Prepositions
A preposition is a word that tells
how a noun/pronoun is related with another element (Noun/pronoun etc )in the same sentence with
regard to its position in space.
Eg. The pen is in the box ( The preposition 'in' relates two nouns - Pen and Box )
Eg. The match will be played on
Sunday (two nouns - Match and Sunday)
The following rules will help you
understand and use prepositions correctly.
1. A preposition must have an
object
All prepositions have objects. If a
"preposition" does not have an object it is not a preposition—it's
probably an adverb. A preposition always has an object. An adverb never has an
object. Look at these example sentences:
• They are in the kitchen. (preposition in has object the kitchen)
Please come in. (adverb in has no object; it qualifies come)
• There was a doorway before me. (preposition before has object me)
I had never seen it before. (adverb before has no object; it qualifies seen)
• I will call after work. (preposition after has object work)
He called soon after. (adverb after
has no object; it qualifies called)
2. A pronoun following a
preposition should be in object form
The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition forms a ‘prepositional object’. If it is a pronoun, it should therefore be in the objective form (me, her, them), not subjective form (I, she, they):
• This is from my wife and me.
• That’s between him and her.
• Mary
gave it to them.
3.to preposition and to infinitive are not the same
to preposition and to infinitive are not the same
Do not confuse the infinitive particle “to” (to sing, to live) with the preposition “to” (to London, to me).
to as preposition
·
I
look forward to lunch
I look forward to seeing you
I look forward to see you
·
They
are committed to the project.
They are committed to keeping the price down.
They are committed to keep the price down.
·
I
am used to cars.
I am used to driving.
I am used to drive.
to as infinitive particle
- They used to live in Moscow.
- They love to sing
A preposition is always followed by a noun.
A preposition is closely connected
with the dimension of the noun that follows.
1. If the noun has no dimension the
preposition used is ‘at’
Eg. Teena lives at Ninth street (
Ninth street in a particular city is only a dot on the Map of the place)
2. If the noun has only one
dimension (length only) ‘on’ is used
Eg. There is a temple on the
river (the temple is in contact with the border line of the river) Again Map
perception.
3. If the noun has two dimensions
(length and breadth) ‘on’ is used
He walked on the road
4. If the noun has three dimensions
(length breadth and height) ‘in’ is used
He is in the building
.................................
Prepositions most commonly encountered
Aboard,about,above,across,after,against,along,alongside,amid/amidst,among,
around,at,before,behind,below,beneath,beside,besides,between,beyond,by,
during,despite,down,following,for,from,in,into,inside,not withstanding,of,off,on,
,outside,over,since,through,to,towards,till,until,up,upon,with,underneath,within,without,round.
around,at,before,behind,below,beneath,beside,besides,between,beyond,by,
during,despite,down,following,for,from,in,into,inside,not withstanding,of,off,on,
,outside,over,since,through,to,towards,till,until,up,upon,with,underneath,within,without,round.
1.Aboard
Meaning - On or onto a ship,plane,bus or train.
Eg. He was already aboard the plane.
The plane crashed killing all 157 passengers aboard.
2. About
Meaning - On the subject of somebody/something;
In connection with somebody/something;
A book about flowers
There is nothing you can do about it now.
We use about to talk about ordinary, more general
kinds of communication.
On
suggests that a book, lecturer, talk etc is serious or academic, suitable for
specialists.
A conversation about money.
A lecture on economics
3.Above –
Meaning - higher than
The water came up above our knees
We prefer above when one thing is not directly over
another.
We have got a little house above the lake.
We prefer over when one thing covers and/or touches
another.
He put on a coat over his pyjamas.
4. Across –
Meaning - From one side to the other side of something
He walked across the field.
I drew a line across the page.
5. After
Meaning - Later than something; following something in time
We will leave after lunch.
They arrived shortly after 5
6.Against
Meaning - Opposing or disagreeing with something /somebody
The fight against terrorism.
The evidence is against him.
7.Along
Meaning - From one end to or towards the other end of sth.
They walked slowly along the road.
8. Alongside
Meaning - Next to or at the side of something.
A police car pulled up alongside us.
Together with or at the same time of something /somebody
Traditional beliefs flourish alongside a modern urban
lifestyle.
9. Amid/amidst
In the middle of or during something, especially something
that causes excitement or fear.
He finished his speech amid tremendous applause.
Surrounded by sth;
The hotel was in a beautiful position amid lemon groves.
