A preposition is a word which shows the relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other word in a sentence.
1) The books are on the table.
‘On’ shows the relation between the bag and the books.
2) She painted the fabric ‘with’ colours.
‘With’ shows the relation between the fabric and colours.
i) There is a teacher in the class.
Here the preposition ‘in’ joins a noun to another noun.
ii) She is fond of music.
Here preposition ‘of’ joins a noun to adjective.
iii) The dog jumped off the wall.
Here the preposition ‘off’ joins a noun to a verb.
TYPES OF PREPOSITION
1] Simple preposition or preposition proper
2] Compound preposition
3] Complex or phrase preposition
1) SIMPLE PREPOSITION
These are made of one or two syllable and some may have adverbial roles. Common simple prepositions are:
About before down on through
Above behind during out to
Across below for over under
After beneath from past until
Along beside in round up
Amid between of since with
Among beyond off till at
Around by
2] COMPOUND PREPOSITIONS
Compound Prepositions are formed by making compound of two simple prepositions.
In + to = into with + in = within
On + to = onto with + out = without
out +side =outside
through+out= throughout
in + side =inside
on + round = around
up + to = upto by + side = beside
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Double Prepositions : outside of, from behind, out of, from beneath.
3] COMPLEX PREPOSITION (Prepositional phrase)
These two or three-word phrases function in the same way as simple prepositions.
According apart from along with
As to as for at variance with
Because of by dint of by means of
By virtue of due to for the sake of
In accordance with in case of in charge of
In course of in order to in front of
In connection with in favour of in lieu of
In response to in spite of in view of
Instead of on account of on behalf of
Together with with a view to with reference to
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Participial prepositions
These present participles which are used without any noun or pronoun attached to them function as prepositions.
Barring, concerning, considering, during, notwithstanding, pending, regarding, respecting, touching.
E.g. Bears hibernate during winter.
He said nothing regarding his promotion.
Considering the weather, we decided to stay home.
She was held in custody pending trial.
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PREPOSITION AND IT’S COMPLEMENT
Prepositions do not stand alone but needs complement. The complements of preposition can be a noun, pronoun, other parts of speech or a clause.
Noun- He kept the book on the table.
Pronoun- I spoke to him politely.
Adverb- They had reached by then.
-ing clause He was surprised at her saying this.
Wh-clause She was shocked at what he did.
OMISSION OF PREPOSITION
After the verbs – arrive, come, go, get, take, bring, send – the word ‘home’ is used as an adverb so it does not usually take a preposition.
He takes home a good salary.
Bring home an LCD T.V. and enjoy weekend movies.
POSITION OF A PREPOSITION
Prepositions usually come before its complement but sometimes it is placed after the complement.
Wh- structures What are they looking at?
Relative clause That is the house that Jack built.
Passive structures He hates being laughed at.
Infinitive structures It is a nice place to live in.
RELATIONS EXPRESSED BY PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions can be classified into six types according to relationship with other words.
1. Place / position – at, in, on, by, between, among
2. Time – at, in, on by, during, for, from, since, within
3. Movement – through, across, along
4. Direction – at, in, from, into, to, towards
5. Agent/ instrument or manner – by, with, for, in, from
6. Cause/ reason – for, from, of, with
1] PLACE AND POSITION [ at, in , on, by, between, among]
At – A point in space – at the corner/end/ side/exit
Name of bulding/ public place – at the Taj Mahal.
Less known town/ village – at home, at school.
In – Large town, country – in New York, in France
A point within area – in the street, in the newspaper
(In the end – finally, At the end -a point where something stops.)
On – Position touching surface – on the table/ on the river
Supported by someone or something- on the head/on a pole
Position before page – on page 10
By – nearness – by the door/ by the stream
Between– In the middle of two things – between two people.
Among–in the middle of more than two things – among the trees.
