Prepositions

A preposition is a word or a phrase that comes before a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase to indicate direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships. They help in introducing an object. To put it in simple words, a preposition helps us indicate the relationships between the other words in a sentence. Words like in, at, on, of, to, off, etc., are some examples of prepositions. 

The noun or pronoun that we use with a preposition and follows it is called its object. In other words, the object of a preposition is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that follows a preposition and completes its meaning. 

Examples: 

• There is an apple on the table. 
• I am at the center. 
• The books fell off  the shelf. 

The Different Kinds of Prepositions are: 

Prepositions of Direction: 

The prepositions of direction are to, in, into, on and onto. They are used to refer to a direction, like; 

• I go to church every Sunday. 
• The thieves broke into the bank. 
• Do not drive on the grass. 

Prepositions of Time: 

The prepositions of time are in, at, and on.  

In should be used with months, years, seasons, and parts of the day where a specific time is not given, like; 

• I sleep in the evening. 
• We left Canada in 2000. 
• My birthday is in April. 

At should be used to refer to the time of a day. It can be used with noon, night, and mid-night as well, like; 

• The match begins at 8 PM. 
• We will meet at noon/ night/ mid-night. 

On should be used to refer to days and specific dates, like; 

• The movie is releasing on Thursday. 
• We are going to India on the 16^th of this month. 

Prepositions of Place: 

When it comes to propositions to be used for locations, we should use the prepositions in to refer to the exact point itself, at to refer to the general vicinity, on to refer to the surface, and inside to refer to something that is contained, like; 

• My sister is in the reading room right now. 
• The plates are on the table. 
• They are waiting at the corner. 
• The purse is inside the drawer. 

We should use over and above to refer to objects that are at a higher place/position than a given point, and should use below, beneath, under and underneath to refer to objects that are at a lower place/position than a given point, like; 

• A helicopter went over our house. 
• The cups are above the plates in the cupboard. 
• We have been resting under the tree. 
• There is a secret room underneath the floor at my home. 
• The puppy is hiding beneath the bed. 

Use the prepositions by, near, next to, between, among, and against to refer to an object that is close to a point, like; 

• The church is near my home. 
• I have parked my car next to the restaurant. 
• There are some good flower among the weeds. 
• The library is opposite the cinemas.  

Prepositions of Location: 

The prepositions in (an area or volume), at (a point), and on (a surface) are used to refer to a particular location, like: 

• We live in the city. (An area) 
• You can find her at the library. (A point) 
• There is a lot of dust on your shoes. (A surface) 

Prepositions of Agent: 

These prepositions function as an intermediary(agent) between a noun and, in most cases, a verb. At, by, and with are the most commonly used prepositions coming under this category. 

Examples:  

• I sold my car at the auction. 
• I will send you the books by post. 
• Cut it open with scissors.