Use of Prepositions in English

What is a preposition? How is it important for English language users?

Know more about preposition, definition, examples, uses in the given article.

Preposition – Definition

Prepositions are words or words used to link nouns, noun phrases, pronouns, etc. to denote the direction, time, location, place, etc. It can also denote the relationship between nouns, pronouns, phrases, noun phrases, etc. with other words in a sentence. Prepositions are inevitable in a sentence.

As per Cambridge Dictionary s definition, a preposition can be regarded as ” “a word that connects a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun to another word, esp. to a verb, another noun, or an adjective”.

To show the time, position, place, or method, the preposition can be used before the noun or pronoun.

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Prepositions – Uses

Prepositions can be useful in many ways. Prepositions can denote the characteristics and function of a particular word in a sentence. It can also:

• Represent the spatial relationships between words
• Denote the direction of something in a sentence
• Denote the period with which some incidents happened
• Denote the position of something in a sentence
• Refer to the location of an object in a sentence

When used in a sentence, a prepositional phrase can do all these above-mentioned functions in a sentence.

There are different types of Prepositions in English. The different types of Prepositions are listed below.

• Prepositions of Place
• Prepositions of Time
• Prepositions of Direction
• Prepositions of Location
• Prepositions of Spatial Relationships
• Prepositional Phrase

Some of the commonly used prepositions include at, in, on, of, to, by, with, next to, beside, instead of, in front of, between, behind, etc. Prepositions are denoted with fixed expressions. Certain verbs make use of prepositions idiomatically. You can start memorizing the phrases that go along with the preposition rather than attempting to byheart the preposition.

Prepositions can give a clear idea about the time, place, action, or idea. Prepositions can show you the relationship between a noun and other word classes. Prepositions can only give intact meaning to the sentences. Each preposition plays a particular role in the sentence. The role played by the preposition can be deciphered easily by looking at the position of the preparation in a sentence.

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Tips to Learn Prepositions

The prepositions can be learned easily with daily practice. It is challenging to learn the individual prepositions. But if you start learning preposition hand in hand with the fixed phrases and expressions, it can be tackled more easily. Try to make fewer mistakes as prepositions are easy to crack. Never try to translate prepositions directly from the first language.

One preposition can serve the purpose of many in a sentence. The same preposition can be used in different ways in a sentence.  A single preposition can correspond to many other prepositions in a sentence. A good English learner’s dictionary can help you to understand the nuances of prepositions. Along with it, find the best native English speaker who can help you to understand the apt place where you can locate the prepositions precisely.

You can also read books to improve your prepositions. Learning prepositional phrases and their apt usage as per the context is vital to the learners. If you know the right place to use prepositions, you can reduce your tension about the right location to place prepositions in English.

Try creating flashcards to learn the prepositions in a better way. Include the learning of prepositions in your everyday routine. Utilize at least 15 minutes to understand prepositions and their meaning.

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Listen to the speakers who use prepositions without errors. Your skill in imbibing prepositions can be enriched while listening to people talking in English. Be a keen listener. Watch more English movies, songs, dialogues, presentations, etc. to improve your knowledge of prepositions. Practice prepositions in daily use of language. Involve yourself in fruitful conversations with people whom you’re comfortable with.

Focus each day on at least five prepositional phrases and slowly attain progress in learning prepositions. The word preposition means “to place before”. A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show the relation of a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence.

For instance

• The pen is on the table.
• The letter was meant for her uncle.
• She arrived at the bus stop
• They are a woman of God

Prepositions – Rules

Prepositions are usually placed before nouns or Pronouns. In modern English, prepositions come at the end of certain sentences based on the specific structure.

• This is the house that she has lived in
• Her world was certainly be depended upon
• Whom are you talking to?

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Kinds of Prepositions

Simple prepositions consist of a single word such as in, of, with, at, on, to, through, without, between, etc.

Phrase prepositions are groups of words functioning as prepositions.

For instance, too, in place of, due to, because of, instead of, on behalf of, etc.

Use of prepositions is given below for the better reference.

• The expression of time

Prepositions used for time of different natures are present in English.

For instance.

at, on, in, within, since, until, til, for, during, by, from, etc

• On- refers to a more general point of time like a day or date or sometimes refers to a particular day.
• At- indicates an exact point in time.
• Within- refers to when action will be completed
• For- denotes the extent of time taken for an activity to complete.
• Since- denotes a specific point of time in the past when an action has begun. The action has continued till now and is continuing.
• During- denotes the time when something was or is to be done.
• By- denotes a specific point of time to give reference to the beginning of an action or the duration of an action.
• From- denotes the duration of an action

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• Preposition of Place

Prepositions – Examples

• I start work at 10 am.
• My lady’s birthday is on Tuesday.
• I can’t go to work
• She hid behind the door
• He stopped her from talking
• He ran after the thief
• We swam across the pond together
• They roamed around the garden
• He hid under the table
• She moved to Canada in 1998
• She held the baby between the right and left palms
• She is standing in front of the tower

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List of Other Prepositions

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