What Are Prepositions? Simple Definition & Examples

Bold text displaying the word ‘Prepositions’ on a colourful sign.

Prepositions. You use them all the time—whether you’re saying you’re in the office, on a trip, or with a friend.

Prepositions are one of those little parts of writing that we don’t really think about, let alone their grammar rules, but they play a crucial role in the meaning of our sentences. 

Let’s review how to use prepositions in English and the common mistakes people often make with them.

What Is The Definition Of A Preposition?

‘Where did the baddy go?’

Behind you!

‘Where is he?’

‘HE’S BEHIND YOU!’

If you’ve ever been to the pantomime, you’ll know this example all too well! 

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other elements in a sentence.

Prepositions often describe where something is located, when something happens, or the relationship between two things. Or in this example, help us to know where the baddy is … 

Examples & Types of Prepositions

Illustration of four glass jars with strawberries placed in different positions relative to the jars, representing prepositions. The first jar is labelled ‘next to,’ with a strawberry beside it. The second jar is labelled ‘under,’ with a strawberry positioned beneath it. The third jar is labelled ‘in front,’ with a strawberry placed in front of it. The fourth jar is labelled ‘behind,’ with a strawberry located behind the jar.

Some of the most common prepositions include:

in, on, under, over, at, to, in front, between, next to, through, behind, since, for, by, until.

These and every other preposition fall into 4 different functions: 

Place: The cat is under the bed.

Time: We’ll meet at 5 PM.

Direction: She’s walking to the store.

Space: The plane flew over the city.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky because their usage doesn’t always follow strict rules. Here are some common mistakes people often make:

1. Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

It’s a common myth that ending a sentence with a preposition is incorrect. However, Merriam-Webster states that it’s perfectly acceptable and linguist Ari Shapiro remarked, “Of all the blackboard grammar rules, that one has always been among the most utterly ridiculous.”

Let’s look at a few examples using a preposition at the end of sentence:

• What are you waiting for?

• That’s something I’ve been thinking about.

2. Confusing Time Prepositions

As mentioned earlier, people often confuse when to use in, on, and at when talking about time. Here’s a quick tip to remember: use on for specific days (I have a meeting on Monday) and in for months, years, or general periods (I’m going on vacation in June).

3. Choosing the Wrong Preposition

Prepositions can be tricky because there isn’t a strict formula or rule that always tells you which preposition to use in every situation. Unlike some other parts of speech, prepositions often depend on the specific context, making it difficult to predict which one is right.

For example, you might say in the car, but on the bus. Some verbs naturally pair with certain prepositions, forming prepositional phrases. A prepositional phrase is a combination of a preposition and a noun (or pronoun), such as depend on, believe in, in time, at home, or on the table

A good way to avoid mistakes is to familiarise yourself with common prepositional phrases and pay attention to how prepositions are used in everyday speech and writing.

4. Overusing Prepositions 

Prepositions are essential for clarity, but overusing them can make your sentences longer and more confusing than they need to be.

For example, instead of: The report on the meeting of the board of directors was discussed, you could say, The board of directors’ meeting was discussed.

Or instead of: The book was on top of the table, which was in the corner of the room, change it to,The book was on the table in the room’s corner.

A basketball placed in, on, and under a box, demonstrating the use of prepositions to describe spatial relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prepositions

1. Can you start a sentence with a preposition?

Yes! Starting a sentence with a preposition is perfectly acceptable. For example: After the meeting, we’ll grab lunch.

2. Is it wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?

Not at all. It’s perfectly fine to position a preposition at the end of a sentence, especially when moving it sounds awkward or unnatural.

Prepositions: Small Words With A Big Impact On Your Writing!

Prepositions might be small words in the English language, but they carry a lot of weight. They help clarify relationships between different parts of a sentence, whether it’s time, place, or direction. 

Now you know the definition of a preposition, not only will your writing improve, but also your everyday speech!

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