Preposition

1. What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions in English are words or phrases that show the relationship between two nouns in a sentence. These nouns can refer to a person, object, place, or time. Prepositions can appear in various positions in a sentence depending on their purpose, most commonly before a noun or pronoun.

In English, prepositions serve a grammatical function. Think of them as the glue that binds different parts of a sentence together. While using the wrong preposition might still allow the listener to understand your meaning in some cases, it can sometimes completely change the intended message.

2. Types of Prepositions

Prepositions in English are divided into three main types: prepositions of place, prepositions of time, and other prepositions.

The three most commonly used prepositions are in, on, and at. These are also the most confusing. They are widely used to indicate time and place. In addition to these, there are many other prepositions (e.g., by, beside, after, before) with similar functions. Each preposition has multiple uses depending on the context, making it challenging to list them all exhaustively.

2.1. Prepositions of Time

Preposition	Usage
In	1. Months or years Example: In May, in 2020 2. Specific times of the day, month, or year Example: In the morning, in the evening, in the 2nd week of June, in spring, in summer 3. Centuries or specific periods in the past or future Example: In the 21st century, in the early days, in the Stone Age, in the past, in the future
On	1. Days of the week Example: On Monday 2. Dates Example: On the 5th of January, on February 9 3. Specific days Example: On Mom’s birthday, on Independence Day
At	1. Specific times Example: At 11 o’clock, at 5:19 AM 2. Short and precise time periods Example: At night, at sunset, at lunchtime, at noon, at the moment

2.2. Prepositions of Place

Preposition	Usage
In	1. Locations within a three-dimensional space or an area with boundaries (physical or visible) Example: In England, in a school, in a building, in a library, in a room, in a garden, in a car 2. Directions or positions Example: In the North, in the middle
On	1. Locations on a surface Example: On the table, on the blackboard, on the page, on the map, on the wall, on the roof 2. Part of phrases indicating position Example: On the left, on the right
At	1. Specific points or places where activities regularly occur Example: At the entrance, at the bus stop, at the station, at the bottom of the glass

2.3. Other Common Prepositions

Prepositions of Direction/Movement

These prepositions indicate direction, movement, or placement of an object.

• to: Toward a place
  Example: Mary has gone to the zoo again.
• in/into: Inside
  Example: He put his hands in his pockets. A fly got into her soup while she was eating it.
• on/onto: Onto a surface
  Example: Snow fell on the hill. He must have put the apple onto someone else’s bag in the market.
• from: From a place
  Example: A bear in the circus has escaped from his cage.
• away from: Movement away
  Example: They warned him to keep away from their daughter.

Prepositions of Agency

These prepositions show who or what caused something, often used in passive voice sentences.

• by: By someone or something
  Example: The house was built by the two siblings. (Passive) => The two siblings built the house.
• with: By someone or something
  Example: My heart is filled with emotion. (Passive) => Emotion filled my heart.

Prepositions of Device or Machine

These prepositions refer to a technology, device, or machine used to perform an action.

• by: Action performed using something
  Example: Aunt May returned home by car.
• with: Action performed using something
  Example: She opened the door with her key.
• on: Action performed using something
  Example: Can I finish my assignment on your laptop?

Prepositions of Cause or Purpose

These prepositions explain why something exists or happens.

• for: For someone or something
  Example: Everything he did was for you.
• through: Based on
  Example: Through his bravery, I was able to escape safely.
• because of: Because of
  Example: Because of the delay, he was late for the meeting.
• on account of: Because of
  Example: The workers refused to work on account of the low wage.
• from: From someone or something
  Example: I know from experience how to deal with him.

3. Notes on Using Prepositions

3.1. Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

As mentioned earlier, prepositions typically come before a noun or pronoun, but this is not always the case. Many people mistakenly believe that ending a sentence with a preposition without a following noun or pronoun is grammatically incorrect, but this is not true.

Examples:

• This is something I cannot agree with.
• Where did you get this?
• How many of you can she depend on?

3.2. Using the Preposition Like

The preposition “like” means “similar to” or “similarly to.” It is usually followed by a noun, noun phrase, or verb, but not by a noun and verb together.

Examples:

• Correct: You look like your mother.
• Incorrect: You look like your mother does.

3.3. Distinguishing In vs. Into and On vs. Onto

Into and onto emphasize movement, while in and on indicate location.

Examples:

• She swam in the lake. (Location)
• I walked into the hotel. (Movement)
• Look in the box. (Location)
• He drove into the city. (Movement)

Since the usage of prepositions in English can be similar and confusing, the best way to master them is through extensive practice, exposure, and usage.