Prepositions: The Basics

Grammar: Using Prepositions

A preposition is a word or group of words used to link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in
a sentence. Some examples of prepositions are single words like in, at, on, of, to, by and with or
phrases such as in front of, next to, instead of.

Prepositions in English are most frequently dictated by fixed expressions. While there are some
general guidelines to follow, many prepositions are used idiomatically with certain verbs. In these
cases, it is best to memorize the phrase instead of the individual preposition.

A Few Rules for Usage

Although there are hardly any rules as to when to use which preposition, most commonly
prepositions define relationships between nouns and locate words, actions or ideas in a particular
time or place. To remember the role of prepositions, notice that ''position'' appears in the word
''preposition''!

The following tables contain rules for some of the most frequently used

prepositions in English:Prepositions – Time

English Usage Example

• months/seasons • in August/in the summer
• years • in 1985
in • time of day • in the evening
• centuries and historical periods • in the 19th century
• after a certain period of time • Mystic Market closes in two hours.
• time of days • at 2:30
• noon, night, and midnight • at night
at
• names of mealtime • at breakfast
• age • I learned how to use a computer at 12.
on • days of the week • on Friday
• from a period of time up to the • I have been a student since 2004.
since
present(when it started)
for • how long a period of time has been • I have been a student here for 2 years.
• the beginning and end of a period • My appointment is from 13:30 to 14:00.
from...to
oftime
...
• a period of time up to a specific point • I cannot go dancing until I finish reading this chapter.
until
intime
• in the sense of ''at the latest'' • You must return your book by April 21st.
by • •
due date My essay is due by the end of the week.
 Grammar: Using Prepositions

Prepositions – Place (Location and Direction)

English Usage Example

• in class/in Victoria
• when something is in a place, it is inside it • in the book
in
(enclosed within limits) • in the car/in a taxi
• You look serious in this photo.
• located at a specific place (a point) • at the library
at
• for events • at a concert/at a party
• place where you are to do something • at the cinema/at school/at work
typical (watch a movie, study, work)
• being on a surface (not enclosed) • I left the keys on the table.
• for a certain side (left, right) • Go down this hall to the end, turn right, and it's
• for a floor in a building the third door on your left.
on • •
for public transport My apartment is on the fourth floor.
• for television, radio • I forgot my phone on the bus.
• You can hear my brother on the radio.
• moving toward a specific place (the goal or
to • Every morning, I take the bus to campus.
end point of movement)
• I used carrots from my garden.
from • for the origin or starting point • I received a suspicious email from my bank.
• I will be on vacation from July 31 for a week.
towards • movement in direction of something • I suddenly saw a dog running towards me.
• There is a coffee shop across the street.
across • movement from one side to another
• I swam across the lake.
• I entered the room through an open window.
• movement from one side to another but
through • You have to go through the kitchen to get to the
''in something''
bathroom.
• a place ''in the middle'' of two or more • I was standing between my friend and his parents.
between
separate people or things • The gap between the rich and poor keeps growing.
• France is among the countries of Western Europe.
• a place ''surrounded'' by more than two
• Among the advantages of exercising regularly are
among people or things together as a group (in the
lower risks of depression and a better quality of
sense of ''included in'')
life.
 Grammar: Using Prepositions

Prepositions - Connections

English Usage Ex
am
ple
• between two noun phrases to show that the • The keyboard of my computer is pink.
first belongs to or is part of the second
of
• to say how people are related • Richard is the son of Audrey/He is a good
friend ofmine.
• Between two noun phrases when the second is • I spilled coffee on the computer with a pink
a particular feature of the first keyboard.
with • to say that people or things are together • I think Sarah is studying with Tara/I went to a
workshopwith my friend.
• for the specific thing used to perform an action • My roommate killed a spider with a book.
• when we want to describe an action in a more • My roommate saved my live by killing the spider.
by
general way