examples of prepositions
Examples of Prepositions
Many of us speak the language, but hardly pay any attention to the words we actually use. Prepositions, for example, are used by each one of us very often. Once you know some examples of prepositions, you will understand that you use these words every day.
Every language has a categorization of words according to their functions. Same is the case with the English language. This traditional categorization of words is called parts of speech. The parts of speech in the English language are nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.
What is a Preposition?
Prepositions are words that help link either the noun, or the pronoun with another word in the sentence in order to describe their relationship. They help to understand the connection between the two words.
For Example: Jennifer was sitting at the table.
Here, the word "at" is a preposition. It defines the connection between Jennifer and the table. Thus, a preposition is a word, which is used to indicate different relations, such as place, time, reason and purpose, method, direction and motion, manner, and possession. It is usually placed before a noun, or pronoun. The most common examples of prepositions in grammar are on, in, at, to, with, up, etc.
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Kinds of Prepositions
Kinds of prepositions are relatively easy to understand and have been basically classified in order to make the usage and understanding of prepositions easier. These kinds are named on the function that the preposition serves to link.
Time
A preposition of time helps to link the noun, or pronoun with a time value. It functions as an indicator as to what point of time did an event occur, was supposed to occur, will occur, etc. They are also called prepositions of date sometimes. For example: He was here at five in the evening.
Place
Prepositions of place, as the name suggests, link the noun/pronoun with a particular place or spot. These are also called prepositions of location or position. For example: The cat was sitting under the table.
Direction
These prepositions help understand the direction of the noun/pronoun. They are also called prepositions of movement as the direction of the noun/pronoun is directly related to their movement. For example: She ran across the room.
Agent and Instrument
The other kinds of prepositions depending on the functions that they perform are preposition of the agent and/or instrument. Although these kinds do exist, very few grammar books acknowledge them. Largely, the three basic kinds are the ones mentioned above -- time, place, and direction.
Classes of Prepositions
Simple Prepositions
Simple prepositions are nothing but prepositions that consist of one word and are very simple to understand. These prepositions are the most basic prepositions and are used frequently. Here is a list of such prepositions with examples.
About
I will tell you a story about a lion.Above
The plane flies above the clouds.Absent
Emma was absent yesterday.Across
They walked across the field.After
After lunch, I shall complete the remaining task.Against
She joined the fight against poverty.Along
All along the way, she did not speak a word.Among
The profit was shared among the shareholders.Around
Due to the snow, we turned around to return home.As
Nobody can be as witty as Sheldon Cooper.At
The land is at war with its neighbor.Before
She had decided to quit before Christmas, but changed her plan.Behind
The church is located behind the supermarket.Below
The temperatures have dipped below freezing point.Beneath
The water level is beneath the average level.Beside
When we were in school, I used to sit beside her in class.Besides
Besides maths, I am very fond of history.Between
The profit was shared between the three of them.Beyond
The play was beyond my expectations.But
Everyone but her agreed with the arrangement.By
A house by the sea is where you will find me after retirement.Despite
Despite the snowfall, she decided to carry on with her journey.Down
Jimmy lives down the street.Except
Except her no one has any objections to the plan.For
I jog for 10 miles every day.From
She comes from Argentina.Given
Given her affluence, she made the perfect candidate for the speech.In
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.Like
She looks like her father.Minus
Ten minus eight equals two.Near
They have bought a new home near the school.Of
A friend of mine recommended the beautician to me.Off
To regain her lost health, it is important, she stays off her fad diet programs.On
There is an apple on the table.Opposite
Her desk is located diagonally opposite my desk.Out
Do not throw rubbish out of the window.Over
Put the scarf over your head.Past
She walked past me, but refused to acknowledge my presence.Per
What was the per person cost incurred?Plus
Eight plus six equals fourteen.Sans
It was just like a movie, sans all the drama.Since
She was waiting for him since ten in the morning.Than
She likes tea more than coffee.Through
I slept all through the day.Till
She spent her birthday with him till the end.Times
I was fooled into paying three times the original price.To
I am going to Atlanta, before I head back home.Toward/s
It started raining towards the evening.Under
The road is under repair.Underneath
She found her earring underneath the carpet.Unlike
John is unlike his father.Until
I did not get the documents until 5 pm.Up
Walk straight up the tiny lane and you will see the church.Up
I walked up the stairs to see the problem.Versus
The last game was England versus France.Via
I will go via Sydney.With
She walked in with her new boyfriend.Double Prepositions
Double prepositions are words, such as into, onto, within, etc., which are used as prepositions. They are two prepositions, but are joined to make a whole new one. These examples will make it easier for you.
