Mastering prepositions is crucial for achieving fluency in English. It’s important to note that the correct use of prepositions often depends on the specific context of the sentence.
Preposition-Definition:
Prepositions are words that show relationships between nouns (or pronouns) and other words in a sentence. They indicate direction, location, time, manner, or possession.
![woman-model-park-7851024](https://englishthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/woman-model-park-7851024.jpg)
She walked towards the park.
![businesswoman-mercedes-black-1063392](https://englishthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/businesswoman-mercedes-black-1063392.jpg)
The keys to the car are missing.
![siberian-cat-animal-pet-8214143-1](https://englishthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/siberian-cat-animal-pet-8214143-1.jpg)
The cat is on the table.
![coffee-kind-smile-2937181](https://englishthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/coffee-kind-smile-2937181.jpg)
He spoke to her with kindness.
![steampunk-clock-victorian-1627660-1](https://englishthemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/steampunk-clock-victorian-1627660-1.jpg)
We’ll meet at 3 PM.
Examples:
- Direction: She walked towards the park.
- Location: The cat is on the table.
- Time: We’ll meet at 3 PM.
- Manner: He spoke to her with kindness.
- Possession: The keys to the car are missing.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions can be categorized in several ways based on their usage and meaning. Here are some common types of prepositions:
1. Simple Prepositions:
Single-word prepositions that indicate relationships of place, time, direction, etc.
- Examples: in, on, at, by, under, over, above, below, between, among, through, beside, behind, etc.
2. Compound Prepositions:
Prepositions are formed by combining words.
- Examples: in front of, on top of, because of, due to, instead of, in spite of, etc.
3. Double Prepositions:
Prepositions are formed by combining two simple prepositions.
- Examples: into, upon, onto, within, without, etc.
4. Participle Prepositions:
Prepositions ending in ‘-ing’, ‘-ed’, or ‘-en’ that function as adjectives.
- Examples: concerning, considering, given, excluding, including, etc.
5. Prepositional Phrases:
Phrases consist of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers.
- Examples: on the table, in the park, with a smile, at the store, etc.
6. Prepositions of Time:
Prepositions indicate when something happens.
- Examples: before, after, during, while, since, until, etc.
7. Prepositions of Place:
Prepositions indicate where something is located.
- Examples: here, there, nearby, far, abroad, upstairs, downstairs, etc.
8. Prepositions of Direction:
Prepositions indicate the direction of movement.
- Examples: across, along, through, toward(s), into, onto, out of, etc.
9. Prepositions of Agent:
Prepositions indicate the ‘doer’ of an action.
- Examples: by, with, through, etc.
10. Prepositions of Purpose:
Prepositions indicating the reason or purpose.
- Examples: for, to, in order to, so that, etc.
11. Prepositions of Comparison:
Prepositions are used to compare one thing with another.
- Examples: like, unlike, then, etc.
12. Phrasal Prepositions:
Prepositions are formed by combining a verb and an adverb.
- Examples: look up to (respect), run into (meet unexpectedly), get away with (escape punishment), etc.