Definition of Preposition
Preposition is 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.
Use of preposition
We use prepositions in sentences to explain-
- time
- place
- direction
- introduction of objects
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 prepositions to 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.
Go over-
- Noun
- Pronoun
- Adjective
- Verb
- Adverb
- Conjunction
- Interjection
- Prepositions ‘on’, ‘in’, ‘at’
