Prepositions – Easy Explanation
“Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence.”
📘 What is a Preposition?
A **preposition** is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. It tells us about direction, place, time, cause, manner, and instrumentality.
Example: The book is on the table. (The preposition "on" shows the relationship between the book and the table.)
📚 Types of Prepositions
- Prepositions of Place: indicate where something is located.
Example: *in, on, at, near, under, between* - Prepositions of Time: indicate when something happens.
Example: *at, on, in, during, before, after* - Prepositions of Direction/Movement: indicate the movement from one place to another.
Example: *to, into, across, through, up, down* - Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose: show the reason for something.
Example: *for, because of, due to* - Prepositions of Manner: indicate how something is done.
Example: *by, with, like*
🧠 Common Prepositions with Examples
- On: The keys are on the table.
- In: I live in New York.
- At: She is at the door.
- By: The book was written by J.K. Rowling.
- With: He is playing with his friends.
📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t confuse *in* and *on* for time expressions. Example: *in 2010* (not *on 2010*).
- Use *at* for specific places and times, and *in* for general places and time periods.
- After verbs of movement, use prepositions of direction. Example: *I am going to the market.*
📋 Questions Asked in Exams
- Q: What is the role of a preposition in a sentence?
A: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. - Q: Provide examples of prepositions of place.
A: *in, on, under, between, at, near, by*. - Q: How do prepositions of time work?
A: Prepositions like *at, on, in* are used to indicate when something happens, e.g., *at 5 PM*, *on Monday*, *in 2025*.