Defining a Preposition
A Preposition is a word that shows the relation between a noun or pronoun and some other words in a sentence.The preposition is placed before the noun or the pronoun (or any other word acting like a noun, for example, a gerund) whose relation with some other word it shows:
Example- 1.The toy is under the bed.
(under shows the relation between the toy and the bed)
A. Preposition of Time
A number of prepositions like,on, before, after,during, till,etc. may be used to denote time. In most cases , it is easy to know which preposition to use.
The following prepositions, however, need extra attention:
1. At,on,in
a) At usually denotes a definite point of time but can also be used for definite periods:
at 2 o' clock, at midnight,
at the beginning of the show, at definite points of time,
at the end of the class, at dawn,
at night , at Christmas,
at Diwali at indefinite periods of time,
b) On is used with days and dates:
on Sunday, on 6th January,
on the Diwali day, on Christmas eve etc.
c) In is used with parts of the day, month,year, season:
in the morning, in the evening,
in summer, in winter, in 1980 etc.
d) In is also used with the future tense to show the period in which an action will happen:
in two hours, in a few minutes etc.
Carefully note the difference between in and within
in = at the end of ; within= before the end of
Example-
We shall be back in a week.( when a week is over)
We shall be back within week. ( before a week is over)
2) By
It denotes the latest time at which an action will be over:
Example- The show will get over by 7 p.m (It may be over before it is 7, but the latest time at which it can be over is 7 p.m)
3) Since, for
a) These are often used with perfect continuous tense, Since is used with the point of time at which an action started. (The action continues till the present moment)
Example- He has been studying since 3 o' clock.
b) For is used to suggest the period of time for which an action has been going on:
Example- She has been writing something for two hours.
4) From
It denotes the starting point of an action. It is always used with to or till/until.
Example- The exam will be held from 9 a.m to 11.a.m.
He was the Governor of Goa from 1975 till 1980.
Some more example:
1. The annual function will be held on 18th May at 4 p.m
2. He has been in the hospital since April.
3. We are always at home on a Sunday morning.
4.The meeting will be over in an hour.
5. I shall be waiting for you from 5 p.m to 7 p.m.
6. He got up at 4 o' clock in the morning.
7.I have been living there for four months..
B. Preposition of Position
1. At, in
(a) At has the idea of an exact point; it is used with villages, small towns.
In has the idea of larger areas and it is used while speaking of bigger towns, states, countries etc.
Example- at Shalimar Bagh, in New Delhi, in England
at the end, in the middle etc.
(b) At conveys the idea of general neighbourhood ; In conveys the idea of something contained:
Example- Please sit at the table when you eat.
Turn left at the crossing.
The water bottle is in the refrigerator.
The stamps are lying in the drawer.
2. Between , among
Between is used with two persons or things while among is used with more than two:
Example- Aman is sitting between Sif and Jil.
The hare hid among the bushes.
3. On , upon
Both can be used while speaking of things at rest; Upon is used with things in motion:
Example- Her keys are on/upon the table
The cat sprang upon the table.
4. Above, over
Both mean higher than. Sometimes we can use either of them:
Example- The flags waved over our heads.
The flags waved above our heads.
But over can also mean covering, or vertically above:
Example- My mother put a blanket over me.
There is a bridge over the stream.
5. Below/ under
Both mean lower than. Sometimes we can use either of them. But Under also means vertically below. It also has the idea of contact.
Example- There was a beautiful lake below us in the valley.
He was resting under a tree,
Below is also used in measurements to suggest the idea of being lower:
Example- The temperature was 4 degree below normal.
Some more examples:
There is a small door between two windows.
She stood at the window and waved to me.
He put the book under the pillow.
I shall meet you at Shiva Tower.
The horse jumped over the fence.
She lives in an apartment which is just above the grocery shop.
There were two apples in the basket.
C.Prepositions of movements and direction
1. Prepositions of direction towards: to, towards, into, at, for, against
a) To has the sense of destination, towards of direction:
They went to market. ( reached the market)
They went towards the market, ( in the direction of market)
b) Into denotes the movements towards the interior of something:
The frog jumped into the pond.
c) At has the idea of hitting.
