Prepositions Explained: Place, Time, and Direction with Examples
Sentences will not make any sense if prepositions are not present. Basically they indicate the relationship between the noun and the other words in the sentence. They show the relationships of sequence, space, and logic between the object and the rest of the sentence. They help us understand the order, time, connections and position.
We use a preposition to relate a noun or a pronoun to some other word in the sentence.
For example, in the sentence, “The players on the field are tired.”
The preposition “on” shows the relationship between ‘players’ and ‘field’.
What Exactly are called Prepositions?
A preposition is a tiny, common word that indicates direction (to in "a letter to you"), location (at in "at the door"), or time (in "by noon"), or that introduces an item (or in "a basket of apples"). The object of a preposition is usually a noun (noon), a noun phrase (the door), or a pronoun (you).
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Prepositions show how other words in a sentence are related. Many prepositions indicate the location of something or the time it occurred. Because most prepositions have many definitions, their meaning varies greatly depending on the context. It is not a grammatical error to end a sentence with a preposition. Prepositions describe the location or timing of something in relation to something else. It's useful to have these specific words to tell us where monsters are while they're approaching. Are they in front of us or behind us? Will they show there in three seconds or at 12 a.m.?
Prepositions are frequently used to indicate the location of one noun in relation to another (e.g., The coffee is on the table beside you). However, they can also be used to convey more abstract concepts like purpose or contrast (e.g., We went for a walk despite the rain)
Some examples of Prepositions-
At, by, for, from, in, of, on, to, and with are the most prevalent prepositions. About, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, because of, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, close to, down, during, except, inside, instead of, into, like, near, off, on top of, onto, out of, outside, over, past, since, through, toward, under, until, up, upon, within, without.
Prepositions Come in a Variety of Forms
Direction, time, location, and geographical linkages, as well as other abstract sorts of relationships, are all indicated by prepositions.
Directions: Our destination can be found to the left.
Time: Since this morning, we've been working.
Location: We went to the theater to see a movie.
Example: Tonight, we'll be cooking for ten people.
Space: The dog hid beneath the table.
Example: Dan shared a meal with his boss.
How do prepositions help us?
Prepositions are known as the "largest small words" in English because, despite their modest length, they are crucial to the meaning of the phrase. A misplaced preposition can make all the difference between a well-written phrase and a tangle of words. Prepositions, on the other hand, provide the glue between elements of a sentence, allowing you to present your scientific findings more precisely and professionally when employed correctly.
Prepositions connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases (known as the preposition's object) to other words in a sentence. They show how their item is related to another word or component of the sentence in terms of time, space, or logic.
Examples:
The airplane flew over our house.
She sat on the chair.
The cups are kept above the plates.
The book belongs to Muskan.
They were sitting by the pool.
The dog jumped off the counter.
There is some curd in the fridge.
The napkin is placed beside the plate.
His house is across the street.
My book is next to the laptop.
The gas station is by the medical store.
I always go to work by bus.
Is the tea too hot for you?
The cat is hiding underneath the chair.
They have a discussion about cricket.
Preposition - An Explanation of Examples
Seema went to the mal
“To” is a preposition which shows direction.
What is the time on your watch?
“By” is a preposition which shows manners.
They arrived at the airport.
“At” is a preposition which shows time.
The bag is under the table.
“Under” is a preposition which shows place.
Kinds of Preposition
Single Prepositions
Prepositions which contain only one word are known as Single Prepositions. For eg- on, at, in, to for, of, from, up, etc.
He was in the hotel for the party.
She bought a gift for her son.
The postmen left the parcel at the door.
Double Prepositions
When there is more than one word of prepositions present, it is known as Double preposition. For eg- Upto, within, etc.
Compound Preposition: Compound prepositions consist of two or more words.
For Example:
Participle Preposition: Participle preposition consists of words that end in “ing”. These are verbs which act as a preposition.
For Example:
She talked regarding the social structure.
Considering the fact that it is cloudy, it might rain tonight.
Everyone attended the royal wedding, including the celebrities.
Preposition on the Basis of Functionality
Various types of prepositions on the basis of the functionality are:
Preposition of Time
This kind of preposition indicates when it indicates the time factor in the sentence. Pointing out an action which happened, happens or will happen in the future.
Example
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd of October.
I will reach there after sunset.
Hope we can reach there before sunrise.
Certain Rules to Follow
Preposition of Place
These kinds of prepositions are used to indicate a place or position. The most interesting thing is that the prepositions used in this are also in, at, on, which were used for time prepositions as well. But, there is nothing very you can easily understand about how to place them.
