Prepositions: Examples, Rules, and Usage in English

Prepositions are small but powerful words in English grammar that establish relationships between other words in a sentence. They often indicate direction, location, time, cause, manner, or possession, acting as links between nouns, pronouns, or phrases to convey meaning. Prepositions may seem simple, but they play a crucial role in forming clear and concise sentences.

In this blog post, we will explore what prepositions are, their types, rules for using them, examples of prepositions in sentences, and exercises to practice them. By the end, you’ll feel confident in using prepositions correctly in your writing and speech.

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What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. It usually comes before a noun or pronoun to indicate direction, time, location, manner, or reason.

For example:

• Location: The keys are on the table.
• Direction: She walked to the park.
• Time: We’ll meet at noon.

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Types of Prepositions

Prepositions are categorized based on their function. Below are the main types of prepositions:

1. Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate time relationships, such as when something happens.

Examples: At, on, in, during, before, after, since, until

• Sentence examples:
  • She arrived at 5 PM.
  • We’ll visit them on Sunday.
  • He has been studying since morning.

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2. Prepositions of Place/Location

These prepositions describe where something is located.

Examples: In, on, at, under, over, above, below, between, behind

• Sentence examples:
  • The book is on the table.
  • They live in New York City.
  • The cat is hiding under the bed.

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3. Prepositions of Direction/Movement

These prepositions show movement from one place to another.

Examples: To, into, onto, toward, across, along, out of, over

• Sentence examples:
  • She is going to the store.
  • He climbed onto the roof.
  • They walked along the riverbank.

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4. Prepositions of Manner, Cause, or Purpose

These prepositions explain the manner in which something is done or the cause of an action.

Examples: By, with, because of, due to, for, about

• Sentence examples:
  • This painting was made by an artist.
  • He cut the paper with scissors.
  • We canceled the trip because of the rain.

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5. Prepositions of Agent or Instrument

These prepositions indicate the agent performing an action or the instrument used.

Examples: By, with, through

• Sentence examples:
  • The letter was written by her.
  • He opened the box with a knife.

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Preposition Rules

Using prepositions correctly can sometimes be tricky because English prepositions don’t always follow consistent patterns. However, here are some key rules to keep in mind:

1. Prepositions are always followed by a noun or pronoun.

A preposition must always have an object.

• Correct: The book is on the table.
• Incorrect: The book is on.

2. Never end a formal sentence with a preposition.

While ending sentences with prepositions is acceptable in informal English, formal writing avoids it.

• Informal: Who are you talking to?
• Formal: To whom are you talking?

3. Use the correct preposition for time and place.

Prepositions of time and place often have specific uses:

• Use at for specific times (e.g., at 5 PM), on for days and dates (e.g., on Monday), and in for longer periods (e.g., in July or in 2023).

4. Some prepositions depend on specific verbs or adjectives.

Many verbs and adjectives are paired with particular prepositions:

• Interested in, good at, rely on, depend on.

5. Prepositions can have different meanings depending on context.

For example, the preposition on can refer to location (on the table), time (on Monday), or a condition (on duty).

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20 Examples of Prepositions in a Sentence

Here are 20 sentences showcasing prepositions used in various contexts:

1. The keys are on the counter.
2. He went to the park after lunch.
3. The dog jumped over the fence.
4. She has been waiting since morning.
5. The cookies are in the jar.
6. He lives near the train station.
7. They walked along the beach.
8. The meeting starts at 9 AM.
9. We are going out of the city tomorrow.
10. She’s traveling by plane.
11. He opened the door with a key.
12. The car stopped because of the traffic.
13. They sat under the tree for shade.
14. The river flows through the valley.
15. I’ll see you on Saturday.
16. She’s standing between her two friends.
17. The picture is hanging above the fireplace.
18. He is responsible for the project.
19. The children are playing behind the house.
20. She’s been working in the garden all day.

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Common Prepositions and Their Examples

Below is a list of commonly used prepositions with examples:

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	She is at the bus stop.
On	The plate is on the table.
In	The milk is in the fridge.
By	The poem was written by her.
With	He painted the wall with a brush.
For	This gift is for you.
About	The book is about history.
Under	The shoes are under the bed.
Over	The plane flew over the city.
Between	The mall is between the bank and the library.

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Exercises: Practice Using Prepositions

Test your knowledge of prepositions with these exercises:

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition:

1. The train will arrive ___ 8 PM.
2. She put the groceries ___ the counter.
3. He has been working here ___ two years.
4. They walked ___ the bridge to reach the island.
5. The painting was created ___ a famous artist.

Answers:

1. At
2. On
3. For
4. Over
5. By

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Conclusion

Prepositions are indispensable elements of English grammar, helping us define relationships of time, place, direction, and more. Although small in size, they carry significant meaning and are crucial for constructing meaningful sentences. By understanding the types of prepositions, following their rules, and practicing regularly, you can master their usage and improve both your spoken and written English.

So, grab a grammar book, practice with examples, and refine your understanding of prepositions. With consistent effort, you’ll find yourself using them effortlessly in no time!

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Also Read This

parts of speech	link
1. Noun	click here
2. Pronoun	click here
3. Adjective	click here
4. Verb	click here
5. Adverb	click here
6. Prepositions	click here
7. Conjunction	click here
8. interjection	click here