Prepositions

Prepositions

What are prepositions?

Prepositions are short words which come before nouns or pronouns to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like "in" "at" "on" "of" and "to."

Examples

Karim was born in 2002.

Birds can fly above the clouds.

The words in and “above” are prepositions.

Kinds of prepositions

·         Prepositions of time

·         Prepositions of place

·         Prepositions of movement

·         Prepositions of manner

·         Prepositions of agent of instrument

·         Prepositions of measure

·         Prepositions of source

·         Prepositions of possession

1.  Prepositions of time

Prepositions of time describe when something occurs, occurred or will occur. The most common prepositions of time are “at”, “in” and “on”. 

Examples

She will arrive on Friday night.

The children usually wake up at 8 a.m.

They seldom meet at Christmas.

She usually does shopping at weekends.

I met her on Saturday evening.

I met her on my birthday.              

She was born in 1999.

2.  Prepositions of place

Prepositions of place are used to denote the position or location of a person or a thing. Preposition of place answer the question "Where?"

Examples

They are sitting in the garden.

He is standing at the door.

The car broke down at roundabout.

You can find the answers on page eighty.

The folder was on the desk above the computer.

The butterfly flew above the garden.

The store is opposite the house.

3.  Prepositions of movement

Prepositions of movement denote movement from one place to another place. They always describe movement and are usually used with verbs of motion. The most common preposition of movement is the preposition “to.”

Examples

How do you go to school?

I go to school on foot!

They’ll go to the party.

Let’s go for a walk around the forest.

The frog got into the box.

I will walk through the village on my way to work.

4.  Prepositions of manner

Prepositions of manner show the way something happens or how something is done. They answer the question "Where?" Prepositions of manner include: “by”, “in”, “like”, “on” and “with.”

Examples

Jane usually pays by credit card.

We couldn't afford to go there by plane.

Jalal came in a taxi.

She can swim like fish.

I have never visited the city on foot.

He reacted with calm to what he found.

5.  Prepositions of agent or instrument

Prepositions of agent and instrument connect something that is done with the person or thing that did it. The two main prepositions of agent or instrument are 'by' and 'with.'

Examples

This system was made by Mr. Joe. 

The car was driven by my sister.

Abby painted this room with her magical brush.

6.  Prepositions Of measure?

Prepositions of measure are used to connect the quantity of the noun with the noun itself, when used in a sentence. They include “of” and “by.”

Examples

He bought a kilogram of almond today.

Half of the tourists have come from Europe.

This store sells milk by the liter.

7.  Prepositions of source

Prepositions of source denote that someone or something originated from someone or something. They include “by” and “from.”

Examples

This project receives a grant from the government.

Sarah got a brand new bracelet from her cousin.

Lora is from Germany.

8.  Prepositions of possession

Prepositions of possession denote someone or something is owned by someone or something else. They include “of”, “to” and “with.”

Examples

That is the father of my best friend.

This car belongs to Mr. Brown.

She bought a bike with a nice design.