Preposition: Definition, Types & Uses with Examples

Definition of Preposition

A preposition is a word that's used before a noun (Know more about noun ) or pronoun (Know more about pronoun ) to show relationship of that noun or pronoun with another word in a sentence. (Know more about sentence )

In the first example, ‘on’ shows relationship between the noun, ‘chair’ and the verb, ‘sat’. 

In the second example, ‘of’ shows relationship between the noun, ‘public speaking’ and the adjective, ‘afraid’. 

In the third example, ‘for’ shows relationship between the pronoun, ‘you’ and the noun, ‘love’. 

Examples:

(a) She sat on the chair. 

(b) He is afraid of public speaking. 

(c) My love for you is like a bottomless ocean.

 

Types of Prepositions Based on Their Forms 

(1) Simple prepositions 

(2) Compound prepositions 

(3) Participle prepositions

(4) Phrase prepositions 

1. Simple prepositions are single prepositions. They are not combined with any other word. 

In the following examples, ‘in’, ‘by’ and ‘for’ are all single prepositions, and not combined with any other word.  

Examples:

(a) He is reading in the room. 

(b) A mango is eaten by me. 

(c) I can do anything for you. 

2. Compound prepositions are  a combination of two or more words. These compound prepositions are formed by adding a prefix to a noun, adjective (Know more about adjective ) or adverb. (Know more about adverb)

In the given below sentences, ‘between’, ‘before’ and ‘without’ are compound prepositions. 

Examples:

(a) He is sitting between Ram and Sham. 

(b) Think before speaking. 

(c) I can live without you.

3. Participle prepositions are participles, verb+ing (Know more about verb) or verb+ed or en, used as prepositions. 

In the following examples, ‘considering’, ‘regarding’ and ‘provided’ are participial or participle prepositions 

Examples:

(a) Considering his statement, I conclude that he is right. 

(b) We cannot utter any word regarding this issue. 

(c) You can succeed provided that you work hard. 

4. Phrase prepositions are phrases that serve as prepositions. 

In the examples, ‘in order to’, ‘in place of’ and ‘in accordance with’ are phrase prepositions. 

Examples:

(a) We are writing these blog posts in order to teach you English. 

(b) You can use this in place of that. 

(c) Your action is not in accordance with your statement.

Types of Prepositions Based on Their Functions

(1) Prepositions of Time 

(2) Prepositions of Place

(3) Prepositions of Direction

(4) Prepositions of Agency

(5) Prepositions of Exception

(6) Prepositions of Contrast

(7) Prepositions of Purpose

(8) Prepositions of Possession

1. Prepositions of time show time. 

In the given below sentences, ‘at’, ‘in’ and ‘on’ are prepositions of time. 

Examples:

(a) I wake up at 4 in the morning. 

(b) She went to London in 2015. 

(c) I will phone you on Monday morning. 

2. Prepositions of place show place.

In the examples given below, ‘at’, ‘in’ and ‘on’ are prepositions of place. 

Examples:

(a) The train arrived at the station. 

(b) He lives in India. 

(c) The pen is on the table. 

 3. Prepositions of direction show direction. 

In the given below examples, ‘to’, ‘towards’ and ‘into’ are prepositions of direction. 

Examples:

(a) She goes to school everyday. 

(b) They are going towards the station. 

(c) The boy jumped into the pond. 

4. Prepositions of agency show that something or someone causes the happening of something or someone. 

In the following sentences, ‘by’ and ‘with’ are prepositions of agency. 

Examples:

(a) This story was written by Munshi Premchand. 

(b) The policeman killed the accused with a gun.

5. Prepositions of exception show that someone or something is excepted and excluded from doing something. 

In the following examples, ‘except’, ‘except for’ and ‘but’ are prepositions of exception. 

Examples:

(a) Everyone will go except you. 

(b) You did everything except for this one. 

(c) Everybody likes it but you. 

6. Prepositions of contrast show contrast.

 In the examples given below, ‘in spite of’ and ‘nevertheless’ are prepositions of contrast. 

Examples:

(a) In spite of being a student, he can teach better than a teacher. 

(b) He has been working hard for almost three hours. nevertheless, he does not get tired. 

7. Prepositions of purpose or cause show the purpose or reason why something is being done. 

In the following examples, ‘because of’ and ‘for’ are prepositions of purpose or cause. 

Examples:

(a) Because of his laziness, he can't clear the entrance test. 

(b) He can do anything for being admitted to the university. 

8. Prepositions of Possession show possession or ownership. 

In the given below sentences, ‘of’ and ‘with’ are prepositions of possession. 

Examples:

(a) He is a friend of mine.

(b) She saw the boy with a car.

Exercise 

Specify the types of the prepositions in bold.

(a) He is at home. 

(b) She is standing outside.

(c) The issue concerning your application is not solved. 

(d) You can succeed provided that you work hard.

(e) Your word is in contrary to your action. 

Answer keys:- 

(a) Simple Preposition

(b) Compound Preposition

(c) Participial

(d) Participial

(e) Phrase Preposition