INTRODUCTION TO PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions are words that indicate the relationship between sentence parts. They can convey spatial, temporal, and directional links, as well as other abstract or logical linkages. Usually, it is placed exactly before the word or phrase to which it refers as the preposition’s object.

As an overview, if there are prepositions, there are postpositions also. Together, they are called adpositions. Technically, they are a type of term used to designate different semantic roles, communicate spatial or temporal links, or both.

The usage of prepositions answers “where”, “when”, or “how” a thing happened. They are flexible words that are frequently crucial to the meaning of a phrase, and choosing the proper one can be difficult. However, reading and practicing are the best ways to master them.

When using a preposition, the subject and verb must come before it, and it must be followed by a noun. Never use a verb after a preposition.

Sentence Examples

When

1. My grandmother usually waters the plants at sunrise.
2. The dance steps that we used were trending in the 1980s.
3. I will confess my love to him on Christmas Day.
4. My big brother has been motivated to go to the office since he was promoted.
5. Our class will start at 2:00 P.M.

Note:

At – A preposition of time that is used when it pertains to the precise time.
In – A preposition of time that is used when it pertains to months, years, centuries, and long periods.
On – A preposition of time that is used when it pertains to days and dates.

Where

1. The dog is playing under the tree.
2. My mom told me to sit beside her.
3. We shared our life stories around the bonfire last night.
4. Meet me at the train station.
5. The sun is above the clouds.

Note:

AT – A preposition of place that is used to discuss a certain point.
IN – A preposition of place that is used to discuss an enclosed space.
ON – A preposition of time that is used to discuss a surface

How

1. We will go to church together.
2. The dog jumped over the fence.
3. My big brother pushed me toward my crush.
4. I will find my lost wallet through the
5. My father parked across the road.

Prepositions should be used properly in a sentence. If you misuse it in a sentence, it can change the meaning of it. That is why, do not be confused about what preposition to use. The following are examples of how it can affect the meaning of a sentence:

Preposition: At or to

1. The puppy was given at the veterinary clinic.
   Meaning: The veterinary clinic is the location where the puppy was given.

2. The puppy was given to the veterinary clinic.
   Meaning: The veterinary clinic got the puppy.

Preposition: Of or for

1. We need to get the cookies and chiffon cake of my mother.
   Meaning: My mother baked the cookies and chiffon cake.
2. We need to get the cookies and cakes for my mother.
   Meaning: Someone else baked the cookies and chiffon cake.

Preposition: On or in

1. The newspaper summarizes the effects of war on third-world countries.
   Meaning: The effects suffered by developing countries due to war.

2. The newspaper summarizes the effects of war in third-world countries.
   Meaning: The effects of war that happen within third world countries.

Common Prepositions

There are about 150 different prepositions in the English language. The common prepositions are: of, to, and in. There are prepositions that can be used for both time and place (for example: in, on, at). It is important to use the proper preposition when constructing a sentence. The following are the main categories of prepositions:

TIME

The preposition of time pertains to when a thing happened or will happen
(e.g. for, in (month/year), on (day), at (time), before, during, after, since, until)

Specific descriptions

DURING – When something happens while something else is happening.
FOR – It refers to a specific time period.
UNTIL – This means until a specific time.
SINCE – Refers to a time when something first began.
AT – It refers to an exact time.
ON – It is about days and dates.
FROM – Indicate when something begins.
TO – Indicate when something is completed.
AGO – Indicates how far back in time something occurred.
BEFORE – Any time preceding a given moment in time.
AFTER – After a certain point in time
TO – The number of minutes preceding the hour.
PAST – Denotes the amount of time that has passed since the hour.
WITHIN – A period of time during which something may occur.

Sentence Examples:

1. My grandmother stayed in our house during her treatment.
2. That building has been present since the pandemic.
3. I will finish reading the book within 1 hour.
4. The plane left an hour ago.
5. My little brother will stay at my grandparents’ house from Wednesday to Saturday.

LOCATION

Preposition of location pertains to describing a place where it happened or will happen
(e.g. after, under, over, above, below, between, in, out, on, at, by)

Specific descriptions

ABOVE – In or to a higher position or place than something/someone.
AFTER – One comes after the other.
BY – On or along the side of
BENEATH – Located beneath someone or something.
BESIDE – By someone’s or something’s side
NEAR – A short distance from someone or something.
AT – Discuss a certain point.
IN – Discuss an enclosed space.
ON – Discuss a surface.
BETWEEN – Something in or via the gap between two things, objects, or locations.
AMONG – Among or in the midst of other people or things
BEHIND – Behind something or someone.
UNDER – In a lower position or location than something else.
ABOVE – Above or above something without touching it.

Sentence Examples:

1. Please get my phone on the table.
2. It is so dark beneath the ocean waters.
3. My cat is hiding behind the curtains.
4. My dog hides under the cabinet because he is scared of the roaring thunder.
5. Matilda put the science book between the literature books.

MOVEMENT

The preposition of movement pertains to describing a movement from one place to another
(e.g. to, into, towards, through, across, up, down, around, past)

Specific descriptions

TO – When there is a definite destination in mind
TOWARDS – Movement in the general direction of something.
THROUGH – Movement across something, from one end to the other.
ACROSS – The movement of anything from one end to the other.
ALONG – Movement in a straight line
INTO – Movement that causes something to collide with something else.

Sentence Examples:

1. I will go to the gym this afternoon.
2. My cat ran across the street.
3. An insect crawled over my shoulders.
4. My neighbor’s dog walked towards me.
5. I immediately got into the bus after class.

Other common prepositions
for, of, as, with, about

Sentence Examples:

1. The train is about to leave.
2. I have no update on my sister as of the moment.
3. Matilda will be staying with me for 3 consecutive days.

Some prepositions (e.g. for, about) can be placed at the end of the sentence. However, it could only be used in dialogue and casual or informal writing. It should not be done in formal or academic writing.

Sentence Examples:

1. It is a situation I have not thought about.
2. It is an object I need to look out for.

Prepositions express various kinds of relationships. Apart from time, location, and movement, it is used to express the following things: way, state or situation, purpose, number, means or instrument, and idiomatic application.To avoid grammatical errors, check or use a dictionary when composing a sentence or paragraph. Continue to practice until you will master it.