ENGLISH LANGUAGE NOTES

PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions are words we use to show the relationship of a noun, a pronoun,

or a noun phrase with some other part of the sentence. The word preposition
means ‘that which is placed before’. Prepositions are usually placed before a
noun or a pronoun.

Types of Prepositions

There are three types of prepositions:

1.Prepositions of time:

Prepositions of time include: at, on, in, before, after, during, by, about, till,
from, for, to, since and until. They are used to indicate when something
happened, happens or will happen.

At is only used to describe specific times. It might be to describe a particular

numerical time on the clock, or it could also be used to refer to particular and
specific events or times of day.
Examples:
1.Her train is arriving at 8 o’ clock.

2.We had lunch at 11:30.

In is used in phrases that describe a more general period of time, that doesn’t
have a specific clock time or time of day.

Examples:

1. We got up very early in the morning.

2.She is planning to move in December.

3. I was born in 1989.

On is a very particular preposition of time, that is only used with specific days,
dates or named days. For instance, you would use “on” to refer to a calendar
date, a day of the week, or a special day that can be named by its significance,
such as a birthday or anniversary.

Examples:
1.Let’s all meet up on Tuesday.

2.She felt nervous on her wedding day.

3.I don’t want to work on my birthday.

From....to indicates a fixed time-span with the beginning and the end.
Example:
o I worked there from 2010 to 2017.
o I usually work from Saturday to Thursday.
o I will stay there from 10 AM to 6 PM.
o
Until/till indicates a specific or unspecific time/event up to a point.
Example:
o They will not return until Friday.
o Wait for me until I return.
o I do not give up until I am succeeded.
o I will be there until Monday.
o
Since indicates a time-span beginning in a time in the past and still continuing in
the present (now).
Example:
o Alex has been in the village since Sunday.
o He has been suffering from fever since Friday.
o Robin and Susan have been friends since childhood.
o
For indicates a period of time (amount of time) in the past, present or future.
Example:
o He stayed there for four days.
o I will be staying there for five months.
o I will work with them for a year.
o He was standing there for a long time.

Before indicates a prior event/ period of time from a point.

Example:
o Robin was very nervous before the interview.
o I want to leave before lunch.
o These batsmen should not get out before the tea break.
o Before going, close all the window.
o
After indicates a following event/period of time from a point. This preposition is
the exact opposite of before.
Example:
o Robin felt confident after the interview.
o I want to leave after lunch.
o After playing football, we went home.
o
During indicates a period of time throughout the course or duration of any event
or action.
Example:
o Robert was sleeping during the film.
o They don’t talk during dinner.
o I don’t usually smoke during office time.
o
By means ‘within the extent or period of; during’ something.
Example:
o I will complete the assignment by Sunday.
o He will return by 6 PM.

2.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 prepositions of place are a more rigid concept than prepositions of time.
Some other prepositions of place, such as under, over, inside, outside, beyond,
beside, behind, between, among, near, above and below are used in English.

In indicates something to be present in a place or enclosure. It does not say

particularly where but gives an enclosure to the noun it connects with.
Example:
o Your shirt is in the closet. (Does not indicate an exact place)
o He lives in Australia.
o Alex works in that building.
o
At indicates an exact place.
Example:
o He is at the door.
o I am standing at 13/4 George Street.
o He is at home.
o
On indicates a position above but touching the object.
Example:
o The phone is on the table. (Phone is touching with the table)
o He is on the third floor.
o Sit on the sofa.
o
Above indicates a much higher position than the preposition on does. It also
indicates something out of reach.
Example:
o The sky is above my head.
o Hold your hands above your head.
o Stars are above the sky.
o
Over means a position between on and above which is not touching.
Example:
o There are clouds over the hills.
o A bird flew over my head.
o My flat is over that shop.
o
Under is the opposite of on and means ‘below the surface of’ something.
Example:
o The cat is under the table.
o The carpet under my feet is very soft.
o That book is under my glasses.
o
Below indicates something at a slightly lower position than what under indicates.
Example:
o I have a scar just below my right eye.
o Do you see the line below the paper?
o Please, don’t write below this line.

Beside means at the side of/ next to something.

