Prepositions

● Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence.

● Many prepositions tell you where something is or when something happened.

● Most prepositions have several definitions, so the meaning changes quite a bit

in different contexts.

● Ending a sentence with a preposition is not a grammatical error.

● There are more than 100 prepositions in the English language.

Prepositions tell us where or when something is in relation to something else. When

monsters are approaching, it’s good to have these special words to tell us where

those monsters are. Are they behind us or in front of us? Will they be arriving in

three seconds or at midnight?

A nice way to think about prepositions is as the words that help glue a sentence
together. They do this by expressing position and movement, possession, time
and how an action is completed.

Learning about prepositions and using them correctly in sentences takes

practice. Because the translation is often impossible when dealing with
prepositions, even the most advanced English students have some difficulty at
first.

Prepositions often tell us where one noun is in relation to another:

● The coffee is on the table beside you.
But they can also indicate more abstract ideas, such as purpose or contrast:
● We went for a walk despite the rain.
 There are two very important rules to remember when
using prepositions
● The first rule is that to make sentences clear, specific prepositions are needed. For
example, the preposition in means one thing and the preposition on cannot substitute
for it in all cases. Some prepositions are interchangeable but not always. The correct
preposition means one particular thing and using a different proposition will give the
sentence a very different meaning.
● I want to see you in the house now, Bill! means something very different from I want to
see you on the house now, Bill!
● The second rule for using prepositions is that prepositions are generally followed by
nouns or pronouns.
Types of prepositions

Prepositions indicate direction, time, location, and spatial relationships, as well as

other abstract types of relationships.

Direction: Look to the left and you’ll see our destination.

Time: We’ve been working since this morning.

Location: We saw a movie at the theater.

Space: The dog hid under the table.

Preposition examples

There’s no reliable formula for determining which preposition to use with a particular
combination of words. The best way to learn which prepositions go with which words
is to read as much high-quality writing as you can and pay attention to which
combinations sound right.

● I should rewrite the introduction of my essay.

● Sam left his jacket in the car.
● Did you send that letter to your mother?
● We’re cooking for ten guests tonight.
● Dan ate lunch with his boss.
 Ending a sentence with a preposition

● There’s no one else to hide behind. (Grammatically correct and natural)

● There’s no one else behind whom to hide. (Grammatically correct, but unnatural)
● Where did you come from? (Grammatically correct and natural)
● From where did you come? (Grammatically correct, but unnatural)

That said, it is sometimes more elegant to move a preposition to an earlier spot in a

sentence, especially in very serious and formal writing. But if you do move the
preposition, remember to delete it from the end.

● This is something we must meditate on.

● This is something on which we must meditate.
● This is something on which we must meditate on.
 Unnecessary prepositions
One of the most common preposition mistakes is adding an unnecessary at to the end of a question.

● Where is your brother at?

Getting rid of the prepositions forces you to tighten up the sentence. The result is shorter, more direct,
and easier to understand:

For many people, the reality of an entry into a new area of employment is cause for a host of anxieties. →
Changing careers makes many people anxious.

Alex hit the baseball up over the fence. - Get rid of the up. You don’t need it. → Alex hit the baseball over
the fence.

● I prefer to read in the library.

● He climbed up the ladder to get onto the roof.
● Please sign your name on the dotted line after you read the contract.
● Go down the stairs and through the door.
● He swam across the pool.
● Take your brother with you.
Prepositions of Time
Basic examples of time prepositions include: at, on, in, before, and after.
They are used to help indicate when something happened, happens or will
happen. It can get a little confusing though, as many different prepositions
can be used.
● I was born on July 4th, 1982.
● I was born in 1982.
● I was born at exactly 2am.
● I was born two minutes before my twin brother.
● I was born after the Great War ended.
There is a set of guidelines that can help decide which preposition to use:

For years, months, seasons, centuries and times of day, use the preposition in:
● I first met John in 1987.
● It’s always cold in January
● Easter falls in spring each year.
● The Second World War occurred in the 20th century.
● We eat breakfast in the morning.

For days, dates, and specific holiday days, use the preposition on.

● We go to school on Mondays, but not on Sundays.

● Christmas is on December 25th.
● Buy me a present on my birthday.
For times, indicators of exception and festivals, use the preposition at:
● Families often argue at Christmas time.
● I work faster at night.
● Her shift finished at 7pm.

Before and after should be much easier to understand than the other examples of prepositions of
time. Both are used to explain when something happened, happens or will happen, but specifically
in relation to another thing.
● Before I discovered this bar, I used to go straight home after work.
● We will not leave before 3pm.
● David comes before Bryan in the line, but after Louise.

Other prepositions of time could include: During, about, around, until, and throughout.
● The concert will be staged throughout the month of May.
● I learned how to ski during the holidays.
● He usually arrives around 3pm.
● It was about six in the morning when we made it to bed.
● The store is open until midnight.
 Prepositions of Place
The most common prepositions to indicate time – on, at, in – are also the most common prepositions to
indicate position. However, the rules are a little clearer as place prepositions are a more rigid concept than time
prepositions.
● The cat is on the table.
● The dogs are in the kennel.
● We can meet at the crossroads.

