PREPOSITIONS

What Is a Preposition?

• A preposition is a short word that is

employed in sentences to show the
relationship nouns, pronouns or phrases
have with other parts within the respective
sentences. Prepositions are normally found
positioned in the latter part of the sentence,
but before a noun or pronoun.
Definition of a Preposition

• A preposition is defined as “a word that connects a noun, a

noun phrase, or a pronoun to another word, esp. to a verb,
another noun, or an adjective”, according to the Cambridge
Dictionary. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary says that a
preposition is “a word or group of words, such as in, from, to, out
of and on behalf of, used before a noun or pronoun to show
place, position, time or method.”
• The Collins Dictionary defines a preposition as “a word such as
‘by’, ‘for’, ‘into’, or ‘with’ which usually has a noun group as its
object.” The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides a slightly
different definition. According to it, a preposition is defined as “a
function word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form
a phrase which usually expresses a modification or predication.”
Uses of Prepositions

Prepositions are seen to show some key characteristics and

perform some vital functions when used in sentences. Let
us look at the various uses of prepositions in English.
• They are used to show the direction of something.
• They can refer to the time of something happening.
• They can be used to denote the position or location of an
object in the sentence.
• They are also used to represent spatial relationships.
• Prepositional phrases, in particular, can be used to do all
of these when used in sentences.
Types of Prepositions

• Prepositions of Time – used to show when

something is happening.
• For example:
• We will be meeting on Friday.
• The supermarket will be closed from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
• Can you come after some time?
• We have been asked to work from home until the end of
May.
• The whole country was asked to stay home during the
pandemic to ensure safety and well-being.
• Prepositions of Place – indicate the place or
position of something.
• For example:
• I have kept the book I borrowed from you on the table.
• Henry hid behind the door.
• The dog jumped over the fence.
• Can you place the red roses in between the white
daisies?
• He was waiting in front of the EB office.
• Prepositions of Direction – used to denote the
direction in which something travels or moves.
• For example:
• The girl ran toward her father the moment she saw
him.
• Jerry jumped into the river to help his sister.
• Veena passed the book to Priya.
• When will Salvia be returning from London?
• Neena lives across the street.
• Prepositions of Location – employed to
denote the location of a particular object.
• For example:
• Kenny would be staying at his cousin’s place for
the weekend.
• Make sure you keep all the toys back in its place
after you play.
• I lay on the floor for a really long time.
• Prepositions of Spatial Relationship – used to
denote an object’s movement away from the
source and towards a source.
• For example:
• Navya sat leaning against the wall.
• The circus was stationed opposite the children’s park.
• Lakshmi sat beneath the trees.
• Shankar sat beside the stairs.
• We spent the evening walking around the lake.
• Prepositional Phrase – a combination of a
preposition and a noun(the object it is affecting).
• For example:
• See to it that you reach the venue on time.
• The medicines you asked for are out of stock.
• Why don’t we try taking classes outside for a change.
• Make sure you fill in all the forms at once.
• Salmaan was able to finish it only with the help of his
friends.
Examples of Prepositions Used in
Sentences

• I will be going to church in the morning.

• She placed the plates on the dining table.
• Baskar found the cat hiding under the bed.
• Will you be with Raimy or Mazeeka?
• I love sitting on the beach at night.
• Rachel met Phoebe by the lake.
• Finn stood opposite Lisa.
• The grocery store is right in front of the bus stop.
• My brother climbed onto the roof.
• It feels great to sit beneath the trees and read.
List of Most Popular Prepositions for Everyday
Communication
Examples of Prepositions

On At In Over

Around Through Opposite to In front of

Behind Beneath Beside Above

Below Under Underneath Down

Up Out With Into

Onto Across After Before

Near Among Along Between

Toward Away From To

Next to By Until About
 Prepositions of Place
Commonly Confused In On At
Prepositions
Can be used to
Can be used to refer to more
show general specific
Can be used to
locations like locations like
refer to very
• These three neighbourhoods, streets,
specific
prepositions can cities, countries avenues,
locations
and places with a islands,
be used to depict boundary surfaces and
both time and large vehicles
position. Take a
For example:
look at the table For example: I
Latha stays on
For example:
below to have a live in India.
the fourth floor.
You can find us
We will be at the park.
better staying in a hotel
The book you
She is at home
understanding of are looking for is
tonight. now.
on the rack.
how it works.
 Prepositions of Time

In On At
Can be used to refer to Can be used to denote
Can be used to depict
dates, days of the week, very specific time,
general timings like
days of the month and times of the day and
months, years, centuries
holidays with ‘day’ (for holidays without ‘day’
and parts of days
example – Republic day) (for example – Easter)
For example: Dan was
born in 2000. For example: There is a For example: We
Technological national parade every decided to meet at 4
development in the field year on Republic day. p.m.
of science and medicine All of us will be at home I wished my brother at
reached its zenith in the on Christmas day. midnight.
21st century.
To From
Used to denote the end Used to denote the
location starting location
For example: We went to For example: Have you
Sri Lanka with my family. started from Bangalore?
I gave my coat to I received a letter from
Sandra. my father.
 By With
Near or next to. In the company of
For example: Is the For example: Glint
post office by the bus went to Chennai with
stop? his friends.
•By/With A given time or not
In addition to
later than
The prepositions by For example: See that
For example: would
and with have various you like to have tea
you reach the exam
with breakfast?
meanings. They hall by 8:30 a.m.
sometimes appear to Denotes the doer of
be confusing for a the action mentioned By means of
second language in a sentence For example: I cut
For example: The my birthday cake
learner of English poem was written by with a fruit knife.
my brother.