PPT: Prepositions | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) - CAT PDF Download

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P r e p o s i t i o n s
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P r e p o s i t i o n s
What is a Preposition?
Definition
A preposition is a part of 
speech in English grammar 
that indicates the location 
or relationship between a 
noun or pronoun and other 
parts of a sentence.
Function
A preposition shows the 
relationship between a 
word in the sentence and 
the word that is the object 
of the preposition.
Importance
Prepositions are known as 
"the biggest little words" in 
English because of their 
important functions in 
creating meaning and 
establishing relationships.
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P r e p o s i t i o n s
What is a Preposition?
Definition
A preposition is a part of 
speech in English grammar 
that indicates the location 
or relationship between a 
noun or pronoun and other 
parts of a sentence.
Function
A preposition shows the 
relationship between a 
word in the sentence and 
the word that is the object 
of the preposition.
Importance
Prepositions are known as 
"the biggest little words" in 
English because of their 
important functions in 
creating meaning and 
establishing relationships.
Types of Prepositions
Place
Prepositions that indicate position or 
location, such as in, on, at, above, below, 
beside, between, among, and inside.
Time
Prepositions that indicate when something 
happens, such as at, in, on, during, before, 
after, since, and until.
Direction
Prepositions that indicate movement or 
direction, such as to, toward, through, 
across, into, onto, and from.
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P r e p o s i t i o n s
What is a Preposition?
Definition
A preposition is a part of 
speech in English grammar 
that indicates the location 
or relationship between a 
noun or pronoun and other 
parts of a sentence.
Function
A preposition shows the 
relationship between a 
word in the sentence and 
the word that is the object 
of the preposition.
Importance
Prepositions are known as 
"the biggest little words" in 
English because of their 
important functions in 
creating meaning and 
establishing relationships.
Types of Prepositions
Place
Prepositions that indicate position or 
location, such as in, on, at, above, below, 
beside, between, among, and inside.
Time
Prepositions that indicate when something 
happens, such as at, in, on, during, before, 
after, since, and until.
Direction
Prepositions that indicate movement or 
direction, such as to, toward, through, 
across, into, onto, and from.
Rule 1: Preposition Must Have an Object
The Rule
A preposition is not a 
preposition unless it goes 
with a related noun or 
pronoun that is the object of 
the preposition. Without an 
object, it functions as an 
adverb.
Examples with Objects
He is in the kitchen. 
(preposition 'in' has object 
'the kitchen')
There was a car before me. 
(preposition 'before' has 
object 'me')
We will catch up after the 
gym. (preposition 'after' has 
object 'gym')
Examples as Adverbs
You may come in. (adverb 'in' 
has no object; it qualifies 
'come')
Ram has never seen it 
before. (adverb 'before' has 
no object; it qualifies 'seen')
They called soon after. 
(adverb 'after' has no object; 
it qualifies 'called')
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P r e p o s i t i o n s
What is a Preposition?
Definition
A preposition is a part of 
speech in English grammar 
that indicates the location 
or relationship between a 
noun or pronoun and other 
parts of a sentence.
Function
A preposition shows the 
relationship between a 
word in the sentence and 
the word that is the object 
of the preposition.
Importance
Prepositions are known as 
"the biggest little words" in 
English because of their 
important functions in 
creating meaning and 
establishing relationships.
Types of Prepositions
Place
Prepositions that indicate position or 
location, such as in, on, at, above, below, 
beside, between, among, and inside.
Time
Prepositions that indicate when something 
happens, such as at, in, on, during, before, 
after, since, and until.
Direction
Prepositions that indicate movement or 
direction, such as to, toward, through, 
across, into, onto, and from.
Rule 1: Preposition Must Have an Object
The Rule
A preposition is not a 
preposition unless it goes 
with a related noun or 
pronoun that is the object of 
the preposition. Without an 
object, it functions as an 
adverb.
Examples with Objects
He is in the kitchen. 
(preposition 'in' has object 
'the kitchen')
There was a car before me. 
(preposition 'before' has 
object 'me')
We will catch up after the 
gym. (preposition 'after' has 
object 'gym')
Examples as Adverbs
You may come in. (adverb 'in' 
has no object; it qualifies 
'come')
Ram has never seen it 
before. (adverb 'before' has 
no object; it qualifies 'seen')
They called soon after. 
(adverb 'after' has no object; 
it qualifies 'called')
Rule 2: Must be Placed Before
1
The Name Explains It
As the name suggests, 'Pre-Position' means it comes before something. 
Generally, but not always, a preposition goes before a noun or a 
pronoun.
2
Standard Placement
Example: I put the things in the box. ('in' is placed before the noun 'box')
3
The Ending Myth
The rule that "you do not end a sentence with a preposition" is one of 
the undying myths of English Grammar. Even when a preposition is not 
placed before its object, it is closely related to its object.
4
Exception Example
Example: Whom did you talk to? (Preposition 'to' related to the pronoun 
'Whom')