Mastering Prepositions: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples

Prepositions are fundamental to English grammar, acting as the glue that connects words in a sentence. Understanding prepositions is crucial for constructing clear, accurate, and sophisticated sentences.

They indicate relationships between nouns, pronouns, and other words in a sentence, specifying location, time, direction, and more. This comprehensive guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking a solid foundation to advanced students aiming to refine their understanding and usage.

By exploring definitions, types, rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises, you’ll gain the confidence to use prepositions effectively in both written and spoken English.

Definition of Prepositions
Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases
Types and Categories of Prepositions
Examples of Preposition Usage
Usage Rules for Prepositions
Common Mistakes with Prepositions
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics in Preposition Usage
- Preposition Stranding
- Intransitive Prepositions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion

Definition of Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to other words in a sentence. It typically indicates the temporal, spatial, or logical relationship of the object to the rest of the sentence. Prepositions are essential for providing context and clarity, enabling us to understand how different elements relate to each other.

Prepositions are classified as a closed class of words, meaning that new prepositions are rarely added to the English language. They differ from open-class words like nouns and verbs, which readily incorporate new terms. The most common prepositions include of, to, in, for, on, with, at, by, from, up, down, over, under, above, below, before, after, during, and through. These words act as bridges, linking nouns or pronouns to other parts of the sentence, forming what is known as a prepositional phrase.

The function of a preposition is primarily to introduce a prepositional phrase. This phrase consists of the preposition itself followed by its object, which is usually a noun or pronoun. The prepositional phrase then functions as an adjective or adverb, modifying other words in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “The book is on the table,” the preposition on connects the noun table to the rest of the sentence, indicating the book’s location. The entire phrase “on the table” acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb “is.”

Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases

Understanding the structure of prepositional phrases is key to mastering preposition usage. A prepositional phrase always consists of two main components: the preposition and the object of the preposition. The object of the preposition is typically a noun or pronoun, but it can also be a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) or a clause.

The basic structure is as follows: Preposition + Object of the Preposition. For instance, in the phrase “with my friend,” with is the preposition, and my friend is the object of the preposition. The entire phrase then functions as an adjective or adverb, modifying another word or phrase in the sentence.

Prepositional phrases can also include modifiers that describe the object of the preposition. These modifiers usually come before the object and can include articles, adjectives, and adverbs. For example, in the phrase “in the big, old house,” in is the preposition, house is the object of the preposition, and the, big, and old are modifiers describing the house. The complexity of the phrase can increase with the addition of these modifiers, but the basic structure remains the same.

Here’s a breakdown of how prepositional phrases function within a sentence:

Adjectival Phrase: Modifies a noun or pronoun. Example: “The girl with the red hair is my sister.” Here, “with the red hair” describes the girl.
Adverbial Phrase: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Example: “He ran with great speed.” Here, “with great speed” describes how he ran.

Types and Categories of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. The main categories include prepositions of time, place, direction, agency, and phrasal prepositions.

Each category serves a distinct purpose in conveying information about the relationship between the object and other elements in the sentence.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time indicate when something happens, happened, or will happen. Common prepositions of time include at, on, in, before, after, during, since, for, until, and by. Each of these prepositions is used in specific contexts, depending on the duration or specificity of the time being referenced.

Here’s a brief overview of some common prepositions of time:

At: Used for specific times or points in time. Example: “The meeting is at 3 PM.”
On: Used for specific days or dates. Example: “The party is on Saturday.”
In: Used for longer periods such as months, years, seasons, or parts of the day. Example: “I was born in 1990.”
Before: Indicates something happening earlier than a specific time. Example: “Please arrive before 8 AM.”
After: Indicates something happening later than a specific time. Example: “We will leave after the concert.”
During: Indicates something happening within a specific period. Example: “I studied during the summer.”
Since: Indicates a starting point and continuing duration. Example: “I have lived here since 2010.”
For: Indicates a duration of time. Example: “I studied for three hours.”
Until: Indicates the end point of a duration. Example: “I will wait until you arrive.”
By: Indicates a deadline or the latest time something will happen. Example: “The report is due by Friday.”

