A preposition is a short word that is employed in sentences to show the relationship nouns, pronouns or phrases have with other parts within the respective sentences. Prepositions are normally found positioned in the latter part of the sentence, but before a noun or pronoun.

Uses of Prepositions

Prepositions are seen to show some key characteristics and perform some vital functions when used in sentences. Let us look at the various uses of prepositions in English.

• They are used to show the direction of something.
• They can refer to the time of something happening.
• They can be used to denote the position or location of an object in the sentence.
• They are also used to represent spatial relationships.
• Prepositional phrases, in particular, can be used to do all of these when used in sentences.

Types of Prepositions

Based on the different uses and functions of prepositions, they can be divided into four main types. They are as follows:

• Prepositions of Time – used to show when something is happening.

For example:

• • We will be meeting on Friday.
•  
  • The supermarket will be closed from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
•  
  • Can you come after some time?
•  
  • We have been asked to work from home until the end of May.
•  
  • The whole country was asked to stay home during the pandemic to ensure safety and well-being.

• Prepositions of Place – indicate the place or position of something.

For example:

• • I have kept the book I borrowed from you on the table.
•  
  • Henry hid behind the door.
•  
  • The dog jumped over the fence.
•  
  • Can you place the red roses in between the white daisies?
•  
  • He was waiting in front of the EB office.

• Prepositions of Direction – used to denote the direction in which something travels or moves.

For example:

• • The girl ran toward her father the moment she saw him.
•  
  • Jerry jumped into the river to help his sister.
•  
  • Veena passed the book to Priya.
•  
  • When will Salvia be returning from London?
•  
  • Neena lives across the street.

• Prepositions of Location – employed to denote the location of a particular object.

For example:

• • Kenny would be staying at his cousin’s place for the weekend.
•  
  • Make sure you keep all the toys back in its place after you play.
•  
  • I lay on the floor for a really long time.

• Prepositions of Spatial Relationship – used to denote an object’s movement away from the source and towards a source.

For example:

• • Navya sat leaning against the wall.
•  
  • The circus was stationed opposite the children’s park.
•  
  • Lakshmi sat beneath the trees.
•  
  • Shankar sat beside the stairs.
•  
  • We spent the evening walking around the lake.

• Prepositional Phrase – a combination of a preposition and a noun(the object it is affecting).

For example:

• • See to it that you reach the venue on time.
•  
  • The medicines you asked for are out of stock.
•  
  • Why don’t we try taking classes outside for a change.
•  
  • Make sure you fill in all the forms at once.
•  
  • Salmaan was able to finish it only with the help of his friends.

Exercise 1 – Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions

1. This shop doesn’t have the books we were looking __. (up/for)
2. The governess distributed chocolates ____ the two brothers. (between/among)
3. Simone did not score good grades__ his final semester. (in/at)
4. Dogs are always loyal __ their master. (to/for)
5. My birthday is __ 20th January. (on/in)
6. The girl working __ the departmental store is pretty. (at/on)
7. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born __ 23rd January. (at/on)
8. My little boy is not fond __ milk. (off/of)
9. The cat jumped ___ the table to the sofa. (from/above)
10. Humpty Dumpty sat __ a wall. (on/at)
11. The IAS officer was posted __ the rural office (at/on)
12. The Sun will not rise __ 8 o’clock today. (before/since)
13. Mary has known Penelope ____ she was a baby girl. (for/since)
14. Priya’s house is ___ Rahul’s. (next to/after)
15. The people sitting ____  us ordered a pineapple pizza. (opposite/behind)
16. Is the new teacher aware ___ her duties? (of/to)
17. Kalpana Chawla went ___ space. (to/in)
18. I was stunned ___ her graceful performance. (with/at)
19. There’s a crack ____ the walls of the room. (between/among)
20. I will wait ______ the bus stop. (in/at)

Exercise 2 – Fill in the blanks

1. Jenny was being impolite ___ everyone at the party. (to / with / at)
2. Mrs Robinson searched the entire house ____ her favourite necklace. (for / of / to)
3. Suzan apologised ___ her parents for her rude behaviour. (to / at)
4. Always be polite and gentle ___ everyone. (to / with / at)
5. Raj’s dad met with an accident yesterday. I truly felt sorry ___ him. (for / about)
6. I am so sorry ___ disturbing you at such an odd hour. (for / about)
7. Did you know Mr. Timon has been suffering ___ tuberculosis for two years? (with / from / of)
8. “What is the matter ___ you?” asked the teacher to Ravi. (at / with / of)
9. The dog ran ____ the street while the car was coming from the opposite direction. (across / into / at)
10. Do you know ____ what time you have to arrive there?(with / to / at)
11. The kitten fell ___ the pool. (into/under)
12. The peon will come ___ the afternoon. (by/in)

Choose the right prepositions from those given in brackets.

    (i) Do not boast ___  your health.
         (of/in/for)

    (ii) The lame man lives ___ begging.
         (with/from/by)

    (iii) He often suffers ___ illness.
         (in/from/with)

    (iv) I bought this pen ___ five ruppes.
         (by/for/with)

    (v) Shoes are made ___ leather.
         (of/from/with)

    (vi) The students was sure ___ success.
         (to/in/of)

    (a) What is the time ___ your watch?
         (in/on/by)

    (b) This is a question ___ Milton.
         (of/from/by)

    (c) You should provided well ___ your
         children.(for/to/of)

    (d) He has not yet recovered ___ his
         illness. (by/of/from)

    (e) He is sympathized ___ me in my
         sorrow.(to/with/for)

    (f) The old man is hard ___ hearing.
         (of/for/in)