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Prepositions of English Language

Prepositions are words that connect nouns or pronouns to other words, indicating relationships of time, place, direction, or logic. Key categories include prepositions of time (in, on, at), place (in, on, at), and direction/movement (to, into, onto). Common mistakes include using double prepositions and unnecessary 'of', and practicing with exercises and mnemonics can enhance understanding.

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8 views4 pages

Prepositions of English Language

Prepositions are words that connect nouns or pronouns to other words, indicating relationships of time, place, direction, or logic. Key categories include prepositions of time (in, on, at), place (in, on, at), and direction/movement (to, into, onto). Common mistakes include using double prepositions and unnecessary 'of', and practicing with exercises and mnemonics can enhance understanding.

Uploaded by

Jerin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Prepositions

1. What Are Prepositions?


Prepositions connect nouns/pronouns to other words in a sentence, showing
relationships of time, place, direction, or logic.
Examples: in, on, at, by, for, with, between, under, over.

2.Key Rules & Categories

A. Prepositions of Time
Use these to indicate when something happens:

● In: Months, years, seasons, centuries, long periods.


Example: in July, in 2024, in winter.
● On: Days, dates, specific days.
Example: on Monday, on Christmas Day.
● At: Exact times, holidays (without "day"), night.
Example: at 9 PM, at midnight, at Easter.

Trick: Think of a triangle:

● In (biggest scope) → On (smaller) → At (smallest/point).

Exception: At night (not "in night"), in the morning/afternoon.

B. Prepositions of Place
Use these to indicate where something is:

● In: Enclosed spaces, countries, cities.


Example: in the room, in India.
● On: Surfaces, streets, public transport.
Example: on the table, on Main Street, on the bus.
● At: Specific points, addresses, events.
Example: at the door, at 123 Park Road, at the party.

Trick:

● In = 3D space (inside something).


● On = 2D surface (touching).
● At = A pinpointed location.

Exception: In bed (lying down) vs. on the bed (sitting).

C. Prepositions of Direction/Movement
Show movement from one place to another:

● To: Destination.
Example: She went to the park.
● Into: Entering something.
Example: He jumped into the pool.
● Onto: Moving to a surface.
Example: The cat climbed onto the roof.
● From: Starting point.
Example: I came from school.

Trick: Visualize movement:

● To = Arrow pointing toward a place.


● Into = Arrow entering a space.

D. Tricky Prepositions

● By vs. With:
○ By = method/agent (passive voice).
Example: The book was written by her.
○ With = tool/companion.
Example: She cut the cake with a knife.
● Between vs. Among:

○ Between = 2 things.
Example: Choose between tea and coffee.
○ Among = 3+ things.
Example: Share the sweets among the kids.

3. Fast-Learning Tricks

4. Use Mnemonics:

○ In-On-At Triangle for time/place.


○ FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) – but note these are conjunctions, not prepositions.
5. Common Collocations:

○ Adjective + Preposition:
■ good at, afraid of, interested in, proud of.
○ Verb + Preposition:
■ listen to, depend on, apologize for.
6. Visualize Prepositions:

○ Draw a box: in (inside), on (surface), under (below).


7. Phrasal Verbs:

○ Memorize common ones: look up, give up, run out of.
8. Sing the Preposition Song:

○ List prepositions to a tune (e.g., "Yankee Doodle"):


"About, above, across, after, against, along..."

4. Practice Exercises

5. Fill in the blanks:

○ She’s allergic ___ cats. (to)


○ We’ll meet ___ Friday ___ 7 PM. (on, at)
6. Spot the mistake:

○ ✗ I’m good in math.


○ ✓ I’m good at math.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid


● Double Prepositions:
✗ Where are you at? → ✓ Where are you?
● Unnecessary "Of":
✗ She jumped off of the wall. → ✓ She jumped off the wall.
6. Cheat Sheet

Type Prepositions Example

Time in, on, at, for, since in July, at noon

Place in, on, at, under, between on the table, under the bed

Movement to, into, onto, from go to school, into the car

Final Tip:
Read and listen to English content (books, podcasts) to see prepositions in context. Practice daily with flashcards or
apps like Quizlet.

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