Amid
The kids were lost amid the jungle.Atop
The owl sat atop a banyan tree.Inside
Inside the tough exterior, lies a gentle soul.Into
As soon as she stepped into the room, there was pin-drop silence.Onto
He always climbs onto the table.Outside
Outside the house lies a beautiful garden.Throughout
Throughout winter, she has been sick.Upon
Once upon a time, there lived a king.Up to
It is up to us to find a way out.Within
She caters to customers within a radius of 5 miles.Without
I never leave my house without an umbrella due to the uncertain weather.Compound Prepositions
Compound prepositions are nothing but the use of two prepositions together to do the work of one. However, unlike double prepositions, compound prepositions are not joined and turned into one word. They remain two different words. Their use is mainly in idiomatic forms. Read through the examples below to understand them better.
According to
According to the rule book, peeping is allowed in this game.Ahead of
He was always two steps ahead of his competitors.Apart from
Apart from the dresses, Sara shopped for some shoes, too.As for
As for the record, she did not sign in late.As of
He cannot stay here as of now.As per
As per her mother, she is a silent child.Aside from
The mother pulled her child aside from the dirty dustbin.Because of
He could not leave home because of the heavy rain.Close to
She was never close to her parents.Due to
I seldom step out due to the uncertain weather.Except for
I love her attire, except for the chunky neckpiece.Far from
Her behavior is far from normal.Inside of
The inside of the auditorium is beautiful.Instead of
Instead of standing by my side, he ran away.Left of
All that is left of the meal is some salad.Near to
There are beautiful weekend getaways near to New York.Next to
Phoebe was sitting next to Joey.Out from
She had been singled out from the event.Out of
They persuade us to think out of the box.Outside of
Nobody outside of this room should know about this plan.Owing to
Owing to the bad weather, the trip was canceled.Prior to
I never felt this way about anybody prior to you.Rather than
I prefer leaving rather than waiting for an hour.Regardless of
Regardless of her sentiments, he went on accusing her.Right of
The cat was lying on the rug right of Charlie.Subsequent to
Subsequent to their arrival in France, they bought a new home.Thanks to
She had a job now, all thanks to her brother.That of
The surprise plan was that of her own.Where as
Cats like to sleep, where as dogs like to play.Phrasal Prepositions
Phrasal prepositions are a group of verbs, adverbs, and other words that function as a preposition. There can be many phrasal verbs. However, the ones that function as prepositions in grammar are called phrasal prepositions. These are some examples of phrasal prepositions.
As far as
He walked as far as he could.As long as
As long as you do not change the meaning, you can rephrase the sentence.As opposed to
Christina came out stronger as opposed to the others.As soon as
As soon as they reached the house, the children jumped out of the car.As well as
Abraham took his children as well as the neighboring kids to the circus.In addition to
In addition to all the hurt, he sent her a terrifying hate mail, too.In front of
We clicked a hundred pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty.In reference to
This is in reference to the article in yesterday's paper about child abuse.In regard to
In regard to everything that has happened, I want my questions answered.In spite of
They stood there in spite of the bitter cold.On account of
On account of the processions, the mayor declared a holiday.On top of
He believed in staying on top of things.With regard to
Opinions have changed with regard to the idea of live-in relationships.With the exception of
With the exception of Rachel, everybody had come to school.Participial Prepositions
Participial prepositions are basically participles used as prepositions. A participle is a verb ending with 'ed' or 'ing'. Thus, participles are words, such as concerning, observing, regarding, etc. The ones that are used as prepositions are called participial prepositions.
Assuming
He had made preparations assuming she liked Thai food.Barring
Everybody was invited barring underage children.Concerning
He is always curious about anything concerning her.Considering
Considering the circumstance, he did not punish the kids.During
She works during the day and studies at night.Excluding
Excluding her from the plan would just hurt her even more.Failing
Failing to get her, he settled for his unrequited love.Following
Everywhere he went, the dog kept following him.Including
The entire class was in a party mood including the teacher.Regarding
The police were asking questions regarding Joseph's behavior.Respected
John F. Kennedy was respected by all.Provided
After a lot of questioning, he provided her with all the information.Disguised Prepositions
Disguised prepositions are those that are not used in the sentences but are implied. Classic examples of disguised prepositions are the letters 'a' and 'o'. Here, 'a' stands for the shortened form of the preposition 'on' and 'o' stands for the shortened form of the preposition 'of'.
O' (of)
Be home by nine o' clock.a (on)
Everyone went a-hunting.Usage of Prepositions
✔ A preposition is followed by a noun.
✘ It is never followed by a verb.
✔ A sentence can begin with a preposition, or a prepositional phrase.
✔ A prepositional phrase always begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, or pronoun.
✘ The subject of the sentence can never be a part of a prepositional phrase.
✘ A verb can never be a part of a prepositional phrase.
✔ A sentence can also end with a preposition, but one should always take care while constructing it.