English 1:

Preposition
Table of Contents

 What Is a Preposition?

 Definition of a Preposition
 Uses of Prepositions
 Types of Prepositions
 Examples of Prepositions Used in Sentences
 List of Most Popular Prepositions for Everyday
Communication
 Commonly Confused 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
Based on the different uses and functions of prepositions, they can be divided into
four main types. They are as follows:

 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

To know how exactly prepositions can be used in sentences, check out the
following 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

Given below is an extensive list of prepositions that you can make use of in your
daily 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

Commonly Confused Prepositions

With the huge number of prepositions in the English language, it almost seems
impossible to have no confusion at all. Here is a list of prepositions that cause
confusion among the users of the language.

 In/On/At
These three prepositions can be used to depict both time and position. Take a look
at the table below to have a better understanding of how it works.

Prepositions of Place
In On At

Can be used to show general Can be used to refer to more Can be used to
locations like neighborhoods, cities, specific locations like streets, refer to very
countries and places with a avenues, islands, surfaces and specific locations
boundary large vehicles

For example: I live in India. For example: Latha stays on the For example: You
fourth floor. can find us at the
We will be staying in a hotel The book you are looking for park.
tonight. is on the rack. She is at home
now.
Prepositions of Time

In On At

Can be used to depict Can be used to refer to dates, Can be used to denote very
general timings like days of the week, days of the specific time, times of the day
months, years, centuries month and holidays with ‘day’ and holidays without ‘day’ (for
and parts of days (for example – Republic day) example – Easter)

For example: Dan was For example: There is a For example: We decided to
born in 2000. national parade every meet at 4 p.m.
year on Republic day. I wished my
Technological All of us will be at brother at midnight.
development in the field home on Christmas day.
of science and medicine
reached its zenith in the
21st century.

 To/From
To and from are two other prepositions that create confusion.
To From

Used to denote the end location Used to denote the starting location

For example: We went to Sri Lanka with my For example: Have you
family. started from Bangalore?
I received a letter from my father.
I gave my coat to Sandra.

 By/With
The prepositions by and with have various meanings. They sometimes appear to be
confusing for a second language learner of English

By With

Near or next to. In the company of

For example: Glint went to
For example: Is the post office by the bus Chennai with his friends.
stop?
A given time or not later than In addition to
For example: See that you reach the exam For example: would you like to have
hall by 8:30 a.m. tea with breakfast?
Denotes the doer of the action mentioned in By means of
a sentence For example: I cut my birthday cake with a
For example: The poem was written by my fruit knife.
brother.

Thanks
MR. DAHIR OK
IMAM SHAFICI UNIVERSITY