{Other prepositions which indicate position- below, by, under, behind, in front of, on top of, above, over}
TIME [ in, at, on, by, for , during, from, since, within]
In – Month – in March, in December
Year – in 2007, in 2020
Decade – in the 70’s
Centuries – in the 12th Century
Parts of the day – in the afternoon, in the evening
Seasons – in spring, in winter
After some time – in an hour/minute/day/year/month
In a week
On – Dates – on 2nd October
Specific days – on a rainy day, on New year’s Day
Days of the week – on Wednesday/ Sunday
Immediately after something – on his departure
{‘In time’ means with enough time to spare. ‘On time’ as pre planned, or at the nick of time.}
By – not later than the given time – by 4 o’clock/ by tomorrow
At – Part of day – at night/ dawn /noon
During – throughout the period – during winter/ summer
Since – From a specified time in the past – since Sunday/ noon
For – Duration of time – for a year, for two hours
From – Time of starting – From Friday
From..to – starting till end – From 3pm to 6pm
Within – not later than the specified time – within an hour
{ ‘Since’ refers to the starting point of an action. ‘For’ refers to a period of time or its duration}
DIRECTION [ at, in into, from, towards, to]
From – Starting point – from college/ from the market
Towards – in the direction of – towards her mother
To – in direction of something – to the school/ to his home
Into – moving to a point within something- into the river
In – Towards geographical direction – in the north
At – throwing towards – threw a pebble at the bird
MOVEMENT [ through, across, along ]
Along – Parallel or close to something – along the bank of river
Across – in front of or on something – across the lane
Through – from one end to another – through the village
MANNER/ AGENT
For – As a reward – for his courage/ for $ 50
In – Showing medium material – in cash/ in ink/pen/pencil
By – Person who created it – by Shelly/ by Shakespeare
Means of transport/ transfer – by car/train/air, by cheque
From – Material – from wool/paper/wood
With – Instrument -with a knife/ with a periscope
CAUSE/REASON [for , from ,of ,with]
Of – Cause – She is proud of her beauty.
For – Reason – Birbal is famous for his wit.
From – Reason of something – He is suffering from jaundice.
With – because of something – He is shaking with laughter.
Prepositions with different uses
At – place, time, direction
By – Agent, manner, time, place
On– place, time, reason
In – place, time, direction, manner,
About – approximation, subject, place,
For – place, reason, agent, time
From – Direction, time, manner, reason
Of – Position, cause, origin, measurement
Out of – Place, cause, origin, condition
To – Direction, time, possible range.
With – instrument, reason, material, company
Words followed by appropriate Prepositions:
Abide – by, at, in, with adequate – to / for
Abound – in, with adapted – to / for / from
Absent – from adjacent – to
Absorbed – in adhere – to
Absent – from admit – of/ to
Abstain – from advantageous – to
Access – to affection – for
Accompanied – by, with affectionate – to
According – to afraid – of
According – to affected – by
Acquainted – with agree – with/ to / on
Accountable – to alarmed – at
Account – for alien – to
Accused – of alight – from / on
Acquit – of alive – to
Alliance – with aloof – from
Amazed – at ambiton – for
Amount – to ambitious – of
Amused – at angry – with/ about/ at
Annoyed – at/ with answer – to/ for
Anxious – about/ for apologise – to / for
Appeal – to / for / against appetite – for
Apply – to/ for approve – of
Apt – at / in aptitude – for
Apprehensive – about/ of appropriate – to/ for
Apropos (with reference to) – of arrangement – with/ for
Arrive – at/ in ascribe to
Aspiration – for assent – to
Associate – with attach – to
Attack – on attend – to/ upon
Attribute – to authority – on / over
Avail – of available – to
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Bad – at beg – of /for
Believe – in beneficial – to
Bent – on bestow – on / upon
Beware – of blind – of/ in / to
Blessed – with boast – of
Born – of bound – for
Burden – with busy – with
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Callous – to capable – of
Capacity – for care – for/ of
Cause – of cautious – of
Certain – of caution – against
Charge – of/ against claim – to
Clear – of cling – to
Close – to clothed – in
Coincide – with comment – on
Compare – with compensate – with/ for
Competente – for compete – with
Complain – to/ of / about composed – of
Conceal – from conceive – of
Condemn – to/ for confident – of
Confer – on confined – in / to
Conform – with congenial – to
Congratulate – on conscious – of
Consist – of/ in consistent – with
Consult – with contact – with
