Prepositions & Its Usage Department of English

Dhaka City College

 Overview of Question Pattern

Preposition Definition with

Examples

Lecture Overview
Frequently used Prepositions

Practicing board questions

 What is Preposition?
A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun,
pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location,
spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of
prepositions are words like "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to.“
The prepositions are in bold:
• Direction: “I sent a package to you.”
• Location: “He’s at the theater.”
• Time: “It should be done by suppertime.”
• Spatial relationship: “The ball was placed before the hole.”
• Introducing an object: “We heard the howling of wolves.”
List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
on the subject of;
about Have you heard about the party?
connected with
above higher than, or over The sun is above the clouds.
from one side to the
across It's dangerous to run across the road.
other

- following something;
- The boy ran after the ball.
after behind
- I'll phone you after lunch.
- later than

- in opposition to - Stealing is against the law.

against
- in contact with - The sofa is against the wall.
 List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
along from one end to the other They are walking along the street.
amid surrounded by A church was built amid the houses.
among surrounded by Peter was among the spectators.
- in a circle - He walked around the table.
around
- near, approximately - It costs around 50 euros.
- place - Carla will wait for me at the cinema.
at - age - He left home at the age of fourteen.
- time - Driving is more difficult at night.
away (from) -at a distance from The boy ran away from home.
- earlier than - The day before yesterday.
before
- in front of - He bowed before the king.
 List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
behind at the back of -Passengers sit behind the driver.
below lower than -His shorts are below his knees.

beneath under -The pen was beneath the books.

beside next to -The bank is beside the cinema.

in the space separating
between -Mary sat between Tom and Jane.
two things
- near, at the side of - The restaurant is by the river.
by
- not later than - The boss wants the report by Friday.

close to near -The school is close to the church.

List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
down from higher to lower She pulled down the blind.
There are fewer flights during the
during through a period of time
winter.
for what is intended I bought this book for you.
where something starts or
from The wind is blowing from the north.
originates
- at a point within an area - The pen is in the drawer.
in - time - In the afternoon, in the past/future
- location/place - She works in an office in New York.
in front of directly before The child ran out in front of the bus.
inside on the inner part of The bird is inside the cage.
 List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
into enter a closed space He went into the shop.
near close to The school is near the church.
next to beside The bank is next to the cinema.
about It was a book of poems.
of
belonging to The legs of the table were black.
off down or away from He fell off the horse.
- touching a surface - The plate is on the table.
on - time - Christmas is on December 25th.
- location/place - The offices are on 5th Avenue.
move to a position on a The cat jumped onto the roof of the
onto
surface car.
opposite facing, on the other side Eva sat opposite Tom at the table.
List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
- move from a closed space - He got out of the taxi.
out of
- without - She's out of work.
- opposite of inside
outside The garden is outside the house.
- on the outer side
- above/across - The plane flew over the Atlantic.
over
- on the surface of - She put a sheet over the furniture.
past beyond She drove past the supermarket.
round in a circular movement The earth moves round the sun.
starting at a point in the
since She's been here since September.
past
through from one side to the other The Seine flows through Paris.
The virus spread throughout the
throughout in every part of
country.
to in the direct of; towards On the way to the station.
List of some prepositions with their meaning and examples
Prepositions Meaning Examples
towards in the direction of The child ran towards her father.
under beneath, below Water flows under the bridge.
underneath beneath There was dust underneath the rug.
until/till up to a certin time I'll be here until 11 o'clock.
towards or in a higher
up She walked up the stairs.
position
upon on top of something He laid the book upon the table.
-Vegetables are served with the fish.
including
with -The boss was annoyed with Tom for
as a result of
arriving late.
within inside They live within the old city.
not have, or lack
without I don't like coffee without milk.
something
Practicing Board Questions
• Complete the text with suitable prepositions. Once an English and a Bengalee
gentlemen were travelling (a) — the same train and they were in the same compartment.
The Englishman was very proud (b) — himself because he was an Englishman. He looked
(c) — upon the Bengalee gentleman who, however, took no notice (d) — it and went to
sleep (e) — peace. As soon as the Bengalee gentleman was asleep, the Englishman picked
(f) — the gentleman's shoes and threw them (g) — the window and went to sleep. When the
Bengalee gentleman woke up, he looked for his shoes and understood it. Then he took the
Englishman's long coat (h) — the wall and threw it outside the window and returned (i) —
bed laughingly. Next morning the Englishman became startled and shouted, 'Where's my
coat gone?' "Your coat has gone to fetch my shoes," said the gentleman (j) — a smile. The
Bengalee gentleman was Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee.
 Practicing Board Questions
2. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.
The science fair held (a) — our college paved a new way for us to gather
practical knowledge. Many of our friends took part (b) — the fair (c) — their
projects. We showed genuine interest (d) — them. Most of the projects were
made (e) — consistent (f) — the prevailing world situation. They were intended
(g) — acquaint us (h) — the solutions (i) — some common problems we are
facing specially in regard to the environment we live in. We were sanguine (j) —
achieving success and we really achieved it.
 Practicing Board Questions
3. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.
Syed Shamsul Haq, a legendary litterateur, was born in Kurigram (a) —
1935. He received the Bangla Academy Award (b) — the age of twenty nine.
It is noteworthy that he was the youngest (c) — all who got the Bangla
Academy Award. He was awarded the Swadhinata Padak in 2000 (d) — his
contributions (e) — Bangla literature. His literary works are included (f) —
the curricula of secondary, higher secondary and graduation level (g) —
Bangladesh. Syed Shamsul Haq was married (h) — Anwara Syed Haq who
is a member (i) — the Royal College of psychiatrists in London. This
renowned intellectual passed away (j) — 27 September in 2016 at the age
of 81.
 Practicing Board Questions
4. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.
Flowers are the excellent gift of nature. They have existed (a) — the earth
(b) — prehistoric time. Since then they have been treated (c) — the
symbol of beauty. It is an undeniable fact that flowers are used (d) —
various spheres (e) — our life. It is used mostly (f) — decoration. People
(g) — all walks of life use flowers usually (h) — national occasion and (i)
— wedding. Everyone prefers flowers (j) — expressing their love and
devotion.
 Practicing Board Questions
5. Complete the text with suitable prepositions.
A teacher is an architect (a) — a nation. He plays an important role (b) — building
up an educated nation. He dispels the darkness (c) — ignorance (d) — the lot of a
nation. He is an actor, so to speak. He has to suit his act according (e) — the need of
his audience which is his class. He is a clear speaker (f) — a good, strong and
pleasing voice which is (g) — his control. He does not sit motionless (h) — his class.
Everybody has something valuable (i) — him. A good teacher discovers the treasure
hidden inside each student. He also wants the students happy and for this he keeps
them busy. A good teacher never hankers (j) — money.
 Answer sheet
1. (a) by (b) of (c) down (d) of (e) in (f) up (g) outside/ out of
(h) off (i) to (j) with
2. (a) in (b) in (c) with (d) in (e) in (f) with (g) to (h) with (i)
to (j) of
3. (a) in (b) at (c) of (d) for (e) in/to (f) in (g) of (h) to (i) of (j)
on
4. (a) on (b) from (c) as (d) in (e) of (f) for (g) of (h) on (i) on
(j) for
5. (a) of (b) in (c) of (d) from (e) to (f) with (g) under (h)
before (i) inside/ in (j) after