Understanding English Prepositions: Types and Uses

Prepositions

Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usually stand in front of nouns (sometimes also in front of gerund verbs).

Types of Prepositions

• Prepositions of Time
• Prepositions of Place
• Prepositions of Direction/Movement
• Prepositions of Agent
• Prepositions of Instrument
• Phrasal Prepositions

Prepositions of Time

A preposition of time allows you to discuss a specific time period, such as a date on the calendar, one of the days of the week, or the actual time something takes place. Prepositions of time are the same words as prepositions of place; however, they are used in a different way.

• at: for a precise time.

Example: I have a meeting at 9 am.

• in: for months, years, centuries, and long periods.

Example: Paul was born in 1992.

• on: for days and dates.

Example: Do you work on Mondays?

Prepositions of Place

A preposition of place is used to refer to a place where something or someone is located.

• at: for a certain point.

Example: Jane is waiting for you at the bus stop.

• in: for an enclosed space.

Example: Look at the picture in the book.

• on: for a surface.

Example: The author's name is on the cover of the book.

• among: when someone or something is in a group.

Example: I like being among people.

• in front of: the part that is in the direction it faces.

Example: Our house is in front of the supermarket.

• next to: not far away in distance.

Example: The girl who is next to the house.

• behind: at the back of something.

Example: Our house is behind the supermarket.

• under: below something.

Example: The cat is under the table.

Prepositions of Movement or Direction

A preposition of movement or direction tells where to go or where to put something.

• across: in a movement from one side to the other side of something.

Example: It took us three days to drive across the desert.

• around: in a movement passing something in a curved route, not going through it.

Example: A big dog was sleeping on the floor, so she had to walk around it.

• down: movement from a higher point to a lower point of something.

Example: She was walking down the street.

• from: indicating the point where a movement begins.

Example: We flew from Bangkok to London.

• into: movement to an enclosed space; movement resulting in physical contact.

Example: He got into the car and closed the door.

• onto: movement to the top surface of something.

Example: The dog climbed onto the bed.

• over: movement above and across the top or top surface of something.

Example: We are flying over the mountains.

• to: movement in the direction of something.

Example: Could you give this to your sister, please?

• through: movement in one side and out of the other side of something.

Example: The river runs through the woods!

• towards/toward: movement in the direction of something.

Example: When I saw Alejandra, she was walking toward his office.

• under: movement directly below something.

Example: Submarines can travel under water.

Prepositions of Agent or Instrument

Examples:

• The car was cleaned by me.
• The work was completed by them.
• The glass is filled with water.
• He went home by car.