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Prepositions

Prepositions are one of the most important topics in grammar. These help in formation of sentences and give the sentences a meaning.

Falguni
22 Jul 2021
Prepositions

A preposition is a word or a group of words used before nouns, pronouns or noun phrases. Preposition shows direction, time, place and is also used to introduce an object. It describes a relationship between other words. Words like “in” or “after” are hard to define with just a few words. We usually use our hands to describe these words. Still, prepositions, in a sentence, help us understand better about the objects, place, directions, time etc.

Prepositions in English are idiomatic (using expressions that are natural to a native speaker). Because it is difficult to explain prepositions, it is always better to learn them or understand them in a form of sentence.

Preposition of direction

To refer to directions use prepositions like to, in, on, into and onto.

- She goes to church.

- Go right into the house.

- Do not drive on the lawn!

Preposition of time

To refer to one particular time use prepositions like in, at and on.

In should be used usually with parts of the day like months, days, and years.

- She sings only in the evenings.

- It gets hot in April.

- She was born in the year 1993.

When you want to specify the time of the day in your speech use at.

- She sleeps at 10 every night.

- He eats his lunch only at 3 pm.

- The classes start at 6 in the evening.

When you want to refer days, use on.

- He works only on weekdays.

- She fasts on Mondays.

to refer to extended time, use prepositions like for, by, during, from, to, within and with.

- He will be here for the next 2 weeks.

- She finishes her work by 6:00.

- The vacation begins during the summer.

- She will start working from tomorrow onward.

- I will not meet her until June.

- She will leave within 3 hours.

Preposition of place

To refer to places use prepositions like in, at, on and inside.

- They met her in the hall

- She left the book at the side of the table.

- He left his card on the table.

- It is kept inside the cupboard.

To refer to objects or things that are placed above a particular point, over and above are used. Similary, to refer to things that are below a particular point, below, beneath, under and underneath is used.

- The book is kept above the shelf.

- She was hiding under the table.

To refer to objects that are close to a particular point, use prepositions like by, near, next to, between, among and opposite.

- The hut is by a huge tree.

- The store is near her house. 

- Keep the package next to the box.

- There is a flower in between the two leaves.

- The shop is right opposite to her house.

Preposition of location

To refer to a location, use prepositions in, at and on.

- They live in this house

- You will find him at the book store.

- The book is on the floor.

Preposition of spatial relation

Prepositions of spatial relationships deal with where the subject is or where the action is taking place. Prepositions like above, across, above, among, beneath, inside, toward, under, below, ahead, within, in front, off, from, behind, along etc.

- Write your name within the space given.

- He took off his coat.

- They were sitting behind the tree.

These are some of the prepositions frequently used in our conversations as well as in our writings. Learn to use the right prepositions and avoid the use of them unnecessarily.




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