Preposition Examples With Sentences Lists

Prepositions are fundamental to constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences in English. They act as bridges, connecting nouns or pronouns to other words in a sentence and establishing relationships of time, place, direction, or manner.

Understanding prepositions and their correct usage is essential for both native speakers and English language learners alike. This article provides a comprehensive guide to prepositions, offering definitions, categories, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you master this important aspect of English grammar.

This comprehensive guide is designed for anyone seeking to improve their English grammar skills, from beginner to advanced levels. Whether you’re preparing for an English proficiency exam, writing a report, or simply aiming to communicate more effectively, a solid understanding of prepositions is crucial.

This article breaks down the complexities of prepositional usage, offering clear explanations and numerous examples to solidify your understanding. Let’s embark on a journey to master prepositions and elevate your English language skills!

Table of Contents

• Definition of Prepositions
• Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases
• Types and Categories of Prepositions
• Examples of Prepositions in Sentences
• Usage Rules for Prepositions
• Common Mistakes with Prepositions
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Prepositional Usage
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition of Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition) to other words in a sentence. It indicates the relationship between the noun or pronoun and another element in the sentence, usually expressing location, time, direction, or manner. Prepositions typically come before the noun or pronoun they govern, forming a prepositional phrase. This phrase acts as an adjective or adverb, modifying other words in the sentence.

In essence, prepositions provide context and clarity to sentences. Without them, it would be difficult to understand the precise relationships between different elements. For instance, consider the difference between “the book is the table” and “the book is on the table.” The preposition “on” specifies the location of the book, making the second sentence much clearer.

Classification of Prepositions

Prepositions can be classified based on their form and meaning. Understanding these classifications helps in recognizing and using them correctly.

• Simple Prepositions: These consist of a single word, such as in, on, at, to, from, by, for, with, over, under.
• Compound Prepositions: These are formed by combining two or more words, often including a simple preposition, such as according to, because of, in front of, in spite of, on account of.
• Participle Prepositions: These are derived from verbs ending in “-ing” or “-ed,” functioning as prepositions, such as considering, including, concerning, given, provided.

Function of Prepositions

Prepositions primarily function to show relationships between nouns or pronouns and other elements in the sentence. These relationships can be categorized as follows:

• Location: Indicating where something is located (on, in, at, near, under, above, beside).
• Time: Indicating when something happens (at, on, in, before, after, during, since, until).
• Direction: Indicating movement or direction (to, from, toward, into, through, across, along).
• Manner: Indicating how something is done (by, with, in).
• Purpose: Indicating the reason for something (for).

Contexts of Preposition Usage

The appropriate preposition to use depends heavily on the context of the sentence. Consider the different prepositions used to describe location:

• “At” is used for specific locations or points: I am at the library.
• “In” is used for enclosed spaces or larger areas: I am in the room. I live in London.
• “On” is used for surfaces: The book is on the table.

Similarly, the choice of preposition for time depends on the level of specificity:

• “At” is used for specific times: The meeting is at 3 PM.
• “On” is used for specific days: The meeting is on Monday.
• “In” is used for months, years, or seasons: The meeting is in July. I was born in 1990.

Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition followed by its object (a noun or pronoun) and any modifiers. The object of the preposition is the noun or pronoun that the preposition relates to the rest of the sentence. Understanding the structure of prepositional phrases is crucial for correct usage and sentence construction.

The basic structure of a prepositional phrase is: Preposition + (Modifiers) + Object of the Preposition.

Elements of a Prepositional Phrase

• Preposition: The word that introduces the phrase and indicates the relationship (e.g., on, in, at, to, from).
• Object of the Preposition: The noun or pronoun that the preposition governs (e.g., the table, the room, him, her).
• Modifiers: Words that describe or modify the object of the preposition (e.g., the big table, the crowded room).

For example, in the phrase “on the big table,” “on” is the preposition, “table” is the object of the preposition, and “big” is the modifier.

Patterns of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs, depending on what they modify.

• Adjectival Phrases: Modify nouns or pronouns, providing descriptive information. For example: The book on the table is mine. (“on the table” modifies “book”).
• Adverbial Phrases: Modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information about time, place, manner, or reason. For example: I went to the store yesterday. (“yesterday” modifies “went”). She spoke with confidence. (“with confidence” modifies “spoke”).

