Prepositions

The term ‘preposition’ means a word or words that describe(s) the relation of the noun or pronoun to the object mentioned in the sentence. It is used in almost every sentence, for example, in, of, on, under, etc.

Defining prepositions

A preposition is a simple word that we regularly use in many sentences. It provides us with a relation of the noun to the object. It is placed before a noun or pronoun in the sentence, which becomes the object of the preposition to be used, thus giving their relation. A preposition may have one or more than one object.

Sometimes the preposition may be placed after the noun or pronoun too. Some prepositions examples are given below:

1. There is a cow on the farm.
2. The dog went into the house.
3. The cup is placed on the table.
4. The jacket is placed over the shirts and trousers.
5. Here is the book you asked for.
6. Which of these watches have you tried on?

One object is used in the first three sentences, and the preposition lies before the object.

In the fourth sentence, two objects are used, and the preposition lies before the object.

The preposition is placed after the object in the fifth and sixth sentences.

Preposition types

Here are some preposition types – 

1. Simple prepositions’ meaning: These are the regularly used, simple, mono-syllable words like in, on, off, of, into, out, through, to, with, etc.
2. Compound prepositions are usually formed by adding a preposition prefix to a noun, adverb, or adjective. For example, about, above, among, within, without, beneath, below, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, etc.
3. Phrase prepositions: They are mostly more than a word and are used instead of a single preposition. For example, in front of, in favour of, in order to, in place of, according to, in addition to, in/on behalf of, on account of, with regard to, etc.

Relations expressed by the prepositions:

When we use prepositions in a sentence, we do it to express some relation of the object relative to its surroundings.

Some of the most commonly expressed relations through prepositions are:

• Place: The place of the object is expressed using this. For example, 
  • Running across the road,
  • Put it inside the drawer,
  • Fell from the table,
  • Jumping into the bed,
  • Spread across India, etc.

In this relation, the used preposition tells about the object’s place, position, or current state.

• Time: When the preposition used expresses the relation of time of an object, for example,
  • After this date, I’ll be available,
  • In this month,
  • Early in the morning,
  • By 5 o’ clock today, etc.

The prepositions used in these sentences give a relation of the object relative to the time expressed in time, date, year or months.

• Manner: The prepositions used may also express the manner of the action taking place in a sentence, for example,
  • Dying by accident,
  • Fought with bravery
  • Worked with passion, 
  • Lost the game through inexperience, etc.

These prepositions tell us how an action is taking place, has taken place, or will take place. It merely expresses the way a thing or situation in the sentence will happen.

• Inference, motive, source or origin: We can get to know many properties of an object from the preposition used, for example,
  • He did it from the kindness of his heart,
  • Heat on earth comes from the sun,
  • Her skills are the result of her years of practice, etc.

One preposition can be used to express different relations. For example,

• He went into his room in a rage,
• The cat was thrown into the box after the accident,
• The river flows into the sea, etc.

Preposition examples:

Many words are used as prepositions, for example, as, on, in, into, besides, next to, out of, for, behind, before, after, in front of, off, over, since, along, across, about, by, from, through, till, up to, between, beneath, etc.

Conclusion

Prepositions indicate the words that are used to describe the relation between a subject (noun or pronoun) and the object of a sentence. It is used in almost every sentence to express time, place, action, position, origin, purpose, etc. The preposition can be placed before or after the object in a sentence. The preposition exercises should be practised and learnt to test one’s understanding of the conception of prepositions.

Some examples of how to use prepositions correctly in the sentence are given below:

• Sorry, I cannot come after 4 o’clock.
• I have not been in this house since 1986.
• The wheels of my car just came off.

Preposition exercises:

Following exercises are given to enhance the understanding of the topic:

• Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions:

1. She is fond ____ (of/from) coffee.
2. The ring fell _______ (in/into) the ditch.
3. Tina was sitting ______(next to/between) Rick.
4. He went for the first job _______(instead of/beside) the second one.
5. This child was born ______(on/of) the same day as me.

• Identify the preposition(s) used in the following sentences:

1. Stefan hid the ball under the bed in my room.
2. I am right here, but why is he looking behind me?
3. The book was about his life.
4. The coach didn’t want to play without Harry.
5. The video games are played in that room.