Prepositions

Most English speakers remember just a small bunch of prepositional words. However, in actuality, there are around 150 unique prepositions. Three of these prepositions are in the best ten most normally involved words in the English language: of, to, and in. But, what exactly is a preposition? Is there more than one kind of preposition? Numerous questions might come to one’s mind as soon as one thinks of prepositions. 

As usually believed, prepositions do not just get used to telling the location of a noun. Below is a precise explanation of what prepositions are and some preposition examples for a better understanding. 

What are prepositions?

A preposition or relational word is a word or set of words that show location (in, close, alongside, on top of) or another connection between a noun or pronoun and different parts of the sentence (about, later, also, rather than, as per). A prepositional word isn’t a relational word except if it goes with a connected noun or pronoun, called the object of the preposition.

These words generally precede a noun, or another word, like the “ing” word type of an action word (verb), going about as a noun. The most well-known prepositions are: of, in, to, for, with, on, at, from, by, and about.

A preposition is additionally included for other grammatical reasons. For example, it can be used together with an action word to make a phrasal verb, otherwise called a multi-word verb. A phrasal verb is an action word composed of an action word in addition to another or two words, typically relational words or prepositions.

The various types of prepositions

Based on the usage and functions, prepositions can be classified into: 

1. Prepositions of time
2. Prepositions of movement
3. Prepositions of place
4. Prepositions of manner
5. Prepositions of source
6. Prepositions of measure
7. Prepositions of possession
8. Prepositions of agent of instrument

Prepositions of time

As the name suggests, these are the prepositions that describe when something happened, is happening, or will happen. On, at, before, in, after, and during are some of the numerous examples of prepositions of time. Some specific rules must be followed when using these types of prepositions. 

Rule 1: Preposition’ in’ must be used when referring to month, time of a day, seasons, year, and centuries. Example- His birthday is in January.

Rule 2: While referring to days, dates, and specific holidays, the preposition of time- ‘on’ must be used. Example- I will leave on Tuesday. 

Rule 3: For time exceptions and festivals, ‘at’ must be used. Example- Meet me at night. 

Prepositions of movement

For describing the direction of something or someone, these prepositions are used. For example, to is one of the most common prepositions of movement. Some rules that must be followed while using these prepositions are given below.  

Rule 1: The preposition ‘across’ is used when the indicated direction is from one side to another. Example- The dog ran across the road to catch a ball. 

Rule 2: For describing the movement- inside to outside or outside to inside, through is used. Example- A ball went through the window. 

Rule 3: For denoting specific movement direction, use prepositions such as up, down, past, around, and over. Example: I wish to climb up the mountains. 

Prepositions of place

On, in, and at are the commonly used prepositions of place, indicating position. Specific rules to follow while using these prepositions are: 

Rule 1: ‘On’ is used when referring to something with a surface. Example- Hang the painting on the wall. 

Rule 2: For referring to a specific point, use ‘at.’ Example- I will be at work soon. 

Rule 3: For showing something inside, ‘in’ is used. Example- Your box is in the car. 

Prepositions of manner

For describing the ways things happen or to express the means by which they happen, prepositions of manner are used. By, like, in, on, and with are prepositions of manner. 

Example- They went home by bus. 

Prepositions of source

The name speaks for itself; these prepositions describe the source of something or someone. In other words, they describe that someone or something originated from something or someone. 

Example- The painting on that wall is by a famous artist. 

Prepositions of measure

These are the prepositions that express the quantity of someone or something concerning someone or something. By and of are commonly used prepositions of measure. 

Example- That fabric is measured by the meter. 

Prepositions of possession

The prepositions of possession are used to denote that someone or something is owned by someone or something. Some commonly used prepositions of this type are of with and to. 

Example- The car belongs to him. 

Prepositions of agent of instrument

These are used to indicate that an action has been conducted on someone or something by someone of something. By and with are two prepositions of agent of instrument.

Preposition examples- The novel you are reading was written by a well-known writer. 

Conclusion

The basic idea that comes to one’s mind related to prepositions is that they are the words that describe the position of a noun or pronoun. It is because of the name. But, this definition is only limited to a type of preposition- Prepositions of place. Prepositions are relational words that relate one word to another. Hence, whenever one has to answer a preposition exercise, they must have an idea about all the several types of prepositions to answer correctly.