Prepositions: A Comprehensive Worksheet Guide for Class 5

Prepositions are essential building blocks in English grammar, connecting nouns and pronouns to other words in a sentence. A solid understanding of prepositions helps Class 5 students construct clearer, more descriptive, and grammatically correct sentences.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to prepositions, offering definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises specifically designed for young learners. Mastering prepositions will significantly enhance their writing and speaking skills.

This guide is beneficial for students in Class 5, their teachers, and parents who wish to support their children’s English language development. By working through the examples and exercises, students will gain confidence in using prepositions accurately and effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Prepositions
3. Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases
4. Types of Prepositions
   • Prepositions of Time
   • Prepositions of Place
   • Prepositions of Movement
5. Examples of Prepositions
   • Examples of Prepositions of Time
   • Examples of Prepositions of Place
   • Examples of Prepositions of Movement
6. Usage Rules for Prepositions
7. Common Mistakes with Prepositions
8. Practice Exercises
   • Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
   • Exercise 2: Identifying Prepositions
   • Exercise 3: Using the Correct Preposition
9. Advanced Topics: Complex Prepositions
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
11. Conclusion

Definition of Prepositions

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It typically indicates location, time, direction, or spatial relationships. Prepositions often come before a noun or pronoun, which is then called the object of the preposition. Together, the preposition and its object form a prepositional phrase.

Consider the sentence, “The book is on the table.” Here, “on” is the preposition. It connects the noun “book” to the noun “table,” showing the location of the book. “The table” is the object of the preposition, and “on the table” is the prepositional phrase.

Prepositions are crucial for adding detail and clarity to sentences. Without them, it would be difficult to express specific relationships between objects, people, and events.

Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases

Understanding the structure of prepositional phrases is essential for using prepositions correctly. A prepositional phrase consists of two main parts:

1. Preposition: The word that establishes the relationship (e.g., in, on, at, to, from).
2. Object of the Preposition: The noun or pronoun that the preposition relates to the rest of the sentence (e.g., the box, him, school).

The basic structure is: Preposition + Object of the Preposition.

For example:

• In the garden (in is the preposition, the garden is the object)
• To school (to is the preposition, school is the object)
• With him (with is the preposition, him is the object)

The object of the preposition can sometimes be modified by adjectives or other descriptive words. For example, “In the big, green garden” is still a prepositional phrase, where “the big, green garden” is the object of the preposition.

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. The three main categories are prepositions of time, place, and movement.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time indicate when something happens. Common prepositions of time include at, on, in, before, after, during, until, since, and for.

Here’s a brief overview:

• At: Used for specific times (e.g., at 3 o’clock).
• On: Used for days and dates (e.g., on Monday, on July 4th).
• In: Used for months, years, seasons, and general time periods (e.g., in January, in 2023, in the summer).
• Before: Indicates something happening earlier than a specific time (e.g., before dinner).
• After: Indicates something happening later than a specific time (e.g., after school).

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place indicate where something is located. Common prepositions of place include in, on, at, under, over, near, behind, between, among, and next to.

Here’s a brief overview:

• In: Used for enclosed spaces or general locations (e.g., in the box, in the city).
• On: Used for surfaces (e.g., on the table, on the wall).
• At: Used for specific points or addresses (e.g., at the corner, at 123 Main Street).
• Under: Indicates something is below something else (e.g., under the bed).
• Over: Indicates something is above something else (e.g., over the bridge).

Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement indicate how something or someone moves from one place to another. Common prepositions of movement include to, from, through, across, into, out of, up, down, and along.

Here’s a brief overview:

• To: Indicates movement towards a specific destination (e.g., to school, to the store).
• From: Indicates movement away from a specific location (e.g., from home, from the park).
• Through: Indicates movement within an enclosed space (e.g., through the tunnel, through the forest).
• Across: Indicates movement from one side to the other (e.g., across the street, across the river).
• Into: Indicates movement entering a space (e.g., into the house, into the water).

