PREPOSITIONS

Definition-

 A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a

pronoun (subject) to show the relationship between the
person or the thing/object denoted by it or something
else.
 Prepositions usually describe the position of
something, the time when something happens and the
direction in which something is done.
 The word Preposition means ‘placing before’. Thus,
Preposition is placed before a noun or a pronoun
showing their positions.

Example:

1. We have to return before sunset.

2. The book is on the desk.
3. The naughty child was running towards the pool.

TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions can be classified in various ways according to
its usage:
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 1) Prepositions of Time: It indicates the relation
between a noun or a pronoun with other words in a
sentence in terms of time. A preposition of time is a
preposition that tells a specific time period such as a
date on the calendar, one of the days of the week, or
the actual time something takes place.
Example
Our English class starts at 9:15 a.m.
2) Prepositions of Place: It indicates the relation
between a noun or a pronoun with other words in a
sentence in terms of position. A preposition of place is
a preposition which is used to refer to a place where
something or someone is located.
Example
She lives in New York.

Note: Prepositions of time are at times the same words

as prepositions of place, however, they are used in a
different way.

3) Prepositions of Direction: It indicates the relation

between a noun or a pronoun with other words in a
sentence in terms of direction or movement.
Prepositions of direction indicate that something is
headed for or directed to somewhere.
Example
He drove the car towards the left.

PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

PREPOSITIONS USES EXAMPLES

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1 above Higher than something or The fan is above my head.
someone
2 over Higher than Put the blanket over me.
somethingvertically above
3 below Lower than something The picture is below the clock.
4 under Lower than The cat is sitting under the tree.
somethingvertically below
5 across From one side to the other We sailed across the river.
6 between In the middle of two Hari was standing between Ram
persons, things or places and Rohit.
7 among In the middle of more than I distributed the chocolates among
two persons, places or my friends on my birthday.
things
8 On It indicates the position of The fruit basket was kept on the
something on a surface table.
9 at It is used to indicate a I will meet you at the park.
smaller area such as a street,
a room, a village, etc.
10 in It is used to indicate a larger I live in Kolkata.
area

Other prepositions of time are near, beyond, beside, behind, etc.

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Exercise- 1
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions of Place:

1. Romi and Sam were waiting ______ the bus stop.

2. The dresses are kept _____ the closet.
3. Narula owns a hotel ______ Goa.
4. I saw a wild cat _____ the garden.
5. Timothy lives _______ my house.
6. You can meet me _________ the reception area.
7. There is a huge Oak tree _________ our house.
8. Palash is ____ home now.
9. He lives _________ 18, Park Street.
10. This heritage building _____ Kolkata is haunted.

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 PREPOSITIONS OF DIRECTION

PREPOSITIONS USES EXAMPLES

1 against It refers to a movement in I was swimming against the tide.
the opposite direction
2 along It is used to indicate a I am walking along the fence.
parallel-side by side
movement
3 around It means a circular The earth revolves around the Sun.
movement
4 at It refers to a target I threw the dart at the dart board.
5 by It refers to modes of I come to school by bus.
transport
6 into It indicates to a movement He jumped into the pool.
inside of something.
7 onto It indicates a movement on The cat jumped onto the roof of
the surface of something the car.
8 over It is used for a movement The boy climbed over the wall.
towards the other side of a
higher surface
9 to It is used to indicate a I am going to school now.
destination
10 through It is used for a movement in I ran through the corridor.
a three dimensional
placeexample a room

Other prepositions of time are up, down, towards, etc.

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Prepositions of Direction ( More Examples)

Preposition Example Sentence

across The red ball bounced across the blue line

against The red ball rolled against the blue box.

along The red ball is rolling along the blue line.

around The red ball is rolling around the blue box.

away from The red ball is rolling away from the blue box.

down The red ball is rolling down the blue stairs.

from The red ball is coming from the blue box.

into The red ball is bouncing into the blue box.

off of The red ball is rolling off of the blue box.

onto The red ball is bouncing onto the blue box.

out of The red ball is bouncing out of the blue box.

over The red ball is bouncing over the blue box.

through The red ball is rolling through the hole in the blue box.

to The red ball is rolling to the blue box.

toward(s) The red ball is rolling towards the blue box.

under The red ball is rolling under the blue box.

up The red ball is rolling up the blue stairs.

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EXERCISE 2
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions of Direction:

1) We drove __________the river for an hour but turned south before we

reached it.
2) We went _____ the hall to rehearse for the concert.
3) Max walked _______the dark room slowly after hearing the noise.
4) They moved the table ______ the kitchen.
5) The lions walked in a circle _______the baby giraffe before they attacked.
6) The train passed______ six tunnels on the way to Denver.
7) Tom fell _____the floor.
8) We sat _______ a pretty fountain.
9) Kurtz drove ________the corner too fast and lost control.
10) You need to carefully walk _____ this road quickly. There's lots of
traffic.

PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

PREPOSITIONS USES EXAMPLES

1 before It refers to the time prior to I finished my dinner before 9 p.m.
the beginning of an action.
2 after It refers to the time I reached the station after the train
following the completion of left.
an action.
3 around It refers to tentative time-a The show will start around 8p.m.
little before or a little after.
4 at It indicates the time which is He will reach the shop at 10 a.m.
fixed.
5 in It denotes a period of time 1) Edison invented the bulb in
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 or a part of the day or a the 19th century.
future time. 2) We went for a picnic in the
morning.
3) He will complete his
homework in the next three
hours.
6 on It denotes days and dates. My birthday is on 19th June.
7 during It denotes the duration of an I did my homework during the
action. weekend.
8 between It denotes the duration She came here between 2 p.m.
between two fixed points of and 4 p.m.
time.
9 by It indicates a time limit or a I have to submit my project by
deadline. Tuesday.
10 until It denotes the continuation Wait here until I come.
of an action till a certain
point of time.

Other prepositions of time are for, from, to, etc.

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Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions of Time:

1. The first bell rings ___________ 8:00 a.m.

2. We had a meeting _________ the morning.
3. Extempore sessions are usually held _________ Mondays.
4. Vishika came home _________ Diwali.
5. The Independence Day is celebrated _________ 15th August.

6. ________ that moment we heard a knock.

7. You have to reach the spot sharp ______ 11:30a.m.
8. We will discuss the issue ______ the afternoon.
9. _____ the year 1870, my grandfather established this confectionery.
10. __________ the summer holidays they will shift to Moscow.

Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.
1. We stood _______ the tree.
2. She arrived _____ 5p.m.

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 3. The children threw stones ______ the pond.
4. Manish is hiding ______ the door.
5. I would like to see you _________ my birthday.
6. The fox jumped ______ the fence.
7. He is settled _________ Germany.
8. _______ the 18th century, the British rule extended all over
India.
9. He went _______ the dark tunnel to reach the spot.
10. Can we meet sharp _____ 7p.m.?

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