Short answer and quick overview by GrammarGramps: A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. Prepositions indicate location, time, direction, manner, purpose, possession, or cause.
Based on what they indicate, prepositions are divided into different types such as prepositions of place, prepositions of time, prepositions of direction, and preposition of manner.
Furthermore, based on how they are structured, prepositions are divided into different categories such as simple prepositions, compound prepositions, complex prepositions, participle prepositions, detached prepositions, and disguised prepositions.
Common examples of prepositions include words like in, on, at, by, with, and under.
Learn more about all of this in detail in the guide below.
Definition and Special Introduction to Prepositions by GrammarGramps
In this guide by GrammarGramps, let’s learn about prepositions, their types, and examples.
Let’s start off with the definition.
Prepositions are words (which are usually short) that show how a noun or pronoun interacts with other elements in a sentence by indicating place, time, cause, and manner.
For example, the word “on” is a preposition, and it indicates location when used in a sentence like “The book was on the shelf.” The preposition, in this case, shows that the book was resting upon the shelf.
Let’s understand this with an example scenario, as we typically do in our guides.
Imagine Jack’s uncle was sitting in his lakeside cabin, resting after having dealt with his nephew. Suddenly, the door bangs open and there he stands.
Jack is wide-eyed. He splutters “The bag! The…the lake! The cookie!”
Now, in this way of speaking, Jack hasn’t really conveyed his meaning to his bewildered uncle. Why? Because there are no prepositions.
If Jack was using prepositions, he would have said “The bag is in the lake along with the cookie!”
That way, Jack’s uncle would at least understand him.
By the way, before we dive into the details, please know that this guide is a branch of our bigger “What is Grammar?” guide. Be sure to check it out to gain an understanding of the basics of English grammar, as well as an idea of its other building blocks.
We’re also going to be using a lot of different grammar terms in this guide, such as object, nouns, adverbs, etc. Be sure to check out our grammar glossary if you feel stuck.
Ten (10) Example Sentences with Prepositions
Let’s understand prepositions a bit more with the use of some additional short examples.
- On the frozen Siberian lakefront, Jack tightened the rope around his sled. [The preposition in this sentence is “on.” It shows the location of Jack relative to the lakefront.]
- Jack walked across the frozen lake while the wind pushed loose snow behind him. [The preposition in this sentence is “across.” It shows Jack’s movement from one side of the lake to the other.]
- A small wooden hut stood near Jack as he checked the ice for cracks. [The preposition in this sentence is “near.” It shows the position of the hut in relation to Jack.]
- Jack placed the fishing net beside the ice hole he had drilled earlier. [The preposition in this sentence is “beside.” It shows the position of the net next to the hole.]
- A cold wind blew through the tall pine trees behind the lake. [The preposition in this sentence is “through.” It shows the movement of the wind inside and across the trees.]
- Jack stored his supplies inside the small sled before nightfall. [The preposition in this sentence is “inside.” It shows where the supplies are located.]
- A thin layer of snow had formed over the frozen water. [The preposition in this sentence is “over.” It shows the position of the snow covering the water.]
- Jack dragged the sled toward the distant shoreline as the sky darkened. [The preposition in this sentence is “toward.” It shows the direction of Jack’s movement.]
- His heavy boots left deep marks in the snow along the lakefront. [The preposition in this sentence is “in.” It shows where the marks are located.]
- Jack sat by the frozen lake and watched the quiet Siberian horizon. [The preposition in this sentence is “by.” It shows Jack’s position next to the lake.]
Understanding How Prepositions Are Classified in English
There are different ways in which prepositions are classified in English grammar. You may hear some sources talk about prepositions of time, manner, and place, while some may talk about simple prepositions, compound prepositions, complex prepositions, and so on.
Both of these are valid classifications. They’re just different.
Knowing both of these classifications is important for learning about prepositions.
Here’s how you can remember the two classifications of prepositions.
Prepositions are categorized in different types by function and by form.
