Answer" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
approach the city
приблизиться к городу
"Approach" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
resemble her mother
быть похожей на мать
"Resemble" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
request more information
запросить дополнительную информацию
"Request" is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
English preposition omission often differs from patterns in other languages and therefore should be learned as part of the English construction.
For example, learners may incorrectly add about after discuss or to after reach because the equivalent expression in another language uses a preposition.
discuss the issue
обсудить вопрос
English omits the preposition after "discuss", unlike some other languages.
enter the room
войти в комнату
English omits the preposition after "enter", unlike some other languages.
reach the station
добраться до станции
English omits the preposition after "reach", unlike some other languages.
mention the problem
упомянуть проблему
English omits the preposition after "mention", unlike some other languages.
answer the question
ответить на вопрос
English omits the preposition after "answer", unlike some other languages.
approach the city
приблизиться к городу
English omits the preposition after "approach", unlike some other languages.
resemble her mother
быть похожей на мать
English omits the preposition after "resemble", unlike some other languages.
request more information
запросить дополнительную информацию
English omits the preposition after "request", unlike some other languages.
The presence or absence of a preposition can sometimes change the grammatical construction or meaning rather than simply making the expression more or less formal.
For example, remember something and remember about something are different constructions with different meanings.
remember something
помнить что-то
"Remember" takes a direct object without a preposition.
remember about something
вспомнить о чём-то
"Remember about" is a different construction with a different meaning.
think about the problem
думать о проблеме
"Think about" means consider.
think of the problem
вспомнить о проблеме
"Think of" can mean remember or have an opinion.
agree with you
согласен с тобой
"Agree with" is used with a person or opinion.
agree on the price
договориться о цене
"Agree on" is used with a subject of agreement.
care about my friends
заботиться о друзьях
"Care about" expresses concern.
care for her mother
ухаживать за матерью
"Care for" means look after.
Omit prepositions only where English grammar and lexical patterns allow them, and retain prepositions that form part of fixed constructions.
Common mistakes include go to home, discuss about, reach to, enter into when unnecessary, mention about, and adding prepositions before last, next, every, yesterday, and tomorrow.
We went home.
Мы пошли домой.
Correct: "home" is used without "to".
We went to home.
Мы пошли домой.
Incorrect: "to" is not used before "home".
We discussed the problem.
Мы обсудили проблему.
Correct: "discuss" takes a direct object without "about".
We discussed about the problem.
Мы обсудили проблему.
Incorrect: "about" is not used after "discuss".
We reached the station.
Мы добрались до станции.
Correct: "reach" takes a direct object without "to".
We reached to the station.
Мы добрались до станции.
Incorrect: "to" is not used after "reach".
I saw her yesterday.
Я видел её вчера.
Correct: "yesterday" is used without a preposition.
I saw her on yesterday.
Я видел её вчера.
Incorrect: no preposition is used before "yesterday".