5.1 What Are Prepositions?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. It indicates time, place, direction, manner, cause, or possession.
Examples:
- The book is on the table. (on shows the relationship between “book” and “table”)
- We met after lunch. (after shows a time relationship between “met” and “lunch”)
- She walked towards the park. (towards shows the direction of movement)

5.2 Types of Prepositions
1. Prepositions of Place (Where?)
These prepositions indicate position or location.
Preposition | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
In | Inside a space | She is in the room. |
On | On the surface | The phone is on the table. |
At | A specific point | We met at the bus stop. |
Under | Beneath | The cat is under the chair. |
Over | Above without touching | The plane flew over the city. |
Between | In the middle of two things | The park is between the school and the mall. |
Behind | At the back | He is behind the door. |
Next to | Beside | She sat next to me. |
Examples in sentences:
- The books are on the shelf.
- The dog is sleeping under the bed.
- My school is near the hospital.
2. Prepositions of Time (When?)
These prepositions indicate time relationships.
Preposition | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
In | Months, years, centuries, long periods | We were born in July. |
On | Days, dates, specific occasions | She arrived on Monday. |
At | Specific times | The train leaves at 5 PM. |
By | Before a deadline | Finish your homework by 8 PM. |
Before | Earlier than something | We met before the show. |
After | Later than something | They left after dinner. |
Since | From a point in time until now | I have lived here since 2015. |
For | Duration of time | She stayed for two weeks. |
Examples in sentences:
- We will meet at 6 PM.
- My birthday is on January 10.
- He has been working here since 2020.
3. Prepositions of Direction or Movement (Where to?)
These show the direction of movement.
Preposition | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
To | Towards a destination | She is going to school. |
Into | Movement inside | He went into the room. |
Onto | Movement onto a surface | The cat jumped onto the table. |
From | Starting point | We came from London. |
Towards | In the direction of | He ran towards me. |
Out of | Leaving a place | She walked out of the house. |
Examples in sentences:
- He ran towards the exit.
- She got into the car.
- The ball rolled onto the road.
4. Prepositions of Manner (How?)
These show the way something happens.
Examples:
- He solved the problem with ease.
- She looked at him in anger.
- They traveled by car.
Common Prepositions of Manner:
- By (by train, by car)
- With (with a knife, with care)
- In (in fear, in silence)
5. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose
These show why something happens.
Examples:
- He was absent because of illness.
- She got a reward for her hard work.
- The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
Common Prepositions for Cause:
- Because of
- Due to
- Owing to
- For
6. Prepositions of Possession
These show ownership or relationship.
Examples:
- The keys of the house are missing.
- He is a friend of mine.
Common Prepositions of Possession:
- Of
- With
- To
7. Prepositions in Phrasal Verbs
Prepositions are often part of phrasal verbs (verb + preposition).
Examples:
- Look after (take care of) → She looks after her brother.
- Get over (recover from) → He got over his illness.
- Give up (quit) → He gave up smoking.

Exercises
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of place:
- The keys are ___ the table.
- She is waiting ___ the bus stop.
- The cat is hiding ___ the couch.
- There is a beautiful park ___ my house.
- The boy sat ___ the chair.
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time:
- My birthday is ___ July.
- We will meet ___ 6 PM.
- She was born ___ 2002.
- The concert is ___ Friday.
- He has lived here ___ five years.
C. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of movement:
- We are going ___ school.
- She walked ___ the door.
- The ball rolled ___ the hill.
- He jumped ___ the river.
- The bird flew ___ the tree.
D. Identify the prepositions in these sentences:
- She is sitting between her two friends.
- The book is on the table.
- He was absent because of illness.
- They ran towards the exit.
- The bus arrives at 9 AM.

Answers
A. Prepositions of Place:
- on
- at
- under
- near
- on
B. Prepositions of Time:
- in
- at
- in
- on
- for
C. Prepositions of Movement:
- to
- through
- down
- into
- over
D. Identifying Prepositions:
- between
- on
- because of
- towards
- at