A preposition is a word that sits before a noun or a pronoun and relates it with other parts of speech.
The underlined words in the following sentences are all prepositions:
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- He looked at me.
- The cat fell into the well.
- We should side with justice.
- Do not hanker after wealth.
- It is about 3:40 P.M.
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Types of Preposition
Most of the prepositions have many uses. There are some prepositions that are common in every type of preposition as they function in a versatile way.
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- Prepositions of Time
- Prepositions of Place and Direction
- Prepositions of Agents or Things
- Phrasal Prepositions
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a) Prepositions of Time: Prepositions of time show the relationship of time between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.
On, at, in, from, to, for, since, ago, before, till/until, by, etc. are the most common preposition of time.
The underlined words in the following examples are all prepositions of time:
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- They started working at 8 AM.
- The Manager called meeting on 11 September.
- There are thirty-one days in December.
- He has been reading since morning.
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b) Prepositions of Place and Direction: Prepositions of place show the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.
On, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, across, between, among, through, in front of, behind, above, over, under, below, etc. are the most common prepositions of place/direction.
The underlined words in the following examples are all prepositions of place and directions:
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- She is at home.
- He came from Canada.
- The police broke into the house.
- They swam across the river.
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c) Prepositions of Agents or Things: Prepositions of agents or things indicate a casual relationship between nouns and other parts of the sentence.
Of, for, by, with, about, etc. are the most used and common prepositions of agents or things.
The underlined words in the following examples are all prepositions of agents or things:
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- This article is about iPhone.
- Most of the people have already left.
- I will always be here for you.
- He is writing with a pen.
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d) Phrasal Prepositions: A phrasal preposition is not a prepositional phrase, but they are a combination of two or more words that function as a preposition.
Along with, apart from, because of, by means of, according to, in front of, contrary to, in spite of, on account of, in reference to, in addition to, in regard to, instead of, on top of, out of, with regard to, etc. are the most common phrasal prepositions.
The underlined words in the following examples are all phrasal prepositions:
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- They along with their friends went to Toronto.
- According to the new rules, you are wrong.
- In spite of being a good performer, he was not selected.
- She’s going out of the city.
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