Prepositions in English

Infographic illustrating common English prepositions with visual examples—showing relationships of place, time, and direction using words like "in," "on," "at," and "under"—ideal for ESL grammar learners.

Prepositions are essential components of English grammar, as they help establish relationships between words in a sentence. They indicate direction, time, place, manner, cause, and more. Understanding the proper usage of prepositions is crucial for mastering English.

Usage of Prepositions in Different Situations

Prepositions are used in various contexts, including:

  1. Place and Position (e.g., in, on, at, under, between)
  2. Time (e.g., before, after, during, since, until)
  3. Direction and Movement (e.g., to, towards, into, out of, from)
  4. Manner and Method (e.g., by, with, like, as)
  5. Cause, Reason, and Purpose (e.g., because of, due to, for)
  6. Possession (e.g., of, with)
  7. Agent or Instrument (e.g., by, with)
  8. Comparison and Contrast (e.g., like, unlike, as, than)
  9. Addition and Exception (e.g., besides, except for, apart from)
  10. Association and Relationship (e.g., about, concerning, regarding)

List of Prepositions with Example Sentences

PrepositionExample Sentence 1Example Sentence 2
inShe is in the room.The keys are in the drawer.
onThe book is on the table.He put his hand on my shoulder.
atWe met at the park.The meeting starts at 3 PM.
underThe cat is under the bed.The ball rolled under the table.
betweenThe shop is between the bank and the post office.He sat between his parents.
beforeFinish your work before dinner.She arrived before 8 AM.
afterWe went out after lunch.She called me after the meeting.
sinceHe has lived here since 2010.I haven’t seen her since yesterday.
untilWait until I come back.She stayed there until midnight.
toHe went to the market.She gave a gift to her friend.
towardsHe walked towards the station.She leaned towards me.
intoHe jumped into the pool.She put her hand into her pocket.
out ofHe ran out of the room.She took the letter out of the envelope.
fromHe traveled from New York.She borrowed a pen from me.
byThe book was written by Shakespeare.She sat by the window.
withHe wrote with a pen.She came with her friends.
likeShe sings like a professional.He looks like his father.
asHe works as a teacher.Use this box as a table.
because ofShe was late because of the traffic.He succeeded because of hard work.
due toThe flight was delayed due to bad weather.His absence was due to illness.

More Example Sentences

  1. The children are playing in the garden.
  2. He placed the cup on the shelf.
  3. She will arrive at 5 PM.
  4. The dog is hiding under the couch.
  5. The school is between the library and the hospital.
  6. I will call you after the meeting.
  7. They have been friends since childhood.
  8. The train will not leave until 10 AM.
  9. He walked towards the exit.
  10. The company shut down due to financial losses.

Fill in the Blanks

  1. The keys are ___ the table.
  2. She arrived ___ the airport on time.
  3. They went ___ the cinema together.
  4. He hid ___ the bed when he was scared.
  5. The book was written ___ J.K. Rowling.
  6. We stayed in the hotel ___ three days.
  7. He walked ___ the bridge to reach the other side.
  8. The match was canceled ___ heavy rain.
  9. She took the pen ___ her bag.
  10. I was standing ___ my best friend in the queue.

Answers:

  1. on
  2. at
  3. to
  4. under
  5. by
  6. for
  7. over
  8. due to
  9. from
  10. beside

Things to Keep in Mind

  1. Prepositions must be followed by a noun or pronoun. (e.g., “He is in the house.”)
  2. Some prepositions have multiple meanings. (e.g., “at” can indicate time or place.)
  3. Prepositions and articles work together. (e.g., “She is in the garden.”)
  4. Some verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions. (e.g., “interested in,” “afraid of.”)
  5. Prepositions are not always necessary in informal speech but are crucial in formal writing.
  6. Avoid unnecessary prepositions. (e.g., “Where are you at?” should be “Where are you?”)
  7. Some prepositions are idiomatic and must be memorized. (e.g., “Good at,” “keen on.”)
  8. Different prepositions change the meaning of verbs. (e.g., “look for” vs. “look after.”)
  9. Be mindful of phrasal verbs. (e.g., “put up with,” “run out of.”)
  10. Practice using prepositions in sentences to improve fluency.

Conclusion

Prepositions are small but powerful words that play a crucial role in sentence construction. Understanding their different uses helps improve both written and spoken English. By practicing prepositions in various contexts, learners can enhance their fluency and accuracy. Keep practicing, and soon, prepositions will become second nature to you!

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