Types of Preposition: Examples and How to Use Them

What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are small but mighty words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They provide crucial information about time, place, direction, or relationships between elements in a sentence. For example, in the sentence 'The book is on the table,' the preposition 'on' indicates the position of the book in relation to the table.

Types of Preposition

Prepositions can be classified into various types based on their function. Below, we explore the five main types with detailed explanations and practical examples.

1. Prepositions of Place

These prepositions describe the location or position of an object in relation to another. Common examples include on, in, at, under, over, between, beside.

Examples:

• The keys are on the table.
• She is waiting at the bus stop.
• The cat is hiding under the bed.

Tip: Prepositions of place are frequently tested in GCSE English exams. Be sure to understand slight differences, e.g., 'in' refers to inside a space, while 'on' refers to a surface.

2. Prepositions of Time

These prepositions provide information about when an event occurs. Common examples include at, on, in, before, after.

Examples:

• The meeting is at 10 a.m.
• We’ll visit the museum on Saturday.
• She was born in July.

Tip: For exam purposes, remember specific rules: 'at' is used for specific times, 'on' for specific days, and 'in' for longer periods like months or years.

3. Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions show movement from one place to another. Common examples include to, into, onto, through.

Examples:

• We’re going to the park.
• He walked into the room.
• The ball rolled onto the road.

Tip: Watch out for differences between 'to' (destination) and 'into' (movement inside) in sentence completion tasks.

4. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose

These prepositions explain why something happens or the purpose behind it. Common examples include because of, due to, for, with.

Examples:

• The delay was due to heavy rain.
• She was awarded a medal for her bravery.
• He succeeded with hard work.

Tip: These prepositions are often tested in comprehension or writing tasks to assess your understanding of cause-effect relationships.

5. Prepositions of Manner

These prepositions describe the way or manner in which something is done. Common examples include by, with, like, as.

Examples:

• She travelled by train.
• He fixed the car with a wrench.
• He fought like a hero.

Tip: These are frequently tested in narrative writing exercises where you need to describe actions vividly.

Practice Exercise: Identify the Preposition Type

Try your hand at this quick exercise! Identify the type of preposition used in each sentence below:

1. The letter is on the desk.
2. We’ll meet at 6 p.m.
3. He ran into the forest.
4. The accident happened because of the icy roads.
5. She played the piano with skill.

Answers:

• 1: Place
• 2: Time
• 3: Direction
• 4: Cause/Reason
• 5: Manner

Exam Technique Tips for Prepositions

Here are some expert tips to help you ace preposition questions:

• Spot the context: Pay attention to the nouns and verbs in the sentence. These often guide you to the correct preposition.
• Mind the preposition pairs: Some prepositions work in pairs, e.g., 'due to' and 'because of.' Be familiar with common pairings.
• Practice sentence completion: GCSE and A-Level exams often test prepositions in gap-fill exercises. Regularly practise these to build confidence.

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