Understanding Prepositions: Definition, Types, and Usage

Prepositions are essential components of the English language, acting as the glue that connects words and phrases within a sentence. Mastering the use of prepositions is crucial for clear and effective communication, as they provide vital information about relationships between nouns, pronouns, and other sentence elements.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to prepositions, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently use prepositions in your writing and speaking.

This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers. It will also benefit teachers looking for a structured resource to teach prepositions.

By the end of this article, you will have a solid understanding of what prepositions are, how they function, and how to use them correctly in various contexts. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Definition of Prepositions
• Structural Breakdown of Prepositions
• Types and Categories of Prepositions
  • Prepositions of Time
  • Prepositions of Place
  • Prepositions of Movement
  • Prepositions of Manner
  • Prepositions of Purpose
• Examples of Prepositions
  • Examples of Prepositions of Time
  • Examples of Prepositions of Place
  • Examples of Prepositions of Movement
  • Examples of Prepositions of Manner
  • Examples of Prepositions of Purpose
• Usage Rules for Prepositions
• Common Mistakes with Prepositions
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Identifying Prepositions
  • Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Preposition
  • Exercise 3: Using Prepositions in Context
• Advanced Topics in Prepositions
  • Prepositional Verbs
  • Stranded Prepositions
  • Double Prepositions
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition of Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition) to other words in a sentence. It indicates the relationship between the noun or pronoun and other elements, often expressing location, time, direction, or manner. Prepositions typically come before the noun or pronoun they govern, hence the name “pre-position.” Understanding prepositions is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences. Without prepositions, it would be difficult to express relationships between objects, people, and ideas.

Prepositions play a crucial role in providing context and clarity to sentences. They act as bridges, linking nouns or pronouns to other parts of the sentence and specifying the nature of their relationship.

For example, the preposition “on” in the phrase “the book on the table” tells us where the book is located. Similarly, the preposition “after” in “the meeting after lunch” indicates the timing of the meeting.

These seemingly small words carry significant weight in shaping the meaning of a sentence.

Structural Breakdown of Prepositions

The structure involving a preposition is often referred to as a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase consists of the preposition itself and its object, which is usually a noun or pronoun. It can also include modifiers that describe the object. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or adverb, providing additional information about other elements in the sentence. Understanding the structure of prepositional phrases is essential for correctly interpreting and constructing sentences.

A basic prepositional phrase follows the pattern: Preposition + (Modifiers) + Noun/Pronoun. For instance, in the phrase “with great enthusiasm,” “with” is the preposition, “great” is the modifier, and “enthusiasm” is the noun. This phrase acts as an adverb, modifying the verb in the sentence. Recognizing this structure allows you to identify and understand the role of prepositional phrases in a sentence, contributing to better comprehension and writing skills. Let’s look at some further examples.

Here are some further examples of prepositional phrases, illustrating how they function within sentences:

• At the park (preposition + noun)
• In the morning (preposition + noun)
• On the table (preposition + noun)
• By the river (preposition + noun)
• With a smile (preposition + noun)
• Through the forest (preposition + noun)
• Under the bridge (preposition + noun)
• Over the rainbow (preposition + noun)
• Around the corner (preposition + noun)
• Before the storm (preposition + noun)

Types and Categories of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. The most common categories are prepositions of time, place, movement, manner, and purpose.

Each category helps to provide a different type of context and understanding within a sentence.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time indicate when something happens, happened, or will happen. Common examples include at, on, in, before, after, during, until, since, and by. These prepositions help to specify the temporal relationship between events or actions. The correct use of prepositions of time is crucial for clear and accurate communication about schedules, deadlines, and durations.

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place indicate the location or position of something. Examples include at, on, in, above, below, under, beside, between, among, near, and behind. These prepositions help to describe spatial relationships and provide context about where things are situated. Mastering prepositions of place is essential for giving directions, describing scenes, and understanding spatial arrangements.

Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement indicate the direction or path of movement. Common examples include to, from, into, out of, through, across, along, up, down, and around. These prepositions help to describe how things move from one place to another. Using these prepositions correctly allows you to create vivid and accurate descriptions of motion and direction.

Prepositions of Manner

Prepositions of manner indicate how something is done or how something occurs. Examples include by, with, and in. These prepositions describe the method or way in which an action is performed. Prepositions of manner add detail and clarity to descriptions of actions, helping to convey the specific way something is accomplished.

Prepositions of Purpose

Prepositions of purpose indicate the reason or intention behind an action. Examples include for and to (when used to indicate purpose). These prepositions explain why something is done or what the goal of an action is. Using prepositions of purpose enhances the clarity and understanding of motivations and objectives within a sentence.