- Classification by function means that the types reflect what the prepositions actually do in a sentence. Do they denote place, manner, or direction?
- Classification by form means that the types reflect how the prepositions are structured as words. Do they consist of one word, a bunch of words, or a shortened form of a word?
Types of Preposition by Function
Prepositions are divided into nine different types based on function.
- Prepositions of Place
- Prepositions of Time
- Prepositions of Direction/Movement
- Prepositions of Manner
- Prepositions of Agent/Instrument
- Prepositions of Cause/Reason
- Prepositions of Possession
- Prepositions of Measure/Degree
- Prepositions of Concession
What is a Preposition of Place?
A preposition of place is a preposition used to describe the placement or location of a certain object in relation to another. That object can be a person, item, or place.
Examples of Prepositions of Place: On, beside,
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Place: Jack was standing on the wrong side of the cage.
What is a Preposition of Time?
A preposition of time is a preposition used to indicate when something happens in relation to a point, period, or duration of time.
Examples of Prepositions of Time: At, on, in, since, for, before, after, until, during
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Time: Jack had been fixing the fence since 7 o’clock in the morning, but the mule broke it again before noon.
What is a Preposition of Direction/Movement?
A preposition of direction/movement is a preposition used to indicate the direction in which something or someone is moving.
Examples of Prepositions of Direction/Movement: To, into, onto, toward, through, across, up, down
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Direction/Movement: Jack ran across the field and jumped onto the hay bale before the mule could catch him.
What is a Preposition of Manner?
A preposition of manner is a preposition used to describe how something is done or the way in which an action takes place.
Examples of Prepositions of Manner: By, with, like, in, on
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Manner: Jack fixed the gate witha rusty hammer, inthe way his grandfather had taught him.
What is a Preposition of Agent/Instrument?
A preposition of agent/instrument is a preposition used to indicate the means, tool, or person responsible for carrying out an action.
Examples of Prepositions of Agent/Instrument: By, with
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Agent/Instrument:The fence was torn down bythe mule and rebuilt withwhatever spare wood Jack could find.
What is a Preposition of Cause/Reason?
A preposition of cause/reason is a preposition used to explain why something happened or the reason behind an action.
Examples of Prepositions of Cause/Reason: Because of, due to, owing to, for, from
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Cause/Reason: Due tothe storm, Jack stayed indoors.
What is a Preposition of Possession?
A preposition of possession is a preposition used to indicate ownership or a belonging relationship between two nouns.
Examples of Prepositions of Possession: Of, with
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Possession: The barn ofthe old farmer had stood for decades, but the mule withthe broken ear still acted like he owned the place.
What is a Preposition of Measure/Degree?
A preposition of measure/degree is a preposition used to indicate the extent, quantity, or degree of something.
Examples of Prepositions of Measure/Degree: By, of, up to, within
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Measure/Degree: Jack missed the market by an hour and sold only a fraction of his harvest as a result.
What is a Preposition of Concession?
A preposition of concession is a preposition used to introduce a fact that contrasts with or seems to contradict the main idea of a sentence.
Examples of Prepositions of Concession: Despite, in spite of, notwithstanding
Example Sentence Using Preposition of Concession: Despite the heat and the mule’s stubbornness, Jack managed to get the whole field plowed by sundown.
Types of Preposition by Form
Moving on, let’s take a look at how prepositions are classified on the basis of form. Based on how they are structured/constructed, prepositions are divided into eight types.
- Simple Prepositions
- Double Prepositions
- Compound Prepositions
- Complex Prepositions
- Participle Prepositions
- Disguised Prepositions
- Phrase Prepositions
- Detached Prepositions
What is a Simple Preposition?
A simple preposition is a single, commonly used word placed before a noun or pronoun to show its relationship to another word in the sentence. These are the most basic and frequently used prepositions in English.
Examples of Simple Prepositions: In, on, at, by, for, with, of, to, from, up, down, under, over, through
Example Sentence Using a Simple Preposition: Jack sat underthe frozen cart while the mule stood overhis only remaining sandwich, refusing to move.
