NCERT Textbook: Prepositions - English Grammar (Communicative) Interact In English Class 10

 Page 1


14
275
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions often present a problem for students, but the problem is not really a 
serious one.  So, you should not worry too much about them.  Areas such as Modals, 
Conditionals and Subject - Verb agreement are far more important. If you make 
mistakes in these areas, the breakdown in communication that results will probably 
be far more serious than if you make a mistake with a preposition. That is why we 
have left this unit until last.
1.  You are already very familiar with common prepositions such as at, on 
and in. So, this short unit will focus on some of the less common but very 
useful ones.  They are listed in the diagram below.
two words
in front of
on top of
across 
past round
towards etc.
with nouns 
through the
tunnel up the valley
round teh town
Indicating 
a period of time 
•
during
throughout
Key - 
    prepositions of direction
• preposition of position,
space and time
! conveying similar 
meaning!
•
live in stand in stay in
go into practise in
! special !
•
(astride)
a chair
a donkey
! special !
abroad
(a ship/
train space
suttle bus
ferry)
with verbs 
•
live in
stand in
stay at
go into
practise in
one word 
•
among
above
opposite
beneath etc
two words
in between
ahead of
Prepositions
Page 2


14
275
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions often present a problem for students, but the problem is not really a 
serious one.  So, you should not worry too much about them.  Areas such as Modals, 
Conditionals and Subject - Verb agreement are far more important. If you make 
mistakes in these areas, the breakdown in communication that results will probably 
be far more serious than if you make a mistake with a preposition. That is why we 
have left this unit until last.
1.  You are already very familiar with common prepositions such as at, on 
and in. So, this short unit will focus on some of the less common but very 
useful ones.  They are listed in the diagram below.
two words
in front of
on top of
across 
past round
towards etc.
with nouns 
through the
tunnel up the valley
round teh town
Indicating 
a period of time 
•
during
throughout
Key - 
    prepositions of direction
• preposition of position,
space and time
! conveying similar 
meaning!
•
live in stand in stay in
go into practise in
! special !
•
(astride)
a chair
a donkey
! special !
abroad
(a ship/
train space
suttle bus
ferry)
with verbs 
•
live in
stand in
stay at
go into
practise in
one word 
•
among
above
opposite
beneath etc
two words
in between
ahead of
Prepositions
CBSE
276
2. Look at the following:
Which one of the following explanations matches the above sentences?  Write 
the letter in the box.
a) //////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
     It rained throughout the match
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
b) It rained during the match
at one particular time/ particular times in that period
for the entire period
Page 3


14
275
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions often present a problem for students, but the problem is not really a 
serious one.  So, you should not worry too much about them.  Areas such as Modals, 
Conditionals and Subject - Verb agreement are far more important. If you make 
mistakes in these areas, the breakdown in communication that results will probably 
be far more serious than if you make a mistake with a preposition. That is why we 
have left this unit until last.
1.  You are already very familiar with common prepositions such as at, on 
and in. So, this short unit will focus on some of the less common but very 
useful ones.  They are listed in the diagram below.
two words
in front of
on top of
across 
past round
towards etc.
with nouns 
through the
tunnel up the valley
round teh town
Indicating 
a period of time 
•
during
throughout
Key - 
    prepositions of direction
• preposition of position,
space and time
! conveying similar 
meaning!
•
live in stand in stay in
go into practise in
! special !
•
(astride)
a chair
a donkey
! special !
abroad
(a ship/
train space
suttle bus
ferry)
with verbs 
•
live in
stand in
stay at
go into
practise in
one word 
•
among
above
opposite
beneath etc
two words
in between
ahead of
Prepositions
CBSE
276
2. Look at the following:
Which one of the following explanations matches the above sentences?  Write 
the letter in the box.
a) //////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
     It rained throughout the match
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
b) It rained during the match
at one particular time/ particular times in that period
for the entire period
CBSE
1. concurrently with (some 
other activity)
2. within the limit of (a period of 
time)
1. right through; 
through the whole of (a place or 
period of time)
277
 
