English Grammar - Preposition

 

English Grammar

Preposition 

A preposition is a word or group of words that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. Prepositions often indicate location, direction, time, manner, or other relationships between words.

Examples:

In: She is in the room.

On: The book is on the table.

At: They arrived at the airport.

By: He goes to work by car.

For: I bought a gift for my friend.

With: She went to the party with her sister.

From: I received a letter from my grandmother.

To: He walked to the park.

 

These are just a few examples, and there are many more prepositions in the English language. Prepositions are an important part of grammar and are used to convey specific meanings and relationships between words in a sentence.

Rules

Here are some general rules and guidelines for using prepositions in English:

 

Prepositions are typically followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

Example: She went to the store.

 

Prepositions usually come before the noun or pronoun they are related to.

Example: The book is on the table.

 

Some prepositions can also be followed by verb forms ending in -ing (gerunds).

Example: He is interested in studying languages.

 

Prepositions can indicate various relationships, such as location, direction, time, manner, purpose, possession, and more.

Example: He walked to the park (direction). They met at 7 p.m. (time). She wrote with a pen (instrument).

 

Certain prepositions are used with specific words or expressions.

Example: He is good at playing the guitar. They are talking about the movie.

 

Some verbs, adjectives, and nouns are followed by specific prepositions.

Example: She apologized for her mistake. He is afraid of spiders. We have a preference for chocolate.

 

Prepositions can form phrasal verbs when combined with verbs.

Example: He turned off the lights. They ran into each other.

 

Prepositions can be used in prepositional phrases, which are groups of words that include a preposition and its object.

Example: The keys are on the table.

 

Some prepositions can have multiple meanings depending on the context.

Example: She walked across the street. (Location) He sent a message across the country. (Extent)

 

It's important to note that prepositions can be challenging because their usage often depends on context and idiomatic expressions. Familiarizing yourself with common prepositions and their usage through reading and practice can help improve your understanding and usage of prepositions in English.

Study common prepositions: Familiarize yourself with commonly used prepositions and their meanings. You can find lists of prepositions online or in grammar books.

 

Pay attention to patterns: Notice how prepositions are used in common phrases or expressions. For example, we say "in the morning," "on the weekend," and "at the party." Recognizing these patterns can help you use prepositions correctly.

 

Read and listen to English materials: Exposure to English texts, articles, books, and conversations can help you internalize preposition usage in context. Pay attention to how prepositions are used by native speakers.

 

Practice with exercises: Many grammar resources provide exercises specifically designed to practice prepositions. Working through these exercises can help you gain confidence and improve your understanding of prepositions.

 

Use a dictionary or online resources: If you are unsure about the correct preposition to use in a particular context, consult a dictionary or reliable online resources to clarify its usage.

 

Be mindful of collocations: Certain words are commonly used with specific prepositions. For example, we say "interested in," "rely on," "consist of," etc. Learning these collocations can help you choose the correct preposition.

 

Be aware of idiomatic expressions: English has numerous idiomatic expressions that use prepositions in unique ways. Understanding these expressions as fixed phrases can assist in using prepositions correctly.

 

Remember that learning a language takes time and practice. It's natural to make mistakes along the way, including with prepositions. Don't be discouraged by occasional errors, and continue to seek opportunities to practice and improve your understanding of prepositions in context.

Exercise

1

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate prepositions:

 

I'm going __________ vacation next week.

Answer: on

 

The cat is sitting __________ the table.

Answer: on

 

She walked __________ the park and enjoyed the fresh air.

Answer: through

 

The meeting starts __________ 9 a.m.

Answer: at

 

He is allergic __________ cats.

Answer: to

 

They went __________ the movie theater.

Answer: to

 

We're having a party __________ Saturday.

Answer: on

 

Please pass the book __________ me.

Answer: to

 

She received a gift __________ her birthday.

Answer: for

 

The keys are __________ the drawer.

Answer: in

2

The restaurant is __________ the corner of Main Street.

Answer: on

 

I'm looking forward __________ the weekend.

Answer: to

 

They traveled __________ Europe last summer.

Answer: to

 

The bookshelf is __________ the wall.

Answer: against

 

He apologized __________ being late.

Answer: for

 

We need to be at the airport __________ 6 p.m.

Answer: by

 

The cat jumped __________ the table.

Answer: off

 

She prefers tea __________ coffee.

Answer: to

 

He bought a gift __________ his mother's birthday.

Answer: for

 

The children played __________ the park.

Answer: in

Kinds of Preposition

 

Prepositions can be categorized into several types based on their usage and function. Here are some common types of prepositions:

 

Simple Prepositions: These are the most basic prepositions that express relationships of location, direction, time, etc. Some examples include in, on, at, by, for, from, to, with, etc.

