Use of Preposition in Sentences

A preposition is a word that connects nouns, pronouns, or phrases in a sentence to other words. They serve to link persons, objects, time, and places in a sentence. Some gerund verbs have prepositions attached to them. Let’s learn about the use of preposition in sentences:

What is Preposition?

Examples of Prepositions

Some examples of use of preposition in sentences. Consider how substituting various prepositions or even different types of prepositions for the examples might alter the relationship between the rest of the words in the phrase as you read.

• I prefer to read in the library.
• He climbed up the ladder to get onto the roof.
• Please sign your name on the dotted line after you read the contract.
• Go down the stairs and through the door.
• He swam across the pool.
• Take your brother with you.

Types of Prepositions

There are three types of prepositions: time prepositions, place prepositions, and direction prepositions.
Before, after, while, and till are examples of time prepositions.
Prepositions showing position, such as around, between, and against, and prepositions indicating direction, such as across, up, and down, are two types of prepositions. Each preposition has its significance.

1. Prepositions of Time

At, on, in, before, and after are all examples of time prepositions. They are used to show when something occurred, is occurring, or will occur. However, because there are so many distinct prepositions, so it can be a bit perplexing.
The instances of use of preposition of time in the following sentences are bolded for easy identification.

For instance:

• I was born on July 4^th, 1982.
• Ravi was born in 1982.
• I was born at exactly 2 am.
• He was born two minutes before his twin brother.
• She was born after the Great War ended.

For years, months, seasons, centuries and times of day, use the preposition in :

• I first met John in 1987.
• It’s always cold in January
• Easter falls in spring each year.
• The Second World War occurred in the 20th century.
• We eat breakfast in the morning.

For days, dates and specific holiday days, use the preposition on :

• We go to school on Mondays, but not on Sunday
• Christmas is on December 25^th.
• Buy me a present on my birthday

For times, indicators of exception and festivals, use the preposition at :

• Families often argue at Christmas time.
• I work faster at night.
• Her shift finished at 7pm.

2. Prepositions of Place

The most frequent prepositions used to express time – on, at, and in – are also used to denote position. However, because location prepositions are a more definite idea than time prepositions, the rules are a little clearer.

The instances of the use of preposition of location in the following sentences are highlighted for easy identification Mentorplus.

• The cat is on the table.
• The dogs are in the kennel.
• We can meet at the crossroads.

On is used when referring to something with a surface:

• The sculpture hangs on the wall.
• The images are on the page.
• The specials are on the menu, which is on the table.

In is used when referring to something that is inside or within confined boundaries:

• Jim is in France, visiting his aunt in the hospital.
• The whiskey is in the jar in the fridge.
• The girls play in the garden.

At is used when referring to something at a specific point:

• The boys are at the entrance at the movie theater.
• He stood at the bus stop at the corner of Water and High streets.
• We will meet at the airport.

3. Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement are easier to grasp than prepositions of location and time because they are less abstract. They essentially depict the movement of something or someone from one location to another. The most common preposition of movement is to, which generally indicates that something is moving toward a specified destination.

The instances of prepositions of movement in the following phrases are highlighted for easy identification.

• He has gone on vacation to France.
• She went to the bowling alley every Friday last summer.
• I will go to bed when I am tired.
• They will go to the zoo if they finish their errands.

Other more specific prepositions of movement include: through, across, off, down and into:

Across refers to moving from one side to another:

• Mike travelled across America on his motorcycle.
• Rebecca and Judi are swimming across the lake.

Through refers to moving directly inside something and out the other end:

• The bullet Ben shot went through the window.
• The train passes through the tunnel.

Into refers to entering or looking inside something:

• James went into the room.
• They stare into the darkness.

Up, over, down, past and around indicate directions of movement:

• Jack went up the hill.
• Jill came tumbling down after.
• We will travel over rough terrain on our way to Grandma’s house.
• The horse runs around the track all morning.
• A car zoomed past a truck on the highway

Conclusion

So in our blog, we have covered all about prepositions, their types, and their examples. I Hope Mentorplus will help you out in understanding all the concepts about prepositions.