Recognizing these patterns helps in understanding the role of prepositional phrases in sentence structure and meaning.

Types and Categories of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on their function, indicating location, time, direction, or other relationships. Understanding these categories helps in choosing the appropriate preposition for a given context.

Prepositions of Location

These prepositions indicate the position or location of something. Common examples include on, in, at, above, below, under, beside, near, between, among, behind, in front of.

Examples:

• The cat is on the roof.
• The book is in the drawer.
• I am at the office.
• The bird is flying above the trees.
• The fish are swimming below the surface.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate when something happens. Common examples include at, on, in, before, after, during, since, until, from, to.

Examples:

• The meeting is at 2 PM.
• The concert is on Friday.
• I was born in 1995.
• I will arrive before noon.
• She left after the party.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions indicate movement or direction. Common examples include to, from, toward, into, through, across, along, up, down.

Examples:

• I am going to the store.
• He came from Canada.
• They are walking toward the park.
• She jumped into the pool.
• We drove through the tunnel.

Other Prepositions

Some prepositions express relationships other than location, time, or direction, such as manner, purpose, or cause. Examples include by, with, for, of, about, because of, in spite of.

Examples:

• The letter was written by John.
• I cut the paper with scissors.
• This gift is for you.
• He is the author of that book.
• We talked about the weather.
• She was late because of the traffic.

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

This section provides extensive examples of prepositions used in various contexts, categorized by their function. These examples will help you understand how prepositions are used in real sentences and improve your ability to use them correctly.

Location Preposition Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions used to indicate location.

Preposition	Example Sentence
on	The book is on the table.
in	The cat is in the box.
at	I am at the library.
above	The airplane flew above the clouds.
below	The fish swam below the surface.
under	The dog is sleeping under the tree.
beside	She sat beside me.
near	The store is near my house.
between	The house is between the two trees.
among	He is popular among his friends.
behind	The car is parked behind the building.
in front of	The school is in front of the park.
over	The bird flew over the fence.
around	The children were playing around the garden.
against	The ladder was leaning against the wall.
outside	They were waiting outside the cinema.
inside	It’s warm inside the house.
through	The train went through the tunnel.
along	We walked along the beach.
across	They swam across the river.
off	The cat jumped off the table.
onto	The cat leaped onto the roof.
by	The post office is by the bank.
beyond	The mountains are beyond the forest.
within	The answer lies within the text.

Time Preposition Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions used to indicate time.

Preposition	Example Sentence
at	The meeting is at 9 AM.
on	The party is on Saturday.
in	I was born in June.
before	I will arrive before noon.
after	She left after the concert.
during	I slept during the movie.
since	I have lived here since 2010.
until	I will wait until you arrive.
from	The store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
to	The store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
by	The project must be finished by Friday.
past	It’s half past five.
within	The package will arrive within three days.
throughout	It rained throughout the day.
around	I will call you around 6 PM.
between	The store is open between 10 AM and 6 PM.
over	They talked over dinner.
for	I have been studying for two hours.
ago	I saw him a week ago.
until	The library is open until 9pm.
on	I will see you on the 15th of August.
in	The flowers bloom in spring.
since	The company has been around since the 1980s.

Direction Preposition Examples

The following table provides examples of prepositions used to indicate direction.

Preposition	Example Sentence
to	I am going to the park.
from	He came from Italy.
toward	They are walking toward the beach.
into	She jumped into the water.
through	We drove through the city.
across	They swam across the lake.
along	We walked along the river.
up	He climbed up the hill.
down	She walked down the stairs.
around	The road goes around the mountain.
over	The plane flew over the city.
under	The tunnel goes under the river.
past	We drove past the school.
by	They walked by the lake.
off	The cat jumped off the table.
onto	The bird flew onto the roof.
towards	They are moving towards a solution.
out of	He took the book out of the bag.
away from	Stay away from the fire.
throughout	Light streamed throughout the forest.

Examples of Other Prepositions

The following table provides examples of prepositions used for other purposes such as manner, reason, or possession.

