Preposition
: A preposition is a word or group of words used to introduce an object or to convey direction, time, place, or location before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. Prepositions include terms such as "in," "at," "on," "of," and "to."
Prepositions in English are quite idiomatic. Although there are certain usage rules, fixed expressions affect much of the prepositional usage. In these cases, remember the phrase rather than the specific preposition.
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Riddles for Kids
What is a Preposition?
A preposition is a word or group of words that links a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun to another part of the sentence. It shows the relationship between the object of the preposition and other elements in the sentence. Prepositions are usually placed before a noun or pronoun to indicate various kinds of relationships.
In simple terms, a preposition answers questions like "Where?", "When?", and "How?" in relation to an action or an object. It establishes connections that help describe spatial, temporal, and directional aspects of the sentence.
Adverbs
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Definition of a Preposition
According to major dictionaries:
-
Cambridge Dictionary
: A preposition is "a word that connects a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun to another word, especially to a verb, another noun, or an adjective."
-
Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
: A preposition is “a word or group of words, such as in, from, to, out of and on behalf of, used before a noun or pronoun to show place, position, time, or method."
-
Collins Dictionary
: A preposition is “a word such as ‘by’, ‘for’, ‘into’, or ‘with’ which usually has a noun group as its object.”
-
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
: A preposition is "a function word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form a phrase that usually expresses a modification or predication."
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions are categorized into four main types based on their various functions and purposes. In the following sequence, they are listed:
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time show when something happens. These prepositions are used to talk about moments, durations, and time-related events.
Examples
: in, at, on, before, after, during, since, for, until
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"I will meet you
at
5 p.m."
-
"She was born
in
July."
-
"He has lived here
since
2010."
-
"We will stay
until
Sunday."
Prepositions of Place
These prepositions show the
location
or
position
of something. They answer the question “Where?”
Examples
: in, on, at, under, over, between, behind, next to, beside
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"The cat is
on
the roof."
-
"I live
in
New York."
-
"She is sitting
next to
me."
-
"The book is
under
the table."
Conjunctions
Prepositions of Direction
Prepositions of direction show
movement
or
motion
towards something. They answer the question "Where to?"
Examples
: to, toward, into, onto, across, through, up, down
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"She is walking
toward
the exit."
-
"They are going
to
the market."
-
"The bird flew
into
the tree."
Article Writing
Prepositions of Location
These prepositions refer to the
location
of something relative to other things.
Examples
: at, in, on, by, near, around, beside, under
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"She is sitting
at
the table."
-
"He lives
near
the park."
-
"The car is parked
beside
the house."
Prepositions of Spatial Relationship
These prepositions describe the relationship of objects in space, including
proximity
and
distance
.
Examples
: above, below, between, beside, against, opposite, along
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"The chair is
beside
the desk."
-
"The clock hangs
above
the door."
-
"The park is
across
the street."
Prepositions of Manner or Method
These prepositions describe the
manner
in which something is done or the
method
used.
Examples
: by, with, in, on
Examples in Sentences
:
-
"He traveled
by
car."
-
"She solved the problem
with
ease."
-
"I did it
in
five minutes."
Prepositional Phrase
A
prepositional phrase
consists of a preposition and its object, which can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. Prepositional phrases add more detail to a sentence.
Example
: “The cat is
on the table
.”
-
“On” is the preposition, and “the table” is the object of the preposition.
Example in a sentence
: “She put the keys
in the drawer
.”
-
“In” is the preposition, and “the drawer” is the object of the preposition.
Pronoun
List of Prepositions
Below is a comprehensive list of prepositions that you can use in everyday communication.
|
Examples of Prepositions
|
|
On
|
At
|
In
|
Over
|
|
Around
|
Through
|
Opposite to
|
In front of
|
|
Behind
|
Beneath
|
Beside
|
Above
|
|
Below
|
Under
|
Underneath
|
Down
|
|
Up
|
Out
|
With
|
Into
|
|
Onto
|
Across
|
After
|
Before
|
|
Near
|
Among
|
Along
|
Between
|
|
Toward
|
Away
|
From
|
To
|
|
Next to
|
By
|
Until
|
About
|
