Why Are Prepositional Phrases Important in English?
Prepositions like on are small words, but they are very powerful. They connect words and ideas in sentences.
Sometimes, a preposition combines with a noun or adjective to form a fixed phrase. These phrases have a special meaning that you must learn as a whole.
- Learning these phrases helps you speak more naturally.
- They are common in both spoken and written English.
- Understanding them improves your listening and reading skills.
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What Does ‘On Offer‘ Mean?
When something is on offer, it means it is available at a reduced price. Shops use this to attract customers.
- It is a temporary discount.
- You can save money when items are on offer.
When Do We Use ‘On Purpose‘?
If you do something on purpose, you do it intentionally. It means you planned to do it, and it was not an accident.
- It often implies a negative action, but not always.
- It answers the question ‘Why did you do that?’
Understanding ‘On Duty‘ and ‘On Leave‘
The phrase on duty describes someone who is working at a specific time. They are performing their job responsibilities.
- This phrase is often used for professions like police officers, nurses, or security guards.
- The opposite is off duty (not working) or on leave (taking time off work, like a holiday).
How to Use ‘On Average‘?
We use on average to talk about a typical or usual amount, rate, or number. It means ‘typically’ or ‘usually’.
- You calculate it by adding several amounts and dividing by the number of amounts.
- It helps to describe general trends or habits.
What is ‘On Condition That‘?
This phrase introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen. It means ‘only if’ or ‘provided that’.
- It creates a dependent relationship between two actions or events.
- The second part of the sentence will only happen if the first condition is true.
Explaining ‘On Behalf Of‘
When you do something on behalf of someone, you do it as their representative or for their benefit. You are acting for them.
- It is used in formal situations, like accepting an award for someone else.
- It can also mean ‘in the interest of’ or ‘for the good of’.
Using ‘On Balance‘ for Decisions
The phrase on balance means ‘after considering all the facts’ or ‘when everything is taken into account’. You use it to give an overall opinion or conclusion.
- It suggests you have weighed the pros and cons.
- It helps to express a final judgment or summary.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| On offer | Available at a reduced price; a discount |
| On purpose | Intentionally; not by accident |
| On duty | Working; performing job responsibilities |
| On average | Typically; usually; calculated mean |
| On condition that | Only if; provided that; with the requirement that |
| On behalf of | As a representative of; for the benefit of |
| On balance | After considering everything; overall |
Examples
- The new smartphones are currently on offer at a fantastic price.
- I didn’t mean to spill the coffee; it wasn’t on purpose.
- The doctor is on duty for the next eight hours.
- On average, I read two books a month.
- You can borrow my car on condition that you fill it with petrol.
- She accepted the award on behalf of her entire team.
- On balance, I think moving to a new city was the right decision.
Practice
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Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with these phrases because they try to translate directly or use a different preposition.
- Using ‘in’ instead of ‘on’: For example, saying
in offerinstead of on offer. Remember that on is fixed in these expressions. - Forgetting ‘that’ in ‘on condition that’: It’s common to say
on condition you help. The full phrase is on condition that you help. - Confusing ‘on purpose’ with ‘by accident’: These are opposites. On purpose means intentionally, while by accident means unintentionally.
- Direct translation of ‘on behalf of’: While ‘en nombre de’ is a good translation, ensure you use on behalf of as a complete unit.
Always learn these phrases as complete units, not individual words, to avoid errors.
Frequently asked questions
Are these phrases common in everyday English?
Yes, all the phrases taught here – on offer, on purpose, on duty, on average, on condition that, on behalf of, and on balance – are very common in everyday conversations and written English at the B2 level.
How can I remember these phrases?
The best way to remember them is to use them! Try to create your own example sentences for each phrase. Listen for them in movies, TV shows, and podcasts. You can also keep a vocabulary notebook and review them regularly. Practice makes perfect!
Will these phrases appear in the B2 First (FCE) exam?
Yes, vocabulary phrases like these are very likely to appear in the B2 First (FCE) exam, especially in the Reading and Use of English paper. You might find them in gap-fill exercises, multiple-choice questions, or even need to use them in the Writing paper to express yourself clearly and naturally.
Is ‘on’ always used with these words?
For the specific phrases we covered, yes, on is a fixed part of the expression. Changing the preposition would change the meaning or make the phrase incorrect. For example, you cannot say in offer or for purpose.
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