Prepositions
Prepositions are words that express some kind of grammatical relationship between a noun phrase and the rest of the sentence. They are used with nouns and pronouns to show time, direction, locations, or spatial relationships. Although there are some rules for prepositional use, prepositions are highly idiomatic which means that it is best to learn them as part of a phrase rather than by rules.
Prepositions of Direction
List of Prepositions of Direction:
To Example: “She walked to the store.” Explanation: Indicates movement towards a specific destination. | Into Example: “He ran into the room.” Explanation: Indicates movement from outside to inside. |
Out of Example: “They climbed out of the pool.” Explanation: Indicates movement from inside to outside. | Onto Example: “The cat jumped onto the bed.” Explanation: Indicates movement towards a surface. |
Off Example: “She took the vase off the table.” Explanation: Indicates movement away from a surface. | Across Example: “They walked across the bridge.” Explanation: Indicates movement from one side to another. |
Through Example: “The car drove through the tunnel.” Explanation: Indicates movement from one side and out the other side. | Toward Example: “He walked toward the exit.” Explanation: Indicates movement in the direction of something. |
Up Example: “She climbed up the ladder.” Explanation: Indicates movement from a lower to a higher position. | Down Example: “He ran down the hill.” Explanation: Indicates movement from a higher to a lower position. |
Along Example: “They walked along the beach.” Explanation: Indicates movement in a line next to something. | Around Example: “She walked around the park.” Explanation: Indicates movement in a circular direction. |
Over Example: “The bird flew over the house.” Explanation: Indicates movement above and across something.
| Under Example: “The cat crawled under the table.” Explanation: Indicates movement below something.
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From Example: “He moved away from the fire.” Explanation: Indicates the starting point of movement.
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Prepositions of Time
At (specific time): I have a meeting at 3:00 PM. | On (specific day/date): The party is on Saturday. My birthday is on the 10th of August. |
In (months, years, seasons): She will be back in a month. They got married in 2020. We love to go hiking in the summer. | By (no later than a specified time): Please submit your report by Friday. The package will arrive by tomorrow. |
For (duration of time): He worked in Japan for two years. We stayed at the beach for the entire weekend. | Since (starting point of time): I have been studying English since 2010. They’ve lived in that house since last year. |
During (time within a specific event): The power went out during the storm. I read a book during my vacation. | Throughout (from the beginning to the end of a period): She practiced piano throughout the day. The exhibition will run throughout the summer. |
Before (earlier than a specific time): Please complete the assignment before Friday. We arrived at the restaurant before the reservation time. | After (later than a specific time): We’ll have dinner after the movie ends. The class starts after lunch. |
Between (indicating a time span between two points): The office is open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The event will take place between June and September. | Until (sets a time limit or end point) We have to stay in the class until 3 PM. She will not be available until Monday. |
Dialogue Using Prepositions of Time:
Sarah: Hi Tom! How are you?
Tom: Hi Sarah! I’m good, thanks. How about you?
Sarah: I’m doing well. Are you free to catch up over coffee sometime?
Tom: Sure! How about at 3 PM on Saturday?
Sarah: That sounds perfect! I’ve been wanting to go to that new café in the city center. Have you been there?
Tom: Yes, I went there during the weekend last month. It’s really nice. We can meet there.
Sarah: Great! I’ll probably arrive a bit earlier by 2:45 PM, just to get a good seat.
Tom: Good idea. I’ll try to get there before 3 PM, but I might be running a little late.
Sarah: No problem. We can catch up on everything we’ve missed since we last met.
Tom: Yes, it’s been quite a while. I’ve been so busy for the past few weeks.
Sarah: Same here. I’ve had a lot going on until recently. I’m glad we finally found a time to meet.
Tom: Me too. Let’s plan to stay until about 5 PM. Does that work for you?
Sarah: See you on Saturday at 3 PM then!
Tom: See you then!
Preposition of Spacial Relationships
Prepositions of space are words that help describe the location or position of objects, people, or places in relation to other things. Here is a list of some common prepositions of space:
in – inside an enclosed area or within boundaries.
on– physically touching the surface of something.
at– a specific point or location.
under– below or beneath something.
over– above or higher than something else.
above– higher in position than something else.
below– lower in position than something else.
beside– next to or by the side of something.
behind– at the back or rear of something.
in front of– at the front or ahead of something.
Between – in the middle of two or more things.
among– surrounded by or in the midst of a group of things or people.
across– from one side to the other side of something.
through– moving from one side or end to the other side or end of something.
inside– within the interior of something.
outside– beyond or on the exterior of something.
near– close to or not far from something.
far– at a great distance from something.
The cat is in the box.
The book is on the table.
She is waiting at the bus stop.
The keys are under the mat.
The plane flew over the mountains.
The moon is above the clouds.
The submarine is below the surface.
The lamp is beside the bed.
The car is parked behind the building.
The children are playing in front of the house.
The cat is between the two chairs.
She found herself among friends.
They walked across the bridge.
The squirrel ran through the garden.
It’s warm inside the house.
The kids are playing outside the school.
There is a park near my house.
The nearest gas station is far from here.