Prepositions in English Grammar
What is a Preposition?
A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. It usually indicates relationships of time, place, direction, and manner. Prepositions are followed by a noun or pronoun, and the combination of the preposition and its object forms a prepositional phrase.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions can be categorized into several types based on their usage. Here are the major categories:
1. Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time describe when something happens, is happening, or will happen. They include: in, on, at, before, after, during, etc.
Rules for Prepositions of Time:
- Use in for months, years, centuries, and long periods of time.
- Use on for days and dates.
- Use at for specific times of day, holidays, and festivals.
Examples of Prepositions of Time:
- I was born in July.
- The meeting is scheduled on Friday.
- I will arrive at 5 PM.
- She travels during the summer.
- They finished the project before the deadline.
- We will meet after work.
- The event starts at midnight.
- The concert is in 2025.
- I have a vacation planned in December.
- I will call you on your birthday.
2. Prepositions of Place
Prepositions of place describe the location or position of something. Common prepositions of place include: in, on, at, under, over, between, among, etc.
Rules for Prepositions of Place:
- Use in to refer to a location inside a space (rooms, buildings, countries, cities, etc.).
- Use on to refer to surfaces or objects that are on top of something.
- Use at to refer to a specific point or location.
Examples of Prepositions of Place:
- The book is in the drawer.
- She sat on the chair.
- We are meeting at the restaurant.
- The cat is sleeping under the table.
- There is a bird on the roof.
- I saw him at the park.
- We walked between the buildings.
- She hid under the blanket.
- They are sitting on the grass.
- The school is in New York.
3. Prepositions of Direction
Prepositions of direction show the movement of something from one place to another. Common prepositions include: to, into, onto, from, toward, etc.
Rules for Prepositions of Direction:
- Use to to describe movement toward a specific destination.
- Use into to indicate movement from outside to inside a place.
- Use onto to describe movement toward a surface or a position on top of something.
- Use from to indicate the starting point of movement.
Examples of Prepositions of Direction:
- She went to the store.
- They walked into the room.
- He jumped onto the roof.
- I am coming from the library.
- The cat ran toward the door.
- The children are heading to school.
- They drove from the city.
- The ball bounced onto the table.
- I walked into the kitchen.
- She moved toward the exit.
4. Prepositions of Manner
Prepositions of manner describe how an action is performed. Common prepositions of manner include: by, with, like, as, etc.
Rules for Prepositions of Manner:
- Use by to indicate the means of doing something.
- Use with to show the instrument or tool used in performing an action.
- Use like to compare the manner of one thing to another.
- Use as to show the role or function of something.
Examples of Prepositions of Manner:
- She traveled by car.
- He wrote the letter with a pen.
- She sings like a professional.
- He works as a teacher.
- I sent the package by mail.
- They repaired the car with tools.
- She behaves like a child.
- He used to work as a lawyer.
- The letter was delivered by a courier.
- The painting was created with oil paints.
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs in sentences.
Examples of Prepositional Phrases:
- She sat on the chair.
- The book is under the table.
- He is going to the store.
- They walked through the park.
- I met him at the park.
- We arrived before noon.
- The keys are on the table.
- She arrived at the airport.
- The ball went over the fence.
- He sat between the two chairs.
Practice Questions on Prepositions
1. In the sentence "She is going to the store," which preposition is used?
Answer: To – The preposition "to" indicates the direction of movement.
2. In the sentence "I am waiting at the bus stop," which preposition is used?
Answer: At – The preposition "at" indicates a specific location or point in space.
3. In the sentence "She is reading a book in the library," which preposition is used?
Answer: In – The preposition "in" is used to indicate a location inside a place or area.
4. In the sentence "He arrived after lunch," which preposition is used?
Answer: After – The preposition "after" indicates a time that follows an event or action.
5. In the sentence "They went into the house," which preposition is used?
Answer: Into – The preposition "into" indicates movement from outside to inside a place.
6. In the sentence "She walked by the park," which preposition is used?
Answer: By – The preposition "by" indicates proximity or being near something.