 

Compound Prepositions: These are formed by combining two or more words to create a single preposition. Examples include in front of, instead of, because of, due to, on top of, out of, etc.

 

Prepositions of Place/Location: These prepositions indicate where something is located. Examples include in, on, at, by, between, among, under, above, below, behind, in front of, etc.

 

Prepositions of Time: These prepositions indicate when or for how long something happens. Examples include in, on, at, after, before, during, since, until, for, etc.

 

Prepositions of Movement/Direction: These prepositions indicate the direction or movement of someone or something. Examples include to, from, into, out of, towards, through, across, along, over, etc.

 

Prepositions of Agent/Instrument: These prepositions show the means or instrument by which an action is done. Examples include with, by, using, through, etc.

 

Prepositions of Purpose: These prepositions indicate the reason or purpose for an action. Examples include for, to, in order to, with the aim of, etc.

 

Prepositions of Source: These prepositions indicate where something comes from. Examples include from, out of, off, etc.

 

Prepositions of Possession: These prepositions show ownership or possession. Examples include of, with, belonging to, etc.

 

Prepositions of Condition: These prepositions express the condition or state of something. Examples include in, under, above, below, etc.

 

These categories are not mutually exclusive, and some prepositions can fall into multiple categories depending on their usage. It's important to note that prepositions can have various meanings and usage depending on the context. Understanding the different types of prepositions can help you use them more accurately in your writing and speech.

Phrase Preposition

A phrase preposition, also known as a prepositional phrase, is a group of words that includes a preposition and its object, along with any other modifiers. The preposition and its object work together to form a single unit of meaning within a sentence.

Examples of phrase prepositions:

 

"In the morning" - The phrase preposition "in the morning" indicates a specific time frame.

Example: I like to go for a jog in the morning.

 

"On the table" - The phrase preposition "on the table" indicates the location of an object.

Example: The book is on the table.

 

"With my friends" - The phrase preposition "with my friends" indicates companionship or association.

Example: I enjoy spending time with my friends.

 

"By car" - The phrase preposition "by car" indicates the means of transportation.

Example: She travels to work by car.

 

"At the party" - The phrase preposition "at the party" indicates a specific location.

Example: We had a great time at the party.

 

In each of these examples, the preposition (in, on, with, by, at) is followed by its object (the morning, the table, my friends, car, the party). The entire phrase functions as a unit to provide additional information or context to the sentence.

 

Phrase prepositions can vary in length and complexity, and they play an important role in conveying relationships between words, such as time, location, manner, and more.

There are certain prepositions that have unique or special usage. These prepositions may have specific meanings, collocations, or idiomatic expressions associated with them. Here are a few examples:

 

"On behalf of": This phrase is used to indicate that someone is acting or speaking for someone else.

Example: She accepted the award on behalf of her team.

 

"In addition to": This phrase is used to introduce an extra item or element.

Example: In addition to studying, he also works part-time.

 

"Due to": This phrase is used to indicate the cause or reason for something.

Example: The cancellation of the flight was due to bad weather.

 

"In spite of"/"Despite": These phrases are used to express contrast or contradiction.

Example: In spite of the rain, they went for a walk.

 

"According to": This phrase is used to introduce a source or reference for information.

Example: According to the survey, most people prefer tea over coffee.

 

"With regard to": This phrase is used to introduce a topic or subject that is being discussed.

Example: With regard to your question, I think we should consider all options.

 

"In order to": This phrase is used to express purpose or intention.

Example: She studied hard in order to pass the exam.

 

These are just a few examples of prepositions that have specific or unique usage. It's important to pay attention to these special prepositions and understand their meanings and how they are used in context to ensure accurate communication.

Words followed by prepositions

 

There are certain words and expressions in English that are commonly followed by specific prepositions. These combinations are often referred to as collocations. Here are some examples:

 

"Interested in": He is interested in learning new languages.

 

"Depend on": The success of the project depends on our teamwork.

 

"Consist of": The team consists of five members.

 

"Apologize for": She apologized for her mistake.

 

"Prevent from": The fence prevents children from entering the construction area.

 

"Complain about": He always complains about the noise in his neighborhood.

 

"Believe in": She believes in the power of positive thinking.

 

"Concentrate on": Please concentrate on your studies.

 

"Listen to": I love listening to music.

 

"Responsible for": He is responsible for managing the project.

 

These are just a few examples, and there are many more combinations of words and prepositions in English. It's important to familiarize yourself with these collocations to improve your accuracy and fluency in English. Reading and exposure to English materials will help you become more familiar with these word-preposition combinations.