10. Among
Surrounded by something /somebody; in the middle of something
/somebody;
A house among the trees.
Used when you are dividing or choosing something, and three
or more people or things are involved.
They divided the money up among the children.
11. Around
Surrounding something/somebody
Eg. He put his arms around her.
12.At
Used to say where something/somebody is or where something
happens;
Eg. At the corner of the street.
I will be at home all morning.
Used to say when something happens;
We left at 2 O’ clock.
Used to state the age at which somebody does something;
She got married at 25.
In the direction of or towards somebody or something;
Used with adjectives to show how well somebody does
something.
I am good at French.
13. Before
Earlier than somebody or something;
Before lunch.
Used to say that somebody or something is in a position in
front of somebody or something.
They knelt before the throne.
14. Behind
At or toward the back of somebody or something and after
hiding by it or them;
Who is the girl standing behind Jan?
Making less progress than somebody or something.
He is behind the rest of the class in reading.
Living support to or approval of somebody or something;
She knew that whatever she decided her family was right
behind her.
15. Below
At or to a lower level or position than somebody or
something.
He dived below the surface of water.
16. Beneath
In or to a lower position than somebody or something;
Under somebody or something.
They found the body buried beneath a pile of leaves.
Not good enough for somebody;
He considers such jokes beneath him.
17. Beside
Next to at the side of somebody or something;
He sat beside her all night.
Compared with somebody or something.
My painting looks childish beside yours.
18. Besides
In addition to somebody or something;
Apart from somebody or something;
What other sports do you play besides hockey?
19. Between
In or into the space separating two or more points, objects,
people etc
I sat down between Joe and Diana.
20. Beyond
On or to the further side of something;
The road continues beyond the village up into the hills.
Later than a particular time.
It won’t go on beyond midnight.
21 By
Near somebody or something;
At the side of somebody or something
Beside somebody or something.
A house by the river.
Use actually after a passive verb, to show who or what does,
creates or causes something;
He was knocked down by a bus.
To travel by boat/bus/car/plane.
To travel by air/land /sea
Not later than the time mentioned; Before
Can you finish the work by 5 O’ clock?
From what something shows or says;
By my watch it is 2 O’ clock
22.During
All through a period of time.
Eg.During the 1990s.
At some point in a period of time.
Eg.He was taken to the hospital during the night.
23. Despite
Used to show that something happened or is true in spite of
something.
Her voice was shaking despite all he efforts to
control it.
24. Down
From a high or higher point on something to a lower one.
The stone rolled down the hill.
Towards the direction in which you are facing.
He lives just down the street.
25. Following – coming after something.
Eg. We had coffee following lunch.
26. For
Used to show who is intended to have or use something or
where something is intended to be put.
There is a letter for you.
In order to help somebody/something;
What can I do for you?
Representative of
I am speaking for everyone in this dept.
Used to show a length of time;
Eg: I am going away for a few days.
27. From
Used to show where somebody/something starts.
He is coming from Bristol.
Used to show when something starts.
We are open from 8 to 7 every day.
Used to show the material that something is made of
Steel is made from iron.
28. In
At a point within an area or a space.
A country in Africa.
The kids were playing in the street.
Within the shape of something; surrounded by something;
She was lying in bed.
Sitting in an armchair.
Into something
He dipped his brush in the paint.
After a particular length of time;
To return in a few minutes.
Used to show somebody’s job or profession.
He is in the army
Used to show the language,material etc
Say it in English.
She wrote in pencil.
29. Into
To a position in or inside something;
Come into the house.
Used to show a change in state
The fruit can be made into jam.
30. Inside
Or or to the inner part of something/somebody
Within something/somebody
Go inside the house.
30. Not withstanding
Without being affected by something; in spite of something;
Eg. Not withstanding some major financial problems, the
school has had a successful year.
31. Of
Belonging to somebody; relating to somebody;
A friend of mine.
The role of teacher.
32. Off
Down or away from a place or at a distance in space or time.
I fell off the ladder.
Away from work or duty
He has had ten days off school.
Not wanting or liking something that you usually eat or use
I am off alcohol for a week.
33. On
In or into a position covering, touching or forming part of
surface
A picture on a wall.
Used to show a means of transport.
He was on the plane from New York.
To travel on the bus.
I came on my bike.
Used to show a day or date
He came on Sunday.
On the occasion.
About something/somebody
A book on South
Africa.
Used to show that somebody belonging to a group or an
organization.
