Correct Use of Preposition

Introduction

The use of prepositions in the English language is quite idiomatic. Even though there are a few guidelines to follow, the majority of prepositional use is determined by fixed phrases. It is preferable to remember the phrase rather than the individual preposition in these situations. So, do you know what a preposition is and how it is used in sentences? If not, don’t worry. In this tutorial, you will learn about prepositions as well as their uses in sentences. So, let’s get started.

Preposition

Prepositions are used to illustrate how two different parts of a sentence are connected to one another. If there were no such things as prepositions, sentences would just be made up of nouns and verbs with nothing to indicate their location or position.

The word "preposition," comes from the words "pre" and "position," meaning "location before." It is common practice to place a preposition ‘before’ a word, most often a noun phrase, noun, or pronoun to indicate the direction, time, place, location, or spatial connections, or to introduce an object.

Words like at, to, on, in, and of are examples of prepositions. 

The fact that prepositions belong to a "closed class" gives them a special position as part of speech and a more prominent place in the language. To put it another way, they belong to a small group of words that does not welcome newcomers into their exclusive club. In contrast, nouns, adjectives, and verbs are always open to the incorporation of new members into their respective groups.

Thus, prepositions serve as key markers to the structure of a sentence, indicating particular ties between people, places, and things, which is why they are so significant. As a result, we should think about how we use prepositions in phrases carefully.

Functions of Prepositions are as follows

• Prepositions are used to show how other words in a phrase are connected to one another.

• Many prepositions provide information about where something is located or when something occurred.

• The majority of prepositions have several meanings, which means that their meaning may shift significantly depending on the situation in which they are used.

The several uses that preposition serves are put into different groups.

Prepositions of ‘Place’

The preposition of place refers to a certain location of something or someone.

• at for a POINT

• in for an ENCLOSED SPACE

• on for a SURFACE

• Prepositions over and above are used to refer to an object higher than a point.

• Prepositions below, beneath, under, and underneath are used to refer to an object lower than a point

Example

• I saw her at college.

• The ball is on the table.

• She is in the car.

• The cat lays under the bed.

• She is hiding underneath the table.

Prepositions of ‘Time’

• at for a precise time

• in for months, centuries, long periods, and months.

• on for dates and days.

• Prepositions like since, from…until, by, during, for, from…to, with, and within are used to refer to extended time

Example

• I will meet you at 10 am.

• I was born in December 1992.

• I am just going to bed for two hours.

• We will meet on Friday.

• I am not going to take you out until you finish your homework.

• Flowers bloom during the spring season.

Prepositions of ‘Cause / Purpose’

These prepositions are used in our daily communication to tell others the cause of the event and the reason behind some action such as - for, to, due to, from, because.

Example

• He succeeded for many reasons.

• All trains have been cancelled because of the flood.

• Unfortunately, you won’t succeed from hard work alone.

• He is going to the office.

• The plan for the movie was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Prepositions of ‘Agency’

These prepositions indicate that an action conducted on a noun is caused by another noun such as - by, with, without.

Example

• She graduated with an honors degree.

• Ramayana was written by Valmiki.

• You can’t enter the examination hall without the hall ticket

• He goes for a walk.

Prepositions of ‘Measure/ Value’

These prepositions indicate quantity or value such as - of and by.

Example

Prepositions of ‘Spatial Relationship’

Prepositions of spatial connections deal with "where" the sentence's subject is located or "where" the action is occurring.

To refer to a spatial relationship, following prepositions are used - above, across, against, ahead of, along, among, around, behind, below, beneath, besides, between, from, in front of, inside, near, off, out of, through, toward, under, and within.

Example

• The cat is between two plant pots.

• The cat is under the pot.

• The cat is behind the pot.

• The cat is sitting in front of the plant plot

• The cat is next to the plant pot.

• Write your name below the line.

• He sat beneath the tree.

• The old lady is standing beside the shop.

• Circle around the right option.

Prepositions of ‘Support/ Opposition’

These prepositions express support for a plan, or person and expresses opposition to a person, an idea, or an action such as - for and against.

Example

• The students voted for Michel as their leader.

• The public was against the government.

Prepositions of ‘Directions’

These prepositions give readers a sense of place or location such as - close to, near to, above, below, over, up, down, under, towards, next, behind, etc.

Example

• We saw a forest far below.

• The dog is under the blue car.

• I left my purse behind.

• Her house is across from mine

• I live close to the bus station.

• The cat jumped over the wall.

• The hikers walked up the hill.

• The ball rolled down the hill.

Conclusion

The tutorial concludes with the hope that the above explanation will help you to have an understanding of prepositions and their use in a sentence. Keep practicing as practice will enable you to master English grammatical skills.

FAQs

Qns 1. What are prepositions?

Ans. Prepositions are used to illustrate how two different parts of a sentence are connected to one another.

Qns 2. What are the functions of prepositions?

Ans. Firstly, prepositions are used to show how other words in a phrase are connected to one another. Secondly, many prepositions provide information about where something is located or when something occurred and thirdly, the majority of prepositions have several meanings, which means that their meaning may shift significantly depending on the situation in which they are used.

Qns 3. Mention a few groups of prepositions.

Ans. Preposition of place, time, measure, cause, direction, support or opposition, agency, and spatial relationship.

Qns 4. What do the prepositions of spatial relationship deal with?

Ans. Prepositions of spatial connections deal with "where" the sentence's subject is located or "where" the action is occurring.

Qns 5. What is the importance of prepositions in English grammar?

Ans. Prepositions are important because if there were no such things as prepositions, sentences would just be made up of nouns and verbs with nothing to indicate their location or position. They serve as key markers to the structure of a sentence, indicating particular ties between people, places, and things.