What are Prepositions?
Prepositions are small words that show the relationship between a noun and other words in a sentence. They describe where something is (location), when it happens (time), or how it moves (direction). Common prepositions include in, on, at, under, near, between, and before.
Prepositions show location, time, or direction — like in, on, at, under, near, between. They connect nouns to other parts of the sentence.
- •in (inside)
- •on (surface)
- •at (specific point)
- •under (below)
- •near (close to)
- •between (middle of two)
- •before (earlier)
- •after (later)
- •during (within)
- •to (toward)
- •from (origin)
- •across (over)
Step-by-step worked examples
Use the preposition 'in': 'The book is _____ the bag.'
The book is inside the bag. Use 'in' for something inside a container. Answer: The book is in the bag.
Complete: 'She sat _____ the table.'
She is at a specific location — the table. Use 'at' for a specific point. Answer: She sat at the table.
Use 'between': 'The cat sat _____ the two chairs.'
The cat is in the middle of two chairs. Use 'between' for something in the middle of two things. Answer: The cat sat between the two chairs.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Choose the correct preposition: 'The keys are _____ the desk.'
Q2.What is a preposition?
Q3.Which preposition shows direction?
Q4.Fill in: 'Meet me _____ 3 o'clock Friday.'
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Common mistakes
Using 'in' for being on top of something. — Correct: Use 'on' for surfaces: on the table, on the desk. Use 'in' for inside: in the box.
Prepositions only show location. — Correct: Prepositions show location, time, and direction.
Using 'at' for general locations like 'at home'. — Correct: 'at' is actually correct for home, school, work (specific, known places).
Treating prepositions as main verbs. — Correct: Prepositions are connecting words, not action words.
FAQ
What are the most common prepositions?
in, on, at, under, near, between, above, below, behind, before, after, through, to, from, by, with, during
What is the difference between in, on, and at?
in = inside/within; on = on top of/surface; at = a specific point or location (at school, at 3 PM).
How many prepositions are there in English?
Over 150, but the 20–30 most common ones cover most needs.
Can a sentence have multiple prepositions?
Yes. Example: 'He walked through the park toward the lake.' (through and toward are both prepositions).