Prepositions are small yet powerful words in English grammar that connect ideas and show relationships between words in a sentence. They help us describe time, place, direction, and manner. Without prepositions, sentences can become unclear and disconnected. Mastering their usage is essential for effective communication in both writing and speaking.
In this guide, you’ll learn what prepositions are, their types, rules for using them, and tips to master them – all explained simply with practical examples. Let’s get started!
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words that show relationships between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They help clarify where, when, how, why, or in what way something happens. Without prepositions, sentences would often be unclear or incomplete.
Download: What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions typically indicate:
- Place – where something is located.
- “The keys are on the table.”
- Time – when something happens.
- “We will meet after lunch.”
- Direction – the movement from one place to another.
- “She walked to the park.”
- Manner – how something is done.
- “She wrote with a pen.”
- Cause / Purpose – the reason for an action.
- “The match was delayed due to rain.”
- Possession – indicating ownership.
- “The cover of the book is torn.”
By using prepositions correctly, we can make sentences more precise and meaningful, helping to convey the exact relationship between different parts of a sentence.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions are categorized based on the relationships they express. Here’s a closer look:
1. Prepositions of Time (When something happens)
Prepositions of time indicate when an event happens.
Common Prepositions of Time:
- On – specific days and dates.
- “We have a test on Monday.”
- In – months, years, centuries, periods.
- “She was born in July.”
- At – exact times and specific moments.
- “The train arrives at 7 PM.”
- Before – earlier times and specific moments.
- “I arrived before noon.”
- After – later than a point in time.
- “They will leave after lunch.”
- During – within a specific time frame.
- “She slept during the movie.”
Download: Time Prepositions
2. Prepositions of Place
Prepositions of place describe the position or location of something in relation to another object.
Common Prepositions of Place:
- In – inside an enclosed space.
- “The keys are in the drawer.”
- On – on a surface.
- “The book is on the table.”
- At – at a specific point.
- “She is at the door.”
- Under – beneath something.
- “The shoes are under the bed.”
- Between – in the middle of two things.
- “The park is between the school and the library.”
- Beside – next to.
- “He sat beside his friend.”
- Behind – at the back of something.
- “The car is parked behind the house.”
Download: Prepositions of Place
3. Prepositions of Direction/Movement (Movement from one place to another)
These prepositions describe motion from one point to another.
Common Prepositions of Direction:
- To – movement toward a specific destination.
- “She walked to the park.”
- Into – entering a space.
- “He went into the room and closed the door.”
- Onto – moving to a surface.
- “The ball rolled onto the road.”
- From – indicating the starting point.
- “He came from New York.”
- Towards – movement in a direction.
- “She ran towards the bus stop.”
- Through – passing from one side to the other.
- “They walked through the tunnel.”
Download: Prepositions of Direction
4. Prepositions of Manner, Cause, and Purpose
These prepositions explain how something happens, why something happens, or for what purpose.
Prepositions of Manner (How something happens):
- By – method or means.
- “She traveled by car.”
- With – instrument or tool.
- “He wrote with a pen.”
Prepositions of Cause (Why something happens):
- Because of – reason
- “The game was cancelled because of the rain.”
- Due to – reason
- “The delay was due to traffic.”
Prepositions of Purpose (For what reason something happens):
- For – purpose
- “This gift is for you.”
5. Prepositions of Possession
These prepositions indicate ownership or belonging.
Common Prepositions of Possession:
- Of – belonging to
- “The title of the book is interesting.”
- With – characteristics
- “The girl with the red hat is my friend.”
- To – relationship
- “This house belongs to my parents.”
6. Prepositions of Comparison and Contrast
These prepositions show similarity, difference, or contrast between two things.
Common Prepositions of Comparison:
- Like – similar to
- “She dances like a professional.”
- As – in the role
- “He works as a teacher.”
Common Prepositions of Contrast:
- Unlike – different from
- “Unlike her brother, she loves reading.”
- Than – used for comparisons
- “He is taller than me.”
Rules for Using Prepositions
Understanding the rules for prepositions helps avoid common mistakes. Here are key guidelines:
Download: Key Rules for Using Prepositions
1. Position in a Sentence
Prepositions are typically placed before their objects.
- “She sat on the chair.”