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place indicate the location or position of something. Common prepositions of place include at, on, in, above, below, under, over, near, beside, between, behind, in front of, and next to. These prepositions help to describe where things are in relation to each other.

Here’s a brief overview of some common prepositions of place:

At: Used for specific locations or points. Example: “I am at the library.”
On: Used for surfaces. Example: “The book is on the table.”
In: Used for enclosed spaces or areas. Example: “The keys are in my bag.”
Above: Indicates something is higher than something else. Example: “The plane flew above the clouds.”
Below: Indicates something is lower than something else. Example: “The fish swam below the surface.”
Under: Indicates something is directly beneath something else. Example: “The cat is sleeping under the bed.”
Over: Indicates something is above and often covering something else. Example: “He put a blanket over the child.”
Near: Indicates something is close to something else. Example: “The park is near my house.”
Beside: Indicates something is next to something else. Example: “She sat beside me.”
Between: Indicates something is in the middle of two things. Example: “The house is between the store and the bank.”
Behind: Indicates something is at the back of something else. Example: “The car is behind the truck.”
In front of: Indicates something is directly ahead of something else. Example: “The school is in front of the park.”
Next to: Indicates something is immediately adjacent to something else. Example: “The coffee shop is next to the bookstore.”

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction indicate movement or direction. Common prepositions of direction include to, into, onto, through, across, up, down, toward, and away from. These prepositions help to describe how something is moving or being moved.

Here’s a brief overview of some common prepositions of direction:

To: Indicates movement towards a specific place or person. Example: “I am going to the store.”
Into: Indicates movement inside something. Example: “She walked into the room.”
Onto: Indicates movement onto a surface. Example: “The cat jumped onto the roof.”
Through: Indicates movement from one side to the other. Example: “We drove through the tunnel.”
Across: Indicates movement from one side to the other. Example: “He swam across the river.”
Up: Indicates movement towards a higher place. Example: “She climbed up the stairs.”
Down: Indicates movement towards a lower place. Example: “He walked down the hill.”
Toward: Indicates movement in the direction of something. Example: “They walked toward the beach.”
Away from: Indicates movement in the opposite direction of something. Example: “He ran away from the dog.”

Prepositions of Agency

Prepositions of agency indicate the means by which something is done or the person or thing responsible for an action. The most common prepositions of agency are by and with.

Here’s how these prepositions are typically used:

By: Indicates the agent performing an action or the method used. Example: “The book was written by Jane Austen.” “I traveled by train.”
With: Indicates the instrument or tool used to perform an action. Example: “She cut the paper with scissors.”

Phrasal Prepositions

Phrasal prepositions (also known as complex prepositions) are combinations of two or three words that function as a single preposition. Common phrasal prepositions include according to, because of, in addition to, in front of, on behalf of, and due to. These phrases add nuance and complexity to sentences.

Here are some examples of phrasal prepositions and their usage:

According to: Indicates a source of information. Example: “According to the report, sales have increased.”
Because of: Indicates a reason or cause. Example: “The game was canceled because of the rain.”
In addition to: Indicates something extra or additional. Example: “In addition to English, she speaks Spanish.”
In front of: Indicates a position ahead of something. Example: “The car is parked in front of the building.”
On behalf of: Indicates representation or acting for someone else. Example: “I am speaking on behalf of the company.”
Due to: Indicates a cause or reason. Example: “The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances.”

Examples of Preposition Usage

To fully understand how prepositions function, it’s essential to examine a wide range of examples. The following tables provide numerous examples, categorized by preposition type, to illustrate their usage in different contexts.

