Prepositions in English

Introduction

Prepositions are small but powerful words in English. They help us show the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. Without prepositions, our sentences would lack clarity and meaning.

For example:

The book is on the table. (The preposition “on” shows the relationship between “book” and “table.”)
She is going to school. (The preposition “to” shows the direction of movement.)

What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence and shows relationships such as place, time, direction, manner, or cause.

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences:

The cat is under the table. (Under shows position.)
He arrived before 8 AM. (Before shows time.)
We walked through the park. (Through shows direction.)

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition + noun/pronoun (e.g., on the table, in the room, before lunch).

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions can be divided into different types based on their function in a sentence.

Prepositions of Place (Where?)

These prepositions show the location of something.

Common Prepositions of Place:

In, On, At, Under, Over, Between, Behind, Next to, Beside, Near

Examples in Sentences:

The phone is on the table.
The keys are in the drawer.
She is sitting between her friends.

Note:

Use “in” for enclosed spaces (in a room, in a box).
Use “on” for surfaces (on the table, on the wall).
Use “at” for specific points (at the door, at the bus stop).

Prepositions of Time (When?)

These prepositions indicate a point in time or a duration.

Common Prepositions of Time:

In, On, At, Before, After, During, Since, Until, By, From

Examples in Sentences:

I was born in June.
The train arrives at 5 PM.
He left before lunch.

Note:

Use “in” for long periods (in 2023, in the morning, in summer).
Use “on” for specific days (on Monday, on my birthday, on Christmas Day).
Use “at” for precise times (at 7 AM, at night, at noon).

Prepositions of Direction or Movement (Where to?)

These prepositions show movement from one place to another.

Common Prepositions of Direction:

To, Into, Onto, From, Through, Towards, Across, Up, Down

Examples in Sentences:

She walked to the market.
The cat jumped onto the bed.
We drove through the tunnel.

Note:

Use “to” for destinations (She went to the park).
Use “into” when entering a place (He walked into the room).
Use “onto” when moving to a surface (She climbed onto the chair).

Prepositions of Manner (How?)

These prepositions describe the way something happens.

Common Prepositions of Manner:

With, By, Like, As, In

Examples in Sentences:

She painted the picture with a brush.
He traveled by car.
She works as a teacher.

Note:

Use “by” for means of transport (by car, by train, by bus).
Use “with” when referring to an instrument (with a pen, with a knife).

Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose (Why?)

These prepositions explain the reason for an action.

Common Prepositions of Cause:

Because of, Due to, Owing to, For, From

Examples in Sentences:

The match was canceled because of the rain.
He was absent due to illness.
She cried from happiness.

Prepositions of Comparison and Contrast

These prepositions show similarity or difference between things.

Common Prepositions of Comparison:

Like, Unlike, As, Than

Examples in Sentences:

She sings like a professional.
Unlike her brother, she loves to read.
This book is better than that one.

Compound Prepositions

These are prepositions made up of two or more words.

Common Compound Prepositions:

Because of, In front of, Instead of, Next to, On behalf of

Examples in Sentences:

He left early because of an emergency.
She sat next to her best friend.
He spoke on behalf of the team.

Note: Compound prepositions always come before a noun or pronoun.

Prepositions of Possession

These prepositions show ownership or relationship.

Common Prepositions of Possession:

Of, Belonging to, With, To

Examples in Sentences:

The pages of the book are torn.
That bag belongs to her.
The girl with the blue dress is my sister.

Note:

Use “of” to indicate possession (the keys of the car = the car’s keys).
Use “belonging to” for ownership (This house belongs to me).

Summary

Type	Function	Examples
Prepositions of Place	Show where something is	On the table, under the chair
Prepositions of Time	Show when something happens	In July, at 5 PM, on Monday
Prepositions of Direction	Show movement or destination	Go to school, walk through the park
Prepositions of Manner	Show how something happens	Travel by bus, cut with a knife
Prepositions of Cause	Show reason	Cancelled because of rain, happy from success
Prepositions of Comparison	Show similarity or difference	She sings like a professional, unlike her brother
Prepositions of Possession	Show ownership	The house of my father, a man with a beard
Compound Prepositions	Prepositions made of two or more words	Because of, in front of, instead of

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