Prepositions

Prepositions are words that express a relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They typically indicate location, direction, time, or relationships between different elements in a sentence.

Common Prepositions:

  • In: Indicates location within an enclosed space or a general location.
    Example: The cat is in the box.

  • On: Indicates location on a surface or in a specific position.
    Example: The book is on the table.

  • At: Indicates a specific point or location.
    Example: She is waiting at the bus stop.

  • By: Indicates nearness or proximity to something.
    Example: He sat by the window.

  • For: Indicates purpose, destination, or intended recipient.
    Example: This gift is for you.

  • With: Indicates accompaniment or association.
    Example: She went to the party with her friends.

  • To: Indicates direction or movement towards a place or person.
    Example: She went to the store.

  • From: Indicates origin or starting point of movement.
    Example: He traveled from New York to Los Angeles.

  • Between: Indicates the relationship of two or more items or people.
    Example: The ball is between the two chairs.

  • Among: Indicates the relationship of more than two items or people.
    Example: The toy is among the other toys.

Functions of Prepositions:

  • Location and Direction: Prepositions indicate where something is located or the direction in which something is moving.
    Example: She is sitting on the chair. (Location)
    Example: He walked to the park. (Direction)

  • Time: Prepositions indicate when something happens or the duration of an action.
    Example: She arrived at 8 o'clock. (Specific time)
    Example: He worked for two hours. (Duration)

  • Relationships: Prepositions indicate the relationship between different elements in a sentence.
    Example: The book is under the table. (Spatial relationship)
    Example: He is angry with me. (Relationship between people)

Prepositional Phrases:

Prepositions are often followed by a noun or pronoun to form prepositional phrases, which provide additional information about the relationship between elements in a sentence.
Example: She is reading a book on the table.

Word Order and Usage:

Prepositions are placed before their objects (nouns or pronouns) in a sentence.
Example: He went to the store.
The choice of preposition depends on the specific relationship being expressed in the sentence.

Idiomatic Usage:

Prepositions can have idiomatic usage, meaning that certain prepositions are used in specific contexts or expressions.
Example: She is interested in learning English.

Prepositions of Time and Place:

Prepositions such as at, in, on are commonly used to indicate time and place.
Example: She arrived at the airport on Monday.


Prepositions themselves are not constructed; rather, they are standalone words that are used to establish relationships between other elements in a sentence. However, constructing sentences with prepositions involves understanding how they function and where they should be placed within a sentence. Here are some guidelines on how to construct sentences with prepositions:


Identify the Relationship: Determine the relationship you want to express, such as location, direction, time, manner, or cause.

Choose the Correct Preposition: Select the appropriate preposition that accurately conveys the relationship you want to express. For example, if you want to indicate location, you might choose prepositions like "in," "on," "at," "under," or "behind," depending on the specific location.

Position the Preposition: Place the preposition before the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that it relates to in the sentence. The preposition introduces the phrase that provides additional information about the noun or pronoun.
Example: She is sitting on the chair. ("on" is the preposition, and "the chair" is the noun phrase that indicates the location)

Use Proper Syntax: Ensure that the preposition is used correctly within the sentence according to standard grammar rules. Pay attention to word order and placement to maintain clarity and coherence.

Consider Context: Consider the context of the sentence and the specific meaning you want to convey. Sometimes, different prepositions can change the meaning or nuance of a sentence.

Practice: Practice constructing sentences with prepositions in various contexts to become familiar with their usage and to improve your proficiency in using them effectively.


Prepositions are essential elements in English that help describe the relationship between different words in a sentence. They typically indicate location, direction, time, manner, or cause. Understanding and using prepositions correctly is crucial for clear communication in English. It's essential to learn common prepositions and their usage in various contexts to convey precise meanings.


Location: Prepositions such as "in," "on," "at," "under," "behind," and "beside" show where something is located.
Example: The cat is on the table.

Direction: Prepositions like "to," "from," "into," and "onto" indicate movement or direction.
Example: She walked to the store.

Time: Prepositions such as "at," "in," "on," and "during" indicate when something happens.
Example: The meeting is at 3 o'clock.

Manner: Prepositions like "with," "by," and "through" describe how something is done.
Example: She painted the picture with a brush.

Cause: Prepositions such as "because of," "due to," and "owing to" indicate the reason for something.
Example: The game was canceled due to bad weather.


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