Examples of Prepositions

To further illustrate the use of prepositions, let’s look at specific examples categorized by type.

Examples of Prepositions of Time

The following table provides examples of prepositions of time used in sentences. Understanding these examples will help you grasp how to use these prepositions correctly.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	The meeting will start at 9 AM.
On	We celebrate Christmas on December 25th.
In	I was born in 2010.
Before	Please finish your homework before dinner.
After	We will go to the park after school.
During	It rained heavily during the night.
Until	I will wait for you until 5 PM.
Since	I have been studying English since last year.
For	We have lived here for five years.
By	The project must be completed by Friday.
From…to	The store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Past	It’s ten minutes past three.
Around	I’ll see you around lunchtime.
Throughout	The festival lasted throughout the month.
Within	The package will arrive within three days.
Over	We discussed the issue over several meetings.
Between	The event will take place between June and August.
To	It’s quarter to seven.
Up to	Up to now, we haven’t faced any major challenges.
As of	As of next week, the new policy will be implemented.
On time	He always arrives on time for his appointments.
In time	If we hurry, we’ll get there in time for the show.
At the beginning of	At the beginning of the movie, the main character is introduced.
At the end of	At the end of the day, I like to relax with a good book.
In the middle of	In the middle of the night, I heard a strange noise.

These examples demonstrate the various ways prepositions of time can be used to specify when events occur. Pay close attention to the context to choose the correct preposition.

Examples of Prepositions of Place

The following table shows examples of prepositions of place in sentences. Observing how these prepositions are used will help you understand spatial relationships.

Preposition	Example Sentence
In	The cat is in the box.
On	The book is on the table.
At	We met at the park.
Under	The dog is sleeping under the tree.
Over	The plane flew over the mountains.
Near	The school is near my house.
Behind	The car is parked behind the building.
Between	The house is between the two trees.
Among	The sheep are grazing among the hills.
Next to	The bank is next to the post office.
Above	The picture is above the fireplace.
Below	The basement is below the ground floor.
Inside	The keys are inside the drawer.
Outside	The children are playing outside the house.
Around	There is a fence around the garden.
Across from	The library is across from the museum.
In front of	The bus stop is in front of the school.
Beside	She sat beside me during the movie.
Against	The ladder is leaning against the wall.
Towards	He walked towards the entrance.
Away from	Keep the chemicals away from the children.
Upon	The cat jumped upon the counter.
Alongside	The path runs alongside the river.
Down	The store is down the street.
Up	The apartment is up the stairs.

These examples offer a variety of ways to describe the location of objects and people. Understanding these spatial relationships is crucial for clear communication.

Examples of Prepositions of Movement

The following table illustrates prepositions of movement in sentences. These examples will help you understand how to describe motion from one place to another.

Preposition	Example Sentence
To	We are going to the beach.
From	He came from Italy.
Through	The train went through the tunnel.
Across	She swam across the lake.
Into	He walked into the room.
Out of	She ran out of the house.
Up	The cat climbed up the tree.
Down	The ball rolled down the hill.
Along	We walked along the beach.
Around	We drove around the city.
Towards	He walked towards the light.
Away from	The bird flew away from the cage.
Over	The dog jumped over the fence.
Under	The snake slithered under the log.
Past	He drove past the school.
By	The car went by quickly.
Off	The book fell off the shelf.
Onto	The bird landed onto the branch.
From…to	We traveled from London to Paris.
Toward	The ship sailed toward the horizon.
Throughout	The news spread throughout the town.
Upon	The responsibility falls upon him.
Against	The waves crashed against the shore.
Below	The submarine traveled below the surface.
Above	The helicopter hovered above the city.

