What are prepositions?
Prepositions create a connection between a noun, a pronoun or a noun phrase with the rest of the sentence. Prepositions go before a noun, a pronoun or a noun phrase (although there are some exceptions).
Forms
Simple prepositions consist of only one word: at, before, behind, from, in, into, near, on, the, under, etc.
Compound prepositions consist of two or more words: according to, because of, but for, in spite of, instead of, next to, on behalf of, etc.
Types
Prepositions of time
Prepositions of time indicate the specific time of an action.
At is used to talk about a definite time.
We’re going to meet at 5 o’clock. (hours and also minutes)
We sometimes have tacos at night. (specific times)
I will visit you at Christmas. (holidays)
On is used to talk about days, specific times of the day, dates, specific holidays.
I’ll see you on Monday.
I’ll see you on Monday morning.
My birthday is on August 7th.
She always visits me on the 16th of every month.
In is used to talk about months, years, parts of the day, centuries, long periods, time periods, seasons.
Owen will go to Mexico in March.
They got married in 2002.
I have to work in the morning/afternoon/evening.
That was an important event that took place in the 19th century.
They are certain nothing of what he says will happen in the future.
She’ll be there in 5 minutes.
I’m going to meet her again in (the) summer.
Other prepositions of time
By
I will have learned 12 new words by the end of the day.
Until
The restaurant won’t open until Friday.
Since
We haven’t talked since yesterday.
For
I haven’t eaten fast food for 2 years.
Before
His parents called him before sunrise.
After
We left the party after midnight.
During
We were watching TV during the evening.
Between…and
If everything goes according to plan, we should be boarding the plane between 1:30 and 1:45.
Within
You need to have the evidence within the next hour.
From…to
The conference is from 9 o’clock to 11 o’clock.
Prepositions of place
Prepositions of place indicate the position of something.
At is used for specific locations or positions
I’ll see you at the party/wedding/cinema/airport/hotel/entrance/mall.
I’ll see you at school/home.
On is used for surfaces, floors, means of transport, media, for things attached to another thing.
1.-On the table.
2.-On the wall.
3.-On the third floor.
4.-On the bus/plane
5.-On the Internet
6.-On my head.
In is used for enclosed spaces which means ‘inside’.
1.-In the car.
2.-In the closet.
3.-In my room.
4.-In the sea.
5.-In the newspaper.
6.-In Mexico.
Above
There is a bell above the entrance.
Over
I spread a tablecloth over the table.
Under
Your keys are under the table.
Below
The plane flew below the clouds.
Beneath
The children found this mysterious object buried beneath the tree.
Underneath
The boy’s toy was hidden underneath the other ones.
Between
The school is between the mall and the church.
Among
The rumors spread among the participants.
Behind
There is something behind the box.
Beside
The book is beside the computer.
In front of
The new student sat in front of me.
By
The supermarket is by the river.
Near
The supermarket is near the river.
Close to
The supermarket is close to the river.
Across
Nick’s house is just across the street.
Opposite
The bank is opposite the hospital.
Prepositions of movement or directions
Prepositions of movement or direction indicate the movement of something from one position to another position; they usually appear after a verb.
Across
We were running across the street.
Around
I walked around the Eiffel tower.
Away from
She walked away from that place.
We walked down the path.
From
I come from Brazil.
Into
It was adorable seeing my little sister jumping into the pool.
Off
The cat jumped off the chair.
Onto
We walked onto the bridge to enjoy the sunset.
Out of
I finally got out of that office.
Over
There was a UFO flying over the mountains.
Past
Sarah walked past the theater.
Through
I saw someone running through the dense forest.
To
I went to the convenience store to buy snacks.
Toward(s)
He walked toward(s) me to tell me a secret.
Under
My dog hid under the bed.
Up
You can’t go up the mountains.
Read more about other parts of speech: