The Preposition
More Lessons on English
English as a Second Language, IELTS, TOEFL
In these lessons, we will learn
- what is a preposition?
- preposition of time
- preposition of space
- preposition of location and direction
- difference between prepositions and adverbs
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other word in the sentence. The relationships include direction, place, time, cause, manner and amount.
A preposition always goes with a noun or pronoun which is called the object of the preposition. The preposition is almost always before the noun or pronoun. The preposition and the object of the preposition together are called a prepositional phrase.
Examples:
I walked to the car. (preposition – to, object of the proposition – car, prepositional phrase – to the car)
I walked around the car. (preposition – around, object of the proposition – car, prepositional phrase – around the car)
The pen is on the table. (preposition – on, object of the proposition – table, prepositional phrase – on the table)
I read the book during class. (preposition – during, object of the proposition – class, prepositional phrase – during class)
Some of the commonly used propositions are:
| aboard | behind | during |
| about | below | except |
| above | beneath | for |
| across | beneath | from |
| after | besides | in |
| against | between | inside |
| along | beyond | into |
| among | but (meaning except) | like |
| around | by | near |
| at | concerning | of |
| before | down | off |
| on | throughout | until |
| out | till | up |
| over | to | upon |
| past | toward | with |
| since | under | within |
| through | underneath | without |
Prepositions of Time: In, At, On
The preposition in is used for
| Examples | |
| Months | in July |
| Years | in 1960 |
| Centuries | in the 19th century |
| Long Periods | in the mornings |
| Seasons | in summer |
The proposition at is used for
| Examples | |
| A precise time | at 7.00 a.m. |
| The weekend | at the weekend |
| Night | att night |
| Festive Periods | at Christmas |
The preposition on is used for
| Examples | |
| Special Days | on my birthday |
| Days of the Week | on Tuesday |
| Dates | on the 24th of December |
Exceptions:
Examples:There is NO preposition of time if the day/year has each, every, last, next before it.
in the past
at present
in the future
Examples:
each year
every Monday
last week
next day
Prepositions of Space: At, On, In
Preposition |
Used for |
Examples |
At |
a specific location or point in space |
at the door |
On |
a horizontal or vertical surface |
on the table |
In |
enclosed area |
in New York |
Prepositions and Adverbs
A preposition is followed by a noun, pronoun or noun phrase, which forms the object of the preposition.
Some words can be a proposition or an adverb, but an adverb does not have an object.
Examples:
I walked up the stairs. (up is the proposition and stairs is the object)
I walked up. (up is the adverb and there is no object)
Videos
Many students have problems with prepositions in English. The following video explains how three prepositions -- 'at', 'on', and 'in' ֠are used in relation to time. There is no preposition of time if the day/year has each, every, last, next before it. The following video gives examples of the 3 prepositions: 'at, on, in,' in relation to space. Prepositions of location and direction.Part 1: At, In, On Part 2: Near or By, Next to or Beside, Across from or Opposite. Below, Under, Above, Over, Between, Among, In front of, Behind, On the left/right of, at the top/bottom of, in, inside, outside Part 3: Prepositions of Direction. Difference between Prepositions and Adverbs.
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