2. Objects of Prepositions
A preposition must always be followed by an object, which can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
- “She looked at him.” (“him” is the object of “at“)
3. Avoid Ending Sentences with Prepositions
While conversational English often ends sentences with prepositions, formal writing prefers rephrasing.
- Informal: “Who are you talking to?”
- Formal: “To whom are you talking?”
4. Prepositions with Verbs (Phrasal Verbs)
Some verbs require specific prepositions to convey particular meanings.
- “She looks after her siblings.”
5. Idiomatic Usage
Many prepositions are part of fixed phrases or idioms, and their meaning might not be literal.
- “He is under the weather.” (meaning: he is feeling unwell).
Common Preposition Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Prepositions can be tricky, and even fluent speakers make mistakes when using them. Below are some common errors with prepositions and tips on how to use them correctly.
1. Using the Wrong Preposition
Some verbs, adjectives, and nouns require specific prepositions, and using the wrong one can change or distort the meaning of a sentence.
Examples:
❌ “She is married with him.”
✅ “She is married to him.”
❌ “He is good in math.”
✅ “He is good at math.”
❌ “I am interested for learning English.”
✅ “I am interested in learning English.”
Tip: When in doubt, check which prepositions commonly follow a particular word or phrase. Learning prepositional collocations (interested in, afraid of, dependent on) helps avoid mistakes.
2. Unnecessary Prepositions
Some prepositions are redundant and should be removed to make sentences more concise.
Examples:
❌ “Where are you at?”
✅ “Where are you?”
❌ “She entered into the room.”
✅ “She entered the room.”
❌ “I will call to you later.”
✅ “I will call you later.”
Tip: If a verb implies direction (enter, discuss, call, order), the preposition is usually unnecessary.
3. Prepositions at the End of a Sentence
In casual speech and informal writing, ending a sentence with a preposition is common and often acceptable. However, in formal writing, avoiding this structure is preferred.
Examples:
- Acceptable in casual speech:
- “Who are you talking to?”
- “This is the topic we were discussing about.”
- Formal alternatives:
- “To whom are you talking?”
- “This is the topic we were discussing.”
Tip: If a sentence sounds unnatural when reworded to avoid a final preposition, it is often better to keep it at the end – especially in spoken English.
Tips for Mastering Prepositions
Mastering prepositions requires a combination of study, practice, and exposure to the language. Here are actionable tips to improve your understanding and usage:
- Read Extensively: Reading books, articles, and essays exposes you to various contexts where prepositions are used.
- Practice with Worksheets: Worksheets are a great way to reinforce learning. At Worksheetzone, you’ll find prepositions worksheets with engaging exercises like fill-in-the-blanks, matching, and sentence corrections.
Download: Preposition Practice Worksheet
- Practice Writing and Speaking: Use prepositions actively in your writing and speech. Practice crafting sentences that include a variety of prepositional phrases.
- Learn Common Preposition-Verb Combinations: Some prepositions are commonly paired with specific verbs, adjectives, or nouns (collocations). Memorizing these can make your sentences sound more natural.
- Learn Prepositional Phrases: Break down sentences to identify prepositional phrases. This helps in understanding their function and placement.
- Use Visual Aids: Diagrams and illustrations can clarify spatial relationships indicated by prepositions. For instance, drawing a scene with “above,” “below,” “beside,” and “between” can help you visualize their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a sentence end with a preposition?
Yes, in informal contexts, it’s acceptable. However, formal writing often avoids it by rephrasing the sentence.
- Informal: “Who are you talking to?”
- Formal: “To whom are you talking?”
2. What’s the difference between “in” and “on”?
“In” indicates something enclosed or within boundaries, while “on” refers to a surface.
- “The keys are in the drawer.”
- “The book is on the table.”
3. Are prepositions always followed by objects?
Yes, prepositions require objects (nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases). Without an object, it’s not functioning as a preposition.
- “She is interested in music.”
4. Why are prepositions hard to master?
Prepositions often have multiple meanings and exceptions to rules. Idiomatic expressions also contribute to the complexity.
The Bottom Line
Prepositions may be small, but they hold immense importance in English grammar. By understanding their types, rules, and usage, you can improve your clarity and precision in communication. Remember, consistent practice is key to mastery.
At Worksheetzone, we offer a wide range of preposition worksheets designed to make learning fun and effective. Start practicing today, and watch your grammar skills improve – one preposition at a time!
