What are prepositions? Kinds and Examples of Prepositions.
A preposition is a word that is used with a noun or pronoun and related to other words in the sentence.
Prepositions of Place or Position indicate a relationship of place or position.
1. under
They are resting under the tree.
He trains under a very good coach from England.
Those under the age of 18 cannot watch the movie.
2. around
The pupils sat around Miss Denver.
The nurses gathered around my bed.
The cost of the trip is around one hundred twenty dollars.
3. between
My motorbike is parked between two cars.
You can come between 5.00 p.m and 8.00 p.m.
Share these biscuits between them.
4. opposite
I live opposite the post office.
His table is opposite mine.
The bank is located opposite the stadium.
5. above
The kite is flying above the tree.
Those above the age of 12 are not eligible for the contest.
The mountain stands at 1,500 meters above sea level.
6. below
The plane flew below the clouds.
If you score below 40 marks, you fail.
His temperature is still below the danger level.
7. next to
Queenie sits next to Emma.
The food court is next to the supermarket.
He parked his car next to the bus.
8. in front of
You will see my house in front of the restaurant.
Marry sits in front of me.
I put the cup of coffee in front of you.
Prepositions of Time indicate when an event happens.
1. in
I do my gardening only in the morning.
She will arrive in two weeks’ time.
Why are you in such a hurry?
2. on
The examination starts on Monday.
She was born on 20 July 2002.
I do not go out on a hot day.
3. at
The contest starts at 8.00 a.m. sharp.
The owl likes to hunt at night.
Can’t you give me a reply at an earlier date?
4. since
I have not eaten anything since this morning.
She has lived in Italy since 1990.
I have been doing my homework since 6.00 p.m.
5. during
She fell asleep during the lesson.
Many birds come here during the fruit season.
The price of turkey goes up during Christmas.
6. within
You must settle the fine within three days.
He completed the essay within forty minutes.
I want you to be here within ten minutes.
7. until/till
Wait at the shop until I come.
I won’t go home until the rain stops.
She will not leave until she gets her refund.
8. throughout
The exhibition will be held throughout the year.
Mr. Teddy taught English to foreigners throughout his working life.
They were in a meeting throughout the day.
Prepositions of Direction indicate movement.
1. from
The crowd moved away from the riot police.
The new manager comes from a big family.
The rainwater is dripping from the roof.
2. into
The tiger fell into the trap.
I looked into the room.
Pour the milk into this bottle.
3. onto
The cat jumped onto my bed.
The monkey climbed onto the branch of the tree.
The performer walked onto the stage
4. around
Let’s walk around the park.
She is hiding somewhere around the garden.
Why are you loafing around? Do your work!
5. towards
The baby is crawling towards the kitchen.
He threw the book towards Henry.
The band is moving towards the field.
6. off
The taxi turned off the highway.
The pillion rider fell off the motorbike.
Take the photographs off the wall.
7. along
The pedestrians walked along the road.
They looked along the shelf for the books they needed.
It is illegal for them to park their cars along this street.
8. out of
Peter walked out of the classroom.
The teacher ran out of the school compound.
Gary got out of the river.
Prepositions of Purpose or Reason indicate why something happens.
1. in order to
I exercise regularly in order to keep fit.
She boiled the water in order to kill the germs.
Albert studies hard in order to get good results.
2. so that
I dress neatly so that people will have a good impression of me.
Miss Lewis installed a ventilator so that the house is cool.
She marinated the meat so that it would taste better.
3. for
She keeps fish in an aquarium for fun.
The couple grows vegetables for a living.
The superstitious woman wears an amulet for protection.
More examples of how prepositions are used:
1. off
(a) He took off his hat.
(b) Could you please switch off the fan?
(c) The teacher let her off with a warning.
(d) The plane will take off at 1.00 p.m.
(e) We set off after breakfast.
2. of
(a) I thought of going to a movie.
(b) This table is made of rubberwood.
(c) It is kind of you to help me.
(d) We are in need of money.
(e) She is not aware of the danger.