What is a Double Preposition?
A double preposition is formed by joining two simple prepositions together to create a single prepositional unit with a combined meaning.
Examples of Double Prepositions: Into, onto, upon, out of, up to, from behind, from within
Example Sentence Using a Double Preposition: The mule charged out of the stable and Jack dove into a snowdrift headfirst, losing both his boots in the process.
What is a Compound Preposition?
A compound preposition is a preposition formed by combining a preposition with another word, such as a noun, adjective, or adverb, to create a new prepositional word.
Examples of Compound Prepositions: Inside, outside, underneath, within, without, alongside, throughout, beyond
Example Sentence Using a Compound Preposition: Jack trudged throughoutthe blizzard looking for the mule, only to find him sitting comfortably insidethe one warm hut on the entire farm.
What is a Complex Preposition?
A complex preposition is a phrase of two or more words that functions as a single preposition, typically following the pattern of preposition + noun + preposition.
Examples of Complex Prepositions: In front of, on behalf of, in addition to, with regard to, in place of, on account of, in accordance with
Example Sentence Using a Complex Preposition: In front of the entire village, Jack attempted to demonstrate igloo-building techniques he had read about in a pamphlet, using sand, in Namibia, in the middle of July.
What is a Participle Preposition?
A participle preposition is a present or past participle that has evolved over time to function as a preposition rather than a verb, used to connect a noun to the rest of the sentence.
Examples of Participle Prepositions: Considering, regarding, concerning, given, including, following, excepting, pending
Example Sentence Using a Participle Preposition: Given the mule’s track record of destruction, Jack was surprisingly optimistic about leaving him unsupervised with the new fence for a single afternoon.
What is a Disguised Preposition?
A disguised preposition is a preposition that appears in a reduced or altered form, often so worn down through common usage that it is no longer immediately recognizable as a preposition.
Examples of Disguised Prepositions: A- (as in “afoot,” “asleep,” “aboard”), o’ (as in “o’clock”), on (reduced in phrases like “Monday morning”)
Example Sentence Using a Disguised Preposition: It was five o’clock in the morning when Jack found the mule on the roof of the storage shed, and to this day he cannot explain how it got there.
What is a Phrase Preposition?
A phrase preposition is a group of words that together perform the function of a single preposition to link a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence.
Examples of Phrase Prepositions: By means of, for the sake of, in the event of, with the exception of, by virtue of, in the course of, on the grounds of
Example Sentence Using a Phrase Preposition: By means of a rope, three wooden planks, and a borrowed goat, Jack somehow managed to retrieve his sled from the roof, though the mule watched the whole ordeal without lifting a hoof.
What is a Detached Preposition?
A detached preposition, also known as a stranded preposition, is a preposition that is separated from the noun or pronoun it governs and appears at the end of a clause or sentence rather than directly before its object.
Examples of Detached Prepositions: “What is he looking at?” / “the chair he sat on”
Example Sentence Using a Detached Preposition: The frozen bucket Jack slipped on, the snowdrift he was thrown into, and the furious mule he was chased bywere three things he had not originally planned for.
What is a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. The noun or pronoun at the end of the phrase is called the object of the preposition.
Here is the basic structure of a prepositional phrase:
Preposition + Object (noun/pronoun)
For example:
- under the table
- after the meeting
- beside her
In each of these, the preposition opens the phrase and the noun or pronoun closes it. It’s also normal for a prepositional phrase to contain modifiers before the object. For instance, “under the table” is a prepositional phrase and “under the red table” is also a prepositional phrase.
Here are some examples of prepositional phrases used in full sentences:
- The cat is sleeping under the table.
- We will discuss this after the meeting.
- He stood beside her the entire time.
What Does a Prepositional Phrase Do?
A prepositional phrase can function in two ways in a sentence.
It can act as an adjective, modifying a noun. For example, in the sentence “The book on the shelf is mine,” the phrase on the shelf describes which book.
