Prepositions

Prepositions are a class of words that indicate relationships between nouns, pronouns and other words in a sentence. Most often they come before a noun.

The good news is that they never change their form, regardless of the case, gender etc. of the word they are referring to

1. Simple or Compound prepositions

Prepositions are classified as simple or compound.

Simple prepositions are single word prepositions - across, after, at, before, between, by, during, from, in, into, of, on, to, through, under, with and without are all single word prepositions.

  • The newspaper is on the chair.
  • The cat is under the table.

Compound prepositions are more than one word - in between and because of - are prepositions made up of two words - in front of, on behalf of are prepositions made up of three words.

  • My office is in between the bank and the post office.
  • .
  • My car is in front of my flat.

2. Prepositions of movement

Prepositions can be used to show movement. For example: to, through, across.

We use to to show movement with the aim of a specific destination.

  • I moved to Paris in 1999.
  • He went to the cinema at 3 pm.

We use through to show movement from one side of an enclosed space to the other side.

  • The train went through the tunnel.
  • He walked quickly through the door.

We use across to show movement from one side of a surface or line to another.

  • She swam across the lake.
  • He walked across the road.

3. Prepositions of Place

Prepositions can be used to show where something is located.

The prepostions - at, on, in

We use at to show a specific place or position.

  • I live at 36 Palace Road.
  • I am waiting at the bus stop.

We use on to show position on a horizontal or vertical surface.

  • There is a lot snow on the roof.
  • The dog is sitting on the chair.

We also use on to show a position on streets, roads, etc.

  • I used to live on Palace Road.
  • There is a petrol station on the corner of the street.

We use in to show that something is enclosed or surrounded.

  • She is in a taxi.
  • The cat is in the garden.

We also use in to show position within land-areas (towns, counties, states, countries, and continents).

  • I used to live in Nottingham.
  • I live in America.
More prepositions of place
  • They ran after the thief.
  • I found my handbag among my luggage.
  • The student was sitting at her table.
  • My flat is behind the supermarket.
  • The plates are in the cupboard.
  • My car is parked in front of the supermarket.
  • The post office is by / next to / besides the bank.
  • The picture is hanging on the wall.
  • The notice is above the door.
  • I put the tablecloth over the table.
  • The temperature was below zero degrees.
  • The boy was sitting under a tree.

4. Prepositions of time

Prepositions can be used to show when something happens. (time, day, date, month, year, morning, afternoon, evening,night, season)

Prepositions of time - at, on, in.

  • I go to work at 8.00 every day. (time)
  • I’ll see you on Tuesday. (day)
  • I have an exam on the 21st. (date)
  • My birthday is in December. (month)
  • I was born in 1965. (year)
  • I get up in the morning. (morning)
  • I have a meeting in the afternoon (afternoon)
  • I go home in the evening after work. (evening)
  • I go to bed at night. (night)
  • It usually snows in the winter. (season)
 

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