Learn Prepositions Easily With Common Examples: Definition, Rules, Types, and Usage

Prepositions are usually short words, and they are normally placed directly in front of nouns. In some cases, you will find prepositions in front of gerund verbs.

What is a preposition

A preposition is a word that is used before a noun or a pronoun to show its connection to other words in the sentence. For example, the man rests on the armchair. The word “on” is used before “the armchair.” We understand that the man is in the armchair. He is not under it, above it, or beside it, for example.

The name “preposition” (pre + position) means “put before”. So, prepositions usually come before the noun. Here are some more examples:

1. She stands by the tree.
2. The cat is leaning against the garbage can.
3. The cat is under the table.
4. The car went through the forest.
5. They jumped into the pool.
6. She is reading to her babies.
7. He is climbing up that mountain.

A preposition can come before a pronoun as well. For example:

1. This is for you!
2. She is standing beside him.

Types of prepositions

Three basic types of prepositions are:

1. Preposition of place
2. Preposition of time
3. Preposition of movement

Preposition of place

Prepositions of place help us understand where something is. In general, we use: “at” for a POINT, “in” for an ENCLOSED SPACE, “on” for a SURFACE. Example sentence:

• Nusrat is waiting for you at the bus stop.
• The shop is at the end of the street.
• Do you work in an office?
• I have a meeting in New York.
• The author’s name is on the cover of the book.
• There are no prices on this menu.
• You are standing on my foot.

Notice the use of at, in and on in these standard expressions:

The use of some other prepositions of place

Preposition of Time

A preposition of time is a preposition that permits you to discuss a specific time period, such as a date on the calendar, one of the days of the week, or the actual time a certain thing takes place.
In general, we use:

• “At” to discuss clock times, holidays and festivals, and other very specific time frames, including exceptions, such as “at night.”
• “In” to discuss months, seasons, years, centuries, general times of day, and longer periods of time such as “in the past.”
• “On” to discuss certain days of the week or portions of days of the week, specific dates, and special days such as “on New Year’s Day.”

Detailed use of “At”

1. We use the preposition at when we want to refer to a specific time, meaning a specific hour. Examples:
   1. Henry’s test ends at 3 o’clock! He is afraid he will not finish!
   2. Henry’s test ends at 3 o’clock!
   3. Your plane leaves at 4:55 pm. We should go to the airport now.
   4. I ate my breakfast very early this morning. Could we have lunch at 12:30?
   5. She had a doctor’s appointment yesterday at 7 o’clock.
2. We can also use the preposition at when we are referring to a meal time. Examples:
   1. At lunch, I like to have a big glass of water.
   2. We always listen to the radio at breakfast time so that we can hear the morning news.
   3. Her family never turns on the TV at dinner.
3. Finally, we can use at for some fixed expressions. Look at the sentences below. Examples:
   1. At that time, Maggie didn’t know that he was a secret agent!
   2. She was about to make a cup of tea, but right at that moment, the phone rang.
   3. She was about to make a cup of tea, but right at that moment, the phone rang.

Detailed use of “In”

1. We use the preposition in when we are referring to a year, month, or season. Examples:
   1. We love to go to the beach in the summer to build sandcastles and swim in the sea.
   2. We love to go to the beach in the summer to build sandcastles and swim in the sea.
   3. We moved into this house in 2003. We love this place!
   4. Classes will begin in September. Be sure to sign up for all your courses before then.
   5. In the winter of 1937, my grandfather was born.
2. We also use the preposition in when we want to talk about a part of the day. Examples:
   1. Greg is never hungry in the morning. His first meal is lunch!
   2. My uncle likes to take a nap in the afternoon.
   3. Do your parents watch the news on television in the evening?

*However, there is an exception! When we want to talk about the night and noon, we use the preposition at. Example: Roosters never crow at night. They only start crowing in the morning. Roosters never crow at night.

Detailed use of “On”

1. We use the preposition on when we are talking about a specific day or date. Example:
   1. On Christmas Day, some families give each other gifts under the Christmas tree. Other families have their celebrations on different special days.
   2. On Christmas Day, some families give each other gifts under the Christmas tree.
   3. We have a very important meeting on Wednesday. Please don’t be late!
   4. She will be arriving on the 5th of August. Will the apartment be ready by then?
   5. I am starting my new job on Monday, July 12th. I am a bit nervous!
2. We also use the preposition on when we are talking about a day + (morning, night, etc.). Examples:
   1. There was a big parade on Saturday afternoon. Didn’t you hear the music?
   2. She has a lot of trouble getting out of bed on Monday mornings!
   3. I like to go to the park on the weekends.

*But, remember! We use “on the weekend” in the U.S., but we use “at the weekend” in Britain. Both are correct.

Other important prepositions of time are:

FOR We use for + a period of time expressing duration for seven years – for three hours – for a week
Example: I have lived in this house for eight years. They have been watching TV for four hours.

UNTIL/Till We use until/till to say how long a situation continues
Example: Let’s wait until it stops snowing. I stayed in bed till half past nine.

DURING We use during + noun to say when something happens during the lunch time – during our holiday – during the night
Example: We met a lot of interesting people during our vacation. I fell asleep during the movie.

SINCE We use since + a starting point, a specific time since April – since 1987 – since 7 o’ clock
Example: It has been raining since ten o’ clock. They have known each other since they were at school.

FROM – TO We use from – to + beginning and end of a period
Example: Last evening we watched TV from 4 to 7 o’ clock.

BY We use by to indicate a deadline = at the latest
Example: We need to finish the project by the end of July. You should meet him by 10 o’clock. Submit your assignment by tomorrow.

Before we use before to indicate earlier or sooner than
Example: You should come to the office before 9.00 am.

After we use after to indicate a later time
Example: You should come to the office after 9.00 am.

Typical time expressions where no prepositions are needed

• next week, year, month, etc.
• last night, year, etc.
• this morning, month, etc.
• every day, night, years, etc.
• today, tomorrow, yesterday

Preposition of Movement

Prepositions of movement or direction are used to show movement from one place to another. These prepositions are most often used with verbs of motion and are found after the verb.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: We discussed about the matter.
Correct: We discussed the matter.

Explanation

Verbs such as enter, resemble, lack, discuss, marry, reach, order, and approach are normally followed by direct objects without prepositions.

Incorrect: We ordered about some food.
Correct: We ordered some food.

Incorrect: He resembles to his father.
Correct: He resembles his father.

How can we remember which prepositions to use in front of transportation? There are two easy tricks to remember:

1. Use “in” for small transportation and “on” for big transportation
2. Use “in” for private transportation and “on” for public transportation (here you can move around as well!)