He threw a stone at the dog.
d) For suggests the beginning of a movement:
We left for Mumbai yesterday..
e) Against shows pressure or contact:
I threw the bag against the wall..
2. Preposition of Direction from: from, off, out of
a) From is used with the point of departure:
He has already gone from the house.
b) Off shows separation . It is used in the sense of
from the surface of, down from:
Example- He fell off the scooter.
The ball rolled off the table.
c) Out of is the opposite of into. It means from the interior of.
Example- The bird flew out of the cage.
Other prepositions showing movements are: through, across,along, round, up ,down etc.
Some more examples:
1. He ran across the road.
2 .She went out of her house.
3. The train is passing through the tunnel.
4. I received a gift from her.
5. Come and sit beside me.
6. Besides giving me money , she gave me some clothes.
7. The dog was rubbing itself against the wall.
>>to learn prepositions in detail click on the link below:
How to write sentences correctly?
We sometimes get confused while choosing correct preposition after some words.Here are some examples to show us the right way in such case:
1.She has been admitted to Class 5.
2.The boss didn't agree to my proposal
.
3.All will agree with him that we should not waste money
.
4.All of them agree on this point.
( We agree to a proposal: we agree with a person: we agree on a point)
5.Four hours a week have been allotted to teach yoga
.
6.Everybody was amazed at his courage.
7.She is angry with me for not attending her birthday party.
8.He was angry at being kept waiting.
( We are angry with somebody: we are angry at what somebody does or says)
9.His parents were annoyed with him for behaving so badly.
10.She was annoyed at her son's stupidity
.
( We are annoyed with somebody: we are annoyed at something.
11. The child is quite secure. You need not feel anxious for(or about) her.
( anxious for or about= worry about)
12.Siya apologised to her teacher for her rudeness.
( We apologise to a person : we apologise for something.
13.The prisoner appealed to the judge for mercy.
14.let me assure you of my complete support.
15 I was astonished at my brother's brilliant result.
16.Please attend to what I say.
17.We have a nurse to attend upon my aged father.
( to attend to=to give thought to; to attend upon= to look after)
18.We should avail ourselves of every opportunity.
19. He begged money of( or from) him.
20.I begged for help but all in vain.
21.Many people do not believe in taking medicines.
( believe in= to have faith in)
22.Why are you bent on mischief?
( bent on= firm on)
23. Being blind of one eye , he could not get the driving licence.
24. Mothers are sometimes blind to the faults of their children.
( blind to=unable to see)
25.Shelly is quite certain of her success in exams.
26.The manager charged Rohan with neglecting his duty.
( charge with= to accuse of)
27.She complained to the teacher of the Head girl's rudeness with her.She complained of severe headache.
28. I have already complained against the clerk
.
( We complain to a person;we complain of something. We may also complain against a person.)
29.How can you deal with an armed thief?
( deal with=handle)
30.They deal in timber at this shop.
( deal in= to sell)
31 A saint has no desire for worldly goods.
32.Very few people die of malaria now.
33.The old man died from a fall.
34 How many people can die for their country?
(to die of a disease; to die from some cause; to die for one's country)
35.We have disposed of our land. The king disposed of all his enemies.
( to dispose of= to sell, to finish with)
36.I know your fondness for chocolate.
37.Indians are good at cricket.
38.He is guilty of hiding the truth.
39.Indian goods are no longer inferior to imported goods
.
40.Don't interfere with him
.
41.We should not interfere in other's affairs
.
( We interfere with a person; we interfere in something.
42.I invited them to my birthday party.
43.We found the offer so good that we jumped at it.
( jumped at= to accept eagerly)
44.Mrs. John is junior to me.
45.She longed for the company of a good friend.
.
( longed for=wished eagerly)
46.She prefers classical music to folk dance.
47.Your behavior is worthy of high praise
.
48.If you make a promise,be true to it.
49.Aren't you tired of leading such idle life?
50. The old man got tired with working long
.
51.Everybody sympathised with him in his misfortunes.
Very informative
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