What is a Preposition? Learn How to Use Them Correctly

Have you ever thought about how we connect our words to create clear sentences? Prepositions are like the glue that holds our ideas together! But the question is here: What is a preposition? Prepositions are words that show the relationship between nouns (like people, places, or things) and words in a sentence. 

Imagine telling a friend about your exciting day at the park—prepositions help you explain where things happened, like “I sat on the grass” or “The ball rolled under the bench.” Understanding prepositions can make your writing come alive, making it easier for others to feel and picture what you see. 

This article will explore a preposition, the different types, and how to use them correctly. We’ll also look at some inspiring examples to show how these words can bring your sentences to life!

So, let’s dive into the beautiful world of prepositions and discover how they help us express ourselves!

What is Preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase and another word or phrase in a sentence. It helps us understand how things are connected in space, time, location, or direction. 

For example, in the sentence “The cat is under the table,” the word “under” is a preposition that tells us where the cat is to the table. Prepositions are one of the eight parts of speech in English grammar, and they play an essential role in making our sentences clear and meaningful!

List of Preposition

1. in
2. on
3. under
4. between
5. with
6. before
7. after
8. above
9. through
10. around

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

1. The cat is on the roof.
2. She walked through the park.
3. The book is under the table.
4. He sat between his friends.
5. We will meet before lunch.
6. The dog ran around the yard.
7. The picture hangs above the fireplace.
8. She traveled with her family.
9. He will arrive after the meeting.
10. The gift is in the box.

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized into several types based on their functions in a sentence. Here are the types of prepositions:

1. Prepositions of Place
2. Prepositions of Time
3. Prepositions of Direction
4. Prepositions of Space
5. Prepositions of Manner
6. Prepositions of Instrument
7. Prepositions of Agent
8. Complex Prepositions

1. Preposition of Place

Prepositions of Place are used to indicate the location or position of something. They tell us where things are. They help us understand the location of objects in a fun way! Imagine you’re playing hide and seek. Where do you hide? In the closet? Under the bed? These little words help us explain where things are!

Here are examples of prepositions of place:

1. The cat is in the box.
2. The book is on the table.
3. The dog is under the bed.
4. The picture is above the sofa.
5. The basement is below the ground floor.

2. Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of Time are particular words that tell us when things happen. They help us understand the timing of events. Think about your daily routine. When do you eat breakfast? When do you go to school? These little words help us express those crucial times!

Here are examples of prepositions of time:

1. I wake up at 7 o’clock. (The exact time to start my day!)
2. We go to the beach in the summer. (Summer is the best time for fun!)
3. I have a party on Saturday. (Can’t wait to celebrate!)
4. We’ll be at the park for two hours. (Plenty of time for fun!)
5. I’ve lived here since 2010. (A long time of great memories!)

3. Preposition of Direction

Prepositions of Direction are words that help us understand where something is going or the path it takes. They guide us like friendly GPS, telling us how to get from one place to another! Whether you’re giving directions to a friend or describing a journey, these words are helpful.

Here are examples of prepositions of direction:

1. We are going to the park. (Let’s have some fun outdoors!)
2. The cat jumped into the box. (A cozy spot to curl up!)
3. She walked out of the room. (Time to explore somewhere new!)
4. He ran toward the finish line. (Chasing his goals!)
5. We walked through the forest. (A magical adventure awaits!)

4. Prepositions of Space

Prepositions of Space are words that help us understand where things are located or positioned. They are like little guides that show us the relationship between objects in our world! Whether we’re describing where a toy is or where a friend is sitting, these prepositions help us paint a clear picture.

Here are some examples of prepositions of space:

1. The cat is in the box. (Cozy and snug!)
2. The picture hangs above the sofa. (A beautiful decoration!)
3. The basement is below the ground. (A hidden treasure space!)
4. She sits next to her best friend. (Friends together!)
5. The statue stands in front of the museum. (A welcoming sight!)

5. Prepositions of Manner

Prepositions of Manner show us how something is done. They help make our sentences more interesting by telling us how an action happens. 

Here are some simple examples:

1. She painted the picture with care. (She was careful.)
2. He traveled by train. (He took the train.)
3. She sings like a bird. (She sings sweetly.)
4. He acted as if he knew everything. (He pretended to be smart.)
5. She finished the puzzle without help. (She did it all by herself.)

6. Prepositions of Instrument

Prepositions of Instrument tell us what tool or device is used to act. They help us understand how something is done by showing the instrument involved. 

Here are some simple examples:

1. She wrote the letter with a pen. (She used a pen to write.)
2. He solved the puzzle by using his brain. (He used his brain to think.)
3. They cooked dinner using a microwave. (They used a microwave to cook.)
4. She played music on a guitar. (She used a guitar to play.)
5. He sent the message through email. (He used email to send it.)