Contrast – with convince – of
Connive – at contrary – to
Contribute – to control over
Correspond – to/ with count – for
Credit – to/ with cure – of
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Deaf – in/ to deal – in/ with
Debar – from decide – on
Dedicate – to defend – from
Deficient – in deficiency – of
Delight – in / at deliver – to / from
Depend – upon/ o deprive – of
Derive – from descend – from
Deserving – of desire – for
Desirous – of despair – of
Detach – from deter – from
Devoid – of devoted – to
Die – of /by from/for/in/through differ – from / with
Difference – between different – from
Difficulty – with disappoint – in /of
Disappointed – with discussion – with
Disagree – with disgrace – to
Disgust – with dislike – for
Dispense – with displease – with/ at / by
Displease – with / at/ by dispose – of
Dispute – with / about disqualified – for / from
Dissent – from dressed – in
Dissimilar – to dissuade – from
Distinguish – between/ from divert – from
Divide – into doubt – about/ of
Due – to dull – at / of
Dwell – in/ upon dye – with
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Eager – for/ after eligible – for
Emerge – from encroach – upon
End – in endow – with
Engage – with/ in to enter – into / upon / for
Entertain – with entitle – to
Entrust – with envy – of/ at
Envious – of equal – in / with / to
Essential – to/ for escape – from
Excel – in example – of
Exception – to/ of exchange – with / for
Exclude – from exclusive – of
Excuse – from/ for exempt – from
Expect – from / of experience – of / in
Expert – at / in / on explain – to
Expose – to
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Faith – in faithful – to
False – to familiar – with
Famous – for fatal – to
Favour – of favourable – to / for
Fear – of feel – for
Fight – with / over/ against fit for
Fond – of Fondness – for
Foreign – to forgetful – of
Free – from/ of frightened – of /at
Frown – on / at full – of
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Gifted – with glad – at/ about / of
Glance – at/ over glory – in
Good – at/ for grateful – to/ for
Greedy – of / for greed – of / for
Grieve – at / for /over grumble – at / over
Guard – against guess – at
Guilty – of
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Happen to hanker – after
hatred – of/ for harmful – to
hear – of / from heed – to
heir – to hide – from
hinder – from hint – at
hope -for hostile – to
hunt – for / out hunger – for
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Identical – with ignorant – of
Immaterial – to ill – of/ with
Immersed – in immune – to
Impart – to impart – to
Impatient – of / for import – from
Import – from impose – upon
Impress – with indulge – in / with
Infer – from incentive – to
Inclination – to include – in
Indebted – to inclusive – of
Independent – of indifferent – to
Inferior – to infested – with
Influence – with / over/ upon inform – of
Inform – of infuse – into
Innocent – of inquire – about/into/for
Insensible – to insist – upon
Inspire – with interest – in
Interfere – with / in intimate – with
Introduce – to / into intrude – into /upon
Invited – to involved – in
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Jealous – of jeer – at
Jest – about join – in / with
Jump – at / to junior – to
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Keen – on key – to
Kind – to / of knock – at
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Lack – of / in lame – of
Lament – for / over laugh – at
Lavish – in / with / upon liable – to/ for
Likeness – to / of liking – for
Live – in/ at/ on/ by/ for/ with long – for
Lost – to/ in loyal – to
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Mad – with / about marry – to
Match – for meditate – upon
Meet – with menace – to
Mindful – of mix – in / with
Mourn – for moved – to
Muse – on
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Natural – to necessity – for / of/ to
Necessary – for/ to need – of / for
Neglect – of / for negligent – of
Negotiate – with
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Object – to objection –to/ against
Oblige – to / for obstacle – to
Occupied – with/ in occur – to
Offend – against offended – with
Offensive – to open – to
Opportunity – for oppose – to
Opposite – to opposition – to
Originate – in/ from overcome – with
Overwhelm – with owe – to
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Parallel – to part – from/ with
Partake – in partial – to
Participate – with/ in / about passion – for
Patient – with peace – with
Particular – about passion – for
Patient – with peace – with
Peculiar – to peculiar – to
Permit – of persist – in
Pity – for play – on / with
Plead – for / with pleased – with
Plunged – in polite – in
