What Is Preposition | A Complete Overview

What is Preposition?

A preposition is a word that typically shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other elements in a sentence. Prepositions often indicate location, direction, time, or relationships between different elements in a sentence. Examples of common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “under,” “above,” “between,” “beside,” “before,” and “after.”

Examples Of How Prepositions:

1. The cat is on the table.
2. She walked to the store.
3. The book is under the bed.
4. We met at the park.
5. The plane flew over the mountains.

Prepositions help provide additional information about the spatial or temporal relationships within a sentence, contributing to the overall clarity and meaning of the expression.

Types of Preposition

1. Preposition of Time
2. Preposition of Place
3. Preposition of Location
4. Preposition of Direction
5. Preposition of Spatial Relationship
6. Preposition of Phrase

Preposition of Time

Prepositions of time are used to indicate when an event or action takes place. Common prepositions of time include:

1. At: Used for specific points in time.
   Example: I have a meeting at 3:00 PM.
2. In: Used for longer periods, months, years, and seasons.
   Example: She will graduate in June.
   Example: The conference is in 2022.
3. On: Used for specific days and dates.
   Example: We will have a party on Saturday.
   Example: The concert is on February 20th.
4. For: Used to indicate the duration of time.
   Example: They have been friends for ten years.
5. Since: Used to indicate the starting point of a period.
   Example: I have been working here since 2010.
6. Before: Used to indicate a point in time earlier than another event.
   Example: Please finish your homework before dinner.
7. After: Used to indicate a point in time later than another event.
   Example: We’ll meet after the movie.
8. During: Used to indicate the time within which an event occurs.
   Example: I fell asleep during the lecture.

Preposition of Place

Prepositions of place are used to describe the location or position of people, objects, or events with other things. Common prepositions of place include:

1. In: Used for enclosed spaces, larger areas, and countries.
   Example: She is in the room.
   Example: They live in Canada.
2. On: Used for surfaces.
   Example: The cat is on the table.
   Example: There’s a stain on your shirt.
3. At: Used for specific points or locations.
   Example: He is at the park.
   Example: We will meet at the restaurant.
4. Under: Indicates a position below or beneath something.
   Example: The cat is under the bed.
   Example: The keys are under the newspaper.
5. Over: Indicates a position above or higher than something.
   Example: The plane flew over the city.
   Example: Hang the picture over the fireplace.
6. Above: Similar to “over,” indicating a higher position.
   Example: The sun is above the horizon.
7. Below: Indicates a lower position.
   Example: The temperature is below freezing.
8. Beside: Indicates a position next to or alongside something.
   Example: Sit beside me.
9. Between: Indicates a position in the middle of two or more things.
   Example: The cat is between the two cushions.
10. Behind: Indicates a position at the back of something.
    Example: The car is behind the house.

Preposition of Location

Prepositions of location are used to describe the position or placement of someone or something about another object or place. Some common prepositions of location include:

1. In: Used for being inside an enclosed space or a general location.
   Example: The cat is in the box.
   Example: I work in an office.
2. On: Indicates a position on a surface.
   Example: The book is on the table.
   Example: There’s a stain on your shirt.
3. At: Used for specific points or locations.
   Example: She is at the park.
   Example: We’ll meet at the corner.
4. By: Indicates proximity or being next to something.
   Example: The chair is by the window.
   Example: I will wait by the door.
5. Next to Similar to “besides,” indicating a position adjacent to something.
   Example: Sit next to me.
6. Under: Indicates a position below or beneath something.
   Example: The keys are under the newspaper.
   Example: The cat is under the bed.
7. Above: Indicates a position higher than something.
   Example: The painting is above the sofa.
   Example: The sun is above the horizon.
8. Below: Indicates a position lower than something.
   Example: The temperature is below freezing.
9. Between: Indicates a position in the middle of two or more things.
   Example: The car is parked between the two buildings.
10. Behind: Indicates a position at the back of something.
    Example: The garden is behind the house.