7. In the sentence "We will meet at 3 PM," which preposition is used?
Answer: At – The preposition "at" is used for specific times of day.
8. In the sentence "She is sitting next to me," which preposition is used?
Answer: Next to – The preposition "next to" indicates proximity or being beside something.
9. In the sentence "The dog jumped onto the bed," which preposition is used?
Answer: Onto – The preposition "onto" indicates movement toward a surface or position on top of something.
10. In the sentence "They live in New York," which preposition is used?
Answer: In – The preposition "in" is used for larger places such as cities, countries, and regions.
11. In the sentence "The cat is hiding under the table," which preposition is used?
Answer: Under – The preposition "under" indicates a position directly beneath something.
12. In the sentence "He ran towards the door," which preposition is used?
Answer: Toward – The preposition "toward" indicates movement in the direction of something.
13. In the sentence "The book is on the shelf," which preposition is used?
Answer: On – The preposition "on" indicates that something is positioned on a surface.
14. In the sentence "He will be here by 5 PM," which preposition is used?
Answer: By – The preposition "by" is used to indicate a deadline or the latest possible time for an action to occur.
15. In the sentence "The child is walking along the road," which preposition is used?
Answer: Along – The preposition "along" indicates movement or position in a linear direction parallel to something.
16. In the sentence "She is sitting between two chairs," which preposition is used?
Answer: Between – The preposition "between" indicates a position in the middle of two objects or places.
17. In the sentence "He jumped over the fence," which preposition is used?
Answer: Over – The preposition "over" indicates movement from one side to the other, above an object or surface.
18. In the sentence "She sat beside him," which preposition is used?
Answer: Beside – The preposition "beside" means at the side of or next to something.
19. In the sentence "He went to the store for some groceries," which preposition is used?
Answer: For – The preposition "for" indicates the purpose or reason behind an action.
20. In the sentence "We are traveling across the country," which preposition is used?
Answer: Across – The preposition "across" indicates movement from one side of something to the other, typically a surface or area.
21. She walked __________ the park with her dog.
Answer: through – "Through" indicates movement within or inside an area or space.
22. I will be home __________ 5 PM.
Answer: by – "By" is used to indicate a time limit or deadline.
23. He is sitting __________ the table, doing his homework.
Answer: at – "At" is used to refer to a location or position (specific point).
24. The cat jumped __________ the chair.
Answer: on – "On" is used to show a position upon a surface.
25. She placed the keys __________ the drawer.
Answer: in – "In" is used to indicate something is inside a container or space.
26. The train passed __________ the tunnel.
Answer: through – "Through" indicates movement from one side to the other inside an enclosed space.
27. The children played __________ the playground all afternoon.
Answer: in – "In" is used to show that an activity takes place inside a specific area or place.
28. We walked __________ the beach during our vacation.
Answer: along – "Along" indicates movement in a linear direction, typically beside something like a road or beach.
29. The book is __________ the table.
Answer: on – "On" indicates a position upon a surface.
30. The cat is sleeping __________ the couch.
Answer: under – "Under" indicates a position below something.
31. They are sitting __________ the table, talking.
Answer: around – "Around" indicates movement in a circular direction or position surrounding something.
32. The dog jumped __________ the fence.
Answer: over – "Over" indicates movement from one side to another across a surface.
33. I will see you __________ the park tomorrow.
Answer: at – "At" is used to refer to a specific location or point.
34. She arrived __________ the airport early.
Answer: at – "At" is used to indicate a specific point or location, especially places like the airport, station, etc.
35. The meeting is __________ 3 PM.
Answer: at – "At" is used for specific times, especially hours of the day.
36. I left my keys __________ the kitchen counter.
Answer: on – "On" is used to indicate a position upon a surface.
37. The teacher stood __________ the classroom.
Answer: in – "In" is used to refer to something that is inside a room or building.
1. Choose the correct preposition: The cat jumped ___ the table.
Answer: on – "On" is used to indicate position upon a surface.
2. Choose the correct preposition: She was sitting ___ the chair.
Answer: on – "On" is used for positions on surfaces, like sitting on a chair.
