What is a Preposition?
Read the following sentences.
1. Ram is going to the office.
2. Pen is kept on the table.
3. Dia will reach in 2 hours.
Rules for using PrepositionA preposition is a word, which is used to show direction, location, time or to introduce an object and relates a noun, pronoun or noun phrase to other part of the sentence.
1. A preposition is followed by usually noun or noun phrase but sometime pronoun or gerund (ing form of verb) also.
2. If a sentence begins or ends with a preposition, it should be closely linked to another word.
Example:
Who did you speak to?
To whom did you speak?
Commonly Used Prepositions
- Used to designate days of the week and dates.
Example:
Tia's birthday is on 8th January.
My grandparents are coming on Thursday evening.
- Used to name streets, road, avenues etc.
Example: My house is on expressway.
- Used to state surface of something.
Example: The red pen is on the desk.
- Used to specify a device or a machine.
Example: She is working on the computer since morning.
- Used to specify the part of the body.
Example: He hit me on my head.
- Used to talk about state of something.
Example: This bike is on sale.
At
- Used to specify definite time.
Example: The train will reach station at 2:00 p.m.
- Used with particular place.
Example: People gathered at the park.
- Used to point out any activity.
Example: I am good at speaking.
In
- Used for undefined times during a day, a month, a season or a year.
Example: Ravi started his business in 2015.
- Used to specify name of the location or place such as cities, towns, states, countries, continents etc.
Example: Ria lives in Delhi.
- Used to specify a shape, color or size.
Example: I bought ribbons in different color.
- Used to specify a faith, views, interest or feeling.
Example: I believe in life after death.
To
- Used to express movement toward a place.
Example: My mom is driving to the bank this morning.
For
- Used to specify how long anything continues i.e. duration of time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years).
Example: Tia can hold her breath for 5 minutes.
Since
- Use to specify time from a specific point in the past till now.
Example: He has been waiting here since 9:00 am.
Of
- Used to specify an amount or a number.
- Used to show belonging to or connected with.
Example: That bag is of my little sister.
With
- Used to show feeling or emotion.
Example: Ria acted with confidence.
- Used to indicate usage of something.
Example: Cook is cutting vegetable with knife.
- Used to indicate possession.
Example: People with less money are not always unhappy.
- Used to indicate togetherness.
Example: Attendant will be with you shortly.
- Used to show understanding.
Example: Do you agree with me?
Over
- Used to indicate something extending directly upwards from something.
Example: Kite is flying over the tree.
- Used to express more than estimated amount.
Example: Ravi’s result is over my expectation.
- Used to indicate period of time.
- Used to show some movement.
Example: His father sent over a packet of books on his birthday.
By
- Used to talk about means or method.
Example: We are going Delhi by airplane.
- Used to indicate closeness.
Example: ATM is by the mall.
- Used to who does something.
Example: The letter was delivered by postman.
- Used to indicate certain action for particular reason.
Example: You clear this exam by preparing hard for this.
Into
- Used to indicate inside something.
Example: He dived into the sea to save the drowning child.
- Used to show change in the state.
Example: Water changed into ice on freezing.
Between
- Used to indicate gap or space that separates two things.
Example: Dia is sitting between Jia and Ria.
Among
- Used to indicate group or mass or collection or in middle of something.
Example: The sweets are distributed among five of us.
Beside
- Used to express “close to” or “next to”.
Example: Dia is sitting beside me.
Besides
- Used to express “in addition to something” or “apart from something”.
Example: Three girls besides Dia were playing with sand beside sea.
Below
- Used to show some kind of measurement on a scale or to show something that is not below each other.
Example: Tinku is performing below average.
Under
- Used to indicate something exactly below it or less than something.
Example: Pen is lying under the bed.
Against
- Used to show disagreement.
Example: We should not do anything against the law.
- Used to indicate something is touching something.
Example: Rohan is standing against the wall.
- Used to show prevention of something.
Example: He is vaccinated against polio.
- Used to show comparison.
Example: We must see the benefit of this machine against its cost.
Across
- Used to show movement from one side to another or from one place to another.
Example: The sailors sailed across the sea.
- Used to indicate opposite side of a road, river, line etc.
Example: There is a big orchard across the river.
- Used to point out several parts of an area.
Example: School has several branches across the country.
Above
- Used to point out higher place or position than something.
Example: The water in the dam rising above the marked line.
- Used to indicate something is greater than something in number or level or age.
Example: This month inflation is above average.
- Used to show higher quality compared to something.
Example: I like this above all other things.
Behind
- Used to point something at or toward the back of something.
Example: Who is standing behind Ria?
- Used to show less progress or improvement compared to something or somebody.
Example: This train is running behind schedule.
- Used to indicate support of somebody.
Example: Her parents are behind her decision.
Next to
- Used to point out position right beside somebody or something.
Example: Dia is sitting next to Ria.
- Used to show order of somebody or something.
Example: Next to Math my favorite subject is Science.
Through
- Used to indicate one end or side of something or somebody to other.
Example: The thief got in through the back door.
- Used to point out something from the other side of the objector substance.
Example: I could not see the road clearly through the fog.
- Used to indicate any activity or situation from beginning to the end.
Example: Small children cannot sit through a concert.
- Used to show passing of any kind of barrier.
Example: I have got through the NET exam.
- Used to show means or reason of something.
Example: You can clear this exam only through hard work.
From
- Used to indicate the place where something or somebody starts or begins.
Example: Ayush took out a big chocolate from his pocket.
- Used to show the starting or beginning time when something was first made or existed.
Example: We will go to school by bus from tomorrow.
- Used to tell source of something.
Example: This boy is from primary wing.
- Used to show ingredient or material of which anything is made.
Example: This cloth is made from bamboo silk.
- Used to indicate cause of something.
Example: The old man died from heart attack.
In front of
- Used to indicate position just ahead of something or somebody.
Example: Dia is sitting in front of Ria.
Upon
- Formal term of “on” is upon.
Example: She is wearing a red hat upon her head.
Practice Exercise
Q1. Fill in the blanks with suitable Prepositions :
on, at, in, to, for, since, until, of, over
a. I put an apple ___________the dining table.
b. I was born _________7th August.
c. He laughed __________me.
d. We stood __________a line outside the class.
e. French class will held__________ Monday.
f. My guitar class is __________Wednesdays.
g. We planned __________work together.
h. Ravi lived here ____________5 years.
i. Dia is working this hotel ____________1991.
j. My grandparents will be here ___________December.
k. She will return to Delhi by the end _________this month.
l. Dia is fond ___________dance.
m. I bought my new dress ___________thousand rupees.
n. Do not spoil your mood ___________silly things.
Q2. Fill in the blanks with suitable Prepositions:
in, on, across, under, at, from, about, of, to, with
a. Look __________ those flowers.
b. Don’t shout ___________the classroom.
c. My hat is ____________the bed.
d. We walked ____________the road.
e. Music class will held___________ Monday.
f. New shop will open __________a month.
g. Ravi reached _________time.
h. My mom is preparing dinner __________the kitchen.
i. The little boy fell off __________bed.
j. I am worried __________him.
k. I am proud _______my mom.
l. Ria is talking _____________her teacher.
m. I prefer juicy fruits ____________summers.
n. My father reached home __________7.00 pm.