Introduction of Preposition
A preposition is a word that typically comes before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show its relationship to another word in the sentence. Prepositions usually indicate location, direction, time, manner, or purpose. Some common examples of prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “of,” “to,” “by,” “with,” and “for.”
For example, in the sentence “The book is on the table,” “on” is the preposition, indicating the location of the book in relation to the table.
Classification of Preposition
Prepositions can be classified into different types based on their functions and usage in a sentence. The following are the different types of prepositions in English grammar:
- Simple Prepositions: These are the most common type of prepositions that consist of a single word. Examples include “at,” “by,” “for,” “from,” “in,” “of,” “on,” “to,” and “with.”
- Compound Prepositions: These are prepositions that are made up of two or more words. Examples include “according to,” “in spite of,” “on top of,” and “out of.”
- Prepositional Phrases: These are groups of words that include a preposition and a noun or pronoun, which together function as an adverb or adjective. Examples include “in the morning,” “on the table,” and “with a smile.”
- Participial Prepositions: These are prepositions that are formed by using a present or past participle form of a verb. Examples include “excluding,” “including,” “concerning,” and “regarding.”
- Prepositions of Time: These prepositions are used to indicate time and include “at,” “in,” and “on.” For example, “at 3 o’clock,” “in August,” and “on Monday.”
- Prepositions of Place: These prepositions are used to indicate location and include “at,” “in,” and “on.” For example, “at the park,” “in the city,” and “on the table.”
- Prepositions of Movement: These prepositions are used to indicate movement or direction and include “to,” “from,” “into,” and “out of.” For example, “going to school,” “coming from home,” “getting into the car,” and “jumping out of the window.”
How to use the prepositions in sentence?
Prepositions are used in sentences to show the relationship between two or more words. Here are some examples of how to use prepositions in a sentence:
- Simple Preposition:
- The cat is on the table. (The preposition’s “on” shows the relationship between the cat and the table.)
- She was walking towards the park. (The preposition’s “towards” shows the direction of the walking.)
- Compound Preposition’s:
- He was hiding behind the tree. (The preposition “behind” is a compound preposition made up of “be” and “hind,” and shows the relationship between the man and the tree.)
- We traveled by means of a plane. (The preposition “by means of” is a compound preposition that shows the mode of transportation.)
- Prepositional Phrase:
- The book on the shelf is mine. (The prepositional phrase “on the shelf” describes the location of the book.)
- The girl with the red hat is my sister. (The prepositional phrase “with the red hat” describes the girl.)
- Participial Preposition:
- Regarding your request, we will send you an update soon. (The preposition “regarding” is a participial preposition that shows the topic of the request.)
- Including me, there are 10 people in the room. (The preposition “including” is a participial preposition’s that shows the inclusion of the speaker in the count of people.)
- Preposition of Time:
- I will see you at 6 pm. (The preposition’s “at” shows the time of the meeting.)
- We celebrate Christmas on December 25th. (The preposition’s “on” shows the date of the celebration.)
- Preposition of Place:
- The dog is in the backyard. (The preposition’s “in” shows the location of the dog.)
- The store is at the end of the street. (The preposition’s “at” shows the position of the store on the street.)
- Preposition of Movement:
- She walked into the room. (The preposition’s “into” shows the direction of the walking.)
- He jumped over the fence. (The preposition’s “over” shows the direction of the jumping.)