NDA » NDA Study Material » English » Parts of Speech-Preposition-Introduction to Preposition

Parts of Speech-Preposition-Introduction to Preposition

In the  English language, we have the right parts of speech, which includes the Preposition. This is an introduction to the preposition. Prepositions are words, placed before nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases that indicate place, direction, location, time, or to introduce an object. Some of its examples are words like “in,” “at,” “on,” “of,” and “to.”

What is Preposition? 

A Preposition is a small word that shows the direction(to), location (in), or time (by). A preposition also introduces an object. They are naturally followed by an object( a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase). They also relate to us where and when something is, with something else.

Preposition Definition

The preposition definition is generally said to be a group of words, that precedes nouns or pronouns, telling us where they are, and how they relate with other nouns, profound and verb.

In discussing the preposition definitions, we have to fully look into the different types of prepositions. The types are categorized based on how prepositions function in sentences.

Prepositions show the direction, location, time, place, including some relationships.

Here are the types in examples: 

Direction: 

To refer to a direction, the prepositions “in,” “into,” “to,”  “on,” and “onto.” are used. 

 Examples. 

  1. He drove to school. 
  1. Send those letters to Favor’s mail.
  2. Look up, there you will find the box.

Location: 

In referring to a location, we use the prepositions “in” (an area or volume), “at” (a point), and “on” (a surface).

Examples 

  1. We had lunch together in the garden.
  2. We spent the last holiday in London.
  3. You can find the book at the library. 

Time: 

This refers to a point in time. We use the prepositions “in,” “at,” and “on, to indicate time.

Examples. 

  1. We started studying at 11 am this morning.
  2. He works only on Monday evenings.
  3. She goes to bed at midnight.
  4. He will be here at noon.
  5. Stephanie was born on July 8th, 1996.

            We can also refer to extended time using 

the prepositions “with,” “since,” “for,” “from…to,” “by,” “during,” “from…until,” and “within.”

Here are some examples:

  1.  They have lived in Canada since 2002.
  2. She will be on vacation for 3 weeks. 
  3. He will be done with the work by 8:00. 
  4. She is always super excited, during lunch hours. 

Place: 

In referring to a place, the prepositions, “at” (the vicinity), “in” (the exact point ), “on” (the surface), and “inside” (contained in) are used. 

Here are some examples :

  1. They will have the meeting in the conference room. 
  2. The dog was waiting for its owner at the corner.
  3.  She left her purse on the table. 
  4.  Place the underwear inside the drawer.

Also, to refer to an object higher than a level, we use the prepositions “above” and “over.” To point to an object lower than a point, we use the prepositions “under,” “beneath, ” “underneath, and ” below. “

Here are also some examples:

  1. He jumped over the ditch. 
  2. The book is on the shelf, above the Flower Vase.
  3. The cat is under the table. 
  4. She hid the money underneath her box.

   Objects close to a point, are referred to using the  prepositions:  “between,” “by,” “next to,” “near,” 

 “among,” and “opposite.”

Examples: 

  1.  The restaurant is by the grocery store.
  2.  The school is near the church.
  3.  She should sit next to her luggage. 
  4.  There is a fence between the two buildings 
  5. He lives among his friends. 
  1. The cat hid under the chair
  2. He sat close to the driver, in the bus.

Prepositions also show us the relationship between certain words in a sentence. They always tell us where one noun is in relation to another (e.g., The book on the table beside you). And they can also show more abstract ideas, such as purpose or contrast (e.g., We finished the project,  despite the delays.).

 

It is also important to note that in the English Language, there’s no fixed procedure for defining which preposition to use with a particular group of words, context, in a sentence.  The best way to understand which prepositions should be used, in different cases, and with specific words, is to continuously study as many excellent writings as one can, and take full note of the best combinations that sound right. 

Let’s take a look at a few examples of the most familiar prepositions used in sentences.

Examples: 

  1. Joy left her textbooks in the car.
  2. Did you return the pen to the teacher?
  3. The caterers are cooking for 500 guests today.
  4. He went on a walk with his dogs.

    Conclusion

    We use prepositions in our everyday use of English, as they help us effectively communicate and understand relationships between nouns and pronouns. These are comparatively small words that follow verbs. One should be thorough with their use so that no error is made while using prepositions in spoken or written English.