Prepositions

 

1     6. Prepositions

A preposition is defined as “a word that connects a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun to another word, esp. to a verb, another noun, or an adjective”,Here’s another example: She put the pizza in the oven. Without the preposition in, we don’t know where the pizza is. 

·           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.

1.1.1.1   What Is a Preposition?

A preposition is a short word that is employed in sentences to show the relationship of nouns, pronouns or phrases with other parts within the respective sentences.

Thank goodness for prepositions. Imagine not knowing where the danger lay….

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?

Prepositions often tell us where one noun is in relation to another (e.g., The coffee is on the table beside you). But they can also indicate more abstract ideas, such as purpose or contrast (e.g., We went for a walk despite the rain).

1.1.1.2   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.

1.1.1.3   Preposition Examples

Unfortunately, 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. Here are a few examples of the most common prepositions used in sentences.

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.

From where did you come? (Grammatically correct, but unnatural)

1.1.1.3.1     Examples of Prepositions Used in Sentences

To know how exactly prepositions can be used in sentences, check out the following sentences.

• I will be going to church in the morning.
• She placed the plates on the dining table.
• Baskar found the cat hiding under the bed.
• Will you be with Raimy or Mazeeka?
• I love sitting on the beach at night.
• Rachel met Phoebe by the lake.
• Finn stood opposite Lisa.
• The grocery store is right in front of the bus stop.
• My brother climbed onto the roof.
• It feels great to sit beneath the trees and read.

Now that you know what prepositions are and how they are used in sentences, try working out preposition exercises, preposition of time exercises

1.1.1.3.2   List of Most Popular Prepositions for Everyday Communication

Given below is an extensive list of prepositions that you can make use of in your daily 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

1.1.1.3.2.1     Commonly Confused Prepositions

With the huge number of prepositions in the English language, it almost seems impossible to have no confusion at all. Here is a list of prepositions that cause confusion among the users of the language.

1.1.1.4   In/On/At

These three prepositions can be used to depict both time and position. Take a look at the table below to have a better understanding of how it works.

Prepositions of Place
In		On		At
Can be used to show general locations like neighbourhoods, cities, countries and places with a boundary		Can be used to refer to more specific locations like streets, avenues, islands, surfaces and large vehicles		Can be used to refer to very specific locations
For example: I live in India. We will be staying in a hotel tonight.		For example: Latha stays on the fourth floor. The book you are looking for is on the rack.		For example: You can find us at the park. She is at home now.
Prepositions of Time
In	On		At
Can be used to depict general timings like months, years, centuries and parts of days	Can be used to refer to dates, days of the week, days of the month and holidays with ‘day’ (for example – Republic day)		Can be used to denote very specific time, times of the day and holidays without ‘day’ (for example – Easter)
For example: Dan was born in 2000. Technological development in the field of science and medicine reached its zenith in the 21st century.	For example: There is a national parade every year on Republic day. All of us will be at home on Christmas day.		For example: We decided to meet at 4 p.m. I wished my brother at midnight.

1.1.1.5   To/From

To and from are two other prepositions that create confusion.

To	From
Used to denote the end location	Used to denote the starting location
For example: We went to Sri Lanka with my family. I gave my coat to Sandra.	For example: Have you started from Bangalore? I received a letter from my father.

1.1.1.6   By/With

The prepositions by and with have various meanings. They sometimes appear to be confusing for a second language learner of English

By	With
Near or next to. For example: Is the post office by the bus stop?	In the company of For example: Glint went to Chennai with his friends.
A given time or not later than For example: See that you reach the exam hall by 8:30 a.m.	In addition to For example: would you like to have tea with breakfast?
Denotes the doer of the action mentioned in a sentence For example: The poem was written by my brother.	By means of For example: I cut my birthday cake with a fruit knife.

On :
On (refers a surface of something)- I kept the dishes on the dining table.
On (specifies days and dates)- I will come on Monday.
Radha was born on 15th August.
On (refers TV or other devices)- She is on the phone.
My favorite movie will be on TV now.
On (refers the parts of the body) — I keep wearing my wedding ring on my finger.
On (to refer a state)- The products available in the store are on sale.

At :
At (to indicate a place)- There are a good number of people at the park.
At (to refer an email address)- Please mail in detail @ (at) radha@def.com
At (to refer a time) — Meet me at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
At (indicate one’s activity)-John laughed at my acting in the play.

In :
In (to indicate a location)- I am in my friend’s place now.
In (used while doing something) — The tagline should be catchy in marketing a product.
In (to indicate opinion, belief, feeling, etc.)- I believe in hardworking.
In (specify day, month, season, year) — I prefer to do Maths in the morning.
The new academic session will commence in March.
In (to indicate color, shape and size) — This dress comes in four sizes.

To :
To (to indicate the direction, place)- The friends went to the restaurant.
I am heading to my college.
To (to indicate relationship) — Do not respond to the annoying persons.
Your answer is important to me.
To (to indicate a limit) — The old newspapers were piled up to the roof.
To (to refer a period) — I am here from 10 to 5.