3. Choose the correct preposition: We will meet ___ the park tomorrow.
Answer: in – "In" is used for enclosed or defined areas like parks, cities, or countries.
4. Choose the correct preposition: The book is ___ the shelf.
Answer: on – "On" is used for objects placed upon a surface, like a shelf.
5. Choose the correct preposition: He is good ___ playing chess.
Answer: at – "At" is used with certain activities or skills, such as being good at a game.
6. Choose the correct preposition: The keys are ___ the drawer.
Answer: in – "In" is used for things inside a container, like a drawer.
7. Choose the correct preposition: She was born ___ 1995.
Answer: in – "In" is used for years, months, or long periods of time.
8. Choose the correct preposition: The dog ran ___ the garden.
Answer: around – "Around" is used for movement within an area, typically in a circular direction.
1. Choose the correct preposition: The children are playing ___ the yard.
Answer: in – "In" is used for enclosed or defined spaces, like yards or rooms.
2. Choose the correct preposition: He is sitting ___ the table.
Answer: at – "At" is used for positions at a specific point, like sitting at a table.
3. Choose the correct preposition: The bird flew ___ the tree.
Answer: over – "Over" indicates movement across something, like flying over a tree.
4. Choose the correct preposition: She put the coffee ___ the cup.
Answer: in – "In" is used for placing something inside a container, like a cup.
5. Choose the correct preposition: We walked ___ the street in the evening.
Answer: on – "On" is used when referring to surfaces or streets, like walking on a street.
6. Choose the correct preposition: He walked ___ the door and entered the room.
Answer: into – "Into" is used to indicate movement toward the inside of something, like entering a room.
7. Choose the correct preposition: The children are playing ___ the playground.
Answer: in – "In" is used to refer to playing within an area, like a playground.
8. Choose the correct preposition: We stayed ___ a hotel near the beach.
Answer: in – "In" is used for enclosed spaces, such as a hotel, where you stay inside.
1. Choose the correct preposition: He will arrive ___ 6 p.m.
Answer: at – "At" is used for specific times, such as "at 6 p.m."
2. Choose the correct preposition: They are traveling ___ France next week.
Answer: to – "To" is used for indicating movement towards a place, like traveling to France.
3. Choose the correct preposition: The book is lying ___ the desk.
Answer: on – "On" is used to indicate a surface or a position resting on top of something.
4. Choose the correct preposition: I will call you ___ 3 o'clock.
Answer: at – "At" is used for specific times, like "at 3 o'clock."
5. Choose the correct preposition: She is looking ___ her keys.
Answer: for – "For" is used when indicating the purpose of searching, like "looking for keys."
6. Choose the correct preposition: They arrived ___ the airport early.
Answer: at – "At" is used when referring to a specific place, such as "arriving at the airport."
7. Choose the correct preposition: I placed the cup ___ the table.
Answer: on – "On" is used to refer to a surface, like placing something on a table.
8. Choose the correct preposition: He walked ___ the stairs.
Answer: up – "Up" indicates movement towards a higher position, such as walking up the stairs.
1. Choose the correct preposition: The cat is hiding ___ the bed.
Answer: under – "Under" is used to indicate a position below something, such as "under the bed."
2. Choose the correct preposition: We need to be ___ the station by 5 p.m.
Answer: at – "At" is used to refer to a specific location or point, like "at the station."
3. Choose the correct preposition: She sat ___ the chair near the window.
Answer: on – "On" is used to describe a position resting on a surface, like sitting "on the chair."
4. Choose the correct preposition: I found the pen ___ the floor.
Answer: on – "On" is used when referring to something resting on a surface, like a pen "on the floor."
5. Choose the correct preposition: The office is located ___ the city center.
Answer: in – "In" is used for locations within areas, like "in the city center."
6. Choose the correct preposition: The children ran ___ the playground.
Answer: to – "To" is used for movement towards a place, such as running "to the playground."
7. Choose the correct preposition: She traveled ___ bus to work.
Answer: by – "By" is used when referring to the mode of transport, such as "by bus."