An overview of prepositions in English

Prepositions are small but mighty words that play a crucial role in the English language, guiding us through the relationships between people, places, things, and ideas. Often overlooked, these linguistic connectors—like “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” and “through”—help us navigate the when, where, and how of a sentence. Whether you’re describing a book resting on a table or a journey through time, prepositions provide the context that makes language clear and dynamic. In this article, we’ll explore what prepositions are, how they function, and why mastering them can elevate your communication to new heights.

Common prepositions

Time: at, on, in, before, after, during, since, until

Examples: We met at noon. / I go for a walk in the morning. / They lived here since 2011.

Place/position: in, on, at, by, near, beside, under, over

Examples: She’s sitting in the garden. / The book is on the table. / I live near the school.

Direction/movement: to, from, toward, through, across

Examples: We are going to the beach. / He walked through the forest. / She ran across the bridge.

Manner/means: by, with, without, via

Examples: He traveled by train. / She spoke with confidence. / You can do it without any help.

Agent: by (used to show who or what performs an action in passive constructions)

Example: The cake was baked by Sarah.

Rules and tips

Fixed expressions: Many prepositions are part of fixed phrases or idiomatic expressions where their use doesn’t follow the general rules of preposition usage.

Example: “look forward to” / “by heart” / “in time”.

Prepositions with verbs: Certain verbs are often followed by specific prepositions.

Example: “wait for” / “agree with” / “apologize for“.

End of sentence: In informal English, it’s common to end sentences with prepositions, especially in questions.

Example: “What did you step on?”

Multiple prepositions: Sometimes, more than one preposition can be correct depending on the context or perspective.

Example “I arrived at the airport” vs. “I arrived in New York.”

Common mistakes

• Overuse or underuse. This is an arguable point among grammarians. Some say that you shouldn’t use a preposition at the end of a sentence while others say there is no rule governing it. Remember, English changes over time. Many norms from years ago are no longer norms for today.
  • Incorrect: “Where are you at?” (In standard English, “Where are you?” is preferred unless the context demands “at” for emphasis or location specificity.)
  • Correct: “Where are you?”
• Confusion between similar prepositions
  • “In” vs. “on” for time (in the morning, on Monday).
• Phrasal verbs can be confusing because they might look like prepositions but function as particles.
  • “Turn off the light” (off here is not a preposition but part of the verb “turn off”).

Understanding and using prepositions correctly often comes from exposure to the language, practice, and sometimes memorization due to their irregular nature.

Other resources

• Prepositions for giving directions
• Prepositions of position (on, in, outside, etc)
• Prepositions of time
• Comprehensive list of prepositions