Prepositions: "far from", "next to"

samia · #1 (permalink) Mon May 29, 2006 9:28 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #43 "Basic English Grammar", question 5

The bathroom is ......... to the front door.

(a) next
(b) far
(c) opposite
(d) away

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #43 "Basic English Grammar", answer 5

The bathroom is next to the front door.

Correct answer: (a) next
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How should I know the right answer?

My answer was ... (c)

samia

Mister Micawber

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The right answer can be found by noticing the next word, to. Only next to collocates: next to the door. The other answers collocate like this: far from the door, opposite the door, away from the door.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Seanmen · #3 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 4:18 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

Hi, I would like to make sure I can't say "be opposite to the door"?

I think I have learned that "be opposite to sth." is correct.

Mister Micawber · #4 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 5:38 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

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It appears to be British usage. The Brits and Americans more often use 'opposite' as a preposition-- opposite the front door. I'm glad I didn't write this question.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Seanmen · #5 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 7:02 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

Hey mate, I am sorry but I did not quite get you.

How come it is "British usage" but "the Brits" and Americans more often use...?

Does that mean this question has two correct answers?

Mister Micawber · #6 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 8:08 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

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Are you Australian? Why are you calling me 'mate'?
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Seanmen · #7 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 8:54 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

I am not Australian. I am in Australia at the moment.

I was calling you "mate" because I would like to show a friendship.

Well, just tell me if you do not like I am calling you "mate". I will call you "Mister Mcawber" Smile

Mister Micawber · #8 (permalink) Thu May 31, 2007 9:07 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

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I don't mind Ozzies calling me 'mate', but it is regional slang which does not sit well on non-Australians. As a learner, you should restrict your usage to international English-- that is, English which is 'standard' in that it is not coloured by regional dialects. This is a problem that arises when learners try to incorporate slang into their vocabularies. Casual regional English is properly acquired only through immersion in that society and is natural only within that society.

As to your original question, Sean-- I will have to let the test writer respond to that. I have only the BBI dictionary of collocations to refer to.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

Tom · #9 (permalink) Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:20 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

Mister Micawber · #10 (permalink) Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:50 am *Prepositions: "far from", "next to"*

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The authors (Morton Benson, Evelyn Benson and Robert Ilson). ISBN 9027221677 or 1556195214.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

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