Original post by Danmoller | Archived post
The key to use these prepositions is in the verb.
Almost every verb has an object. Some have direct objects (which don't take prepositions), others have indirect objects (which take prepositions), and some even have both objects.
The indirect objects always take a preposition. These prepositions are governed by the verb, so what you need is to learn which prepositions are used for each verb instead of trying to understand their meanings. A great number of verbs always use only one preposition.
If the sentence has a standard word order, the preposition comes after the verb and before the object. Just remember that the direct objects and adverbs can be between the verb and the indirect object.
To identify which verbs use prepositions, every (good) dictionary brings this information in acronyms.
Normally they are:
- VI - Verbo intransitivo (this verb doesn't have an object. Ex: Chover)
- VTD - Verbo transitivo direto (this verb takes a direct object, doesn't use preposition. Ex: pegar)
- VTI - Verbo transitivo indireto (this verb takes an indirect object, with preposition. Ex: gostar)
- VTDI - Verbo transitivo direto e indireto (takes both. Ex: dar)
So, all you have to do is to get used to which prepositions are used for each verb. It may sound weird at first, but this idea is present in English too.
See the verbs "to listen" and "to hear", for example. They have almost the same meaning, but one needs a preposition and the other doesn't.
There is no logical reason for that, but that's the way it is:
- I hear music.
- I listen to music.
Examples:
- Chover - VI - to rain
Vai chover = It is going to rain
- Pegar - VTD - to take
Ele pega o ônibus. = He takes the bus.
Ele pega as chaves. = he takes the keys.
- Gostar - VTI - to like (always uses preposition "de")
Ele gosta de sorvete. = He likes icecream.
Ela gosta de comer. = She likes to eat.
- Dar - VTDI - to give (Sometimes it can be only direct or only indirect, but let's use both here.)
The direct object is what is being given, and the indirect object is the receiver. (Uses "a" or "para" preposition)
Ele dá um carro para seu filho. = He gives a car to his son.
Ele dá dinheiro ao trabalhdor. = He gives money to the worker.
- Precisar - Exception
VTI for objects that aren't sentences (always "de")
VTD for objects that are sentences (have verbs)
Ele precisa de água. = He needs water.
O homem precisa de dinheiro. = The man needs money.
Ela precisa cortar seu cabelo. = She needs to cut her hair.
Preciso resolver isso logo. = I need to solve this soon.
Go back to "Prepositions! - All you wanted to know":
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