Preposition	Example Sentence
by	The book was written by her.
with	I cut the paper with scissors.
for	This gift is for you.
of	He is the author of the book.
about	We talked about the weather.
because of	She was late because of the traffic.
in spite of	In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
according to	According to the news, it will rain tomorrow.
due to	The game was cancelled due to the weather.
instead of	I will have tea instead of coffee.
as	He works as a teacher.
like	She sings like an angel.
without	I can’t live without you.
despite	Despite the difficulties, we succeeded.
regarding	I have a question regarding the project.
concerning	The report is concerning the environment.
considering	Considering the circumstances, he did well.
including	The price is $10, including tax.
except	Everyone is invited except John.
from	The painting is made from oil.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

Using prepositions correctly involves understanding certain rules and conventions. This section outlines some key rules to follow when using prepositions.

Rule 1: Prepositions are usually followed by a noun or pronoun.

The noun or pronoun that follows the preposition is called the object of the preposition. For example, in the phrase “on the table,” “table” is the object of the preposition “on.”

Examples:

• I sat on the chair.
• She gave the book to him.
• They walked around the park.

Rule 2: Prepositions can come at the end of a sentence.

While traditionally discouraged, it is now generally accepted to end a sentence with a preposition, especially in informal contexts. This often occurs with questions and relative clauses.

Examples:

• What are you looking at?
• This is the house I grew up in.
• Who are you talking to?

Rule 3: Avoid unnecessary prepositions.

Sometimes, prepositions are used unnecessarily, making sentences wordy or awkward. It’s important to identify and remove these unnecessary prepositions.

Examples:

• Incorrect: Where are you going to?
• Correct: Where are you going?
• Incorrect: He fell off of the ladder.
• Correct: He fell off the ladder.

Rule 4: Certain verbs are always followed by specific prepositions.

Some verbs have fixed preposition combinations, which must be memorized. These are often referred to as prepositional verbs.

Examples:

• agree with
• listen to
• depend on
• wait for
• look at

For instance, you would say “I agree with you,” not “I agree to you.”

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are always exceptions to grammar rules, and preposition usage is no different. Some exceptions include:

• Idiomatic Expressions: These are fixed phrases with specific meanings that don’t follow regular preposition rules (e.g., in the long run, on the other hand).
• Formal Writing: In very formal writing, it may be preferable to avoid ending sentences with prepositions.
• Regional Variations: Preposition usage can vary slightly between different dialects of English.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions are a common source of errors for English language learners. This section highlights some frequent mistakes and provides correct alternatives.

Mistake 1: Using the wrong preposition with a specific verb.

Incorrect: I am agree to you.

Correct: I agree with you.

Incorrect: He is depend of his parents.

Correct: He is depending on his parents.

Mistake 2: Omitting necessary prepositions.

Incorrect: I went store.

Correct: I went to the store.

Incorrect: She is good English.

Correct: She is good at English.

Mistake 3: Using unnecessary prepositions.

Incorrect: Where is the book at?

Correct: Where is the book?

Incorrect: He fell off of the chair.

Correct: He fell off the chair.

Mistake 4: Confusing “in” and “on” for time.

Incorrect: I will see you on July.

Correct: I will see you in July.

Incorrect: I will see you in Monday.

Correct: I will see you on Monday.

Mistake 5: Incorrect use of “to” and “for.”

Incorrect: This gift is to you.

Correct: This gift is for you.

Incorrect: I am going for the library.

Correct: I am going to the library.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of prepositions with these practice exercises. Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct preposition. Answers are provided below.

Question	Answer
1. The book is ______ the table.	on
2. I am going ______ the store.	to
3. She was born ______ 1990.	in
4. The meeting is ______ 3 PM.	at
5. He is sitting ______ me.	beside
6. The cat jumped ______ the fence.	over
7. We walked ______ the river.	along
8. She is good ______ English.	at
9. The gift is ______ you.	for
10. I agree ______ you.	with

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the preposition errors in the following sentences. Answers are provided below.

