Mastering prepositions is essential for improving your English. They play a critical role in connecting words to show relationships between people, places, and things. Even though prepositions are common in the English language, they can be tricky to use correctly. Misusing a preposition can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
In this article, we’ll explore English prepositions, their types, and provide examples of how to use them correctly. You’ll also find a free worksheet to practice at the end.
Table of Contents
- What is a preposition?
- Forms of prepositional phrases
- Functions of prepositional phrases
- List of the most common prepositions
- Types of English prepositions (lists with examples)
- Prepositions of time
- Prepositions of place
- Prepositions of movement
- Prepositions with verbs
- Prepositions with adjectives
- Common preposition mistakes
- Preposition practice exercise
1. What is a Preposition?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between its object (usually a noun or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. Prepositions indicate direction, location, time, or introduce an object.
Examples:
- Direction: I walked to the store.
- Location: The book is on the table.
- Time: I’ll meet you at 6 pm.
- Introducing an object: She read the book about dinosaurs.
2. Forms of Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases come in different forms. These phrases begin with a preposition and end with the object of the preposition, often a noun or pronoun.
- Simple prepositional phrases: At the park, on the table.
- Compound prepositional phrases: Because of the rain, in front of the house.
- Complex prepositional phrases: In the middle of the night, on top of the cabinet.
- Prepositional phrases with pronouns: Sure of herself, proud of him.
- Conditional prepositional phrases: But for the help, I wouldn’t have finished on time.
3. Functions of Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases can function as:
- Adjectives: Describing a noun.
The book on the desk is mine. - Adverbs: Modifying a verb or adjective.
She spoke with confidence. - Noun complements: Completing the meaning of a noun.
His fear of heights is real.
4. List of the Most Common Prepositions
There are over 100 prepositions in English, but here are the most common ones:
Single-word prepositions
About, Above, Across, After, Against, Along, Among, Around, At, Before, Behind, Below, Beside, Between, By, During, For, From, In, Inside, Into, Near, Of, Off, On, Out, Over, Past, Since, Through, To, Under, Until, Up, With, Without
Complex prepositions
Ahead of, Apart from, As for, Because of, Due to, In front of, In place of, In spite of, On top of, Thanks to
5. Types of English Prepositions (with Examples)
Prepositions of Time
These prepositions show when something happens.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| After | He’ll arrive after dinner. |
| At | I’ll meet you at noon. |
| Before | Let’s finish this before 8 pm. |
| During | We slept during the storm. |
| In | The meeting is in the afternoon. |
| On | She was born on Monday. |
Prepositions of Place
These prepositions describe where something is located.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| Above | The lamp is above the table. |
| Behind | The cat hid behind the couch. |
| By | He’s standing by the door. |
| In | She’s in the kitchen. |
| Near | The school is near the park. |
| On | There’s a book on the shelf. |
| Under | The keys are under the pillow. |
Prepositions of Movement
Prepositions showing movement from one place to another.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| Across | They walked across the street. |
| Into | She ran into the room. |
| Onto | He jumped onto the bed. |
| Through | We drove through the tunnel. |
| To | I’m going to the store. |
Prepositions with Verbs
Certain prepositions follow specific verbs.
| Verb | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Complain | About | She complained about the delay. |
| Arrive | At | They arrived at the station. |
| Differ | From | His views differ from mine. |
Prepositions with Adjectives
Some adjectives are commonly paired with specific prepositions.
| Adjective | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Interested | In | I’m interested in art. |
| Proud | Of | She’s proud of her achievements. |
| Familiar | With | He’s familiar with the rules. |
6. Common Preposition Mistakes
Prepositions can be confusing for English learners, and mistakes are common. Here are a few to watch out for:
-
At vs. On vs. In:
The meeting is at 5 pm, on Monday, in July. -
To vs. In:
Incorrect: I went in France last year.
Correct: I went to France last year. -
For vs. Since:
Incorrect: I’ve lived here since three years.
Correct: I’ve lived here for three years.
7. Preposition Practice Exercise
Now that you’ve learned about prepositions, test your skills with this practice exercise. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions.
- I arrived ___ the office ___ 7 am ___ Monday.
- She put the book ___ the table.
- We walked ___ the park.
- He’s been working here ___ five years.
- The meeting is ___ noon.
Mastering English prepositions is a critical step toward fluency. With practice, you’ll use them confidently and naturally in your conversations.
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I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
