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The Preposition
1. Preposition is a word that shows relationship between a Noun and another word (Noun, Adjective, &
Verb) going before in the same sentence.
John is singing in the hall. (Noun-Verb relationship)
She is fond of music. (Noun-Adjective relationship)
I bought a pen for Kareem. (Noun-Noun relationship)
2. Preposition is always followed by Noun or Pronoun in the objective case. This is known as “Object
of Preposition.”
The baby is with him. (he, his)
He thinks highly of Naheed. (Naheed’s)
I dote on her. (she, hers)
3. When Preposition “of” is used to show possession, it can be followed by Possessive case.
I like that bag of yours. (you, your)
She needs this piano of mine. (my, I, me)
4. Sometimes a preposition is followed by a gerund, but not any other form of the Verb.
He has been accused of stealing money. (steal, stole, stolen, steals)
Before heading out, he went in to see his parents. (head, heads, headed)
Functions of Preposition
Prepositions can be used for multiple functions, depending upon the nature of relationship they
show. Main classes of preposition are as under; Prepositions of Time, Prepositions of Location,
Prepositions of Position, Prepositions of Direction and Movement, and Prepositions of Number.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are used to show relationship between two things with reference to time.
Main prepositions of time include; before, after, during, to/of, for, since, in, on, at.
In: is used with century, decade, year, month, & season.
Shakespeare lived in the sixteenth century. (century)
This song was very popular in the seventies. (the decade of 1970)
She was born in 1994. (year)
We came here in October. (month)
He went to London in the summer. (season)
“In” is also used with certain times of the day; in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening.
We work in the morning; and come home in the afternoon. Then we go for a walk in the evening.
On: is used with days, dates, & some special events.
She is coming on Friday. (day)
She doesn’t work on Tuesdays. (Tuesday of every week)
She was born on October 6, 1994. (date)
We met on Eid. (special event)
“On” is also used in some phrases; on time, on the dot.
He always comes on time/ on the dot. (exact minute)
At: is used for a specific time of an event.
Suleman came at ten o’clock. (specific time)
Prime Minister will address the nation at six o’clock.
“At” is also used in some fixed phrases; at night, at noon, at midnight, at midday, at present, at the
moment.
Some people work at night.
We are studying at present/ at the moment. (now)
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Before: means previous to a fixed time. After: means subsequent to a fixed time.
Ten o’clock is before eleven o’clock. Eleven o’clock is after ten o’clock.
She arrived before sunset. They reached after your departure.
During: means part of a longer period of time. To/Of: are used to show minutes before the hour.
He slept during the day. (part of the day) It’s ten to four. (3:50)
It rained during the night. (part of night) It’s fifteen of two. (1:45)
For: means the whole length or duration of time. Since: shows a point of time and onwards.
They have been there for a week. They have been here since last Thursday.
She has been working for two hours. They had been singing since Monday.
Prepositions of Location
Prepositions of location are used to show location or place of an object or person. Main
prepositions of time include; in, on, at.
In: is used with the names of continents, countries, states, cities, & towns.
Faheem lives in Europe. (continent)
They are in the USA. (country/state)
He is now in Lahore. (city/town)
“In” is also used with certain words; water, air, environment, center, middle, north, east, west, south etc.
She is in the kitchen; he is in the corner; and I am in the balcony. (room and its internal parts)
He sat in a chair. (comfortable chair)
I’m in bed. (Under the covers)
They are swimming in the water.
There is pollution in the environment.
I saw a plane in the air.
Our house is in the center of town.
New England is in the north of the United States.
Ride in the car/ small boat/ small plane/ helicopter with us. (vehicles one cannot walk around in)
On: is used with the names of street, floor of building.
She lives on Oak Street. (name of street)
I live on the fourth floor of this building. (floor of building)
“On” is also with certain words; sofa, couch, the bed, facing coast or beach, the side, left, right, surface,
north side, south side, east side, west side etc.
He is standing on the corner/ on the balcony. (an outside area)
He sat on a chair/ couch/ sofa/ stool. (straight chair)
I’m sitting on the bed. (on top of covers)
The house is on the beach/ coast. (facing it)
Afnan is on my left.
Our house is on the left side of the street.