Examples of Prepositions of Time

This table provides examples of prepositions of time used in various contexts. Understanding how these prepositions relate to specific timeframes is crucial for accurate communication.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	The movie starts at 7 PM.
At	I usually wake up at dawn.
On	My birthday is on July 4th.
On	We always have a picnic on Sundays.
In	I was born in 1985.
In	The flowers bloom in spring.
In	I like to read in the morning.
Before	Please submit your assignment before Friday.
Before	I always brush my teeth before bed.
After	We will have dinner after the show.
After	The store closes after 10 PM.
During	I fell asleep during the movie.
During	The birds migrate during the winter.
Since	I have been working here since 2010.
Since	She hasn’t called me since last week.
For	I studied for three hours.
For	We have been friends for many years.
Until	I will wait until you arrive.
Until	The store is open until 9 PM.
By	The report is due by Monday.
By	I need to finish this project by tomorrow.
From	The meeting will be held from 2 PM to 4 PM.
Within	I need the report within a week.
Past	It’s past midnight.
Around	I’ll see you around lunchtime.
Throughout	The museum is open throughout the year.
Over	I’ll be there over the weekend.

Examples of Prepositions of Place

This table provides examples of prepositions of place, demonstrating how they describe the location of objects or people in relation to other elements.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	I am at home.
At	She works at the bank.
On	The book is on the table.
On	There’s a picture on the wall.
In	The keys are in my bag.
In	I live in New York.
Above	The plane flew above the clouds.
Below	The fish swam below the surface.
Under	The cat is sleeping under the bed.
Over	He put a blanket over the child.
Near	The park is near my house.
Beside	She sat beside me.
Between	The house is between the store and the bank.
Behind	The car is behind the truck.
In front of	The school is in front of the park.
Next to	The coffee shop is next to the bookstore.
Inside	The letter is inside the envelope.
Outside	The dog is outside the house.
Around	There’s a fence around the garden.
Among	She felt lost among the crowd.
Across from	The bank is across from the library.
Along	We walked along the beach.
Through	The train went through the tunnel.
Opposite	The store is opposite the school.
Upon	The statue stands upon a pedestal.
Within	The hospital is within the town limits.

Examples of Prepositions of Direction

This table provides examples of prepositions of direction, illustrating how they describe movement from one place to another.

Preposition	Example Sentence
To	I am going to the store.
To	Send the package to my address.
Into	She walked into the room.
Into	He jumped into the pool.
Onto	The cat jumped onto the roof.
Onto	He put the dishes onto the shelf.
Through	We drove through the tunnel.
Across	He swam across the river.
Up	She climbed up the stairs.
Down	He walked down the hill.
Toward	They walked toward the beach.
Away from	He ran away from the dog.
Around	We drove around the city.
Along	We walked along the path.
Over	The bird flew over the house.
Under	The tunnel goes under the river.
Past	We drove past the school.
From	I came from London.
Out of	She ran out of the building.
Off	The cat jumped off the table.

Examples of Prepositions of Agency

This table illustrates the use of prepositions of agency, showing how they indicate the means or agent by which an action is performed.

Preposition	Example Sentence
By	The book was written by J.K. Rowling.
By	The door was opened by the wind.
By	I traveled to work by bus.
With	She cut the paper with scissors.
With	He fixed the car with a wrench.
With	She painted the picture with watercolors.

Examples of Phrasal Prepositions

This table provides examples of phrasal prepositions, demonstrating their use in creating more complex and nuanced sentences.

Preposition	Example Sentence
According to	According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
Because of	The game was canceled because of the rain.
In addition to	In addition to English, she speaks French.
In front of	The car is parked in front of the building.
On behalf of	I am speaking on behalf of the company.
Due to	The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances.
In spite of	In spite of the rain, we enjoyed the picnic.
Instead of	I had tea instead of coffee.
By means of	He succeeded by means of hard work.
With regard to	With regard to your question, I need more information.
In accordance with	The project was completed in accordance with the plan.
On top of	There’s an apple on top of the fridge.
As well as	She sings as well as plays the piano.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

While prepositions may seem simple, their usage is governed by specific rules and conventions. Understanding these rules is crucial for avoiding errors and ensuring clarity in your writing and speech.

Prepositions at the End of Sentences

One of the most debated rules of preposition usage is whether it is acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition. Traditionally, prescriptive grammarians frowned upon this practice, deeming it grammatically incorrect.

However, modern grammar recognizes that ending a sentence with a preposition is often natural and acceptable, especially in informal contexts.