7. Prepositions of Agent

Prepositions of agents are words that help us show who is acting in a sentence. They connect the action to the doer, helping us understand who is responsible for something. The most common preposition of agent is “by.”

Here are some examples:

• The song was written by Taylor Swift.
  (Taylor Swift is the person who wrote the song.)
• The homework was completed by the students.
  (The students are the ones who did the homework.)
• The project was designed by the art team.
  (The art team is the group that created the project.)
• The copy was illustrated by a talented artist.
  (A talented artist is the person who made the illustrations in the book.)
• The presentation was given by the teacher.
  (The teacher is the one who presented.)

Why They Matter

Using prepositions of agent helps us clarify who is involved in an action. It makes our sentences more apparent and more informative. So next time you describe something, think about who did it and use “by” to show that connection!

8. Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions comprise two or more words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. These phrases provide more detailed information about where, when, or how something happens.

Common Examples:

• In front of: The dog is sitting in front of the door.
• Next to: The library is located next to the park.
• In spite of: In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
• Because of: We stayed home because of the snowstorm.
• Out of: She took the cookies out of the oven.

Prepositional Phrases and Their Placement in Sentences

Prepositions are important words that show the relationship between a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase and other words in a sentence. When a preposition combines with a noun or pronoun, it creates a prepositional phrase. Here are some fresh examples of prepositional phrases:

• under the table
• before the sunrise
• across the street
• with great enthusiasm

How Prepositional Phrases Work

Prepositional phrases can modify (or provide more information about) different parts of a sentence, such as verbs, nouns, or adjectives. Let’s see how they function based on their placement:

1. Modifying a Verb:
   • Example: The cat is hiding under the table.
   • The prepositional phrase “under the table” tells us where the cat is hiding.
2. Modifying a Noun:
   • Example: The book on the shelf is new.
   • Here, the phrase “on the shelf” describes which book we are talking about.
3. Modifying an Adjective:
   • Example: She was excited about the trip.
   • In this example, “about the trip” explains her excitement.

Prepositions Used as Adverbs

Sometimes, words that are usually prepositions can act as adverbs instead. For instance:

• Example: The dog ran away.
• Example: She walked back.

In these sentences, “away” and “back” do not govern a noun, so they function as adverbs modifying the verbs “ran” and “walked.” To clarify the action and include a noun, you would need to add a preposition:

• Corrected Example: The dog ran away from the park.
• Corrected Example: She walked back to her house.

Is It Okay to End a Sentence with a Preposition?

Yes, of course. We can end a sentence with a preposition! While it’s typical for a preposition to be followed by a noun phrase, sometimes it appears earlier in the sentence. This helps keep the flow natural and often sounds more conversational. 

Here are some examples:

• Example: I didn’t know what to do that for.
• Example: Who are you going to the dinner party with?
• Example: That’s the movie I was talking about.

The belief that sentences shouldn’t end with a preposition comes from the 17th century when grammarians tried to impose Latin grammar rules on English. However, following this rule can lead to awkward constructions:

• Awkward: I didn’t know for what to do that.
• Awkward: With whom are you going to the party?

While it’s generally okay to end a sentence with a preposition, you should avoid doing so if it makes the sentence unclear. Also, you should not end a sentence with a preposition if the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase it governs isn’t present in the sentence. This situation is known as a dangling proposition.

Example of a Dangling Preposition

• Dangling Preposition: What are you thinking about?
  • This leaves the reader unsure about what the subject is thinking.

Check Your Knowledge of Preposition!

Now, it’s time to see how well you understand prepositions! Below are sentences with missing prepositions. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.

Sentences

1. The dog is hiding __________ the sofa.
2. We will meet __________ noon tomorrow.
3. She walked __________ the park on her way home.
4. The book is __________ the table.
5. He ran __________ the finish line with great speed.
6. My birthday is __________ April.
7. They traveled __________ train to the city.
8. She placed the vase __________ the shelf.
9. The cat jumped __________ the box.
10. We are going __________ the beach this weekend.

Answers

Check your answers and see how many you got correct!

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

Conclusion

Understanding prepositions is essential for mastering the English language. These small words may seem simple, but they are crucial in connecting ideas and clarifying our sentences. You can enhance your writing and communication skills by learning about the different types of prepositions, such as those indicating place, time, direction, and manner.

Whether you’re telling a story, giving directions, or describing an event, prepositions help paint a vivid picture for your readers. You can use prepositions correctly and confidently with the examples and explanations provided in this guide.

So go ahead, explore the beauty of language, and watch how prepositions can transform your sentences from ordinary to extraordinary! Keep practicing; soon, you’ll be a pro at using these crucial words in every conversation and writing you create. 

FAQs