Question	Answer
1. Where are you going at?	Where are you going?
2. I depend of my parents.	I depend on my parents.
3. See you on next Monday.	See you next Monday.
4. The cat jumped off of the chair.	The cat jumped off the chair.
5. This book is to you.	This book is for you.
6. He arrived to the airport.	He arrived at the airport.
7. She is afraid from spiders.	She is afraid of spiders.
8. I am interested on history.	I am interested in history.
9. What are you looking?	What are you looking at?
10. The key is in the floor.	The key is on the floor.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence using the correct prepositional phrase from the options provided. Answers are provided below.

Options: in the morning, at night, on the table, under the bed, with a smile, by car, for an hour, about the weather, in spite of, because of.

Question	Answer
1. I like to drink coffee _______.	in the morning
2. The cat is hiding _______.	under the bed
3. He arrived _______.	by car
4. She talked _______.	about the weather
5. The book is _______.	on the table
6. I waited _______.	for an hour
7. She greeted me _______.	with a smile
8. I can’t sleep well _______.	at night
9. We went for a walk ______ the rain.	in spite of
10. He was late ______ the traffic.	because of

Advanced Topics in Prepositional Usage

For advanced learners, understanding more nuanced aspects of prepositional usage is crucial. This section covers some advanced topics related to prepositions.

Prepositional Verbs and Phrasal Verbs

Prepositional verbs consist of a verb followed by a preposition, where the preposition is essential to the verb’s meaning (e.g., look at, listen to, agree with). The preposition cannot be separated from the verb.

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb followed by a preposition or adverb, where the combination creates a new meaning that is different from the individual words (e.g., look up, give up, turn on). The preposition or adverb can often be separated from the verb by an object.

Understanding the difference between these two types of verbs is important for correct usage.

Stranded Prepositions

A stranded preposition is a preposition that appears at the end of a clause or sentence. While traditionally frowned upon, stranded prepositions are now widely accepted in modern English, especially in informal contexts.

Examples:

• Who are you talking to?
• What are you looking at?
• This is the book I was telling you about.

In formal writing, it may be preferable to avoid stranded prepositions by rephrasing the sentence.

Complex Prepositions and Compound Prepositions

Complex prepositions (also known as compound prepositions) consist of two or more words that function as a single preposition (e.g., in front of, on account of, according to).

Examples:

• The car is parked in front of the building.
• According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
• He was late on account of the traffic.

These prepositions often add a layer of complexity to sentence structure and meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section addresses some common questions about prepositions.

1. What is the difference between “in” and “at” for location?“In” is used for enclosed spaces or larger areas (e.g., I am in the room, I live in London), while “at” is used for specific locations or points (e.g., I am at the library, I am at the bus stop). The choice depends on the scale and specificity of the location.
2. When should I use “on” versus “in” for time?“On” is used for specific days (e.g., The meeting is on Monday), while “in” is used for months, years, seasons, or longer periods (e.g., The meeting is in July, I was born in 1990, The flowers bloom in spring). Think of “on” as more specific than “in” when referring to time.
3. Is it always wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?No, it is not always wrong. While traditionally discouraged, ending a sentence with a preposition is generally acceptable in modern English, especially in informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, it may be preferable to rephrase the sentence to avoid a stranded preposition.
4. How can I improve my preposition usage?The best way to improve is through practice and exposure. Read widely, pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions, and practice using them in your own writing and speaking. Focus on common prepositional phrases and verb-preposition combinations.
5. What are some common prepositional phrases I should know?Some common prepositional phrases include: in the morning, on the other hand, at the end of, by the way, for example, in addition to, on behalf of, with regard to. Learning these phrases can improve your fluency and accuracy.
6. How do I know which preposition to use with a particular verb?Many verb-preposition combinations are idiomatic and must be memorized. Consult a dictionary or grammar guide to learn the
   verb-preposition combinations.

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the definitions, categories, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with prepositions, you can significantly improve your grammar skills and overall language proficiency.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to the contexts in which prepositions are used, and consult resources when in doubt. With consistent effort, you can confidently navigate the complexities of prepositional usage and enhance your ability to express yourself with precision and clarity.

Keep practicing, and you’ll find that prepositions become a natural and intuitive part of your English language skills.