Example:
o The car beside the cycle is mine.
o He is standing beside the shop.
o I will always be beside you.
o
In front of means a position facing someone/something.
Example:
o He parked his car in front of my house.
o I have a pool in front of my resthouse.
o He was nervous in front of me.
o
Behind means at the far side of something (might be out of sight). It is opposite
of in front of.
Example:
o He parked his car behind my car.
o I have a pool behind my house.
 o Go behind that tree.

Between indicates something/someone to be in the middle of two other things or

persons.
Example:
o Alex is sitting between Robin and Robert.
o The cat is between the two boxes.
o This matter is between you and him.
o
Among indicates something/someone to be in the middle of three or more other
things or persons.
Example:
o Alex is sitting among the patients.
o He is the best among them.

Near indicates something which is close to:

Example:
The table is near the window.

Note: The words ‘above’ and ‘over’ are prepositions used to describe the
position of any person or object and also when we discuss measurements, i.e. a
level which is higher than another level on a scale. When something is above
something else, i.e. the first thing is directly perpendicular to the latter, then we
use over to indicate the position.
On the other hand, when the upper object is not in direct vertical line with the
lower object, then we use the word above to describe the location of the object.

Examples: 1. I held an umbrella over my head when it started raining.

2. Many birds fly above the clouds.
3. We have been waiting over for an hour for a table.
4. Major is ranked above corporal.

3.Prepositions of direction
Prepositions of direction are those indicative of movement. They describe how
something or someone moves from one place to another. The most commonly
used preposition of direction is to, which usually serves to highlight that there is
movement towards a specific destination. Other more specific prepositions of
direction include: through, by, for, off, into, across, against, towards, along,
up, and down.
To indicates a motion in the direction of a place.
Example:
o He went to college.
 o We are going to Mexico.
o We walked from the farm to the beach.

From indicates the point of place at which a motion, journey, or action starts.
Example:
o He came from England.
o We walked from the beach to the farm.
o He drove here from Atlanta.

Into indicates a motion towards/going inside something. It has many uses.

Example:
o He came into the house.
o The police broke into the bar.
o My car crashed into a street sign.
o
Out of means the opposite of into. It indicates a motion towards outside of
something.
Example:
o He is going out of the town.
o Get out of my house.
o Please, remain out of this. (Not indicating a place but an issue)
o
Through indicates a motion in the middle of something.
Example:
o We drove through the tunnel.
o They came through a forest.
o He came through a wedding gate
o
Across means going to the other side of a river or road or something straight.
Example:
o He went across the river.
o I walked across the road.
o My house is across the bank. (There is a road between the house and
the bank)

Towards means a motion in the direction of something literary or metaphorically.

Example:
o Take five steps towards the post and stand there.
o They moved towards the Labour Party.
o I walked towards the car when you were standing.
o
By means ‘near to or next to’ something or someone.
Example:
o He has a house by the river.
o I was standing by the car.
o My flat is by the saloon.

Up means a motion towards a higher place or position.

Example:
o We were climbing up the mountain.
o Lift your hands up.
o John is going up to London. (From a lower place of the country)
o Climb up the stairs.
o
Down indicates the opposite meaning of up. It means a motion towards a lower
place or position.
Example:
o He was walking down the river.
o I am climbing down the hill.
o Go down the stairs.

Against shows pressure or contact:

Example:
The boy is leaning against the wall.
Off shows separation:
Example:
He fell off the horse.
The ball rolled off the table.
Prepositions of Manner: ‘with, by, without’
Prepositions of Cause and Purpose: ‘of and for’

EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks using prepositions:

1. This house was built _______ 1999.

2. The boy is running ______________ the hill.
3. He fell __________ the horse.
4. Somebody is standing ___________ the gate.
5. We drove ___________ the tunnel.
6. He died ___________ a heart attack.
7. The boy is leaning ____________ the wall.
8. The cat is climbing ___________ the tree.
9. The crocodile swam ________ the river.
10. He fell asleep ________ the lesson.
11. The man is walking _________ the road.
12. Some trains are run _______ electricity.
13. The bullet, Ben shot went ________________ the window.
14. The lunch hour is __________ twelve and one o’clock.
15. The rich should not look _________ upon the poor.
16. Please look ____ the matter carefully.