The dog is lying on the floor. (surface)
He hung the picture on the wall. (surface)
Their shop is on the south side of the town. (south side)
I am travelling on a bus/ train/ large boat/ airplane. (vehicles one can walk around in)
He came over on his bike/ bicycle/ horse/ motorcycle/ skates. (individual vehicle)
At: is used with the names of building, house, apartment number.
She lives at the Manor. (building name)
He lives at 1260 Oak street. (house name/number)
I live at apartment number 3 on the sixth floor. (apartment number)
“At” is also used in phrases; at home, at work, at school, at church, at the beginning, at the start, at the
end etc.
He is at home. (in his own house)
She is at work. (at her job)
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I am at school. (attending classes)
Are you at church? (attending church services)
She is at the kitchen sink. (a work area inside a room)
Our house is at the beginning of the street.
Prepositions of Position
Prepositions of position are used to show the position of one object with reference to another.
Main prepositions of position include; over, above, below, beneath, under, underneath, against, by,
beside, next to, between, among, on, off, in, inside, within, out of, outside of, across from, opposite, in
front of, ahead of, in back of, behind, near, close to, far from, beyond.
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Prepositions of Direction and Movement
Prepositions of direction are used to show motion and direction of an object with respect to
another object. Main prepositions of time include; across, along, by, past, through, around, to, toward,
from, away from, back to, back from, in, into, out of, onto, off, over, down, up, with, for.
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Prepositions of Number
Prepositions of number are used to show numeral relationship between two things. Main
prepositions of number include; about, around, above, over, under, between, plus, from, by, into, of.
About/Around: means approximately; near to a number.
There are about/around three hundred people here. (290-310 people)
Shakespeare lived about/around four hundred years ago. (380-420 years ago)
Above/Over: means more than a number.
I have over a hundred books in my library. (100+)
Do you have above a hundred books? (100+)
Under: means less than a number.
The car cost me under a thousand dollars. ($800-900)
All boys under the age of eighteen are not allowed. (<18)
Between: is used for an estimated number which is higher than one number but lower than another.
The tickets will cost between twenty and twenty-five dollars. ($21-24)
Plus: indicates addition.
Five plus six equals eleven. (5+6=11)
From: indicates subtraction.
Three from eleven equals eight. (11-3+8)
By: indicates multiplication.
Three multiplied by four equals twelve. (3×4+12)
Into: indicates division.
Three into twelve equals four. (12÷3=4)
Of: indicates a fraction.
One-half of twelve is six. (1/2×12=6)
One-third of nine is three. (1/3×9=3)
Three-quarters of twelve is nine. (3/4×12=9)
Exercises
Q. Write the correct preposition in each blank.
1. Their daughter was born _______ 1998.
_______ October.
_______ the 18th.
_______ four-thirty.
_______ the afternoon.
2. I haven’t seen my friend _______ August.
3. He has (approximately) _______ five hundred dollars in cash.
4. He was here for _______ weeks.
5. Her apartment is _______ Florida.
_______ Miami.
_______ The Palms.
_______ Ocean Drive.
_______ number 407.
6. She lives _______ the fourth floor.
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7. There are (more than) _______ twenty-five people here.
8. The play starts _______ seven o’clock _______ the dot, so be sure to be here _______ six-fifty.
9. Her mother is going to be here _______ the sixteenth of July. She will be here _______ two
weeks.
10. Our neighbours always have a party _______ New Year’s Eve _______ their appartment. It
usually starts _______ ten o’clock and lasts _______ the morning.
11. She is often _______ school, or _______ work.
12. I paid (less than)_______ten dollars for this meal.
13. When she is _______ home, she is usually asleep _______ bed.
14. Some people never go out _______ night because they get up so early _______ the morning.
15. Four o’clock is _______ five o’clock.
16. The baby didn’t sleep _______ the night.
17. Right now, she is _______ the kitchen, _______ the stove, cooking.
18. I heard a noise _______ the night, but I was too sleepy to get up.
19. _______ the moment, we are trying to study.
20. The number six is _______ one and twelve.
21. Soon she will sit down _______ a dining room chair, _______ the table, _______ the corner, to
eat.
22. (7+8=15) Seven _______ eight equals fifteen.
23. (12-2=10) two _______ twelve equals ten.
24. She will probably be out _______ the balcony _______ dinner, sitting _______ a comfortable
chair.
25. The president will deliver the speech _______ Lahore, _______ June 6th, _______ 7 p.m. sharp.
