Parts of Speech – PREPOSITION
A preposition is a part of speech that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It is usually placed before a noun or pronoun to indicate the noun’s relationship to another word in the sentence .
Prepositions are used to show a relationship in space, time, or logical relationship between two or more people, places, or things. They are most commonly followed by a noun phrase or pronoun . For example, “I’ll meet you in the cafe opposite the cinema” .
There are over 100 prepositions in English, and some of the most common ones include “about,” “above,” “across,” “after,” “against,” “along,” “among,” “around,” “at,” “before,” “behind,” “below,” “beneath,” “beside,” “between,” “beyond,” “but,” “by,” “concerning,” “considering,” “despite,” “down,” “during,” “except,” “for,” “from,” “in,” “inside,” “into,” “like,” “near,” “of,” “off,” “on,” “onto,” “out of”, etc
The Importance of Prepositions
Prepositions may seem complicated at first, but they are a fundamental part of language that most of us use naturally without even thinking about it. They help us convey concepts such as comparison, direction, place, purpose, source, possession, and time. Without prepositions, sentences would lack clarity and precision.
It’s interesting to note that prepositions are considered a ‘closed class’ of words in English. Unlike verbs and nouns, no new words are added to this group over time. This reflects their role as the functional workhorses of a sentence. Though unassuming and subtle, prepositions are vitally important to the meaning of language.
Understanding Prepositions:
Two Important Rules
Using prepositions correctly can be challenging because they are somewhat vague in meaning. However, there are two essential rules to remember when using prepositions.
Rule 1: Specificity Matters
To make sentences clear, specific prepositions are needed. For example, the preposition “in” means one thing, and the preposition “on” cannot substitute for it in all cases. Using the correct preposition is crucial because using a different one can drastically change the meaning of a sentence.
For instance, “I want to see you in the house now, Bill!” means something very different from “I want to see you on the house now, Bill!” “In the house” implies that Bill should go through the door, walk inside, and stand in the hall or living room. On the other hand, “on the house” suggests that Bill would need to get a ladder, climb to the roof, and be on top of the house.
Rule 2: Prepositions are Followed by Nouns or Pronouns
Prepositions are generally followed by nouns or pronouns. While there was a time when ending a sentence with a preposition was considered incorrect, this rule has become less rigid. Ending a sentence with a preposition is now widely accepted, as it often leads to more natural and fluid phrasing.
For example, “I am seeking someone I can depend on” ends with the preposition “on.” In the past, people who insisted on not ending a sentence with a preposition would have to use convoluted and unnatural phrasing like “someone I can depend on is whom I am seeking.”
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions can be categorized into three main types: time prepositions, place prepositions, and direction prepositions. Each type serves a specific purpose in conveying information within a sentence.
Time Prepositions
Time prepositions help indicate when something happened, happens, or will happen. They include words such as “at,” “on,” “in,” “before,” and “after.” While many prepositions can be used to indicate time, specific guidelines can help determine the most appropriate choice.
Examples:
- “I was born on July 4th, 1982.”
- “I first met John in 1987.”
- “We go to school on Mondays, but not on Sundays.”
- “The concert will be staged throughout the month of May.”
Place Prepositions
Place prepositions indicate position or location. They include words such as “on,” “in,” “at,” “above,” “below,” “beside,” and “between.” Place prepositions are more rigid in their usage compared to time prepositions.
Examples:
- “The cat is on the table.”
- “Jim is in France, visiting his aunt in the hospital.”
- “We will meet at the crossroads.”
- “The cat is under the table.”
Direction Prepositions
Direction prepositions describe how something or someone moves from one place to another. Common direction prepositions include “to,” “from,” “across,” “up,” and “down.”
Examples:
- “He has gone on vacation to France.”
- “Mike traveled across America on his motorcycle.”
- “James went into the room.”
Recognizing Prepositions
Recognizing prepositions can sometimes be challenging, as they do not follow a consistent pattern in terms of their position in a sentence or spelling. However, prepositions are typically short words, often with fewer than six letters. One technique to identify a preposition is to think of it as anywhere a mouse can go. Words like “above,” “below,” “next to,” “between,” “beyond,” “through,” “by,” and “with” are good starting points for identifying prepositions.
Prepositions with Nouns
Prepositions can form phrases with nouns, known as dependent prepositions, to consolidate their meaning. These combinations help provide additional context and information. While there is no set rule determining which preposition to use with a specific noun, familiarizing oneself with the different possibilities can enhance fluency in the language.
Examples:
- “He displayed cruelty towards his dog.”
- “She had knowledge of physics.”
- “The trouble with Jack.”
- “21 is the age at which you are allowed to drink.”
Prepositions with Verbs
Prepositional verbs, which are combinations of verbs and prepositions, are essential parts of speech. Prepositions in these combinations serve as links between the verb and noun or gerund, providing additional meaning to the sentence. The most commonly used prepositions with verbs are “to,” “for,” “about,” “of,” “in,” “at,” and “from.” These prepositional verbs often have slightly different meanings compared to the original verb.
Examples:
- “He admitted to the charge.”
- “I go to Vancouver on vacation twice a year.”
- “He must apologize for his actions.”
- “I don’t agree with your claim.”
Prepositions with Adjectives
Prepositions can also form phrases with adjectives to provide further context to the action, emotion, or thing the adjective is describing. Adjectives can be followed by prepositions such as “to,” “about,” “in,” “for,” “with,” “at,” and “by.” Using different prepositions with adjectives can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence.
Examples:
- “I am happily married to David.”
- “Ellie is crazy about this movie.”
- “We are sorry for your loss.”
- “Jane will be delighted with her results.”
List of Prepositions
While there are over 150 prepositions in the English language, here is a comprehensive list of some of the most commonly used ones:
Aboard, about, above, absent, across, after, against, along, alongside, amid, among, amongst, anti, around, as, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, but, by, circa, concerning, considering, despite, down, during, except, excepting, excluding, failing, following, for, from, given, in, inside, into, like, minus, near, of, off, on, onto, opposite, outside, over, past, per, plus, regarding, round, save, since, than, through, to, toward, towards, under, underneath, unlike, until, up, upon, versus, via, with, within, without, worth.
Prepositions are the building blocks of language, connecting words and phrases to convey meaning and establish relationships within a sentence. Understanding how prepositions function is essential for effective communication in English. By grasping the rules, recognizing prepositions, and familiarizing oneself with their usage, one can master the art of using prepositions accurately and fluently. So, next time you write or speak, pay attention to these unsung heroes that make language come alive.