These examples showcase how prepositions of movement can be used to describe different types of motion and direction. Practice using these prepositions to enhance your descriptive writing.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

Using prepositions correctly involves understanding specific rules and common exceptions. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:

1. Prepositions usually come before their object: The preposition typically precedes the noun or pronoun it governs. For example, “to the store,” not “the store to.”
2. Prepositions can be followed by nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases: The object of a preposition can be a simple noun (e.g., “in the box”), a pronoun (e.g., “with him”), or a noun phrase (e.g., “on the big, wooden table”).
3. Certain verbs are often followed by specific prepositions: Some verbs have a natural association with particular prepositions. For example, we “listen to” music, “agree with” someone, and “depend on” something.
4. Avoid ending sentences with prepositions (generally): While not always incorrect, it’s often considered more formal to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition. For example, instead of “Where are you from?”, try “From where are you?” or “Where do you come from?”

Exceptions and Special Cases:

• Idiomatic Expressions: Many common phrases use prepositions in ways that don’t strictly follow grammatical rules. These are often referred to as idiomatic expressions and must be learned through exposure and practice. For instance, “in fact,” “on purpose,” and “at ease” are examples of idiomatic prepositional phrases.
• Questions: It’s common to end questions with prepositions. For example, “What are you looking at?” is perfectly acceptable.
• Relative Clauses: Prepositions can appear at the end of relative clauses. For example, “This is the book I was talking about.”

Understanding these rules and exceptions will help you use prepositions more accurately and confidently in your writing and speaking.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky, and even native English speakers sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common errors and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am good at English.	I am good in English.	When referring to school subjects, use “in”.
Meet me on the library.	Meet me at the library.	Use “at” for specific locations.
The book is in the table.	The book is on the table.	Use “on” for surfaces.
He arrived to the airport.	He arrived at the airport.	Use “at” when specifying a location of arrival.
She is afraid from spiders.	She is afraid of spiders.	“Afraid” is followed by “of”.
I agree to you.	I agree with you.	“Agree” is followed by “with” when referring to a person.
He depends of his parents.	He depends on his parents.	“Depend” is followed by “on”.
I am waiting for the bus since morning.	I have been waiting for the bus since morning.	Use the present perfect continuous tense to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present.
Write with a pen.	Write with a pen. / Write using a pen.	Both are acceptable, but “using” can sometimes provide clarity.
Listen at me.	Listen to me.	“Listen” is followed by “to”.

Being aware of these common mistakes and their corrections will help you avoid errors and improve your preposition usage.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of prepositions with the following exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of preposition usage.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition from the options provided.

Question	Options	Answer
1. The cat is sitting ______ the chair.	(a) on (b) in (c) under	(a) on
2. The book is ______ the bag.	(a) in (b) on (c) at	(a) in
3. We will meet ______ 5 PM.	(a) in (b) on (c) at	(c) at
4. The store is ______ the bank and the post office.	(a) between (b) among (c) near	(a) between
5. He is going ______ school.	(a) to (b) from (c) in	(a) to
6. The picture is hanging ______ the wall.	(a) on (b) in (c) at	(a) on
7. The dog is hiding ______ the table.	(a) over (b) under (c) beside	(b) under
8. She arrived ______ London yesterday.	(a) to (b) at (c) in	(c) in
9. The party will be ______ Saturday.	(a) in (b) on (c) at	(b) on
10. The bird flew ______ the window.	(a) through (b) across (c) over	(a) through

Exercise 2: Identifying Prepositions

Underline the prepositions in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. The keys are on the table.	on
2. She walked to the store.	to
3. The cat is sleeping under the bed.	under
4. We will meet at the park.	at
5. The book is in the bag.	in
6. He came from France.	from
7. The plane flew over the city.	over
8. The house is near the river.	near
9. She sat beside me.	beside
10. The picture is above the sofa.	above

