Preposition Cheat Sheet
1. Prepositions of Place
These prepositions are used to indicate location or position.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
sed for enclosed spaces, large areas like cities,
U
In I liveina city. countries, or specific locations in which something is
inside or within.
he book isonthe
T efers to surfaces or positions where something is
R
On
table. placed atop.
I'll meet youatthe
At Used for specific points, addresses, or locations.
entrance.
he cat is hidingunder
T
Under Refers to something directly below another object.
the bed.
lanes flyoverthe
P Indicates something above or higher than a point
Over
mountains. without touching it.
he light isabovethe
T efers to something higher in position but not
R
Above
mirror. directly over.
he valley isbelowthe
T
Below Refers to something lower in position.
hill.
he car is parked
T
Behind Refers to the position at the back of something.
behindthe building.
e is standingin front
H efers to something located ahead or before another
R
In front of
ofthe door. object.
he library isbetween
T efers to something in the middle of two objects or
R
Between
the two buildings. points.
he store isnext tothe Indicates something directly beside or adjacent to
T
Next to
bakery. another object.
he satbesideme at
S
Beside Similar to "next to," meaning at the side of.
the concert.
he restaurant isnear
T efers to something close to a particular point or
R
Near
the cinema. place but not necessarily adjacent.
he bank isopposite
T efers to something facing or across from another
R
Opposite
the post office. object.
he wasamong
S
Among Used when talking about things or people in a group.
friends.
2. Prepositions of Time
These prepositions indicate when something happens or for how long.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
sed with months, years, centuries, long periods,
U
In I was bornin1995.
and parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening).
he meeting ison
T
On Used for specific days, dates, and holidays.
Monday.
sed for precise times or specific moments (at
U
At I’ll see youat5 PM.
night, at noon).
lease finish the project R
P efers to something happening before or not later
By
byFriday. than a specific time.
efers to something happening earlier than a
R
Before I wake upbefore7 AM.
specific time.
efers to something happening later than a specific
R
After We'll go outafterlunch.
time.
he fell asleepduring
S efers to something happening within a specific
R
During
the movie. time frame or event.
I've been herefortwo
For Indicates the length of time something lasts.
hours.
hey’ve lived heresince R
T efers to when something began and continues to
Since
2010. the present.
he store is openuntil8 R
T efers to when something will continue up to a
Until/T
ill
PM. certain point.
he museum is open
T
From...to Refers to the start and end of a period of time.
from10 AMto6 PM.
I’ll finish the project
Within Refers to something happening inside a time frame.
withina week.
3. Prepositions of Direction
These prepositions indicate movement from one place to another.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
sed to show movement toward a specific place or
U
To She is goingtoschool.
destination.
e walkedintothe
H
Into Refers to entering a space.
room.
he cat jumpedontothe
T
Onto Indicates movement to a surface or position.
couch.
hey walkedtowardsthe R
T efers to movement in the direction of something
Towards
park. but not necessarily reaching it.
Across We ranacrossthe field. Indicates movement from one side to another.
he train wentthrough
T efers to moving inside or within something and
R
Through
the tunnel. exiting on the other side.
e walkedalongthe
W Indicates movement in a line or path alongside
Along
riverbank. something.
efers to movement toward a higher place or
R
Up She climbedupthe hill.
position.
e skieddownthe
H
Down Refers to movement toward a lower place.
mountain.
Out of He ranout ofthe room. Refers to exiting a space or location.
he train leavesfrom
T
From Indicates the starting point of a movement.
London.
e jumpedoffthe
H
Off Refers to movement away from a surface.
ladder.
4. Prepositions of Manner
These prepositions describe how something is done.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
sed to describe means of transport or
U
By She traveledbybus.
method of doing something.
e cut the paperwith
H escribes the instrument or tool used to
D
With
scissors. complete an action.
he left the housewithout
S
Without Refers to the absence of something.
her phone.
escribes manner or resemblance in actions
D
Like He singslikea professional.
or qualities.
5. Prepositions of Purpose
These prepositions explain why something happens or for what purpose.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
sed to indicate the reason for something or its
U
For I bought this giftforyou.
intended recipient.
he wenttothe storetobuy
S
To Indicates the purpose of an action.
food.
e studiedin order topass
H sed to explain the goal or reason behind an
U
In order to
the exam. action.
6. Prepositions of Agency
These prepositions are used to show who performed an action.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
he book was writtenby
T sed to show who performed the action,
U
By
Shakespeare. often in passive voice.
7. Prepositions of Origin
These prepositions show where something or someone comes from.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
From She isfromJapan. Indicates the origin or starting point of something.
Of He is a citizenofCanada. Used to show belonging or association.
8. Prepositions of Relationship
These prepositions indicate how things are related to one another.
Preposition Usage Example Detailed Explanation
Of The colorofthe sky is blue. Shows possession or belonging.
hey were talkingaboutthe
T
About Refers to the subject of discussion.
news.
Indicates association, connection, or
With He workswitha team.
possession.
Special Expressions with Prepositions
Some prepositions are used in idiomatic or fixed expressions. Here are a few examples:
Expression Usage Example
At risk She’sat riskof losing her job.
In charge of He’sin charge ofthe project.
On time The train arrivedon time.
In the mood for I’min the mood forpizza.
In case of Bring an umbrellain case ofrain.
Out of order The vending machine isout of order.
Key Notes:
● I n, on, atcan be tricky because they change dependingon context (place, time, or
direction).
○ Example: "in the room" (place), "in the morning" (time).
● Byandwithoften refer to agency or instruments.
○ Example: "by the author," "with a pen."