It can also act as an adverb, modifying a verb. For example, in the sentence “She arrived before noon,” the phrase before noon tells us when she arrived.
Prepositions vs Other Parts of Speech
Some words in English can function as different parts of speech depending on how they are used in a sentence. Prepositions are commonly confused with conjunctions and adverbs in particular. Here is how to tell them apart.
Prepositions vs Conjunctions
Words like before, after, until, and since can function as either a preposition or a conjunction depending on how they are used.
A preposition connects a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence. A conjunction connects two clauses.
The way to tell them apart is simple. Just remember these two rules:
- If the word is followed by a noun or pronoun, it is a preposition.
- If it is followed by a clause, meaning a subject and a verb, it is a conjunction.
Here is a comparison to make this clear:
| Word | Used as a Preposition | Used as a Conjunction |
| Before | She arrived before noon. | She called before she arrived. |
| After | We spoke after the meeting. | We spoke after he left. |
| Until | Wait until tomorrow. | Wait until he gets here. |
| Since | I’ve been here since morning. | I’ve improved since I started practicing. |
In each preposition example, the word is followed by a noun. In each conjunction example, it is followed by a full clause with its own subject and verb.
Prepositions vs Adverbs
Let’s talk about another part of speech that can be confused with prepositions: adverbs.
A preposition always has an object, which is a noun or pronoun that follows it, while an adverb does not.
This means that if a word appears alone, without a noun or pronoun after it, it is functioning as an adverb, not a preposition.
Consider the word in. Here are two sentences that show the usage of this word as a preposition and an adverb.
- He came in the room. Here, in is a preposition. It is followed by the noun room.
- He came in. Here, in is an adverb. It stands alone and modifies the verb came.
The same applies to words like up, down, around, and by. Their role in the sentence depends entirely on whether they are followed by an object or not.
Can You End a Sentence with a Preposition?
Yes, you can end a sentence with a preposition. This is grammatically acceptable in modern English.
The idea that sentences should never end with a preposition is one of the most persistent myths in English grammar. It originated from 17th century grammarians who attempted to apply the rules of Latin to English. In Latin, ending a sentence with a preposition is not possible. In English, it always has been.
Consider these examples:
- What are you looking for?
- This is the book I was telling you about.
- She had no one to talk to.
All three are grammatically correct and completely natural in both spoken and written English.
List of Prepositions in English Grammar
If you want to learn more prepositions for everyday usage, check out the table that I have provided below.
| Letter | Prepositions |
| A | about, above, across, after, against, along, amid, among, around, at |
| B | before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by |
| D | despite, down, during |
| E | except |
| F | for, from |
| I | in, inside, into |
| L | like |
| N | near |
| O | of, off, on, onto, opposite, out, outside, over |
| P | past |
| R | regarding, round |
| S | since |
| T | through, throughout, till, to, toward, towards |
| U | under, underneath, until, up, upon |
| V | via |
| W | with, within, without |
Short Quiz on Prepositions by GrammarGramps
Before you leave, I want to make sure that you’ve learned a thing or two from this guide. Take the short quiz below and test yourself. (The answers are provided at the bottom.)
Choose the preposition in each sentence.
- Jack stood on the ice.
A. stood
B. on
C. ice - He survived through the night.
A. survived
B. through
C. night - The map was under the blanket.
A. map
B. was
C. under - Jack ran toward the trees.
A. ran
B. toward
C. trees - He left before sunrise.
A. left
B. before
C. sunrise - The wind from Siberia was brutal.
A. wind
B. from
C. brutal - He cut wood with a dull knife.
A. cut
B. wood
C. with - Jack stepped into the snow.
A. stepped
B. into
C. snow - The wolves waited outside the tent.
A. wolves
B. waited
C. outside - He stayed inside the shelter.
A. stayed
B. inside
C. shelter
Answer Key
- B
- B
- C
- B
- B
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
Resources That I Used for This Guide
Among others, here are some resources that I used when creating this guide:
