.
Prepositions as Part of Speech
1|
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to indicate some relation
between the noun or pronoun and some other word. The noun or pronoun that is
connected by the preposition is known as the object of the preposition. Some
common prepositions are in, on, for, to, of, with, and about, etc.
Example: The notebook is kept on the table. (‘The table’ is the object of the
preposition ‘on’.)
Categories of Prepositions as Part of Speech:
Prepositions can broadly be divided into the following categories:
1. Simple Prepositions
(1) Preposition of Time- at, in, on, for, during, since, by, until, before, after, to,
past,
etc.
Examples:
2|
• I go to my school at 7:30 a.m. every day. (Indicates a definite point of time.)
• I play football in the evening. (Denotes a specific time, period, month, and
year; however, ‘at noon’ is an exception.)
• He got admitted on the 9th of June. (Used with days and dates.)
• We will have tea break by 4 p.m. (refers to the latest time by which an action will
be over.)
• I have been working in the company for the last 10 years. (Denotes a period
of time to say how long something continues.)
• I haven’t seen Meera since last Tuesday. (Shows the point of time.)
• Prathibha will join us from the 2nd of May. (Refers to the starting point of an
action.)
(2) Preposition of Place- at, in, on, by/near/close to, next to/beside, between,
behind, in front of, above/over, below/under, among, amongst, etc.
Examples:
• Sheela lives at the Chinese restaurant. (Refers to an exact point.)
• Sheela lives in (Refers to a big area.)
• The competition was between the Saroj and Prajakta. (Used for two people or
things.)
• The gifts are to be distributed among the pupils. (Used for more than two
people or things.)
• Mother has asked to divide the sweets amongst (Used for more than two
people or things and is always used before a vowel.)
(3) Preposition of Direction or Movement- to, from, over, under, along,
around, across, through, into, out of, toward(s), away from, onto, off, up, down, etc.
3|
Examples:
• I go to the gym every morning. (Used to indicate movement from one place to
another.)
• The predator moved towards the prey. (Points out at a particular direction.)
• The doctored entered into the operation theatre. (Indicate a movement
inside something.)
• The flight took off on time. (Refers to separation.)
(4) Preposition of instrument or device- by, with, by means of, etc.
Examples:
• A long journey by bus is quite exhausting.
• I write with a pen.
(5) Preposition of Reason or Purpose- for, though, because of, on account
of, from, etc.
Examples:
• I couldn’t reach on time because of the rain.
• I have bought the stationery for the project work.
(6) Preposition of Connection- of, to, with, etc.
Examples:
• In the end, Maya decided to leave with Raj.
• I will write a letter to the editor of the journal.
(7) Preposition of Origin- of, from
4|
Examples:
• My grandfather was of British descent.
• We are from the USA.
2. Compound Prepositions:
It has got parts and is not just one word. For instance, ‘in front of’, which is used as a
single word, instead of a prepositional phrase followed by another preposition. In simple
words, it is a combination of a prepositional word and a preposition.
Examples:
• I am standing in front of the mall.
• The market is close to the temple.
3. Double Prepositions:
It is formed by combining two simple prepositions such as from behind, out of,
from beneath, etc.
Examples:
• Are you out of your mind!
• Pramila suddenly appeared from behind the curtain and surprised the
audience.
4. Participle Preposition:
When a participle functions as a preposition, it is called a participle preposition. Some of
these are notwithstanding, concerning, pending, considering, assuming, etc.
5|
Examples:
• Everyone barring infants were allowed on the boat.
• Anything concerning the sales report should be brought to my notice.
5. Prepositional Phrase:
It is made up of at least a preposition and its object, which can be a noun, pronoun, or a
noun phrase.
Examples:
• The team climbed up the hill.
• A beautiful village is situated by the sea.
Rules to use Prepositions as Part of Speech
and Tips to Remember them
• A preposition ought to have an object.
Example -
The car is in the garage. (The preposition ‘in’ has the object ‘garage’.)
You may come in. (‘in’ is the adverb which qualifies the verb ‘come’.)
She stood before me. (The preposition ‘before’ has object ‘me’.)
Have I seen you before? (‘before is the adverb which qualifies the verb ‘seen’.)
• A pronoun following a preposition should be in its objective form.
Example -
6|
Incorrect - The issue is between him and she.
Correct - The issue is between him and her.
• Difference between to preposition and to infinitive- Infinitives such as to run, to
play, to sing, are different from to me, to India, etc., which use the preposition
to.
Example -
I often drive to work. (Preposition of direction)
I often take the flyover to avoid traffic. (Infinitive)
• A preposition is never followed by a verb.
• On, in and at are not used before today, tomorrow, yesterday, the following
day, the next day, etc.
Example -
Incorrect - I went to the church on yesterday.
Correct - I went to the church yesterday.
Now that you have read the Prepositions as Part of Speech, know more about the
other five parts of speech by clicking on the button below:
