Types of Prepositions with Examples in English

What is A Preposition?

A preposition links a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence, showing their relationship. Common prepositions like in, on, at, under, and beside describe directions, locations, time, or place, helping clarify where, when, and how something happens.

Examples
She left her keys on the counter.
The cat hid under the sofa.
They arrived at the airport early.
We walked through the park.

Types of Prepositions

• Prepositions of Place
• Prepositions of Time
• Prepositions of Direction
• Prepositions of Manner
• Prepositions of Agent or Instrument
• Prepositions of Possessions
• Prepositions of Cause or Purpose
• Prepositions of Comparison
• Prepositions of Condition

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place show the location of something in relation to something else. Common examples are in, on, under, and between.

1. The book is on the table.
2. She stood between her friends.
3. The cat is under the chair.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate when something happens, often showing specific time frames. Common examples are at, in, and on.

1. He arrived at 5 o’clock.
2. We go to the beach in summer.
3. Her birthday is on Monday.

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction show movement toward or away from something. Examples include to, into, and through.

1. She walked to the store.
2. He climbed into the car.
3. The bird flew through the window.

Prepositions of Manner

These prepositions describe the way or method something is done. Common ones are by and with.

1. She solved the problem with patience.
2. They traveled by train.
3. He wrote the letter with a pen.

Prepositions of Agent or Instrument

These prepositions show a cause or who/what causes an action. Common ones are by and with.

1. The book was written by the author.
2. He cut the paper with scissors.
3. The meeting was organized by the manager.

Prepositions of Possession

These prepositions show ownership or belonging. Common examples are of, with, and to.

1. The keys of the car are missing.
2. She is the girl with the red dress.
3. The title to the house is with the owner.

Prepositions of Cause or Purpose

These prepositions indicate why something happens. Common examples include for and because of.

1. They stayed home because of the rain.
2. She works hard for her family.
3. He apologized for his mistake.

Prepositions of Comparison

These prepositions help to compare two or more things. Common ones include like and as.

1. He sings like a professional.
2. She’s as tall as her brother.
3. The lake is calm like a mirror.

Prepositions of Condition

These prepositions indicate the conditions under which something happens. Common examples are in case of and without.

1. Take an umbrella in case of rain.
2. He left without saying goodbye.
3. They will call you in case of any changes.

When to Use Prepositions

Prepositions are essential for creating clear and specific sentences. They help link ideas and give important details about location, time, direction, and relationships. Here’s when to use prepositions:

1. Showing Location

Use prepositions to indicate where something is. They clarify the position or place of a person, object, or event in relation to something else.

• The keys are on the table.
• She stood beside her friend.

2. Indicating Time

Prepositions also specify when something happens, often giving details about dates, months, or specific times.

• The meeting is at 3 p.m.
• They travel in December.

3. Describing Movement or Direction

When you need to show movement toward a place or direction, prepositions clarify where something or someone is going.

• He walked to the store.
• The dog jumped into the car.

4. Explaining How Something is Done (Manner)

Prepositions can indicate the manner in which an action is done, showing how it happened.

• She spoke with confidence.
• He finished the task in a hurry.

5. Expressing Ownership or Belonging

To show possession or ownership, use prepositions that describe who owns or is connected to something.

• The cover of the book is red.
• She’s the girl with the blue hat.

6. Explaining Reason or Purpose

Prepositions can also explain why something is done, providing reasons or goals.

• He studied hard for the exam.
• They stayed indoors because of the rain.

Common Preposition Mistakes

1. Using the Wrong Preposition for Time or Place

Many learners mix up prepositions for time and place, like in, on, and at.

✓ He arrived at the airport on time.
✗ He arrived in the airport in time.

2. Adding Unnecessary Prepositions

Some sentences don’t need extra prepositions, but they’re added by mistake. Avoid adding prepositions when they’re not needed.

✓ Where did you go yesterday?
✗ Where did you go to yesterday?

3. Confusing Prepositions with Similar Meanings

Words like between and among or in and into often cause confusion.

✓ The discussion was between two friends.
✗ The discussion was among two friends.

4. Incorrectly Using Prepositions with Verbs

Some verbs have specific prepositions that must follow them. For example, “listen to” is correct, but “listen” alone can be incorrect.

✓ She listened to the teacher carefully.
✗ She listened the teacher carefully.

5. Overusing Prepositions

Sometimes, learners repeat or add unnecessary prepositions, which can make sentences awkward.

✓ She’s good at math.
✗ She’s good at in math.

Example Sentences with Prepositions

• She arrived at the station just in time.
• The book is on the top shelf.
• He walked through the forest to reach the lake.
• We met in the park yesterday.
• The keys are under the mat.
• They are traveling to France next month.
• The cat is hiding behind the curtain.
• She sits beside her best friend in class.
• He jumped into the pool with excitement.
• The meeting starts at 10 a.m. sharp.
• I found my notes between the pages of my textbook.
• We walked around the city to explore.
• She left her phone on the kitchen counter.
• He waited for the bus in the rain.
• She stayed with her family during the holidays.
• The letter was written by her friend.
• The restaurant is near the mall.
• He will meet us at the cafe.
• They went across the river by boat.
• The children played in front of the school.

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