Preposition of Direction

1. To: Indicates movement toward a specific destination.
   Example: She walked to the store.
   Example: I’m going to a party.
2. Into: Indicates movement inside or into an enclosed space.
   Example: The cat jumped into the box.
   Example: Let’s go into the house.
3. Onto: Similar to “into,” indicating movement onto a surface.
   Example: He climbed onto the roof.
   Example: Put the dishes on the table.
4. Through: Indicates movement from one side to another, often through an opening or a space.
   Example: The car drove through the tunnel.
   Example: She walked through the door.
5. Across: Indicates movement from one side to another, often over a surface.
   Example: They swam across the river.
   Example: Walk across the bridge.
6. Over: Indicates movement above and across a surface.
   Example: The bird flew over the trees.
   Example: She jumped over the puddle.
7. Along: Indicates movement in a line parallel to a surface.
   Example: We walked along the beach.
   Example: Drive along the road.
8. Up: Indicates movement in a higher direction.
   Example: The balloon floated up into the sky.
   Example: Climb up the stairs.
9. Down: Indicates movement in a lower direction.
   Example: The water flowed down the hill.
   Example: Slide down the slope.
10. Towards/Toward: Indicates movement in the direction of someone or something.
    Example: He walked towards the building.
    Example: The boat sailed toward the island.

Preposition of Spatial Relationship

Prepositions of spatial relationship describe the position or arrangement of objects or people about each other in a given space. Here are some common prepositions of spatial relationships:

1. Between: Indicates the position of something in the middle of two or more things.
   Example: The cat is between the two chairs.
   Example: The book is between the bookends.
2. Among: Indicates the position of something surrounded by other things.
   Example: He found his keys among the papers on the desk.
   Example: The toy is among the other toys on the shelf.
3. Beside: Indicates a position next to or alongside something.
   Example: Stand beside me.
   Example: The house is beside the park.
4. Next to Similar to “besides,” indicating a position adjacent to something.
   Example: The car is parked next to the building.
   Example: Sit next to your friend.
5. Near: Indicates proximity or closeness to something.
   Example: The store is near the mall.
   Example: We live near the school.
6. Close to: Similar to “near,” indicating a very short distance from something.
   Example: The restaurant is close to the hotel.
   Example: The cat is close to the mouse.
7. Behind: Indicates a position at the back of something.
   Example: The garden is behind the house.
   Example: The car is behind the truck.
8. In front of: Indicates a position at the front of something.
   Example: The teacher is in front of the class.
   Example: The tree is in front of the house.
9. Above: Indicates a position higher than something.
   Example: The painting is above the sofa.
   Example: The sun is above the horizon.
10. Below: Indicates a position lower than something.
    Example: The temperature is below freezing.
    Example: The fish is below the surface.

Preposition of Phrase

It seems like there might be a bit of confusion in your question. Prepositions are typically single words that show the relationship between different elements in a sentence. However, if you are referring to prepositional phrases, those are groups of words that include a preposition and its object (usually a noun or pronoun), along with any modifiers.

For example:

1. In the box: “In” is the preposition, and “the box” is its object. Together, they form a prepositional phrase.
2. Under the table: “Under” is the preposition, and “the table” is its object. This is another example of a prepositional phrase.

Prepositional phrases add additional information to a sentence, often providing details about location, time, or other relationships. If you have a specific context or example in mind, please provide more details, and I’ll be happy to help clarify.

Related Resources:

Grammar

• Conjunction
• Verbs
• Adverbs
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Interjections

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Q: What is the full concept of prepositions?

A) Prepositions express relationships between elements. They indicate time, place, direction, or spatial arrangement in a sentence.

Q: What is a preposition PDF?

A) preposition PDF is a document explaining prepositions, their usage, and examples. It guides how prepositions convey relationships in language.

Q: What is preposition and how many types of preposition?

A) preposition shows relationships in a sentence. Types include time (at, in), place (on, under), direction (to, towards), and more.

Q: What is preposition by means?

A) preposition, by definition, indicates relationships like location or direction in a sentence. It clarifies the connection between elements.

Q: What are the rules of preposition?

A) Prepositions indicate relationships in time, place, or direction. Common rules include proper usage, context relevance, and understanding specific prepositions for accurate communication.