What’s a Preposition, Examples of Prepositions, How to Use Them
Here we discuss about preposition so before we discuss about what is prepositions you have to know that how to use them properly and what are the types of prepositions
what’s a preposition
A preposition is a word that tells us when or where something is in relation to something else and Every Prepositions are often short words.
What is preposition?
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by the noun stands to something else.
Ex_ His book is on the table.
He is in his room.
The Preposition
* When the object is the relative pronoun that, the preposition is always placed at the end; as
This is the picture you are looking at.
This is the pen that she was searching for.
* When the object is an interrogative pronoun, the preposition is often placed at the end; as
Whom are you talking about?
What are they looking at?
* When the object is a relative pronoun understood, the preposition comes at the end; as
Here is a man (whom) you spoke of.
This is the boy ( whom) she was speaking of.
Types of preposition:
1. Simple preposition: at, in, for, from, with, by, to, of, off, on, out, through, up, over etc.
2. Compound preposition: i.e, prepositions formed by prefixing a preposition , usually be or a to a noun, adjective or adverb; as_ across (on+cross), before (by+ fore), about (on+by+out) etc.
3. Participle prepositions: i.e, present and past participles now used as preposition; as_
I shall talk to him concerning these matters.
There is restrictions regarding age.
4. Phrase preposition: i.e, two or more words ending in a preposition and used together with the force of a single preposition; as_
He could not go to office on account of illness.
I am senior to him in respect of age.
Special uses of some prepositions_
At and In
* With reference to time, “at” is used for a point of time; “in” for a period of time in which something happens; as
He came at daybreak.
In this month very famous men died.
* With reference to space, “at” is used for small aned less important places, villages and small towns; “in” is used for large places, countries and large towns; as
He lives at Rampur, Mehrauli.
He lives in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata.
He lives at Panaji in Goa.
By and With:
“By” is used after verbs in the passive to express the agent or doer of action expressed by the verb. “With” is used with the instrument with which the action is done.
The farmer was killed by a robber with a knife.
The essay was written by me with a fountain pen.
On and Upon:
“On” is used in speaking of things at rest; “upon” is generally used in speaking of things in motions; as
We sat on the ground.
The cat sprang upon the table.
In and Into:
“In” implies a state of rest or position inside anything; while “into” denotes motion towards the inside of anything.
He is in his room.
He fell into the river.
In and Within:
“In” denotes ‘at the end of some future period’ , “within” means ‘ before the end of’ ; as
He will return in a week.(at the close of)
He will return within a week. (in less than)
After and In:
“After” is used to denote at the end of a period of time in the past; while “in” is used to denote at the end of a period of time in the future; as
She came after a week. (Past)
She will come in a week. ( Future)
Since and For:
“Since” is used to denote a point of time in the past; “for” is used to denote a period of time in the present, past or future; as
He has been sleeping since 6 O’clock.
He has been sleeping for the last four hours.
Since and From:
“Since” is used to denote a point of time and comes after a verb in the present perfect tense, while ” from” may be used with any form of tense. Another difference is that ” since” can be used only in reference to past time, whereas “from” can be used also for present and future time.
I have not met her since last week.
He has been ill since Friday last.
He began learning Sanskrit from the age of five.(past)
He begins school from today.(present)
He will become a regular student from tomorrow.(future)
Before and For:
“Before” is used in a negative and affirmative sentences alike to denote a point of future time. ” For” is used with negative sentences to denote a period of future time.
I shall not be there for an hour.
I shall not be there before 6 O’clock.
I shall be there before 6 O’clock.
Between and Among:
“Between” is used in speaking of two persons or things, “among” refers to more than two persons or things; as
He stood between two girls.
Slavery still exists among certain tribes.
Beside and Besides:
Beside means by the side of; besides means in addition to; as,
She sat beside me.
Besides being fined, he was imprisoned.
Test yourself:
- They ran _____________________ the garden.
a. in
b. Into
c. to
d. Of
Ans: into
- I have been ill ______________________ four days.
a. Since
b. For
c. to
d. Of
Ans: for
- Compare Mohan’s notes ____________________ yours.
a. To
b. With
c. upon
d. In
Ans: with
- He killed two birds _______________________ one shot.
a. In
b. With
c. for
d. On
Ans: with
5. I left my bedding _______________ the station.
a. On
b. In
c. at
d. Of
Ans: at
6. Don’t write _____________________a pencil.
a. With
b. On
c. in
d. To
Ans: with
7. He was skillful ___________ war.
a. in
b. At
c. of
d. On
Ans: in
8. The battle was faught _______________ panipat.
a. In
b. At
c. on
d. With
Ans: at
9. Translate the passage ______________ English.
a. in
b. Into
c. on
d. Onto
Ans: into
10. Divide it ___________ Ram and Shyam.
a. Between
b. Among
c. with
d. Amongst
Ans: between
11. The moon was just ____________ the head.
a. over
b. Above
c. on
d. In
Ans: over
12. I shall go to school____________________ tomorrow.
a. from
b. Since
c. on
d. In
Ans: from
13. You must comeback _____________ two hours.
a. before
b. Within
c. for
d. On
Ans: within
14. I was born ____________ 1902.
a. on
b. At
c. in
d. Of
Ans: in
15. We went out _____________________ storm and rain.
a. Among
b. Within
c. amidst
d. Amongst
Ans: amidst
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