When the Nalaban Bird Sanctuary was flooded during the monsoons, the 
flamingos disappeared temporarily.  Some of them were spotted on other 
islands in the lake.  However, the long-legged birds flew back to the lake 
throughout the winter months.  A record amount of migration was noticed in 
the first week of January.
1. My grandfather is always complaining __________________ the pain in his 
back.
2. The pilot blamed his colleague __________________ losing their way.
3. An infant depends _______________ its mother for food.
4. He is worried ________________ his bad results.
5. They're very fond _________________ tennis.
6. You were absent _________________ the Science Club yesterday.
7. I was angry ___________________ my brother for breaking my tape
 recorder.
3. Read this paragraph. Underline the two prepositions from A.1 above.  
Then circle the time period they are referring to.
Match each of the two prepositions above with its dictionary definition 
below:
4. Complete the sentences below with appropriate prepositions.
Page 4


14
275
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions often present a problem for students, but the problem is not really a 
serious one.  So, you should not worry too much about them.  Areas such as Modals, 
Conditionals and Subject - Verb agreement are far more important. If you make 
mistakes in these areas, the breakdown in communication that results will probably 
be far more serious than if you make a mistake with a preposition. That is why we 
have left this unit until last.
1.  You are already very familiar with common prepositions such as at, on 
and in. So, this short unit will focus on some of the less common but very 
useful ones.  They are listed in the diagram below.
two words
in front of
on top of
across 
past round
towards etc.
with nouns 
through the
tunnel up the valley
round teh town
Indicating 
a period of time 
•
during
throughout
Key - 
    prepositions of direction
• preposition of position,
space and time
! conveying similar 
meaning!
•
live in stand in stay in
go into practise in
! special !
•
(astride)
a chair
a donkey
! special !
abroad
(a ship/
train space
suttle bus
ferry)
with verbs 
•
live in
stand in
stay at
go into
practise in
one word 
•
among
above
opposite
beneath etc
two words
in between
ahead of
Prepositions
CBSE
276
2. Look at the following:
Which one of the following explanations matches the above sentences?  Write 
the letter in the box.
a) //////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
     It rained throughout the match
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
b) It rained during the match
at one particular time/ particular times in that period
for the entire period
CBSE
1. concurrently with (some 
other activity)
2. within the limit of (a period of 
time)
1. right through; 
through the whole of (a place or 
period of time)
277
 
When the Nalaban Bird Sanctuary was flooded during the monsoons, the 
flamingos disappeared temporarily.  Some of them were spotted on other 
islands in the lake.  However, the long-legged birds flew back to the lake 
throughout the winter months.  A record amount of migration was noticed in 
the first week of January.
1. My grandfather is always complaining __________________ the pain in his 
back.
2. The pilot blamed his colleague __________________ losing their way.
3. An infant depends _______________ its mother for food.
4. He is worried ________________ his bad results.
5. They're very fond _________________ tennis.
6. You were absent _________________ the Science Club yesterday.
7. I was angry ___________________ my brother for breaking my tape
 recorder.
3. Read this paragraph. Underline the two prepositions from A.1 above.  
Then circle the time period they are referring to.
Match each of the two prepositions above with its dictionary definition 
below:
4. Complete the sentences below with appropriate prepositions.
CBSE
278
1.___________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________
4.___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
a) Since Raju is clever __________ painting, he should join an art academy.
b) They accused their neighbours ________________ dumping garbage in 
front of their house.
c) The students agreed ___________________ their teacher's suggestion 
regarding the choice of place for an excursion.
d) He had to leave the firm because his superiors did not agree 
______________ him on many issues.
e) We should abide ____________________ the constitution of our country.
f) All the furniture in my office is made ____________ wood.
g) Sugar is made _________________ sugar beat and sugar cane.
h) The two countries entered _________________ an agreement to increase 
bilateral trade.
Now refer to a dictionary and find out the prepositions that are normally 
used with the following words: complain, blame, depend, fond, absent and 
angry. 
5. Take five different prepositions from the chart in A.1.  Then write five 
sentences containing one each of those prepositions on a piece of paper.  
But leave out the prepositions in each.  Then hand your piece of paper to a 
partner.  She/ he must complete your sentences, using the correct 
prepositions.
6. Fill appropriate prepositions in the blanks in the following sentences:
Page 5


