What Is Preposition?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between two parts of a sentence. It helps tell us where, when, or how something happens. Prepositions usually come before a noun or pronoun and show direction, time, place, cause, or manner.
Example: In the sentence “The book is on the table,” the word “on” is a preposition. It shows the relationship between “book” and “table.”
Think of prepositions as GPS markers in a sentence. They tell us the position or connection of things, helping readers understand the sentence clearly. Without prepositions, our sentences would feel incomplete or confusing.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions come in different types, depending on what kind of relationship they show between words. These types help us explain when, where, how, why, or with what something happens.
Let’s explore each type in detail.
1. Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time show when something happens. They help us answer questions like “At what time?” or “Since when?” or “For how long?”
Common prepositions of time:
- At – for specific times: “The class starts at 8 a.m.”
- On – for specific days/dates: “We will meet on Friday.”
- In – for months, years, parts of the day: “She was born in April.”
- Since – from a point in the past until now: “He has worked here since 2015.”
- For – to show the duration: “I stayed in Paris for two weeks.”
Tip: Use “at” for exact times, “on” for days, and “in” for longer periods.
2. Prepositions of Place or Position
Prepositions of place tell us where something or someone is in relation to something else.
Common examples:
- In – inside a space: “The shoes are in the closet.”
- On – on the surface of something: “The phone is on the table.”
- Under – beneath something: “The ball is under the bed.”
- Over – above without touching: “The plane flew over the city.”
- Behind – at the back of something: “He stood behind the door.”
- Next to / Beside – near: “The school is next to the library.”
Remember: These prepositions help us picture the scene clearly, like a map in our head.
3. Prepositions of Direction or Movement
These prepositions show movement from one place to another. They answer questions like “Where is it going?” or “In what direction?”
Examples include:
- To – movement toward a specific place: “We went to the park.”
- Into – going inside: “He walked into the room.”
- Onto – moving to a surface: “The cat jumped onto the couch.”
- Toward – in the direction of: “She ran toward the playground.”
- Out of – leaving a place: “They came out of the house.”
Tip: Use these when the subject is moving or changing position.
4. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose
These prepositions explain why something happens. They connect the action to its cause or goal.
Examples include:
- Because of – shows reason: “The flight was delayed because of the storm.”
- Due to – more formal, also shows reason: “The school was closed due to heavy snow.”
- For – shows purpose: “This gift is for you.”
Note: “Because of” and “due to” are often followed by nouns, not complete sentences.
5. Prepositions of Manner, Instrument, or Agent
These prepositions describe how something happens, what tool was used, or who did it.
By – shows the doer or method:
“The cake was made by Ali.”
“She traveled by bus.”
With – shows the instrument used:
“He cut the paper with scissors.”
Through – shows movement across or along a path:
“The light came through the window.”
Tip: These prepositions help explain how the action was completed.
6. Compound and Phrase Prepositions
Compound prepositions are made up of two or more words. They work just like single-word prepositions but are used in more specific or complex situations.
Examples of compound/phrase prepositions:
- In front of – “The car is parked in front of the gate.”
- According to – “According to the teacher, exams are next week.”
- Because of – “The event was canceled because of rain.”
- In spite of – “He won the race in spite of his injury.”
- On top of – “The keys are on top of the fridge.”
Reminder: Even though they are made of several words, phrase prepositions act like one word in the sentence.
Summary of Types of Prepositions
| Type | Function | Examples |
| Time | Show when | at, on, in, since, for |
| Place | Show where | under, on, in, over, behind |
| Direction | Show movement | to, into, onto, toward, out of |
| Cause/Reason | Show why | because of, due to, for |
| Manner/Agent | Show how/who | by, with, through |
| Compound | Multi-word prepositions | in front of, according to, in spite of |
How Prepositions Work in Sentences?
Prepositions work by linking nouns or pronouns to the rest of the sentence. They usually come before the noun and form what we call a prepositional phrase.
Prepositional Phrase Example:
“In the park” → “The children are playing in the park.”
Here, “in the park” shows where the action is taking place.
Prepositional phrases act like bridges. They connect ideas, add details, and make sentences more interesting. You’ll often see them in stories, directions, or everyday conversation.
Common Preposition Usage Rules
Prepositions follow some important rules. Learning these helps us avoid grammar mistakes and write more clearly.
Key Rules:
A preposition is almost always followed by a noun or pronoun.
Correct: “She sat on the chair.”
Some verbs need specific prepositions.
Examples:
- listen to music
- depend on someone
- believe in yourself
When using gerunds (verb + ing), the preposition comes before them.
“He is interested in learning Spanish.”
It’s okay to end a sentence with a preposition, especially in informal speech.
“That’s the book I was looking for.”
But in formal writing, it’s better to avoid this unless needed for clarity.
These rules are like game instructions — once you know how they work, your writing becomes easier and
Common Preposition Mistakes to Avoid
Mistakes with prepositions are common but easy to fix. Knowing what to look for helps improve your writing and speaking.
Examples of Mistakes:
Wrong Preposition:
Wrong: “She is married with him.”
Correct: “She is married to him.”
Redundant Preposition:
Wrong: “Where are you at?”
Correct: “Where are you?”
Confusing Phrases:
Wrong: “Different than you.”
Correct: “Different from you.”
These errors are like wrong turns in a game — they can be corrected with a bit of attention and practice.
Prepositions in Formal and Informal English
Prepositions change slightly depending on whether you’re writing formally or speaking casually.
In Formal English:
Use complete and correct prepositional phrases.
“According to the report…”
Avoid ending sentences with prepositions unless needed.
In Informal English:
It’s okay to be relaxed and use idioms.
“I’m in a hurry,” “in a nutshell,” “on my own.”
British vs. American Usage:
UK: “at the weekend”
US: “on the weekend”
Prepositions in formal writing are like wearing a suit — they need to be neat and correct. In casual speech, you can loosen the tie a little.
Prepositions in Digital and Modern Contexts
In modern communication, especially online, prepositions are used differently. In emails or social media, we often keep things short and to the point.
In Emails:
Use clear, simple prepositions for instructions.
“Please send the file by Monday.”
On Social Media:
You might see shorter phrases.
“Out with friends,” “Back on track.”
With AI and Writing Tools:
Tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly help correct preposition mistakes.
Still, it’s best to learn the rules so you can use tools more effectively.
Prepositions in the digital world are like road signs, they guide communication and keep messages clear.