Poor – in popular – with / for
Precaution – against prefer – to
Prejudice – against prepare – for
Present – with preside- at/ over
Pretend – to prevent – from
Prey – on / to pride – in / on
Proud – of prior – to
Proceed – with /from/ against proficient – in
Profit – by profitable – to
Prohibit – from prompt – in
Prone – to proof – against
Proportionate – to protect – from/ against Provide – against/for/with protection – against pursuance – of
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Qualify – for quick – at
Quarrel – with/ over/ about quest – for
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Ready – for/ at /with reason – for/ with
Rebel – against reckon – with / on
Reconcile – with /to recourse – to
Recover – from reduce – to
Refer – to reflect – upon
Refrain – from regard – for
Rejoice – in / at related – to
Relation – to/ between/ with relevant – to
Relieved – from/of rely – on
Remarkable – for remedy – for / against
Remind – of render – into\
Repent – of repentance – for
Replace – by / with replace – by / with
Reply – to reproach – for
Require – of / from resign – to
Required – to resolve–into/upon
Respectful – to restore – to
Responsible – for /to rest – with
Restrict – to retire – from/ to
Result – of / from/in revenge – on
Reward – with rich – in
Rid – of rob – of
Rude – to/ about
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Sacred – to safe – from
Satisfaction – in/at/with/ of satisfy – with
Search – for/ of secure – from/against
Seek – for/ after/ from senior – to
Sensible – of sensitive – to
Sentence – to short – of
Shrink – from silent – about
Sick – of similar – to
Similarity – to/between side – with
Slave – of / to slow- about/at/down
Smell – of smile – at/ upon
Snatch – at sorry – for/about Spread – out/over stain – on
Stare – at start – for/ from
Stick – at/ to strange – to
Subject – to/ of /for stoop – to
Submit – to subordinate – to
Subscribe – to subsequent – to
Subsist – on substitute – for
Succeed – in/to succumb – to
Sufficient – for suffer – from
Suitable – for / to supply – to / with
Superior – to supplement – to
Sure – of surprise – at
Suspect – of suspicious – of
Suspend – from sympathy – for/ with
Sympathise – with sympathetic – to
Synonymous – with
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Talk – to/ about tamper – with
Taste – of teem – with
Testify – to thankful – to/for
Think – of/ about /on/ over thirst – for
Tide – over tired – of
Tolerant – of /towards touch – on/ with
Treat – of / to tremble – with
True – to trust – to/with/in
Typical – of
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Unaware – of unconscious – of
Unite – with urge – upon
Use – of used – for/ to
Useful – to
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Vary – from versed – in
Vested – with vexed – with
Victim – of / to View – on/ to
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Wait – for/ upon weak – in
Weakness – for want – of / for
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Yearned – for yield – to
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Zeal – for Zest – for
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Rules for usage
i) Do not use infinitive with certain words which require a preposition followed by a Gerund (verbal noun).
She is addicted to smoking.(not-to smoke)
He assisted me in rowing the boat.
I am fond of reading books.
ii) Sometimes both constructions are possible.
She was afraid of telling the truth.
She was afraid to tell the truth.
iii) Certain words always take the infinitive.
He advised us to leave the place.
I hope to get the first prize.
iv) Prepositions are sometimes wrongly omitted:
What use is it? [incorrect]
Of what use is it? [correct]
v) Prepositions are sometimes inserted where they are not required.
Where have you been to? [incorrect]
Where have you been? [correct]
English Literature and Grammar 
Thank you for sharing a great article!
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Heartfelt thanks for the appreciation. 😊
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You are more than welcome!
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I love this post of your Tah, I appreciate it immensely when people talk about grammar.
Thank you for doing this post.
I hope you do one on colon and semi colon. I find it extremely confusing 😔
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Thanks Yassy, for your encouraging comment. I would certainly write one on colon and semi colon, after I complete parts of speech.
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You are welcome, Sumita, it’s a wonderful thing that you doing. Helps a lot of people, I am sure.
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