To be on the committee/staff/jury/panel
Used to show direction
On the left/right
At or near a place
A town on the coast
Supported financially by something
To live on a pension.
By means of something; using something;
She played a tune on her guitar.
The information is available on the internet.
What is on TV ?
Used with some nouns or adjectives to say who or what is
affected by something.
A ban on smoking.
Used to describe an activity or a state
to be on business/holiday/vacation.
Used when giving a telephone number
You can ge me on 2536006
34. Outside
On or to a place on the outside if something;
You can park your car outside our house.
Not part of something
The matter is outside my area of responsibility.
35. Over
Resting on the surface of something/somebody and partly or
completely covering them/it.
She put a blanket over the sleeping child.
In or to a position higher than but not touching
somebody/something;above somebody/something.
Eg. They held a large umbrella over her.
From one side of something to the other;
Across something;
A bridge over the river.
They ran over the grass.
More than a particular time,amount,cost etc
Over 3 million copies sold.
He is over sixty.
During something
We will discuss it over lunch.
Because of or socerning something; about something;
An argument over money.
Using something; by means of something
We heard it over the radio
She wouldn’t tell me over the phone.
We heard it over the radio.
36. Round
In a circle
The first woman to sail round the world.
On all sides of somebody/something;
Surrounding somebody/something;
She put her arms round him.
In or to many parts of something;
She looked all round the room.
37. Since
(used with the present perfect or past perfect tense) from a
time in the past until a later past time or until now.
She has been off work since Tuesday.
38. Through
From one end or side of something/somebody to the other
The burglar got in through the window.
From the beginning to the end of an activity a situation or
a period of time.
He will not live through the night.
Past a barrier, stage or test
Go through this gate,and you will see the house your left.
By means of ; because of
You can achieve success only through hard work.
39. To
In the direction of something; towards something
I walked to the office.
Situated in the direction mentioned from something.
There are mountains to the north.
Reaching a particular state
She sang the baby to sleep.
Used to show the person or thing that receives something;
He gave it to his sister.
Used to show the person or thing that is affected by an
action.
What have you done to your hair?
Used to show a relationship between one person or thing and
another.
The key to the door.
40. Towards
In the direction of somebody/something;
They were heading towards the German border.
Close or closer to a point in time
Towards the end of April.
In relation to somebody/something
He was warm and tender towards her.
41. Till = until
We are open till 6 O’ clock
Till is generally felt to be more informal than until and is
used much less often writing.
At the beginning of a sentence ‘until’ is usually used.
42. Until
Up to the point in time or the event mentioned.
Let’s wait until the rain stops.
Until now I have always lived alone.
43. Up
To or in a higher position somewhere
She climbed up the flight of steps.
Up and down something
In one direction and then in the opposite direction along
something
I looked up and down the corridor
44. Upon
On (formal)
The decision was based upon two considerations.
45. With
In the company or presence of something/somebody
She lives with her parents.
Having or carrying something;
A girl with red hair.
Using something
Cut it with a knife
Used to say what fills,covers etc….something
The bag was stuffed with dirty clothes.
In opposition to somebody/something;
Against somebody/something;
To fight/argue/quarrel with somebody
I had an argument with my boss.
Concerning in the case of
Be careful with the glasses.
Including
The meal with wine came to $20 each
Used to show the way in which somebody does something
He behaved with great dignity.
Because of; as a result of
His fingers were numb with cold.
Used to show who has possession of or responsibility for
something;
The keys are with reception.
Showing separation from something/somebody
I could never part with this ring.
46. Underneath
Under or below something else,especially when it is hidden
or covered by the thing on top.
The coin rolled underneath the piano.
Used to talk about somebody’s real feelings or character as
opposed to the way they seem to be.
Underneath her cool exterior she was really very frightened.
47. Within
Before a particular period of time has passed;
During a particular period of time
You should receive a reply within seven days.
Not farther than a particular distance from something
A house within a mile of the station.
Inside the range or limits of something.
We are now within range of enemy fire.
Inside something/somebody
The noise seems to be coming from within the building.
48. Without
Not having, experiencing or showing something;
They had gone two days without food.
Not in the company of somebody
Don’t go without me
Not using or taking something
Can you see without your glasses?
49. Round
a. In a circle
The first woman to sail round the world.
The earth moves round the sun.
b. From the other side of something
There must be a way round the problem.
c. on all sides of
somebody/something; surrounding somebody/something
Eg. They were all sitting round the
table.