Examples of Prepositions

To solidify your understanding, let’s explore a variety of examples for each category of prepositions. These examples will illustrate how prepositions function in different contexts and how they contribute to the overall meaning of a sentence.

Examples of Prepositions of Time

The following table provides detailed examples of prepositions of time used in sentences. Each example illustrates how the preposition indicates a specific temporal relationship.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	The meeting is at 9 AM.
On	The event is on Monday.
In	She was born in 1990.
Before	Please submit your work before Friday.
After	We will meet after the conference.
During	It rained during the entire trip.
Until	I will wait until you arrive.
Since	He has been working here since 2010.
By	The report is due by next week.
From…to	The store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
For	They have been married for 20 years.
Within	The package will arrive within three days.
Over	We talked over dinner.
Around	I’ll be home around 6 PM.
Past	It’s past midnight.
Throughout	The museum is open throughout the year.
Up to	Up to now, everything has gone smoothly.
As of	As of today, the project is complete.
Between	The deadline falls between Monday and Wednesday.
Concerning	Concerning the schedule, there might be a slight change.
In between	There’s a short break in between the two sessions.
Per	The medication is to be taken twice per day.
Prior to	Prior to the meeting, review the agenda.
Subsequent to	Subsequent to the announcement, questions were raised.
Upon	Upon arrival, please check in at the front desk.
Pending	The decision is pending pending further review.
Toward	We will start the project toward the end of the month.
From	From that day on, everything changed.

Examples of Prepositions of Place

This table provides examples of prepositions of place, demonstrating how they are used to indicate location or position.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	She is at the library.
On	The book is on the table.
In	The cat is in the box.
Above	The picture is above the fireplace.
Below	The temperature is below zero.
Under	The cat is sleeping under the bed.
Beside	He sat beside her.
Between	The house is between the two trees.
Among	She felt lost among the crowd.
Near	The store is near the school.
Behind	The car is parked behind the building.
In front of	The bus stop is in front of the museum.
Inside	Please come inside the house.
Outside	The children are playing outside.
Over	The plane flew over the city.
Around	There’s a fence around the garden.
Across	The bank is across the street.
Along	They walked along the beach.
Through	The train went through the tunnel.
Opposite	The cafe is opposite the park.
Adjacent to	The building is adjacent to the library.
Within	The information is within this document.
Beyond	The mountains lie beyond the horizon.
Throughout	Security cameras are placed throughout the building.
Toward	The city is located toward the north.
Off	The island is located off the coast.
Bellow	The basement is located bellow the ground floor.
Underneath	The roots extend underneath the surface.

Examples of Prepositions of Movement

Here are examples of prepositions of movement, showing how they describe the direction or path of motion.

Preposition	Example Sentence
To	I am going to the store.
From	He came from Italy.
Into	She walked into the room.
Out of	He ran out of the house.
Through	The car drove through the tunnel.
Across	They swam across the river.
Along	We walked along the path.
Up	He climbed up the hill.
Down	She walked down the stairs.
Around	The dog ran around the tree.
Toward	They are walking toward the beach.
Over	The bird flew over the house.
Past	He drove past the school.
Under	The cat crawled under the fence.
Off	The book fell off the table.
Onto	The cat jumped onto the roof.
Away from	He moved away from the crowd.
Towards	The ship sailed towards the horizon.
Beyond	The path leads beyond the mountains.
About	He wandered about the city.
Against	The waves crashed against the shore.
At	She aimed the arrow at the target.
On	The hiker continued on the trail.
From under	He pulled the toy from under the sofa.
From within	The sound echoed from within the cave.
Off of	He took the picture off of the wall.
Out from under	The rabbit darted out from under the bush.
Through out	The dancers moved through out the stage.

Examples of Prepositions of Manner

This table illustrates the use of prepositions of manner, which describe how something is done.

Preposition	Example Sentence
By	She traveled by train.
With	He wrote the letter with a pen.
In	They spoke in a whisper.
Without	He completed the task without help.
Like	He ran like the wind.
Through	She achieved success through hard work.
According to	According to the rules, we must wear uniforms.
On	They agreed on the terms.
Against	She leaned against the wall.
Among	The decision was made among the committee members.
For	He is known for his honesty.
As	She worked as a teacher.
Under	The project was completed under budget.
Via	We contacted them via email.
Out of	He did it out of kindness.
From	She spoke from experience.
Underneath	The treasure was hidden underneath a rock.
Despite	Despite the rain, they continued.
Given	Given the circumstances, we must proceed carefully.
Minus	The answer is correct, minus a few minor details.
Plus	The answer is correct, plus some extra information.
Sans	He left sans his umbrella.
Touch	The painting was done touch by touch.
Versus	The competition was man versus nature.
With respect to	With respect to the rules, we must comply.

