What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words that show relationships between nouns (or pronouns) and other words in a sentence. They often indicate direction, place, time, or introduce an object.
Example: The book is on the table.
Common Prepositions
- of – used to show possession or origin
- in – inside something or during a period
- on – touching the surface
- at – specific point in time or place
- by – near or through the action of someone
- for – purpose or duration
- with – accompaniment or means
- from – origin or source
- to – direction or destination
Prepositions of Time
- at: at 5 p.m., at Christmas
- on: on Monday, on July 4th
- in: in June, in 2025, in the morning
She was born in 1990. We’ll meet at noon on Friday.
Prepositions of Place
- at: at the door, at the station
- on: on the wall, on the floor
- in: in the room, in the car
- under, above, between, next to
The cat is sleeping under the table. Hang the picture above the sofa.
Tips for Learning Prepositions
- Prepositions often depend on fixed phrases—memorize common combinations (e.g., “good at,” “afraid of”).
- Context matters! The same preposition can have different meanings.
- Read and listen to English regularly to see how native speakers use them.
- Practice with fill-in-the-blank exercises or quizzes.