Examples:
Book is on the table.
The bag is in the cupboard.
We like books at the bookstore.
There are other prepositions of place as well like, Outside, inside, under, over, near.
Preposition of Movement
This preposition indicates the direction in which someone or something is moving. The most common preposition used is to.
Examples:
We are going to the railway station.
David went to the beach every day for a morning walk.
He jumped into the swimming pool.
Some other examples are- Across, through, into, over, down, up, past, around.
Prepositions of Manner
These prepositions describe the way anything happens or any means by which it happens. Few such prepositions are by, like, in with and on.
Examples:
Children go to school by bus.
We went to a movie in a taxi.
He played football like champions.
Prepositions of Measure
These kinds of prepositions show the quantity of something with someone or something.
Two main prepositions are by and of.
Examples:
The Shopkeeper sells the cloth by metres.
Richard bought four kilos of tomatoes for soup.
Preposition of Source
Preposition of source demonstrates the source of something or someone.
Examples:
She was paid a scholarship by her college for all her semesters.
All the love the child received was straight from his mother’s heart.
Preposition of Possession
This preposition shows that something or someone belongs to something or someone. Such as of, with and to.
Some Examples
I saw her with a black dress.
This burger joint is of a well known political leader.
These are the kinds of prepositions and practising more exercises will make you the master of Prepositions.
FAQs on Types of Preposition: Learn All You Need to Know
1. What is a preposition and what is its primary function in a sentence?
A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, or spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Its primary function is to link these words to other parts of the sentence, providing essential context. For example, in the sentence "The book is on the table," the preposition "on" links "the book" and "the table" by describing their relationship.
2. What are the main types of prepositions? Provide examples for each.
Prepositions are typically categorised based on their function. The most common types include:
Prepositions of Time: These indicate when an event happens. Examples include in, on, at, since, for, during. (e.g., "We will meet at 5 PM.")
Prepositions of Place (or Position): These indicate where something is located. Examples include in, on, at, under, behind, above. (e.g., "The cat is hiding under the bed.")
Prepositions of Direction (or Movement): These describe movement towards a destination. Examples include to, into, through, towards. (e.g., "She walked towards the school.")
Prepositions for Agent or Instrument: These indicate an action conducted by or with something/someone. Examples include by, with. (e.g., "This book was written by an expert.")
3. How can I differentiate between the prepositions 'in', 'on', and 'at' for both time and place?
Differentiating between 'in', 'on', and 'at' depends on specificity. Here’s a simple guide:
For Time: Use 'at' for precise times (at 3 o'clock), 'on' for specific days and dates (on Sunday, on March 5th), and 'in' for non-specific times like months, years, or seasons (in April, in 2024, in the morning).
For Place: Use 'at' for specific points or addresses (at the bus stop, at 24 Park Street), 'on' for surfaces or streets (on the table, on Oxford Street), and 'in' for enclosed spaces or larger areas (in the box, in London).
Think of it as moving from general (in) to more specific (on) to very specific (at).
4. Is it grammatically incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition?
No, it is not grammatically incorrect to end a sentence with a preposition. This is a common misconception. In modern English, ending a sentence with a preposition is often more natural and less awkward than trying to rephrase it. For example, asking "What are you looking for?" is perfectly acceptable and sounds more natural than the overly formal "For what are you looking?"
5. What is the key difference between a preposition and a conjunction?
The key difference lies in what they connect. A preposition connects a noun or pronoun (its object) to another part of the sentence to show a relationship (e.g., "The keys are in the drawer"). In contrast, a conjunction connects words, phrases, or, most importantly, clauses together (e.g., "I wanted to leave, but I stayed"). Some words like 'after' or 'before' can be both, depending on their function in the sentence.
6. Why are prepositions considered a 'closed class' of words in English?
Prepositions are considered a 'closed class' because the set of prepositions in a language is relatively stable and does not easily accept new words. Unlike 'open classes' like nouns and verbs, which constantly add new words (e.g., 'selfie', 'google'), the list of prepositions (around 150 in English) rarely changes. This is because they represent fundamental grammatical relationships rather than new objects or concepts.
7. What is the importance of understanding different types of prepositions?
Understanding the different types of prepositions is crucial for constructing clear and logical sentences. Correct usage helps to accurately convey relationships of time, place, and direction, avoiding ambiguity. For students, mastering prepositions improves writing clarity, reading comprehension, and overall command of the English language, as incorrect preposition use can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
