Prepositions are short words (at, in, on) that are used to show position, location, direction, and time in English. These words are generally placed in front of the noun in a sentence.

Types of prepositions
Time
A preposition of time is one that allows you to discuss a specific time period such as a date on the calendar, a day of the week, or the actual time when something takes place.
Prepositions of time are the same words as prepositions of place; however, they are used in a different way. One can easily distinguish between these prepositions, as they always discuss times rather than places.
Let’s look at some of them-
Preposition | Usage |
At | Clock times, holidays, festivals- very specific time frames (for example- at night) |
In | Months, seasons, years, centuries- general time of the day, longer periods of time (for example- past) |
On | Certain days of the week or portions of days of the week, specific dates and days (for example- New Year’s Day) |
Here are some of the examples of the prepositions mentioned above-
- Republic day comes in the month of January.
- I start work at 8 o’clock.
- I don’t work on Sundays.
Place
A preposition of place is one which is used while referring to a place where something or someone is located.
There are only three prepositions of place; however, they can be used to discuss an almost endless number of places.
Let’s look at some of them-
Preposition | Usage |
At | Used to discuss things/events happened at a certain point/place |
In | One that is used to discussed an enclosed space |
On | One used while talking of a surface |
Here are some of the examples of the prepositions mentioned above-
- She is waiting for me at the bus stop.
- The boy’s books were in the room.
- The flower vase was kept on the table.
Movement
Prepositions of movement or direction are used to show movement from one place to another. These prepositions are most often used with the verbs of motion and are placed after the verb.
Let’s look at some of them-
Exceptions in Prepositions
There are a few terms that tend to confuse one another. Let’s have a look at some of them-
Preposition | Usage | Example |
In | Used to show position | The keys are in the almirah. |
Into | Used to show the movement of something towards the interior of another | The ball fell into the well |
On | Having covered something; part of the surface | Sit on the chair |
Above | Used to talk of something is higher than the another object Hints to a certain position | The temple is above the hill. |
Between | Used to refer to two people or things | Radha is sitting between Mohit and Raman. |
Among | Used to refer to more than two people or things | Radha is the sweetest among all the girls in the class. |
Beside | Used to refer to something which is ‘next to’ something | Tom is seated beside Alice. |
Besides | Used to refer to something in addition to something else | Besides Maths, Peter got an A in History. |
On | Used to refer to something which is physically in contact and supported by a surface | The water just was on the table. |
Onto | Used to refer to something moving to a location on the surface of something moving abroad a vehicle for travelling | We got onto the train to see grandma. |
Since | Used to talk about a specific point in timerefers to the starting point of actions, or eventsIt indicates an unfinished action | It has been raining since yesterday. |
From | Indicates the starting point of an actionIs followed by other prepositions, which refer to the end of an actionIndicates a finished action | I’ll be here from 8:00 AM. |
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