The “rule” against ending sentences with prepositions originated from a desire to make English grammar conform to Latin grammar, where prepositions typically precede their objects. However, English is a different language with its own unique structure and conventions.

In many cases, moving the preposition to an earlier position in the sentence can result in awkward or unnatural phrasing.

Here are some examples where ending a sentence with a preposition is perfectly acceptable:

“What are you looking at?” (More natural than “At what are you looking?”)
“Who did you give the book to?” (More natural than “To whom did you give the book?”)
“This is the house I grew up in.” (More natural than “This is the house in which I grew up.”)

In formal writing, it may be preferable to avoid ending sentences with prepositions if it can be done without sounding stilted or unnatural. However, in most everyday contexts, it is perfectly acceptable and often the most natural way to express oneself.

Prepositions with Specific Words

Many words in English are idiomatically linked to specific prepositions. These combinations are often arbitrary and must be memorized.

Using the wrong preposition with these words can lead to errors in meaning and clarity. These combinations are often called ‘fixed preposition’ or ‘dependent prepositions’.

Here are some examples of words that commonly take specific prepositions:

Agree with someone, to something, on something
Afraid of something
Interested in something
Depend on something
Similar to something
Different from something
Good at something

For example, you would say “I agree with you” not “I agree to you.” Similarly, you would say “I am interested in learning more” not “I am interested on learning more.”

It’s important to pay attention to these fixed preposition combinations as you learn new vocabulary. Consulting a dictionary or grammar guide can help you determine the correct preposition to use with a particular word.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

As with many aspects of language, preposition usage can vary depending on the context and level of formality. In formal writing and speech, it is generally advisable to adhere strictly to grammatical rules and avoid colloquialisms or informal constructions.

In informal contexts, however, more relaxed usage is often acceptable and even preferred.

For example, in formal writing, you might say “To whom did you address the letter?” In informal conversation, you would likely say “Who did you address the letter to?” Both sentences convey the same meaning, but the former is more formal and grammatically precise.

Another example is the use of “like” as a preposition. While commonly used in informal speech to mean “similar to” or “in the same way as,” it is generally considered less acceptable in formal writing.

In formal contexts, it is better to use prepositions such as “such as” or “similar to.”

Understanding the nuances of formal and informal preposition usage can help you tailor your language to suit different situations and audiences. While it’s important to be aware of the rules of grammar, it’s also important to be flexible and adapt your language to the context.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky, and even advanced learners make mistakes. Here are some common errors and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.	“Agree” does not need an additional preposition before “with.”
I am interested on learning more.	I am interested in learning more.	“Interested” is followed by “in.”
He is good on math.	He is good at math.	“Good” is followed by “at” when referring to a skill.
She depends of her parents.	She depends on her parents.	“Depend” is followed by “on.”
The book is different than the movie.	The book is different from the movie.	“Different” is followed by “from” in formal English.
I will meet you in Monday.	I will meet you on Monday.	Use “on” with days of the week.
I live at New York.	I live in New York.	Use “in” with cities and states.
The cat jumped off of the table.	The cat jumped off the table.	“Off of” is redundant; use “off.”
Where are you going to?	Where are you going?	The “to” is unnecessary in this context.
He arrived to the airport.	He arrived at the airport.	Use “at” for specific locations like airports.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding of prepositions, complete the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.

Question	Answer
1. I am going _____ the store.	to
2. The book is _____ the table.	on
3. She was born _____ 1990.	in
4. The meeting is _____ 3 PM.	at
5. He is afraid _____ spiders.	of
6. I agree _____ you.	with
7. She is interested _____ learning more.	in
8. The cat is sleeping _____ the bed.	under
9. He walked _____ the hill.	down
10. The letter is _____ the envelope.	inside

Exercise 2: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.

Incorrect Sentence	Corrected Sentence
1. I am agree to you.	I agree with you.
2. He is good on math.	He is good at math.
3. She depends of her parents.	She depends on her parents.
4. I will meet you in Monday.	I will meet you on Monday.
5. He arrived to the airport.	He arrived at the airport.
6. The cat jumped off of the table.	The cat jumped off the table.
7. The book is different than the movie.	The book