Preposition-1

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Preposition
3. Kinds of Prepositions
4. A list of Phrasal Prepositions
5. Guidance for Learners
6. Summary
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Introduction

Prepositions are small but important words in English grammar. They link nouns, pronouns or noun phrases to other words in a sentence and show the relationship between them. Prepositions tell us about place, direction, time, manner, cause and other relationships. They help answer questions such as where?, when?, how? and why? and make sentences clear and precise.

For example, prepositions can show where something is (on the table), when something happens (at noon) or how something is done (by car). Learning to use prepositions correctly improves both written and spoken English.

Preposition

A preposition is a word placed before a noun, pronoun or a noun phrase to show the relationship of that noun/pronoun to another word in the sentence. The word that follows a preposition is called its object (object of the preposition).

Examples that show how a preposition links two parts of a sentence:

• The cat is under the table.
• She walked through the park.
• The book is on the shelf.

Kinds of Prepositions

Prepositions can be classified by form and function. The main types used in school-level English are described below with clear examples and simple explanations.

Simple Prepositions

Simple prepositions are single-word prepositions such as at, by, for, from, in, on, of, off, to, through, up, with, out, till, etc. Some of these are commonly used after verbs that indicate rest or position (at, by, in, on, with) and some after verbs of motion (to, from, through, up).

• Moni is in Darjeeling.
• I sat by John.
• I was in the garden.
• The keys were with me.
• The book was on the table.
• I went to London.
• Tom came from his house.
• We went through the field.
• Jack and Jill went up the hill.

Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are prepositions that are either single words formed from older combinations (for example above, across, into) or multi-word combinations acting as a single prepositional unit (when distinguished from phrasal prepositions). In general usage at school level, examples include above, across, along, around, among, between, beyond, into, inside, outside, underneath, within, without.

• The lamp hangs above the table.
• The boat went across the river.
• They walked along the road.
• She put the letter inside the drawer.

Participial Prepositions

Participial prepositions are words that come from verb participles (usually present or past participles) but are used like prepositions. Examples include barring, concerning, considering, during, excluding, regarding, respecting, notwithstanding. These words do not function as verbs here; they introduce the relationship between two parts of a sentence.

• Barring accident, the mail will arrive in time.
• Concerning yesterday's murder, many persons were arrested.
• Considering the quality, the price is too high.
• Touching this matter, I have not as yet made up my mind.

Double Prepositions

Double prepositions are combinations of two prepositions used together before the same object, for emphasis or clarity. Common pairs include from behind, from within, from beyond.

• The mischief was done from behind the screen.
• The news came from beyond the Atlantic.
• Somebody shouted from within the room.

Disguised Prepositions

Disguised prepositions are forms in which a preposition appears in a shortened or fossilised form inside other constructions. Examples are the a in expressions like a week or a day meaning "per" or "each", and the o' in o'clock (from "of the clock"). These are not separate prepositional words but act as prepositional markers in certain phrases.

• We jumped overboard at 3 o'clock and swam ashore.
• He is paid two rupees a day.

Detached Prepositions (Preposition Stranding)

Detached prepositions are prepositions placed at the end of a sentence or clause, separated from their object. This is common in everyday English and questions. Example: "Whom did you speak to?" In formal writing, some teachers advise avoiding ending a sentence with a preposition by rephrasing, but it is widely accepted in modern English to strand prepositions when necessary for natural expression.

• Whom did you speak to?
• That is the house I used to live in.

Phrasal Prepositions (Phrase Prepositions)

Phrasal prepositions are groups of words that together function as a single preposition. They show relationships of time, cause, manner, place or reason. Common examples are by means of, on account of, in spite of, because of, in front of, as regards, owing to.

• Jack succeeded by means of hard labour.
• James failed on account of his negligence.
• They arrived late because of the heavy traffic.

Objects of a Preposition

The usual object of a preposition is a noun or pronoun, but a preposition can also have other kinds of objects, such as adverbs, adverbial phrases or noun clauses. The object shows what the preposition relates to.

• Nouns/pronouns: He sat on the chair. (object: the chair)
• Adverbs: John is by far the best boy in his class. He will have reached home by then.
• Adverbial phrases: The ship suddenly came into view from beyond the horizon. He did not reach till long after midnight.
• Noun clauses: He informed me of what had happened. It depends on whether you can go or not.

A list of Phrasal Prepositions

Phrasal prepositions are useful in formal and informal English. Some common multi-word prepositions used in school-level writing and speech include in front of, in spite of, because of, on account of, by means of, out of, in accordance with, with regard to, in addition to. Learn them in short groups and practise their use with sentences.

Many words can act either as prepositions or as adverbs. A word is a preposition when it governs a noun or pronoun (its object). The same word is an adverb when it does not take an object but instead modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

• As a preposition: She put the vase on the table. (on governs the noun phrase "the table".)
• As an adverb: The vase fell off. (off has no object and modifies "fell".)
• John is by far the best boy in his class. (by is part of the adverbial phrase "by far".)
• He will have reached home by then. (by here is part of the time expression "by then".)
• Much might happen between now and then. (between governs the phrase "now and then".)
• He left at once to come back before now. (at once is an adverbial phrase; before may govern a noun or adverbial phrase depending on context.)

Guidance for Learners

To use prepositions correctly:

• Learn common prepositions and the questions they answer: place (where?), time (when?), direction (which way?), manner (how?), reason (why?).
• Memorise common phrasal prepositions as fixed units (in spite of, on account of, by means of) and practise using them in sentences.
• Pay attention to verbs that are normally followed by particular prepositions (for example, listen to, depend on, belong to, based on).
• When a word can be both a preposition and an adverb, decide by checking whether it has an object (preposition) or not (adverb).
• Do exercises that focus on prepositional phrases and their objects; read simple passages and underline prepositions and their objects to gain familiarity.

Summary

Prepositions are connectors that show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and other parts of the sentence. They come in many forms-simple, compound, participial, double, disguised, detached and phrasal-and they can govern objects that are nouns, adverbs, phrases or clauses. Correct use of prepositions improves clarity and precision in English.