In English, words are grouped into word classes based on the function they perform in a sentence. There are nine main word classes in English; nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, pronouns, determiners, conjunctions, and interjections. This explanation is all about prepositions.
Preposition meaning
A preposition shows how two parts of a sentence are connected in relation to time, place, movement/direction, or relationship. In other words, they tell us where or when something is in relation to something else in the sentence. Prepositions often come before a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun, but they may be used in various other ways.
Examples of prepositions
The most common examples of prepositions include;
These show time ('I arrive on Monday') and place ('It's in the fridge'). However, these aren't the only prepositions, and there are plenty of others that can also be used to show time and place, as well as movement/direction. E.g. 'I travelled from New York to Washington'.
The same word can be used as a preposition in multiple ways. For example, the word 'at' can be used as a preposition of time (e.g. 'I'm meeting Mickey Mouse at the weekend'), or as a preposition of place (e.g. 'I'm meeting him at Disneyland').
Positioning of prepositions
The word 'preposition' has two parts: 'pre' and 'position'. This is a useful reminder; the position of the preposition is usually before ('pre') a noun phrase or pronoun. For example:
'The cat is stuck in the tree'
In this sentence, the preposition 'in' comes before the noun 'tree'. Prepositions can sometimes work alongside adjectives, adverbs, and clauses too.
'She is talented at playing the piano'
Here, the preposition 'at' connects the adjective 'talented' to the verb 'playing'. If we didn't have the preposition then the sentence wouldn't make sense. (Thank you, prepositions!).
Types of preposition
Prepositions can be split into three main groups; prepositions of time, prepositions of place, and prepositions of movement/direction. Each shows a relationship between one part of a sentence or phrase and the other.
Prepositions of time
Prepositions of time express a relationship of time. The table below shows the different ways in which prepositions of time can be used:
Fig 1. Prepositions of time
Prepositions of place
Prepositions of place express a relationship between location or space. They show how one person or thing is positioned in relation to another person or thing. Have a look at the table below, which will provide you with some examples of common prepositions of place:
Fig 2. Prepositions of place
Fig 3. Where is the dog? Under the box!
Prepositions of movement/direction
Prepositions of movement/direction show movement from one place to another or the direction of movement. Whilst prepositions of place express the static position of something, prepositions of movement/direction show active movement. Here are some examples:
Fig 4. Prepositions of movement/direction
Other types of prepositions
Prepositions don't just belong to one category. They can also be grouped based on how they look. This includes complex prepositions, such as single-word prepositions, two-word prepositions, and three-word prepositions.
Two-word and three-word prepositions are phrases that have a unique meaning separate from that of the individual words. The words usually stick together as a group to form a certain meaning and usually can't change order.
For example, the three-word preposition 'with regard to' cannot be changed to 'to regard with'. It is a fixed expression with a fixed meaning, much like a one-word preposition.
Of course, there can be four-word or even five-word prepositions such as 'from the point of view of'; however, single-word, two-word, and three-word prepositions are most common.
Single-word prepositions
Single-word prepositions are, as the name suggests, prepositions that consist of only one word. These prepositions are more flexible in meaning and can be used in different parts of the sentence.
Examples of single-word prepositions include:
during
from
on
towards
with
up
near
at
to
above
Two-word prepositions
Two-word prepositions contain two words that come together to form a preposition.
For example:
ahead of
because of
instead of
near to
due to
rather than
according to
prior to
Some of these two-word prepositions need both words to make sense. Take the preposition 'instead of'. The sentence 'I want pizza instead chicken nuggets' does not make sense; the word 'of' is required.
Two-word prepositions are often longer words followed by a simple preposition such as 'of', 'to', 'than' etc.
Three-word prepositions
The three-word combination works together to form a preposition with a specific meaning, separate from that of each individual word. For example, the words 'in', 'spite', and 'of' each have a different meaning; however, when they are all put together they form the preposition 'in spite of', which has its own meaning.
Examples of three-word prepositions include:
in front of
by means of
in spite of
in addition to
in exchange for
in case of
on top of
as well as
Three-word prepositions often follow the structure Preposition + Noun/Adjective + Preposition. For example, the preposition 'in addition to' contains the prepositions 'in' and 'to', and the noun 'addition'.
Prepositional phrases
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that is built around a preposition. Prepositional phrases contain a preposition, along with the object (a noun or pronoun) and any modifiers.
Take a look at these examples:
The cat hid under a red car
In this example, the prepositional phrase 'under the car' contains the preposition 'under' along with the noun phrase 'a red car'. The car is the object of the sentence that receives the verb 'hid'. The words 'a' and 'red' are modifiers that add extra information about the noun. This prepositional phrase gives information about the position of the cat.
I saw a man with a curly moustache
Here, the prepositional phrase is 'with a curly moustache'. The preposition 'with' is followed by a noun phrase that contains the noun 'moustache' and the modifiers 'a' and 'curly'. This phrase functions in the same way as an adjective, it gives information about the noun ('man'). These kinds of prepositional phrases can therefore also be called 'adjective phrases'.
In the morning, we went home
Here the prepositional phrase 'in the morning' is used to set the scene. It modifies (gives more information about) the verb phrase 'we went home' and can therefore also be called an 'adverbial phrase'.
Preposition - key takeaways
- A preposition is often a small word showing how two parts of a sentence are connected in relation to time, place, movement/direction, or relationship.
- Prepositions often come before a noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun; however, they may be used in a variety of ways.
- Prepositions can be split into three main groups: prepositions of time, prepositions of place, and prepositions of movement/direction.
- Prepositions can also be grouped based on how they look; this includes single-word prepositions, two-word prepositions, and three-word prepositions.
- A prepositional phrase is a group of words that is built around a preposition. They often contain a preposition, along with the object (a noun or pronoun) and any modifiers.
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