Exercise 3: Using the Correct Preposition

Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. I live ______ 123 Main Street.	(a) at (b) in (c) on	(a) at
2. The cat jumped ______ the fence.	(a) over (b) under (c) through	(a) over
3. We are going ______ a trip to Europe.	(a) on (b) in (c) at	(a) on
4. The meeting is scheduled ______ Monday.	(a) in (b) on (c) at	(b) on
5. She is interested ______ learning new languages.	(a) on (b) in (c) at	(b) in
6. He is standing ______ the door.	(a) at (b) in (c) on	(a) at
7. The bird flew ______ the cage.	(a) out of (b) into (c) through	(a) out of
8. I am waiting ______ the bus.	(a) for (b) to (c) at	(a) for
9. The keys are hidden ______ the flowers.	(a) among (b) between (c) near	(a) among
10. The train travels ______ the mountains.	(a) through (b) across (c) over	(a) through

Advanced Topics: Complex Prepositions

For advanced learners, understanding complex prepositions is crucial. Complex prepositions are phrases that function as a single preposition.

They often consist of two or three words.

Examples of complex prepositions include:

• According to
• Because of
• In addition to
• In front of
• In spite of
• On account of
• Out of
• With regard to

Using complex prepositions correctly adds sophistication to your writing. For example, instead of saying “He was late because it rained,” you could say “He was late because of the rain.”

Complex prepositions often require careful attention to sentence structure to ensure clarity. Make sure the phrase flows smoothly and logically within the sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about prepositions:

1. What is the difference between “in,” “on,” and “at” when referring to time?

   “In” is used for general time periods like months, years, seasons, and parts of the day (e.g., in January, in 2024, in the summer, in the morning). “On” is used for specific days and dates (e.g., on Monday, on July 4th). “At” is used for specific times of the day or points in time (e.g., at 3 PM, at night).

2. How do I know which preposition to use with a particular verb?

   Many verb-preposition combinations are idiomatic, meaning they must be memorized. Consulting a dictionary or grammar guide can help you identify the correct preposition to use with a specific verb. Pay attention to how native speakers use these combinations in context.

3. Is it always wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?

   While traditionally frowned upon, ending a sentence with a preposition is not always incorrect. In informal writing and speech, it is often acceptable, especially in questions and relative clauses. However, in formal writing, it’s best to avoid it if possible.

4. What is the object of a preposition?

   The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that the preposition relates to other words in the sentence. It typically follows the preposition and completes the prepositional phrase. For example, in the phrase “to the store,” “the store” is the object of the preposition “to.”

5. Can a prepositional phrase function as an adjective or an adverb?

   Yes, prepositional phrases can function as either adjectives or adverbs. When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, it functions as an adjective (e.g., “the book on the table“). When it modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, it functions as an adverb (e.g., “He walked to the store“).

6. Are there any prepositions that can also function as other parts of speech?

   Yes, some words can function as both prepositions and adverbs. For example, “around” can be a preposition (e.g., “He walked around the block”) or an adverb (e.g., “The children were playing around”). The difference lies in whether the word has an object following it. If it does, it’s a preposition; if not, it’s an adverb.

7. What are complex prepositions and how are they used?

   Complex prepositions are multi-word phrases that act as a single preposition, such as “because of,” “in spite of,” and “according to.” They help express more complex relationships and add detail to sentences. They are used just like single-word prepositions, followed by an object.

8. How can I improve my understanding and use of prepositions?

   The best way to improve your preposition usage is through practice and exposure. Read widely, paying attention to how prepositions are used in different contexts. Complete exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from teachers or native speakers.

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions is a fundamental step in developing strong English language skills. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of prepositions, including their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises.

By understanding these concepts and practicing regularly, Class 5 students can significantly improve their ability to construct clear, accurate, and descriptive sentences.

Remember to pay attention to context, memorize common verb-preposition combinations, and practice using prepositions in your writing and speaking. Continuous learning and application are key to mastering this essential aspect of English grammar.

Keep practicing, and you’ll become more confident and proficient in using prepositions effectively.