English Prepositions: Meaning, Types, Examples, Worksheet with Answers

Prepositions are the words which are placed before the objects (Noun/Pronoun). It links nouns and pronouns to other words in the sentence to describe time, place, location or object. The noun or pronoun used with a Preposition is called its object. A sentence without a Preposition usually seems incomplete. For instance, the sentence ‘I have put my shoes’ looks incomplete as it does not describe where the shoes have been put. One of the complete forms of this sentence could be ‘I have put on my shoes’. Here, on is a preposition that makes the sentence complete and grammatically correct.

Also Read: English Tenses

Prepositions Definition According to Oxford Dictionary

As per the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of a Preposition is “a word or phrase that is used before a noun or pronoun to show place, time, direction, etc.” For example, words like in, at, on, to, for and under are all prepositions.

Prepositions Definition According to Collins Dictionary

According to the Collins Dictionary, a Preposition is defined as “a word or group of words used before a noun or pronoun to relate it grammatically or semantically to some other constituent of a sentence”.

Pronunciation: /preh-puh-zi-shn/

Origin of Preposition word: It is a late Middle English word from Latin praepositio(n-), which implies ‘a putting before’ or ‘a prefixing’, from the verb praeponere (prae ‘before’ + ponere ‘to place’).

Also Read: English Nouns

There are various types of Prepositions that we often use in our day-to-day life to indicate time, location, etc. The Preposition types are identified based on their functions, such as after lunch, " which indicates a Preposition of time. Here are the types of Prepositions in English based on their functions or relations described by them:

Prepositions of Place

These words describe the place or position of the object/noun/pronoun. Some frequently used Prepositions of Place are against the wall, at the table, below the chair, on the roof, inside the drawer, over the house, etc. Have a look at some of the examples in sentence form below:

• He left the book on the bed.
• Sia ran across the road.
• Ryan stood before the door.

Prepositions of Time

These words depict the time of the event, that is, when the action happens. Some popularly used Prepositions of Time are- in the morning, on Monday, for many years, since yesterday, within a month, etc. Here are a few examples in sentence form below:

• Shane arrived before me.
• The flight reached its destination within three hours.
• The doctor’s clinic is closed on Friday.

Also Read: English Synonyms

Prepositions of Direction

It shows the direction in which the object moves or travels. For example: ran towards the school, across the street, around the house, into the river, etc. Look at a few examples of Direction below:

• Shanaya ran towards her father.
• It’s raining outside; come into the house.
• He lives across the street.

Prepositions of Manner

It describes the way something happens. For example, fought with courage, lived through struggles, played like champions, etc. Have a look at some examples of Preposition of Manner below:

• Mahatma Gandhi fought with
• Rhea played tennis like a champion.
• Sanya won the race by running fast.

Prepositions of Cause, Reason & Purpose

It describes the reason or purpose of the action, such as shivering with fever, failing because of no preparations, etc. Have a look at the examples below:

• Rohan took the medicine for
• He caught a cold because of the weather.
• Sunder Nursery is a good place for a picnic.

Other Preposition Types in English

Apart from the types shared above, there are other types of prepositions in English. Have a look at these types along with the examples:

Types	Purpose/ Rule	Examples
Prepositions of Agency & Instrumentality	It describes the reason or cause of another thing that occurs in a sentence	The theatre was destroyed by fire. Sunaina sent the parcel by post. My hand got bruised with a knife.
Prepositions of Possession	It indicates ownership between things or objects	This painting belongs to Picasso. The boy with blue hair topped the class. The mosque of Dubai witnesses several visitors every day.
Prepositions of Measure, Standard, Rate & Value	It identifies the quantity or value in a sentence.	The bank charges interest at 8 per cent. Bananas are sold by the dozens. Siya is taller than Isha by two inches.
Prepositions of Contrast & Concession	It describes contrasting or unexpected situations.	He is not content in spite of all his wealth. Despite the rain, we went shopping. One may fail despite every effort.

Also Read: English Verbs

In the detail shared above, we have seen various types of Prepositions, which are differentiated by their functions or the relations they describe. Here, we will see the different kinds of Prepositions in terms of their structure, that is, simple, compound, phrase, etc. English Prepositions can be arranged in the following kinds:

Simple Preposition

These are single words, Prepositions such as in, on, at, by, out, till, up, to, with, for, from, etc. Have a look at some examples below:

• The book is on the table.
• He is going to the market.
• She is sleeping in the class.

