What is a preposition?

Prepositions are words in English Grammar that are usually placed before or in front of a noun or pronoun. It helps to express a relationship between the noun or pronoun to other words present in the sentence. It is one of the important Parts of Speech and plays an important role in providing the general descriptive details, necessary details, and additional details. Prepositions enable the reader’s to understand when, where, and why something is taking place.  In some cases, prepositions are placed in front of gerund verbs.

List of prepositions

There are a large number of preposition words available. Some of them are for, by, up, to, with, at, of, from, in, on, about, above, against, till, out, below, besides, beneath, beside, between, within, through, upon, during, except, off, onto, opposite, behind, near, inside, outside, toward, under, into, around, among, before, after, along, underneath, beyond, down, across, like, since, without, until, etc.

Examples of Preposition

For example, if a sentence is

Susan was crying. (Even though the sentence is correct it is incomplete and do not provide much information about why Susan was crying with the absence of preposition word).

Now if the sentence is

Susan was crying after she fell from her bike. (This sentence gives us the reason “why Susan was crying “with the proper use of preposition).

Other examples:

• I saw a snake moving behind the bushes.
• I will be going to the supermarket in evening
• The meeting will be on
• She is going to visit her parents tomorrow.
• I will meet you in the coffee shop sharp at 5’o clock.

Types of Preposition:

There are different types of prepositions mentioned below:

• Simple Preposition
• Compound Preposition
• Phrase Preposition
• Participle Preposition
• Double Preposition

It can be also divided into other prepositions according to the context in which the prepositions are used. Sometimes this complete set of “preposition types” is also included in a group called other prepositions.

• Prepositions of Place
• Prepositions of Time
• Prepositions of Movement & Direction

In this article we are primarily going to discuss about “Prepositions of Place.”

Prepositions of Place

This type of preposition is used for referring to a place where something or someone is located. It describes various places. This type of prepositions can be used for explaining different types of places. “Prepositions of place” helps to describe the location or a place very specifically where a particular action takes places while discussing stories or important events or even providing information about a specific place for communication purposes. “Prepositions of place” primarily include words like in, on, at. However, there are some other preposition words such as over, above, behind, etc. that can be used in reference to “Prepositions of place.”

For example:

• I was waiting for my best friend in the park.
• The post office is located at the corner of the main road.
• We were going to watch a movie at
• I will be growing vegetables in the garden from next season.
• Jane was tired of scolding the stubborn kid.
• Please keep the fruits on the table.
• The kids are playing hide & seek under the table.

Some commonly used preposition of places with examples

“In”

“In” is used for the places that describe the word “inside.” It is used for describing enclosed spaces.

For example:

• I live in Sydney.
• She was watching Television in her room.
• You are the best mother in the world.
• She is waiting for you in the office.
• The children were playing in the garden.
• The books are kept in the box.
• The dog is sleeping in the bed.
• Keep some extra cash in your bag in case of emergency situations.
• I have read about the murder incident in the newspaper.

At

“At” is used for describing the exact position, a particular place, or a particular point. For example at certain events or at certain places where one can do a particular activity like study, work, etc.

For example:

• I was at the entrance of the hall when the seminar started.
• Will you be at the party?
• Someone is knocking at the door.
• My mother is angry at me for not cleaning my room.
• She is good at writing short stories.
• Don’t shout at me!
• History class starts at 9:30 a.m.
• I will meet you at the concert.

On- “On” is used describe a surface where something is present. For example on is used with words such as a floor, on the table, attached, left, right, etc. It is also used to indicate that something is in a position above another thing. For example:

• The present brought a big smile on her face.
• Ana’s apartment is on the fourth floor.
• The mall is on the left of this road.
• I don’t enjoy traveling on a bus or train because I have motion sickness.
• Different types of shells are present on the seashore.
• The cat is sitting on the table.
• I have attached the stamp on the top of the envelope.
• The teacher asked her to write on the board.
• I was born on 7^th of March.
• She loves receiving present on her birthday.

By, beside, next to, near – These preposition words describe a place which is not far away in the distance.

For example:

• Her house is near the beach
• Please pass the coupon to the girl sitting right next to you.
• Don’t sit beside her in the examinations. She is very talkative!

Between- This preposition word describes a place in relation to two separate places, objects, or people. For example:

• The small town is situated halfway between two major cities.

Behind- This describes a place such “at the back of something.” For example:

• Do not keep your shoes behind the door.
• The kid is hiding behind the door.

In front of- This describes a place that is in front of something or someone. For example:

• She was sitting in front of her sister on the train.
• It is advisable to look in front of the road while walking.
• She started talking to the stranger sitting in front of her.

Under- Explains about a particular point or place which is lower than or is covered by something.

For example:

• The dog is hiding under the bed.
• I will not be able to breathe under the water.
• The Christmas presents are kept under the Christmas tree.

Below- This states about places or a point just below another place or particular. For example:

• Keep the book on the shelf just below the top shelf.

Over- This preposition has several meanings. It explains a particular point or places higher than something.  This also means keeping something on top of the other thing. It also explains about the quantity like something is more than the other thing. It also means overcoming some problems or obstacles.

For example:

• The second layer of cake is placed just over the first one.
• Do not jump over the gate.
• Seat over there quietly!
• Her flat is just over her boutique.
• She held the umbrella straight over her head.

Above- this explains a point that is higher than the other point but it may not be directly over the other point.

For example:

• There is a path above the jungle which is a shorter way to the farm house.
• Keep your notebooks above your books.

Across- This preposition of place is used to describe movement from one point to the other with specified limits. It also explains a place on the other side.

For example:

• The ship sailed across the Pacific.
• Walk across the road to go to the office.
• The girl was walking across the field.
• I live across the street.

Through- This preposition of place explains one end of a side/place to the other.

• It is dangerous to walk through the woods at night.

From- This describes place where something/ someone starts.

• Where are you from?

Into- Into is used when someone is moving inside or in the middle of an enclosed space. When something/someone about to be contained or surrounded inside a particular place.

• Shall we move into the food court?