Of :
Of (to indicate relating to, belonging to) — I always dreamed of being famous.
Of (to indicate reference) — This is a picture of my last birthday.
Of (to specify the number or an amount) — A good number of people understand Hindi.

For :
For (to indicate the reason or because of) — I am really happy for you.
For (to indicate the duration or time) — I attended the session for one year only.
For (specify the use of something) — She is preparing for her final exam.

1.1.1.6.1    

1.1.1.6.2               Prepositions of Time Usage

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Prepositions of time show the relationship of time between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.

Common preposition of time: On, at, in, from, to, for, since, ago, before, till/until, by, etc. are the most common.

 

1.1.1.7   AT, ON, IN

1.1.2                   AT:

At always indicates an exact and specific time.

Example:

o   I started working at 10 AM.

o   The movie starts at 6 PM.

o   The shop closes at 30 AM.

Note: Exceptions are that we say – at the weekend, at night, at Chrismas, at Easter, at the moment, etc.

1.1.3                   On:

On generally indicates a fixed date or a day.

Example:

o   I’ll see her on Friday.

o   He broke a record on Monday morning.

o   I have a meeting on 25 October. 

1.1.4                   In:

In generally indicates an indefinite and unspecific time of months, seasons, years, centuries, etc.

Example:

o   I will get a holiday in December.

o   Murphy was born in 2001.

o   I love playing cricket in summer.

Note: Some very common exceptions are – in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, in five minutes, in six days, in two years, etc.

 

1.1.4.1   FROM....TO ,  UNTIL,  SINCE,  FOR

1.1.4.2   From....to:

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.

1.1.4.3   Until/till:

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.

1.1.4.4   Since:

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.

1.1.4.5   For:

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.

 

1.1.4.5.1.1.1          BEFORE, AFTER, DURING, BY

1.1.5                   Before:

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.

1.1.5.1   After:

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.

1.1.5.2   During:

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.

1.1.5.3   By:

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.

o   I will submit the list by 11 AM.

1.1.5.3.1.1.1     Prepositions of Places and Direction Usage

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Prepositions of place show the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.

Common prepositions of places & direction: On, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, across, between, among, through, in front of, behind, above, over, under, below, etc. are the most common.

1.1.5.3.1.1.2     IN, AT

1.1.5.4   IN:

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.

1.1.5.5   AT:

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.

 

1.1.5.5.1.1.1          ON, ABOVE, OVER 

1.1.5.6   ON:

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.

1.1.5.7   ABOVE:

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.

1.1.5.8   OVER

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.

 

1.1.5.8.1.1.1     UNDER, BELOW

1.1.5.9   UNDER:

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.

1.1.5.10          BELLOW:

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.

 

1.1.5.10.1.1.1     TO, FROM

1.1.5.11          TO:

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.

1.1.5.12          FROM

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.

 

1.1.5.12.1.1.1             INTO, OUT OF

1.1.5.13          INTO:

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.

1.1.5.14          OUT OF:

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)

 

1.1.5.14.1.1.1          THROUGH,  ACROSS, BESIDE,  IN FRONT OF,  BEHIND, TOWARDS,  BY

1.1.5.15          THROUGH:

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.

1.1.5.16          ACROSS:

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)

1.1.5.17          BESIDE:

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.

1.1.5.18          IN FRONT OF

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.

1.1.5.19          BEHIND:

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.

1.1.5.20          TOWARDS:

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.

1.1.5.21          BY

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.

 

1.1.5.21.1.1.1                   UP, DOWN

1.1.5.22          UP:

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.

1.1.5.23          DOWN:

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.

 

1.1.5.23.1.1.1     BETWEEN, AMONG

1.1.5.24          BETWEEN:

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.

1.1.5.25          Among:

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.

o   Among all the people, John had the courage to speak up.

1.1.5.25.1.1.1                   Use of Prepositions : Of, About, For, With, By

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1.1.5.26          OF, ABOUT, FOR, WITH, BY

1.1.5.27          OF:

Of expresses the relationship of a part of something to its whole. It is the most used preposition in English.

Example.

o   He is a boy of 15.

o   Some parts of his body were injured.

o   Most of the guests are gone.

o   The plays of Shakespeare will always be classics.

1.1.5.28          ABOUT:

About means ‘on the subject of’ something or ‘concerning of’ something/someone. It also means ‘approximately.'

Example:

o   I was about to leave.

o   He cares about his classes.

o   I have about 30 candies in my bag.

o   This article is about computers.

1.1.5.29           FOR:

For means ‘with the object or purpose of’. It indicates a suiting of purpose for something/someone.

Example:

o   I will always be here for you.

o   I have done it for my benefit.

o   Cucumber is a good vegetable for making a salad.

o   Take my gratitude for your kind hospitality.

1.1.5.30          WITH:

With means ‘accompanied by’ something or someone.

Example:

o   I will always be with you.

o   I have brought some candies with me.

o   He is playing with his sisters.

o   It is free with this product.

1.1.5.31          BY:

By means ‘as a means of’ something or someone. This preposition often comes in a passive sentence.

Example:

o   Do you travel by bus/train/plane/bike?

o   He was undone by me.

o   The letter was written by him.