Compound Preposition

These are the words generally formed by prefixing a Preposition to a Noun/Adjective/Adverb. Some of these words are: without, behind, beyond, inside, outside, above, about, within, underneath, along, across, among, before, below, between, beside, etc. Look at a few examples below:

• Nitin went to the concert and sat among his friends.
• I have planted some Jade around the porch area.
• It’s almost dark, do not go out.

Also Read: English Articles

Phrase Preposition

These can be described as a group of words used in a sentence as a single Preposition such as according to, because of, due to, in case of, in spite of, in order to, with regard to, owing to, in front of, along with, away from, in addition to, etc. Here are a few examples of Phrasal Prepositions:

• In case of need, you can contact me.
• They played according to the coach’s instructions.
• He could not appear for the exam because of his illness.

Participle Preposition

These are defined as verbs that function as Prepositions in sentences. These words are generally present participles of Verbs such as during, considering, pending, touching, regarding, concerning, etc. Here are some examples of the same:

• I have not made up my mind regarding the college trip.
• It’s generally humid during the summers.
• He is finishing the pending

Double Preposition

When two simple prepositions are joined to form a single word, these become Double Prepositions such as onto, upto, into, out of, etc. Have a look at some examples:

• She jumped into the swimming pool.
• The cat came out of the house.
• The final decision is upto the committee.

English Prepositions rules are important to understand their correct usage in sentences. Knowing these rules of Prepositions will not only help avoid grammatical mistakes but will also help in boosting communication skills. Have a look at the English grammar Proposition rules below:

Rule	Example	Explanation
A preposition governs a noun or pronoun.	The wheel came off the car. (Preposition) The driver jumped off. (Adverb)	Do not confuse Prepositions with Adverbs as some of the words can be the same in both categories. Adverbs do not govern nouns or pronouns.
Prepositions must be used before an object (Noun or Pronoun)	She is fond of Coffee There is a bull in the field	Of and in are Prepositions used before objects
Prepositions to be used at the end in case of Relative and Interrogative Pronouns	Where are you going to? Here is the notebook that you were looking for.	To and on are Prepositions used at the end in case of the Relative Pronoun (that) and the Interrogative Pronoun (Where)
Object to Preposition can be an Adverb of Time or Place	She must have reached the office by now. Run fast from there.	By and from Prepositions are placed before now (Adverb of time) and there (Adverb of place)
Prepositions can follow the Verbs	Everyone laughed at her. Sunita looked for her watch everywhere.	At and for followed the verbs in both these sentences, and hence, they remain separate.
Same Prepositions describe different functions based on their usage	The stars are shining in the sky. She will come in the afternoon.	‘in’ is used in both sentences. In the first sentence, it describes the Preposition of Place, and in the second one, it is the Preposition of Time.
Use of at for group activities, shops, workplaces, and house numbers	I saw him at the barber’s. He lives at 65 Church Street.	In the first sentence, at describes the shop, and in the second, at describes the house number.
Certain Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives are always followed by Prepositions	She is very fond of children. Hyderabad is famous for its Biryani. There is still no cure for cancer.	Of follows the verb fond, for follows the adjective famous and for follows the verb cure.

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice

Have a look at the examples of English Grammar Prepositions below:

• The farmers come from across the river.
• Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall.
• A little girl sat under a tree.
• He goes to church on
• Sheila could not attend the marriage because of her mother’s illness.
• There is a snake in the garden.
• Bring a geometry box along with the notebook.
• Behave properly for the sake of
• This road runs over hill and plain.
• I have not eaten since

Prepositions as a subject not only fall under the school curriculum but also come in various exams such as CTET, SSC exams, NET, CUET and others. Prepositions as syllabus or question paper topics are included in various exams such as SSC GD, UGC NET, CTET, REET, UPSC CDS, UPSC CAPF, etc. Candidates should thoroughly know the prepositions when appearing for the exams. Moreover, candidates must undertake Prepositions practice exercises to ace the topic. Have a look at some of the best preparation tips below:

• Know the basics: Begin your preparations by understanding the basic concepts. Know what it means, where it is used, what it describes and why it is important.
• Go through the types of Prepositions: There are various types of Prepositions in Grammar. These types are differentiated by their functions and structures. One must know all the types and their usage, as explained above on this page.
• Attempt Preposition exercise: Practice as many exercises as possible to know the usage of Prepositions. These exercises could be – Identify them, fill in the blanks, use appropriate prepositions, etc.
• Apply them in Communication: The best way to get hold of the Preposition words is to use them in day-to-day conversations with people around you.

Also Read: Precis Writing