Prepositions - Definition, Use & Examples, Worksheet

Prepositions: The Guiding Stars of Language

Table of content

1. Introduction

2. What Are Prepositions?

3. Use of Prepositions

4. List of Prepositions with Examples

5. Conclusion

6. Preposition Worksheet/ Exercise

7. FAQs

Definition:

• A word which comes before noun or pronoun to show its relationship with other words in a sentence is called as "Preposition".

For example:

1. I am going to market.
2. He kept the book on the table.
3. John is good at drawing.

1. Introduction

Imagine a world without directions or relationships between things – it would be quite chaotic! Thankfully, prepositions come to our rescue as the guiding stars of language. These little words act like bridges, helping us understand the position, location, and connections between objects and ideas. 

In this friendly exploration of prepositions, we will uncover their purpose, usage, and how they lead us to a clear understanding of the world around us.

2. What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are essential words that help us indicate the relationship between nouns (people, places, things, or ideas) and other words in a sentence. They give us vital information about where something is located, its direction, or how it relates to other elements in the sentence. 

Preposition is a concept which we have to understand. This concept is abstract. Prepositions are very essential and are used in multiple ways.

Let's look at some examples of prepositions to see how they work:

1. She is at the park, enjoying the sunshine.
2. The cat is on the table, playing with a ball.
3. The bird flew over the tree, reaching for the sky.
4. The books are under the bed, neatly stacked.

3. Use of prepositions

1. Prepositions Show Position and Location

Prepositions are like GPS devices for our sentences. They help us pinpoint the location of objects in relation to something else.

When we need to describe where something is, prepositions guide the way.

For example:

1. The ball is in the box on the shelf.
2. The shoes are beside the door.
3. The cat is between the two cushions.

2. Prepositions Show Direction

Prepositions also show us the direction in which something is moving or the path it's taking.

When we need to describe the movement of something, prepositions act as signposts.

For example:

1. The kids are running toward the playground.
2. The river flows along the mountains.
3. The birds are flying through the sky.

3. Prepositions Show Time

Prepositions help us understand when something is happening, whether it's a specific time or a duration.

When we need to express time-related information, prepositions function as our temporal guides.

For example:

1. She has a dentist appointment at 2 PM.
2. They will be on vacation during the summer.
3. We can meet after the movie ends.

4. Prepositions Show Relationships

Prepositions are the connectors of our language, showing relationships between different elements in a sentence.

When we need to establish connections, prepositions help us build bridges.

For example:

1. The book is about dinosaurs.
2. The dog is with its owner.
3. He is interested in art and music.

4. List of Prepositions with Examples

There are many preposition. Some are listed below with examples.

At

• Place - I am at home.
• Time - The exam starts at 10.00 AM.
• Price - I bought a new car at $30,000.

In

• Place - I am in the classroom.
• Time - I will be there in 5 minutes.
• Month/Year - We celebrate Valentine Day in February. / They were our neighbors in 2002.

On

• Place - The book is on the table.
• Time - Guests are coming on time.
• Day/Date - We met on Monday. / My birthday is on 28th April.

Between

• John is sitting between Sam and Tom.

Among

• The teacher is distributing papers among the students.

Before

• We should wash hands before meals.

After

• We should drink water after meal.

To

• John is going to school.

From

• John is coming from home.

By

• John is coming by school bus.

For

• John is coming for an exam.

Into

• John is diving into the river.

Inside

• John went inside the caves and clicked some photos.

Outside

• John kicked the ball outside the garden.

Upon

• John is dependent upon his parents.

Under

• John is sitting under the tree.

Below

• John got below 70% marks last year.

Above

• John will get above 80% marks next year.

In front of

• There is a grocery store in front of John's house.

Near

• John's house is near the Library.

Over

• The Bridge is over the river.

Beside

• John is sitting beside Sam.

Across

• John ran across the street.

Beyond

• John's house is beyond the river.

With

• John goes to school with his friends.

Without

• John is standing without speaking.

Within

• I will come within 10 minutes.

Through

• John threw the ball through the window.

Of

• The principal of the school is very strict.

Off

• John jumped off the wall.

Along

• John walks his dog along the street.

Behind

• John is running behind the dog.

Toward

• Walk toward the river.

During

• We had fun during the party.

About

• Tell me a story about your vacation.

5. Conclusion

Prepositions are the guiding stars that help us navigate the vastness of language. They show us the way, giving us crucial information about positions, directions, times, and relationships between objects and ideas. Thanks to prepositions, our sentences become clearer, and we can better understand the world around us.

So, the next time you speak or write, let prepositions be your trusty guides, leading you to effective communication and understanding!

See also : Conjunction

6. Preposition Worksheet/ Exercise

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully and fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositions to complete each sentence.

1. The cat is ___ the roof.
2. We went ___ the mountains for our vacation.
3. She walked ___ the park to enjoy the scenery.
4. The children played ___ the playground all afternoon.
5. The keys are ___ the table.
6. The birds flew ___ the trees.
7. He hid the gift ___ the bed.
8. We will meet ___ the café at 7 o'clock.
9. The dog ran ___ the street to chase the squirrel.
10. She placed her bag ___ the chair and sat down.

Answer Key:

1. on
2. to
3. through
4. in
5. on
6. among
7. under
8. at
9. across
10. on

FAQs: Preposition

1. What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. It often indicates location, direction, time, or manner. Examples include "in," "on," "at," "by," "for," "with," and "about."

2. What are the different types of prepositions?

There are several types of prepositions, including prepositions of place, time, direction, manner, and agency.

3. What is a preposition of place?

A preposition of place indicates where something is located. Examples include "in," "on," "at," "under," "above," and "between."

4. What is a preposition of time?

A preposition of time indicates when something happens. Examples include "at," "on," "in," "during," "before," and "after."

5. What is a preposition of direction?

A preposition of direction indicates the direction in which something moves. Examples include "to," "into," "towards," "through," "across," and "up."

6. What is a preposition of manner?

A preposition of manner describes how something is done. Examples include "by," "with," "like," and "as."

7. What is a preposition of agency?

A preposition of agency indicates the agent performing an action, usually used with passive verbs. Examples include "by" and "with."

8. Can a preposition be used at the end of a sentence?

Yes, a preposition can be used at the end of a sentence, especially in informal or conversational English. For example, "What are you looking for?" and "This is the book I told you about."

9. What is a prepositional phrase?

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object (a noun or pronoun), and any modifiers of the object. For example, in the phrase "in the morning," "in" is the preposition, "the" is a modifier, and "morning" is the object.

10. How do you choose the correct preposition?

Choosing the correct preposition can be tricky because it often depends on idiomatic usage and specific context. It's helpful to learn common prepositional phrases and practice reading and listening to native English speakers to get a sense of which prepositions are used in various contexts.