Introduction: A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition. Prepositions work with other words in prepositional phrases. A prepositional phrase usually indicates where (by showing direction or location), how (in what way or by what means), or when (at what time or how long) the action in the sentence took place. Preposition is one of the important parts of speech of English grammar. It is very essential while making a sentence as it provide additional and necessary details. Prepositions in English are words giving information to the readers such as where something takes place.
Definition: A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other part of the sentence. Prepositions are essential to sentences because they provide additional and necessary details. In this lesson, we will explore the definition and roles of the preposition.
For example:
My class teacher laughed. (this is a correct sentence, however does not provide much detail about the situation without a preposition word) My class teacher laughed at the joke. (in this sentence, preposition word is used properly which gives us much detail about the situation) It is a box for (Preposition word 'for' is showing the relationship between box and rice) I saw a cat under the table. (Preposition word 'under' is showing the relationship between cat and table)
Understand how to form a prepositional phrase.
Preposition + Optional Modifier(s) + Noun, Pronoun, or Gerund Here are some examples: At school
At= preposition; school= noun. According to us
According to= preposition; us= pronoun.
By chewing
By= preposition; chewing= gerund. Under the stove
Under= preposition; the= modifier; stove= noun. In the crumb-filled, rumpled sheets , rumpled= modifiers; sheets= noun. In= preposition; the, crumb-filled
Types of Preposition: There are various types of prepositions described below with proper definition and examples:
Simple Preposition Compound Preposition Phrase Preposition Participle Preposition Double Preposition Other Preposition (preposition of place, preposition of time, preposition of direction)
Simple Preposition Simple prepositions are used in the simple sentences. Some of the simple prepositions are in, on, at, to, from, with, by, about, over, under, off, of, for, etc. For example:
I am not going with
She is waiting in the park.
Dad is going to the market. Compound Preposition
Compound prepositions are used to join two nouns, pronouns or phrases. Some of the compound prepositions are about, across, among, beside, before, above, along, inside, between, around, behind, below, beneath, etc. For example:
My city is located between two mountains. I will finish the lunch before I want to know about
Phrase Preposition Prepositional phrases are groups of words having prepositions indicating relationships among various elements in the sentence. Some of the phrase prepositions are according to, an account of, in spite of, in front of, for the sake of, in order to, by means of, with reference to, in addition to, due to, etc. For example:
I returned home due to condolence in the college.
According to me, there were three mango trees in the garden. I work hard in order to maintain my position in the class.
Participle Preposition A participle preposition is a participle (like an, ed, or ing verb) which acts as a preposition such as assuming, considering, barring, given, concerning, notwithstanding, pending, during, regarding, respected, provided, etc. For example:
I get sick during summer season.
I would like to speech regarding healthy food. My project work is still pending. I think I can pass the exam easily considering my hard work.
Double Preposition Double prepositions are words having two prepositions (joined together to make a whole new one) such as into, onto, outside of, out of, within, from behind, because of, etc. For example:
We need to solve three questions out of
We won the game just because of I need to complete my project within four days.
Other Types of Prepositions Following are other types of prepositions:
Preposition of Place Prepositions of place are used to show the place where something is located such as at, in, on, while, during, near, over, under, between, behind, etc. For example:
Dog is on the floor.
My home is near to the office. My home is behind the metro station. Mom is in the room.
Preposition of Time: Prepositions of time are used to indicate time of an action or time relationship between nouns in the sentence. Such as at, to, in, etc. For example: I go to school daily at nine o’clock. My result gets declared in March.
Preposition of Direction Prepositions of direction are used to indicate direction of someone or something in the sentence such as over, under, to, on, into, in, onto, right, left, etc. For example:
It's time to go to
The train is going into the tunnel. We are going over the bridge.
Exercise: Time Prepositions Put in the correct preposition (at, in, on, or no preposition): 1. Lucy is arriving ____ February the 13th ____ 8 o'clock ____ the morning. 2. The weather is often terrible in London _____ January. 3. It’s better to get a taxi if you are out alone _____ night.
4. She got married _____ September. 5. They usually go to the south of France _____ the summer.
Answers: 1. Lucy is arriving on February the 13th at 8 o'clock in the morning. 2. The weather is often terrible in London in January. 3. It’s better to get a taxi if you are out alone at night. 4. She got married in September. 5. They usually go to the south of France in the summer
Prepositions of Place 1. I stayed ______ home all weekend. 2. When I called Lucy, she was ______ the bus. 3. There was a spider ______ the ceiling. 4. Unfortunately, Mrs Brown is ______ hospital. 5. Don't sit ______ the table, sit ______ a chair.
Answers: 1. I stayed at home all weekend. 2. When I called Lucy, she was on the bus.
3. There was a spider on the ceiling. 4. Unfortunately, Mrs Brown is in hospital. 5. Don't sit on the table, sit on a chair.
Verbs and Prepositions 1. Stop worrying __________ your exam - everything will be fine. 2. I've waited __________ Judy for 30 minutes. I’m going home. 3. Stop talking and concentrate __________ your work. 4. Don't forget to pay __________ the newspaper. 5. He explained the computer program __________ me. 6. I don't know what we'll do at the weekend. It depends __________ the
Answers: 1. Stop worrying about your exam - everything will be fine. 2. I've waited for Judy for 30 minutes. I’m going home. 3. Stop talking and concentrate on your work. 4. Don't forget to pay for the newspaper. 5. He explained the computer program to me. 6. I don't know what we'll do at the weekend. It depends on the weather.
Prepositions after adjectives 1. England is famous ________ its rainy weather. 2. I'm very proud ________ my daughter, she worked very hard. 3. He isn't really interested ________ getting married. 4. Luke is very pleased ________ his exam results. 5. Unfortunately, I'm very bad ________ music.
Answers: 1. England is famous for its rainy weather. 2. I'm very proud of my daughter, she worked very hard. 3. He isn't really interested in getting married. 4. Luke is very pleased with his exam results. 5. Unfortunately, I'm very bad at music.