Preposition in very basic terms of understanding refers to words used to establish a relationship between a noun or pronoun with other words in the sentence so that the meaning of the sentence could be comprehended. Prepositions are also called linking words. Prepositions are short and small words in general. In this article we will learn:
4. List of commonly used prepositions
For example : The cat is in the box.
The preposition in shows the relationship of cat (noun) with the box.
prepositions are often used to describe three things. They are:
position of something
Examples:
the cat is in the box
the cat is behind the tree
time of something happening
Examples:
The interval will start at 9 a.m.
the movie will start in 5 minutes
The way that something takes place
Examples:
They travelled by plane
They reached here by car
list of prepositions: some commonly used prepositions are
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
amid
among
anti
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but
by
concerning
considering
despite
down
during
except
excepting
excluding
following
for
from
in
inside
into
like
minus
near
of
off
on
onto
opposite
outside
over
past
per
plus
regarding
round
save
since
than
through
to
toward
towards
under
underneath
unlike
until
up
upon
versus
via
with
within
without
Facts of prepositions:
There are few fun facts associated with prepositions that nobody knows:
There is a fixed set of words which we use as prepositions, no new addition to the existing set is made.
prepositions cannot be plural,l possessive for anything else.
A single prepositional word has many contextual uses. Thus it's very confusing.
In rare cases nouns and adjectives can be replaced by a preposition.
phrasal preposition:
phrasal preposition is a combination of two or more words which act as a preposition.
Examples:
in spite of
instead of
because of
on the side of
in between
on account of
on behalf of
by the way
along with
out of
Prepositional verb :is just a preposition that follows a verb is called a prepositional verb.
The verb generally is in the Gerund form that is in the( ING)form but it can be just a normal verb as well.
examples of prepositional verbs:
laugh at
suffer from
agree with
consists of
worry about
charged with
approve of
examples of how it is used in a sentence:
The kids were knocking at the door.
She was laughing at me.
The government had no other choice agreeing with the public.
She sent a box consisting of chocolates
we will first learn the rules of preposition. if we do not use the preposition in the right place in the sentence, the meaning of the sentence cannot be comprehended and at the same time the sentence will be grammatically incorrect. so the various rules you should focus on are as follows:
It's an undying myth that prepositions are shrouded with is that a preposition is always followed by a noun or a pronoun. It is a general phenomenon but it's not necessarily always.
In English grammar you are always taught that your sentence should not end with a preposition. I will explain to you with the following example where the sentence is correct even if you end it with the preposition. The catch is that you should not use a preposition in the sentence if the sentence without it conveys the meaning. Just don't fix it anywhere.
Example:
Raghav is saying something that I cannot agree with(correct )
Raghav is somebody I can count on (correct)
where did you get this necklace at?(incorrect )
Saturday you were not at home, where did you go to?(incorrect)
3) The preposition" like"denotes similar to should be followed by the object of a noun or pronoun or a noun phrase but not by a verb and a subject.
Tip: Refrain from using like when the verb is involved in a sentence.
Example:
you look like your brother.(correct)
you look like your brother does.(noun + verb)(incorrect)
Tip: In place of like you can use as, as if, as though, the way, following a verb.
Example:
you look the way your brother does.(correct)
you look like you are happy.(incorrect)
you look as if you are happy.(correct)
you look as though you are happy.(correct).
4) Like means similar .
As means in the similar manner that of.
Refrain from using where there is no verb involved in a sentence.
Reversely use as only where the verb is there in a sentence.
Example:
This dress is like the dress one i saw yesterday.(correct)
This dress is as the dress I saw yesterday.(incorrect)
This dress is as the one she was wearing yesterday.(correct)
5) Make sure you never use a preposition in place of the helping verb "have".
Example:
I should have written it.(correct)
I should of written it.(incorrect)
6) Avoid using preposition than with different. Rather use from with the word different.
example
you are different than me.(acceptable)
You are different from me.(unchallengeable)
7) Use into to express motion towards something. Use in to tell the location.
Example:
I walked into the garden.
Throw the garbage into the dustbin.
I will eat in the restaurant.
I was walking in the garden.
On the basis of the use of the preposition in the particular context, the prepositions are divided into following 5 types:
Prepositions for time
Prepositions for place
Prepositions for direction
Prepositions for Agent
5.Prepositions for devices, machines and instruments.
Let's delineate it one by one:
Prepositions for time:
Prepositions like in, on,at are used to establish a relationship of noun with other words in the sentence in respect to time of happening something.
Prepositions for place: the same prepositions like in, on ,at act as prepositions of place. Just placing them in the right place in the context of a sentence is the key.
Prepositions for direction: To use prepositions for direction , please follow the rule number 7 mentioned under the rules of preposition. The various prepositions are: to into, towards, through.
Prepositions for agent: The various prepositions for agents are by, with. It describes the relationship between the doer (noun) and the action.
Prepositions for instruments, device and machines: the various prepositions for instruments are with the help of, with, by,on etc.
One basic characteristic of prepositions are, they are highly contextual in nature which makes it super confusing. No matter how detailed a study you make, you can still go crazy with its concept. Sometimes even a scholar is clean bowled when it comes to proper use of prepositions. A concise and consistent effort to learn its tricks will help you master the skill. I hope this article will help you to understand the concept better.