Examples of Prepositions of Purpose

The following table provides examples of prepositions of purpose, explaining the reason or intention behind an action.

Preposition	Example Sentence
For	He bought a gift for his mother.
To	She went to the store to buy milk.
In order to	They studied hard in order to pass the exam.
So as to	She arrived early so as to get a good seat.
With the intention of	He saved money with the intention of buying a house.
Because of	The game was canceled because of the rain.
Due to	The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances.
On account of	He couldn’t attend on account of his illness.
For the sake of	They sacrificed everything for the sake of their children.
Toward	He contributed money toward the charity.
In view of	In view of the situation, we must act quickly.
For fear of	They stayed inside for fear of getting wet.
With regard to	With regard to your request, we will consider it.
About	The book is about history.
Regarding	Regarding the proposal, we have some concerns.
In pursuit of	They traveled the world in pursuit of adventure.
With a view to	He invested money with a view to future profits.
For the purpose of	The meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the budget.
With an eye to	She decorated the house with an eye to elegance.
For want of	The project failed for want of funding.
In aid of	The concert was held in aid of the charity.
With the goal of	They worked hard with the goal of success.
To the end that	He worked hard to the end that he could retire early.
With the object of	They collected data with the object of analyzing it.
For the reason that	He declined the offer for the reason that he was too busy.
In the hope of	She applied for the job in the hope of getting it.
With respect to	With respect to your question, I will answer it later.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

Using prepositions correctly involves understanding specific rules and guidelines. Here are some key usage rules to keep in mind:

• Prepositions are followed by a noun or pronoun: The preposition must always be followed by its object. For example, “to the store,” “with him,” “on the table.”
• Prepositions of time: Use “at” for specific times (e.g., at 3 PM), “on” for days (e.g., on Monday), and “in” for months, years, and seasons (e.g., in July, in 2020, in the summer).
• Prepositions of place: Use “at” for specific locations (e.g., at the door), “on” for surfaces (e.g., on the floor), and “in” for enclosed spaces (e.g., in the room).
• Avoid ending sentences with prepositions (generally): While not always incorrect, it’s often considered more formal to avoid “stranded prepositions.” However, this rule is often relaxed in modern English, especially in informal contexts.
• Use the correct preposition with specific verbs and nouns: Certain verbs and nouns require specific prepositions (e.g., depend on, interested in).

It’s essential to pay attention to these rules to ensure your writing is clear, accurate, and grammatically sound. While some rules have exceptions or are more flexible in informal settings, understanding the basic principles will help you make informed choices about preposition usage.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky, and even advanced learners make mistakes. Here are some common errors and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.	“Agree” is a verb and doesn’t need “am” before it in this context.
She is good at English.	She is good at English.	This is correct. “Good at” is the correct idiom.
He is interested on the topic.	He is interested in the topic.	The correct preposition to use with “interested” is “in.”
They depend of their parents.	They depend on their parents.	The correct preposition to use with “depend” is “on.”
I waited him for an hour.	I waited for him for an hour.	“Waited for” is the correct phrase.
The book is different than the movie.	The book is different from the movie.	“Different from” is generally preferred over “different than.”
Where are you at?	Where are you?	The “at” is redundant and unnecessary.
Meet me on the corner of Elm and Main.	Meet me at the corner of Elm and Main.	“At” is more appropriate for specific locations like corners.
He arrived to the party late.	He arrived at the party late.	The correct preposition to use with “arrived” is “at.”
She is afraid from spiders.	She is afraid of spiders.	The correct preposition to use with “afraid” is “of.”
The key is in the table.	The key is on the table.	When talking about something being on a surface, “on” is the correct preposition.
We discussed about the problem.	We discussed the problem.	The verb “discuss” does not need a preposition after it.
He is living on New York.	He is living in New York.	Use “in” for cities, states, and countries.
I’m looking forward to see you.	I’m looking forward to seeing you.	“Looking forward to” is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).
She insisted to go.	She insisted on going.	“Insist” is followed by “on” + a gerund.
He succeeded to win the race.	He succeeded in winning the race.	“Succeed” is followed by “in” + a gerund.
They are angry at me.	They are angry with me.	“With” is used when the anger is directed towards a person.
She is married with him.	She is married to him.	The correct preposition to use with “married” is “to.”
I prefer coffee than tea.	I prefer coffee to tea.	“Prefer” is followed by “to.”
He is accustomed with the climate.	He is accustomed to the climate.	The correct preposition to use with “accustomed” is “to.”