On is used when referring to something with a surface:

● The sculpture hangs on the wall.
● The images are on the page.
● The specials are on the menu, which is on the table.

In is used when referring to something that is inside or within confined boundaries. This could be anything,
even a country:
● Jim is in France, visiting his aunt in the hospital.
● The whiskey is in the jar in the fridge.
● The girls play in the garden.
 Prepositions of Place
At is used when referring to something at a specific point:
● The boys are at the entrance at the movie theater.
● He stood at the bus stop at the corner of Water and High streets.
● We will meet at the airport.

Lots of other prepositions of place, such as under, over, inside, outside, above, and
below are used in English.
● The cat is under the table.
● Put the sandwich over there.
● The key is locked inside the car.
● They stepped outside the house.
● Major is ranked above corporal.
● He is waving at you from below the stairs.
 Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement are quite easy to understand as they are less abstract than
prepositions of place and time. They describe how something or someone moves from
one place to another. The most commonly used preposition of movement is to, which
usually serves to highlight that there is movement towards a specific destination.

● He has gone on vacation to France.

● She went to the bowling alley every Friday last summer.
● I will go to bed when I am tired.
● They will go to the zoo if they finish their errands.
 Prepositions of Movement
Other more specific prepositions of movement include: through, across, off, down, and into. These
prepositions can sometimes get mixed up with others.
Across refers to moving from one side to another.
● Mike traveled across America on his motorcycle.
● Rebecca and Judi are swimming across the lake.

Through refers to moving directly inside something and out the other end.
● The bullet Ben shot went through the window.
● The train passes through the tunnel.

Into refers to entering or looking inside something.

● James went into the room.
● They stare into the darkness.

Up, over, down, past, and around indicate directions of movement:

● Jack went up the hill.
● Jill came tumbling down after.
● We will travel over rough terrain on our way to Grandma’s house.
● The horse runs around the track all morning.
● A car zoomed past a truck on the highway
Prepositions with Nouns
There isn’t a set rule about nouns and dependent prepositions, although they
normally follow the noun.
● He displayed cruelty towards his dog.
● She had knowledge of physics.
● The trouble with Jack.
● 21 is the age at which you are allowed to drink.
● Bolt made another attempt at the world record.
● The police held an inquiry into the murder.
Prepositions with Verbs
Prepositional verbs – the phrasal combinations of verbs and prepositions – are important parts of speech.
The prepositions again act as links between the verb and noun or gerund, giving extra meaning to the
sentence.
Verb + to:
● He admitted to the charge.
● I go to Vancouver on vacation twice a year.
● William can relate to the character in the play.
Verb + for:
● He must apologize for his actions.
● We searched for ages before we found the perfect apartment.
● I provide for my family by working two jobs.
Verb + with:
● I don’t agree with your claim.
● The lawyer said he will meet with your representatives.
● They began with a quick warm-up.
Verb + of:
● I dream of a better life.
● Have you heard of Shakespeare?
● The bread consists of dough, raisins, and a little honey.
Verb + in:
● Does Rick believe in miracles?
● Fallon lives in New York.
● The bus accident resulted in my being late to work.
Verb + at:
● We arrived at our destination.
● Ilene excels at singing.
● Will the baby smile at her mother?
Verb + on:
● We should really concentrate on our studies now.
● Helen insisted on Brenda’s company.
● Morris experimented on some canvas.
Verb + from:
● Since turning 80, she suffers from lapses in concentration.
● Dad retired from the navy in the 1970s.
● Billy Bob, please refrain from doing that.
Prepositions with Adjectives

Prepositions can form phrases with adjectives to give further context to the action,
emotion, or thing the adjective is describing. Like verbs and nouns, adjectives can
be followed by: to, about, In, for, with, at, and by.

● I am happily married to David.

● Ellie is crazy about this movie.
● Michelle is interested in politics.
● We are sorry for your loss.
● Jane will be delighted with her results.
● Is he still angry at the world?
● The entire room was astonished by the election results.
1. The bone was _______ the dog. 3. Please put the vase ________ the table.
a. About a. In

b. For b. On

c. After c. For
d. Over
d. Considering

4. I received a present ________ Janet.

2. We are going on vacation _______
August. a. From

a. On b. Of
c. By
b. At
d. About
c. In
d. Since
5. School begins ________ Monday.
a. In b. On c. From d. Since
Aboard As Despite Like Since With

About At Down Minus Than Within

Before Near
Above During Through Without
Behind Of
Absent Except To Worth
Off
Across Below Excepting Toward
On
Beneath
After Excluding Towards
Onto
Beside
Against Failing Opposite Under
Besides
Along Following Outside Underneath
Between
Alongside For Over Unlike
Beyond
Amid From Past Until
But
Per
Among Given Up
By Plus
Amongst In Upon
Circa Regarding
Anti Concerning Inside Versus
Round
Around Considering Into Save Via