14
275
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions often present a problem for students, but the problem is not really a 
serious one.  So, you should not worry too much about them.  Areas such as Modals, 
Conditionals and Subject - Verb agreement are far more important. If you make 
mistakes in these areas, the breakdown in communication that results will probably 
be far more serious than if you make a mistake with a preposition. That is why we 
have left this unit until last.
1.  You are already very familiar with common prepositions such as at, on 
and in. So, this short unit will focus on some of the less common but very 
useful ones.  They are listed in the diagram below.
two words
in front of
on top of
across 
past round
towards etc.
with nouns 
through the
tunnel up the valley
round teh town
Indicating 
a period of time 
•
during
throughout
Key - 
    prepositions of direction
• preposition of position,
space and time
! conveying similar 
meaning!
•
live in stand in stay in
go into practise in
! special !
•
(astride)
a chair
a donkey
! special !
abroad
(a ship/
train space
suttle bus
ferry)
with verbs 
•
live in
stand in
stay at
go into
practise in
one word 
•
among
above
opposite
beneath etc
two words
in between
ahead of
Prepositions
CBSE
276
2. Look at the following:
Which one of the following explanations matches the above sentences?  Write 
the letter in the box.
a) //////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////
     It rained throughout the match
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
////////////
b) It rained during the match
at one particular time/ particular times in that period
for the entire period
CBSE
1. concurrently with (some 
other activity)
2. within the limit of (a period of 
time)
1. right through; 
through the whole of (a place or 
period of time)
277
 
When the Nalaban Bird Sanctuary was flooded during the monsoons, the 
flamingos disappeared temporarily.  Some of them were spotted on other 
islands in the lake.  However, the long-legged birds flew back to the lake 
throughout the winter months.  A record amount of migration was noticed in 
the first week of January.
1. My grandfather is always complaining __________________ the pain in his 
back.
2. The pilot blamed his colleague __________________ losing their way.
3. An infant depends _______________ its mother for food.
4. He is worried ________________ his bad results.
5. They're very fond _________________ tennis.
6. You were absent _________________ the Science Club yesterday.
7. I was angry ___________________ my brother for breaking my tape
 recorder.
3. Read this paragraph. Underline the two prepositions from A.1 above.  
Then circle the time period they are referring to.
Match each of the two prepositions above with its dictionary definition 
below:
4. Complete the sentences below with appropriate prepositions.
CBSE
278
1.___________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________
4.___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
a) Since Raju is clever __________ painting, he should join an art academy.
b) They accused their neighbours ________________ dumping garbage in 
front of their house.
c) The students agreed ___________________ their teacher's suggestion 
regarding the choice of place for an excursion.
d) He had to leave the firm because his superiors did not agree 
______________ him on many issues.
e) We should abide ____________________ the constitution of our country.
f) All the furniture in my office is made ____________ wood.
g) Sugar is made _________________ sugar beat and sugar cane.
h) The two countries entered _________________ an agreement to increase 
bilateral trade.
Now refer to a dictionary and find out the prepositions that are normally 
used with the following words: complain, blame, depend, fond, absent and 
angry. 
5. Take five different prepositions from the chart in A.1.  Then write five 
sentences containing one each of those prepositions on a piece of paper.  
But leave out the prepositions in each.  Then hand your piece of paper to a 
partner.  She/ he must complete your sentences, using the correct 
prepositions.
6. Fill appropriate prepositions in the blanks in the following sentences:
CBSE
279
i) Though Rahul does not like his rather imperious uncle, he tries to be 
polite _________ him.
j) The principal congratulated the school basketball team _______________ 
their success in the inter school tournament.
a) It is essential that we discuss about your proposal before reaching any
 decision.
b) The class fell silent as the teacher entered into the classroom.
c) I have been living here since four years.
d) The tournament will be held between Monday to Friday.
e) Rani closely resembles to her maternal aunt.
f) As the train was approaching to the station, someone pulled the chain 
and brought it to a halt.
g) Connectors are also called as discourse markers.  
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
a) Let's go in the car instead of by bus.
b) Seen from his point of view, the proposal seems quite reasonable.
7. Correct the following sentences.
Study sentences (a), (b), (e), (f) and (g).  What conclusion can you draw from 
these examples about the correct  use of prepositions?
8. Read the following sentences in which prepositions occur before 
particular words and expressions. 
Now fill appropriate prepositions in the blanks to compete the following 
sentences.