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid errors and improve the accuracy of your English.

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of preposition usage.

Answers are provided at the end of each exercise.

Exercise 1: Identifying Prepositions

Identify the prepositions in the following sentences. Note that some sentences may contain more than one preposition.

Question	Answer
1. The cat is sleeping under the table.	under
2. She walked to the store.	to
3. The book is on the shelf.	on
4. He arrived at the airport early.	at
5. They are going to the beach.	to
6. The keys are in my pocket.	in
7. She sat beside him during the movie.	beside, during
8. The bird flew over the house.	over
9. He came from Italy.	from
10. The picture is above the fireplace.	above
11. The meeting is scheduled for Monday.	for
12. She is known for her kindness.	for
13. They are traveling by train.	by
14. He wrote with a pen.	with
15. The store is near the school.	near

Exercise 2: Choosing the Correct Preposition

Choose the correct preposition to fill in the blank in each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. The meeting is ___ 3 PM.	a) at b) on c) in	a) at
2. She was born ___ 1995.	a) at b) on c) in	c) in
3. The event is ___ Friday.	a) at b) on c) in	b) on
4. He is interested ___ the topic.	a) at b) on c) in	c) in
5. They depend ___ their parents.	a) on b) at c) in	a) on
6. The cat jumped ___ the table.	a) on b) onto c) in	b) onto
7. She is afraid ___ spiders.	a) of b) at c ) in	a) of

Exercise 3: Using Prepositions in Context

Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions to complete the sentences. Each blank requires one preposition.

Question	Answer
1. The book is lying ___ the table.	on
2. He is going ___ the library.	to
3. The cat jumped ___ the box.	into
4. She arrived ___ the airport early.	at
5. They depend ___ their parents’ support.	on
6. The meeting will be held ___ Monday.	on
7. He is interested ___ learning new things.	in
8. She is afraid ___ the dark.	of
9. The store is located ___ the school.	near
10. The picture is hanging ___ the wall.	on

Advanced Topics in Prepositions

For advanced learners, understanding more complex aspects of preposition usage can further refine your language skills. Let’s explore prepositional verbs, stranded prepositions, and double prepositions.

Prepositional Verbs

Prepositional verbs are verbs that are always followed by a specific preposition. The preposition changes the meaning of the verb, creating a new expression. It’s crucial to learn these combinations as single units. Here are some examples:

• Look at: To direct your eyes towards something. (e.g., “Look at the painting.”)
• Listen to: To pay attention to a sound. (e.g., “Listen to the music.”)
• Depend on: To rely on someone or something. (e.g., “I depend on you.”)
• Agree with: To have the same opinion as someone. (e.g., “I agree with you.”)
• Take after: To resemble a family member. (e.g., “He takes after his father.”)

Understanding prepositional verbs is essential for accurate and idiomatic English usage. Memorizing these combinations will improve your fluency and comprehension.

Stranded Prepositions

A stranded preposition occurs when a preposition is left at the end of a sentence or clause, with its object implied or located earlier in the sentence. While traditionally frowned upon, stranded prepositions are now widely accepted in modern English, especially in informal contexts. Here are some examples:

• Who did you talk to? (The preposition “to” is stranded at the end.)
• What are you looking at? (The preposition “at” is stranded at the end.)
• This is the house I grew up in. (The preposition “in” is stranded at the end.)

While it’s generally acceptable to use stranded prepositions in spoken English and informal writing, it’s still a good idea to rephrase the sentence in more formal contexts to avoid them. For example, instead of “Who did you talk to?”, you could say “To whom did you talk?”.

Double Prepositions

Double prepositions involve using two prepositions together to convey a specific meaning. These combinations can add precision to your writing, but they should be used carefully to avoid redundancy. Here are some examples:

• Out of: Indicates movement from the inside to the outside. (e.g., “He ran out of the house.”)
• On to: Indicates movement onto a surface. (e.g., “The cat jumped on to the table.”)
• Up to: Indicates a limit or boundary. (e.g., “We can invite up to ten people.”)
• According to: Indicates a source of information. (e.g., “According to the news, it will rain tomorrow.”)

Double prepositions can be useful for conveying nuanced meanings, but it’s important to ensure they are used correctly and appropriately in your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions is essential for effective communication in English. By understanding their definition, types, usage rules, and common mistakes, you can significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing and speaking.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to context, and use available resources to enhance your knowledge. With consistent effort, you can confidently navigate the complexities of prepositions and elevate your language skills.