7.3 Connectors, Prepositions & High-Frequency Collocations

7.3 Connectors, Prepositions & High-Frequency Collocations

In the Cambridge A2 Key for Schools examination, mastery of connectors, prepositions, and verb collocations bridges the gap between fragmented single words and coherent English. While vocabulary provides content, grammatical connectors and fixed prepositional phrases establish logical flow, spatial orientation, and temporal precision. In Paper 1 Part 5 (Open Cloze), where candidates fill gaps without options, most answers are grammar words such as prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, and auxiliary verbs. Furthermore, in Paper 1 Parts 6–7 (Writing) and Paper 3 (Speaking), examiners evaluate cohesion and lexical control through candidates' ability to join thoughts logically and deploy natural word pairings. OpenExamPrep provides this independent study resource for Cambridge A2 Key for Schools to equip candidates and educators with essential collocation and linking strategies.

---

Coordinating and Subordinating Connectors

Cohesive devices connect ideas within sentences and paragraphs, transforming simple phrases into natural, connected prose:

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical importance:

• And (Addition): Links similar ideas (I packed my swimming goggles and my towel).
• But (Contrast): Introduces a contrasting fact (He studied hard, but he found the test difficult).
• So (Result): Introduces an outcome or consequence (It began to rain, so we went into the museum).
• Or (Alternative): Presents choices or options (Would you prefer to play tennis or go swimming?).

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing cause, contrast, time, or condition:

• Because (Reason): Explains cause (We stayed home because the storm was dangerous).
• Although (Concession): Concedes an opposing truth (Although the tickets were expensive, the hall was full). When although begins a sentence, use a comma after the first clause. Cambridge's A2 inventory lists and, but, or, when, where, because and if as the core connectives, so make those automatic first; although is a useful extra.
• If (Condition): Sets a condition (If you need extra help, ask the teacher after class).
• When (Time Point): Identifies a specific event in time (I will call you when the train arrives).
• While (Duration): Highlights actions occurring over the same timeframe (While the teacher was speaking, students took notes).
• Before & After (Sequencing): Establishes chronological order (Wash your hands before eating lunch / After finishing his homework, Lucas played video games).

---

Prepositions of Time and Place: The IN-ON-AT Triangle

Prepositions of time and place follow the IN-ON-AT Triangle Framework, which moves from broad/general (in) to intermediate/specific (on) to exact/pinpoint (at):

        ▲
       / \      AT: Exact / Pinpoint (Time: at 4 o'clock; Place: at home)
      /   \
     / ON  \    ON: Days / Dates / Surfaces (Time: on Tuesday; Place: on the bus)
    /       \
   /   IN    \  IN: Broad / Enclosed (Time: in May; Place: in the kitchen)
  ─────────────

Prepositions of Time

• In (Broad Periods):
  • Months & Seasons: in May, in August, in summer, in winter
  • Years & Centuries: in 2026, in the 21st century
  • Parts of the Day: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening (Exception: at night)
  • Future Duration: in ten minutes, in two weeks
• On (Specific Days and Dates):
  • Days of the Week: on Tuesday, on Saturdays
  • Calendar Dates: on August 15th, on June 4th
  • Special Named Days: on my birthday, on Christmas Day
  • Day + Part of Day: on Friday morning, on Sunday evening
• At (Precise Points in Time):
  • Clock Times: at 4 o'clock, at half past seven
  • Meal & Holiday Seasons: at lunchtime, at Christmas (the season, vs. on Christmas Day)
  • Fixed Phrases: at the weekend, at the moment, at night

Prepositions of Place

• In (Enclosed 3D Spaces, Towns, Countries): in the kitchen, in the garden, in London, in Spain, in a taxi, in bed.
• On (Surfaces, Floors, Public Transit): on the table, on the wall, on the second floor, on the bus, on the train, on the plane.
• At (Specific Points, Addresses, Institutions): at home, at school, at 42 Park Road, at the bus stop, at the cinema.

---

High-Utility Dependent Prepositions

Many adjectives and verbs require a specific dependent preposition before a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form):

Adjective + Preposition Combinations

• Good at / Bad at: Describes talent or skill (She is good at maths and bad at singing).
• Interested in: Expresses curiosity or hobbies (My brother is interested in photography).
• Afraid of: Communicates fear (Are you afraid of spiders?).
• Famous for: Identifies reasons for renown (The city is famous for its ancient castle).
• Proud of: Expresses satisfaction (Our parents were proud of our exam results).
• Excited about: Anticipates a positive event (The students are excited about the school trip).
• Worried about: Expresses anxiety (Do not be worried about making mistakes).
• Bored with / Tired of: Expresses loss of interest (I am bored with this computer game).

Verb + Preposition Combinations

• Look forward to: Anticipates with pleasure; takes a noun or gerund (I look forward to meeting you).
• Wait for: We waited for the bus for twenty minutes.
• Listen to: I like listening to pop music while exercising.
• Belong to: Does this blue jacket belong to you?
• Ask for: If you are lost, ask a police officer for help.
• Pay for: How much did you pay for those shoes?
• Depend on: Our weekend picnic depends on the weather.

---

High-Frequency Verb Collocations: Make, Do, Take & Have

Examiners assess whether candidates use authentic English collocations rather than literal word-for-word translations:

Make vs. Do

• Make (Create, produce, build, or cause an action): make a mistake, make friends, make a decision, make a phone call, make a noise, make breakfast / dinner, make tea, make an appointment, make the bed.
• Do (Execute tasks, obligations, chores, and sports): do homework, do housework, do the washing-up, do sport, do athletics, do an exercise, do your best, do a favor.

Take

The verb take combines with nouns for activities, transit, and time:

• take a photo / picture, take an exam / test, take time, take a bus / train, take medicine, take a seat, take care of.

Have

The verb have pairs with daily routines, meals, and social experiences:

• have lunch / dinner / breakfast, have fun, have a party, have a good time, have a shower, have a rest, have a cold.

---

Collocations & Prepositions Reference Table