What are Prepositions? Definition & Examples

by | Apr 20, 2024 | Parts of Speech, Prepositions

In English, propositions are commonly used to show the relationship between words in the sentence. Prepositions tell us more details by connecting words together. Learning the correct use of prepositions can be challenging, but if you practice consistently, you will be able to communicate more correctly and fluently.

In this article, you will learn about prepositions in English grammar, their types, and how to use them correctly in sentences. You will also find some useful examples at the end of this article to help you learn how to use prepositions properly in sentences.

Table of Contents

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that connects words together and shows a relationship between them in the sentence. By connecting words together, a preposition helps us understand the meaning of the sentence better by providing more details in the sentence.

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Let’s take a look at the following example sentences to learn how proposition works in English.

  • The tea is on the table.
  • He pours the tea into the cup.
  • The cat is sleeping under the chair.
  • What is the relationship between these two things?

In these sentences, the words on, into, under, and between are some examples of prepositions that tell us where things are and what their relationship is.

Most Common Prepositions in English

Here are some of the most commonly used English prepositions.

  • in 
  • at
  • on
  • to
  • over
  • under
  • between

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions indicate direction, time, location, spatial relationships, and other abstract types of relationships. 

  1. Preposition of time
  2. Preposition of place
  3. Preposition of movement

1. Prepositions of Time

As the name suggests, a preposition of time is used to show the exact time.

  • We are leaving at 6 o’clock. 
  • They’ve been working since morning. 
  • I will be there in two minutes.

2. Prepositions of Place

The preposition of place describes the location of one thing in relation to another. See the examples;

  • The book is on the table. 
  • The cat is hiding under the bed. 
  • She is pouring milk into the cup. 

3. Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement are words that show movement from one place to another. for example, to, across, over, down, etc.

  • A herd of deer is passing through the river. 
  • We are crossing the bridge. 
  • They get into the house. 

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

  • I work at a restaurant.
  • It is about to rain.
  • Knock at the door!
  • Put the shoes on!
  • It’s about to rain.
  • I left my keys at home.
  • They love to help others.
  • We are staying at home.
  • She has been waiting for 2 hours. 
  • The cat is sleeping under the table. 
  • We will reach our destination before noon.
  • Please write it down on the paper. 
  • I went outside with my brother.

Conclusion

Prepositions are small words that connect other words in the sentence and show a relationship between them. Without using proper prepositions, a sentence does not convey the correct meaning.

Prepositions FAQs

What is a preposition in English?

In English, a preposition is a word that shows time, direction, place, or relationship between the words.

What are some examples of prepositions?

Some of the examples of prepositions are: in, at, on, under, of, for, etc.

Why is the purpose of using a deposition in the sentence?

A preposition connects words together and provides more detail about the sentence to help us understand its meaning. Without using a preposition, we will not be able to understand the exact meaning of the sentence.

I hope this article helped you learn about prepositions in English, the types of prepositions, and how to use them correctly in a sentence. If you liked it, then please subscribe to our newsletter for more articles and the latest updates.

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