Definition
A word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another
word or element in the clause, as in ‘the man on the platform’, ‘she arrived after dinner’, ‘what
did you do it for?
Types of preposition
There are five different types of prepositions:
Simple prepositions.
Double prepositions.
Compound prepositions.
Participle prepositions.
Phrase prepositions.
Simple preposition
These are among the most common type of prepositions. The prepositions used to express the
relationship the Nouns and Pronouns of a sentence have with the rest of the words in it are called
Simple Prepositions. They are often used to join two clauses in terms of Complex Sentence and
Compound Sentence.
Examples :
Most Popular Prepositions
and but at to on in
for of up off from out
with during down below beside over
by near behind inside among along
Double Preposition
Two Simple Prepositions joining together to form one which connects the Noun(s) or Pronoun(s)
to the rest the words in a sentence.
1
Examples:
Are you out of your mind?
I was allowed the inside of the temple.
She’s sandwiched in between two of her cousins.
Compound Preposition
Compound Prepositions are composed of prepositions as well as other words. Compound
Prepositions are easily confused with Double Prepositions since they both require other
prepositions or words to help with acting like a preposition.
Examples:
According to my calculations, this color should work just fine.
I started for home, with a view to celebrating Eid with my family
On behalf of our family, my father attended the family reunion.
Participle Preposition
Present Participles (-ing) and Past Participles (-ed and -en) that are used as Prepositions instead
of Verbs, are called Participle Prepositions. These are participles as well as prepositions.
Examples:
Present Participle Prepositions Past Participles Prepositions
Assuming Respected
Barring Given
Considering Gone
During Barred
Notwithstanding Provided
Regarding Taken
Participle Prepositions Used in Sentences:
Barred from the entrance, he threw a fit.
I was happy given the fact that I got great marks.
2
Assuming the possibility of rain, she carried an umbrella.
Disguised Preposition
These prepositions are usually disguised as some other element in the English language. Often
these prepositions are disguised as "a" and "o" in sentences.
Examples:
I wake up at 5 o'clock. (Of the clock)
Keep striding ahead. (on the head)
Pope went ashore. (onshore)
Rimi visits the riverbank once a day. (in a day)
Detached Preposition
A preposition that has been detached and sent to the very end of the sentence is called Detached
Preposition. These prepositions are detached from the interrogative or relative pronouns and
adverbs but get detached for the sake of the integrity of sentences.
Examples:
Where are you coming from?
Is that the neighborhood you are headed to?
I won't tolerate being screamed at.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time show the relationship of time between the nouns to the other parts of a
sentence.
On, at, in, from, to, for, since, ago, before, till/until, by, etc. are the most common preposition of
time.
Example:
3
He started working at 10 AM.
The company called meeting on 25 October.
There is a holiday in December.
He has been ill since Monday.
Read More: Prepositions of Time Usage
Prepositions of Place and Direction
Prepositions of place show the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a
sentence.
On, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, across, between, among, through, in front of, behind,
above, over, under, below, etc. are the most common prepositions of place/direction.
Example:
He is at home.
He came from England.
The police broke into the house.
I live across the river.
Read More: Prepositions of Places & Direction Usage
Prepositions of Agents or Things
Prepositions of agents or things indicate a causal relationship between nouns and other parts of
the sentence.
Of, for, by, with, about, etc. are the most used and common prepositions of agents or things.
4
Example:
This article is about smart phones.
Most of the guests have already left.
I will always be here for you.
He is playing with his brothers.
Phrasal Prepositions
A phrasal preposition is not a prepositional phrase, but they are a combination of two or more
words that function as a preposition.
Along with, apart from, because of, by means of, according to, in front of, contrary to, in spite of,
on account of, in reference to, in addition to, in regard to, instead of, on top of, out of, with
regard to, etc. are the most common phrasal prepositions.
Example:
They along with their children went to Atlanta.
According to the new rules, you are not right.
In spite of being a good player, he was not selected.
I’m going out of the city.
5
Function Of Preposition
There are ten main functions of prepositions and prepositional phrases.
Head of preposition phrase
Noun phrase modifier
Noun phrase complement
Adjective phrase modifier
Adjective phrase complement
Verb phrase modifier
Verb phrase complement
Adjunct
Adverbial
Particle
