Prepositions

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-

Preposition	Meaning	Example
Across	from one side to the other	The boat will take you across the river. You must walk across the street at the crosswalk.
Along	in a line; a point in the length of; from one point to another	He’s walking along the path. The street runs along the seafront.

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.

Check out the basics of English Grammar for more!

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