Prepositions
Prepositions: Definition, Usage, and Examples
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between two elements in a sentence. It often indicates direction, place, time, or introduces an object. For example, in spatial relationships, prepositions clarify how a plane is positioned in relation to a cloud. Below is a categorized list of common prepositions, including single-word and multiword forms.
Single-Word Prepositions
Examples: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, out, outside, over, past, since, through, throughout, to, toward, under, underneath, until, up, with, within, without.
Multiword Prepositions
Examples: along with, because of, due to, except for, in addition to, in case of, in front of, in place of, in spite of, instead of, on account of, out of, up to, with the exception of.
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions indicate specific time points or durations. Below are common prepositions of time and their usage:
On: Used with days of the week or specific dates.
Example: "I will meet you on Monday."
Example: "The conference is on October 15."
At: Used with exact times or specific points in time.
Example: "The train departs at 8:00 p.m."
Example: "We have lunch at noon."
In: Used for months, years, seasons, or general time periods.
Example: "She was born in 1995."
Example: "The flowers bloom in spring."
Since, For, By, From—To, From—Until, During, Within: Indicate specific or extended durations.
Example: "She has worked here since 2010."
Example: "We stayed in London for two weeks."
Prepositions of Place
Prepositions also describe spatial relationships, specifying where an object is located.
In: Indicates being inside a space.
Example: "The book is in the drawer."
Inside: Emphasizes full containment.
Example: "Place the documents inside the folder."
On: Shows contact with a surface.
Example: "The keys are on the table."
At: Refers to a specific location.
Example: "She is waiting at the bus stop."
Over/Above: Indicates a higher position.
Example: "The plane flew over the mountains."
Under/Underneath/Beneath/Below: Shows a lower position.
Example: "The cat is under the bed."
Near/By/Next To/Between/Among/Opposite: Indicate proximity or relative position.
Example: "The café is next to the bookstore."
Prepositions with Verbs
Some verbs require specific prepositions to connect with objects, clarifying their relationships.
At: Used with verbs like glance, laugh, look, rejoice, smile, and stare.
Example: "She glanced at her watch."
Of: Used with approve, consist, and smell.
Example: "The meal consisted of three courses."
Of/About: Used with dream and think.
Example: "He is thinking about his future."
For: Used with call, hope, look, wait, watch, and wish.
Example: "She hopes for a better future."
Commonly Confused Prepositions
Some prepositions are frequently misused. Below are common distinctions:
Beside vs. Besides:
Beside means "next to," while besides means "in addition to."
Example: "The lamp is beside the bed."
Example: "Besides studying, she works part-time."
Between vs. Among:
Between is for two objects, while among is for three or more.
Example: "The agreement was made between two companies."
Example: "The prize was shared among five winners."
Due to vs. Because of:
Due to should not replace because of in causal contexts.
Example: "The event was canceled because of the rain."
Inside of vs. Inside:
The word of is unnecessary.
Example: "Stay inside the house." (Not "inside of the house.")
Conclusion
Prepositions play a crucial role in sentence structure, helping to express relationships between words. Understanding their correct usage improves clarity and precision in writing and speech. By recognizing common prepositional errors, individuals can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.