Prepositions: Definitions, Uses and Examples

Prepositions

• They connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence (verb, another noun, adjectives, etc.).
• A preposition is a word or a group of words (with, in, under, for, to, out, of, etc.) used before a noun or pronoun to indicate time, place, position, etc.

Uses of Prepositions

Prepositions of Time

• To show when something is happening. (At, on, in, before, during, after, etc.)
• Let’s meet on
• Sean will be available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Please come after some time.
• They are told to stay inside the room until they are called.
• We were in Ireland during the World Cup.
• I was born in

Prepositions of Place

• To indicate the place or position of something. (On, at, under, or in)
• I have kept the clothes I borrowed from Jane on the bed.
• The baby hid behind the chair.
• The cat jumped over the fence.
• Place it between the plants.
• I’m standing in front of your office.

Prepositions of Direction, Movement

• They denote the direction in which something travels or moves.
• I ran towards the house when I saw the wolves coming after me.
• Troy plunged into the water.
• I gave the laptop to 
• When will Martinez return from Tokyo?
• Uncle Joe lives across the hall.
• Let’s go to the mall.
• The car went through the tunnel.
• The lion was racing towards

Prepositions of Manner and Agent/Instrument

• They describe the way things happen. (By, in, like, with, on)
• They indicate action conducted on someone or something. (By, with)
• Sandra commutes by
• He cuts trees with an axe.
• The apartment was built by my Great aunt.
• This tree was cut by an axe.
• I never went there by
• They greeted me with a smile.

Prepositions of Possession

• They indicate ownership. (Of, to, with,)
• This is the house of the Potters.
• That’s the girl with the yellow frock.
• This house is the property of James Xavier.
• The shoe belongs to
• That’s the man with the blue Porche.

Prepositions of Measure

• They indicate the quantity of someone or something. (By, of)
• I want two pounds of chocolate cream.

Prepositions of Source

• They indicate that someone or something originated from something or someone, such as from, by.
• Robin received a scholarship from the government.
• I got help from my uncle.
• The money was provided by the company.