3. up
(a) Jim gets up at six o’clock every morning.
(b) It is up to the manager to make the final decision.
(c) There is an attic up the stairs.
(d) You have been lazy. You better pull up your socks.
(e) She is dressing up in her bedroom.
4. out
(a) You can get out if you don’t like the food.
(b) Rice is out of stock.
(c) Look out for a man wearing jeans and a red T-shirt.
(d) Tl find out the truth very soon.
(e) I can’t make out what’s in this box.
5. in
(a) They live in a fishing village.
(b) How did you get in without your key?
(c) Help her. She is in pain.
(d) 1 don’t believe in what she says.
(e) Patsy is in two minds about studying overseas.
6. into
(a) You will run into problems,
(b) He dived into the river.
(c) He cut the meat into five pieces.
(d) How does she fit into our plans?
(e) Terence broke into a smile.
7. for
(a) This parcel is for you.
(b) They are good for nothing.
(c) You must look for a job.
(d) We are hoping for the best.
(e) Dickson has a large family to fend for.
8. from
(a) He says he is from Japan.
(b) I have just recovered from a cold.
(c) They worked from morning till dusk.
(d) It is impossible to escape from this prison.
(e) The topic you have chosen is different from mine.
9. with
(a) I am furious with them.
(b) Toast goes well with jam.
(c) I am going to the movies with her.
(d) Whom are you having dinner with?
(e) Please cooperate with him.
10. across
(a) The villagers built a wooden bridge across the river.
(b) There is a bus stop across the street.
(c) The band performed across the country.
(d) My shirt is too tight across the shoulders.
(e) The pond measures 500 meters across.
11. through
(a) The burglar entered the house through the window.
(b) I know the streets of Penang through and through.
(c) It was through her help that he became rich.
(d) You should run through your draft essay before writing it
(e) You got cheated through your own folly.
12. down
(a) Sit down and get cracking with your work!
(b) I will settle down when I am ready.
(c) ‘Put down your weapons!’ ordered the sergeant.
(d) I am down but not out.
(e) It is easier to go down the hill than to go up.
13. by
(a) There is a dog by the door.
(b) This song was sung by Michael Jackson.
(c) Who is the man standing by the gate?
(d) Please let me know your answer by Monday.
(e) I did the work by myself.
14. against
(a) Don’t lean against the wall.
(b) We are fighting against a very strong enemy.
(c) He is racing against time to finish the work.
(d) Why is he always against me?
(e) You must not go against good advice.
15. over
(a) The plane flew over the hills.
(b) When the examination is over, I’m going shopping.
(c) Suzanne is over the moon when she heard the good news.
(d) A man climbed over the wall of my house.
(e) You should not fuss over trivial details.
Pick out the correct prepositions in brackets.
- Howard: Where's your father? Victor: He’s still (of, in, on) the office.
- Please tell me (with, for, on) what reason you bought this piece of land?
- ‘The runners are ready, and (up, of, off) they go!’ he shouted.
- (on, With, For) whose instructions are you acting?
- The bullet went (into, through, over) the windscreen of the Car.
- The ground troops shot (off, to, down) the aircraft.
- When I saw the bully coming, I hid (inside, on, under) the desk.
- Don't make fun (to, of, with) a blind man.
- He ran (into, towards, to) the burning house to save his cat.
- The guest honor will arrive (away, in, at) the hotel very soon.
- The Japanese Prime Minister will be visiting Malaysia (in, from, on) 11 December till 15 December 2012.
- Let me look (down, into, over) the house before I decide to buy it.
- William asked, ‘what does your father do (for, to, over) a living?’
- The man lamented, ‘I passed (off, of, up) a golden opportunity to be a businessman.’
- Pupil: Teacher, my textbook is always missing during recess. Teacher: I'll look (at, over, into) the matter.
- The couple strolled (against, until, along) the beach just now.
- Mr. and Mrs. Spencer live on two floors (above, up, off) us.
- The van went out of control and bumped (onto, at, against) a tree.
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