Preposition Made Simple: Definition, Uses, and Examples
Original EnglishLamp lesson with a visual learning surface.
VISUAL EXPLAINER · GRAMMAR
Small words. Precise relationships.
Prepositions help a reader picture where something is, when something happens, and how one thing relates to another.
01 · THE RELATION
A preposition links ideas.
It often shows how a noun or pronoun relates to another word in the sentence. The relationship may be place, time, direction or another connection.
EXAMPLEThe cat is under the table.
02 · PLACE
Picture the position.
On, under, beside, behind and between help locate one thing in relation to another. The correct word changes the picture in the reader’s mind.
EXAMPLEThe cup is on the table.
03 · DIRECTION
Follow the movement.
To, into, across and through can describe a destination or path. Ask where the movement starts, goes, or passes.
EXAMPLEShe walked into the room.
04 · TIME
Use a time pattern.
A useful starting guide is at for clock times, on for days and dates, and in for months, years and longer periods.
EXAMPLEAt 8 o’clock · on Monday · in June.
05 · CHOOSE BY MEANING
Test the relationship, not just the translation.
Some prepositions have several uses, and languages do not always map word-for-word. Read the whole sentence and choose the relationship it needs.
EXAMPLEWe will meet at the station on Friday.
Continue below for the full EnglishLamp lesson, its original examples and reference material.
Original EnglishLamp lesson•Reference learning mode
Definition of Preposition
Prepositionis a part of speech. Prepositions are words which we use before another word showing the relationship with it. Those are linking words in the sentences.
Such word showing the relationship with two or more pronouns, nouns, noun phrases, verbs in the sentence is called Preposition.
There may be confusion for the use of proper prepositions in the sentences. The proper meaning of the prepositions may be difficult because when we use prepositions in sentences, actual translation of those prepositions is not possible. In native language preposition used in the sentence may have many meanings depending on the situation.
There are no particular rules to use the prepositions so the way to know is to look them in dictionary. You will get the proper meaning of prepositions according to situation
List of Common and Mostly Used Prepositions
There are around 150 linking words in English language but we use only some of them more frequently. Here is a list of some common and mostly used prepositionsto tell about time, place, direction as well as introduction of object.
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
as
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
between
beyond
by
concerning
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
next
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
regarding
round
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
unlike
until
up
upon
with
within
without
We shall take some examples to know better.
The scale is behind the door.
Puppy is under the chair.
The pen is on the table.
A word may serve in different purposes in different sentences as,
I like an apple. (here like is a verb)
Sam looks like his mother. (here like is a preposition, used for the meaning of ‘similar to’)
In next chapter, we will see how to use preposition in sentence to tell about time.
