Prepositions

Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usually stand in front of nouns (sometimes also in front of gerund
verbs).

Even advanced learners of English find prepositions difficult, as a 1:1 translation is usually not possible. One
preposition in your native language might have several translations depending on the situation.

There are hardly any rules as to when to use which preposition. The only way to learn prepositions is looking
them up in a dictionary, reading a lot in English (literature) and learning useful phrases off by heart (study tips).

The following table contains rules for some of the most frequently used prepositions in English:

Prepositions Time

English Usage Example

On days of the week on Monday, on Thursday afternoon

on time (not late) I got there on time

in months / seasons in August / in winter

time of day in the morning, in the evening on Friday
year in 2006
after a certain period of time (when?) in an hour, in a few days...

at for night at night

for weekend at the weekend
a certain point of time (when?) at half past nine

since from a certain point of time (past till now) since 1980. I have worked since March 2001.

for over a certain period of time (past till now) for 2 years. I waited for 5 minutes.

ago a certain time in the past 2 years ago

Before earlier than a certain point of time before 2004

to telling the time ten to six (5:50)

past telling the time ten past six (6:10)

to / till / marking the beginning and end of a period of from Monday to/till Friday
until
time (till - only used in spoken English)

till / in the sense of how long something is going to He is on holiday until Friday.
until
last (till - only used in spoken English) I will wait ...until Monday / until 12 oclock.

during shows when (during + noun) No one made a noise during the lecture

By in the sense of at the latest I will be back by 6 oclock.

up to a certain time By 11 o'clock, I had read five pages
Prepositions Place (Position and Direction)

English Usage Example

In room, building, street, town, country in the kitchen, in London

book, paper etc. in the book
car, taxi in the car, in a taxi
picture, world in the picture, in the world

at meaning next to, by an object at the door, at the station

for table at the table
for events at a concert, at the party
place where you are to do something typical (watch a at the cinema, at school, at work
film, study, work)

on attached the picture on the wall

for a place with a river London lies on the Thames.
being on a surface on the table
for a certain side (left, right) on the left
for a floor in a house on the first floor
for public transport on the bus, on a plane
for television, radio on TV, on the radio

by, next left or right of somebody or something Jane is standing by / next to /

to, beside beside the car.

Under on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something the bag is under the table
else

below lower than something else but above ground the fish are below the surface

over covered by something else put a jacket over your shirt

meaning more than over 16 years of age
getting to the other side (also across) walk over the bridge
overcoming an obstacle climb over the wall

above higher than something else, but not directly over it a path above the lake

across getting to the other side (also over) walk across the bridge
getting to the other side swim across the lake

through something with limits on top, bottom and the sides drive through the tunnel

to movement to person or building go to the cinema

movement to a place or country go to London / Ireland
for bed go to bed

into enter a room / a building (involves movement) go into the kitchen / the house
pour water into to the vase / bottle

towards movement in the direction of something (but not directly go 5 steps towards the house
to it)

onto movement to the top of something jump onto the table

between when the comparison involves 2 or more distinct choices I walked between the rows
 English Usage Example

Among(st) surrounded by, in the company of One among(st) many

From in the sense of where from a flower from the garden

Other important Prepositions

English Usage Example

from who gave it a present from Jane

of who/what does it belong to a page of the book

what does it show the picture of a palace

by who made it a book by Mark Twain

on walking or riding on horseback on foot, on horseback

entering a public transport vehicle get on the bus

in entering a car / Taxi get in the car

off leaving a public transport vehicle get off the train

out of leaving a car / Taxi get out of the taxi

by rise or fall of something prices have risen by 10 percent

travelling (other than walking or horse by car, by bus
riding)

at for age she learned Russian at 45

about for topics, meaning what about we were talking about you

Do the Exercises on Prepositions found at http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/prepositions

Exercise on Prepositions Place 1

Exercise on Prepositions Place 2
Exercise on Prepositions Place 3
Exercise on Prepositions Place 4
Exercise on Prepositions Place 5

Exercise on Prepositions Time 1

Exercise on Prepositions Time 2
Exercise on Prepositions since and for
See also: Date and Time

Exercise on Prepositions Buses

Exercise on Prepositions A picture
Exercise on Prepositions A photograph
Exercise on Prepositions The Wampanoag

Exercise on Prepositions George Washington

Exercise on Prepositions Henry Ford
Exercise on Prepositions McDonalds
Exercise on Prepositions Uluru

do this gap fill exercise http://www.ielts-exam.net/general_writing_samples_task_1/711/ with answers

http://www.talkenglish.com/Grammar/prepositions-of-to-for.aspx

Near, close, nearby, close by.

He lives near the school, and I also live nearby. (nearby one word - is not followed by an object).
In the sentence above, near is a preposition and the verb (lives) needs an adverbial phrase of place. Near is
never followed by to.

He lives close to the school, and I also live close by (close by two words - is not followed by an adverbial
phrase of place as it refers back to a previous location already mentioned).
In the sentence above, close is an adjective and to is a preposition and the verb needs an object when using
close to.

Prepositions "Of", "To", and "For" (more explanations)

Of
Used for belonging to, relating to, or connected with:
The secret of this game is that you cant ever win.
The highlight of the show is at the end.
The first page of the book describes the authors profile.
Dont touch it. Thats the bag of my friends sister.
I always dreamed of being rich and famous.

Used to indicate reference:

I got married in the summer of 2000.
This is a picture of my family.
I got a discount of 10 percent on the purchase.

Used to indicate an amount or number:

I drank three cups of milk.
A large number of people gathered to protest.
I had only four hours of sleep during the last two days.
He got a perfect score of 5 on his writing assignment.

To
Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward, or the direction of
something:
I am heading to the entrance of the building.
The package was mailed to Mr Blackstock yesterday.
All of us went to the movie theatre.
Please send it back to me.

Used to indicate a limit or an ending point:

The snow was piled up to the roof.
The stock price rose up to 100 dollars.
I am up to my ears in debt.

Used to indicate relationship:

This letter is very important to your admission.
My answer to your question is in this envelope.
Do not respond to every little thing in your life.

Used to indicate a time or a period:

I work nine to six, Monday to Friday.
It is now 10 to five. (In other words, it is 4:50.)

For
Used to indicate the use of something:
This place is for exhibitions and shows.
I baked a cake for your birthday.
I put a note on the door for privacy.
She has been studying hard for the final exam.

Used to mean because of:

 I am so happy for you.
We feel deeply sorry for your loss.
For this reason, Ive decided to quit this job.

Used to indicate time or duration:

Hes been famous for many decades.
I attended the university for one year only.
This is all I have for today.