Definition
A preposition is a word placed before a noun (or a pronoun) to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands to something else.
Kinds of Preposition
1) Simple Prepositions
They are the simple words used as prepositions.
For example: at, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, over, through, till, to, under, up, with.
2) Compound Prepositions
They are generally formed by prefixing a preposition (usually a = on or be = by) to a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
For example: about, above, across, along, amidst, among, around, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without.
3) Phrase Prepositions
When a group of words is used with the force of a single preposition, it is known as a phrase preposition.
Example
He succeeded in spite of obstacles.
4) Participial Prepositions
When the present participle of a verb acts as a preposition, it is known as a participial preposition.
Example
There have not been too many communal riots in recent times barring those in the aftermath of Dec 6.
Some Rules
Rule: In is used with names of countries and large towns; at is more often used when speaking of small towns and villages.
He lives at Germany.
He lives in Germany.
Rule: In and at are used in speaking of things at rest; to and into are used in speaking of things in motion.
This week the song jumped at the top of the charts.
This week the song jumped to the top of the charts.
Rule: Till is used of time and to is used of place.
The office will remain open to six in the evening.
The office will remain open till six in the evening.
Rule: With often denotes the instrument used by the agent.
The ball was hit by the bat.
The ball was hit with the bat.
Rule: Both since and from are used before a noun denoting a point of time. However, while since is preceded by a verb in the perfect tense, from is used with the non-perfect tense.
India has been playing Test cricket from 1932.
India has been playing Test cricket since 1932.
Rule: While since or from is used with a point of time, for is used with a period of time.
The parcel has been lying here since 10 days.
The parcel has been lying here for 10 days.
Rule: Beside means by the side of, while besides means in addition to.
He sat besides the chair.
He sat beside the chair.
Rule: Between is used for only two things or persons, while among is used for more than two.
You have to choose among tea and coffee.
You have to choose between tea and coffee.
Rule: Above and below merely denote position, while over and under can carry a sense of covering or movement.
The bird flew above the lake.
The bird flew over the lake.
Rule: During refers to the time within which something happens; for refers to duration (how long something lasts).
There were few incidents of irregularity for the Emergency years.
There were few incidents of irregularity during the Emergency years.
Rule: “off” denotes separation/distance, whereas “of” denotes cause, origin, quality, or possession.
He put of his coat.
He put off his coat. (Separation)
He died off cancer.
He died of cancer. (Cause)
Rule: Compare … to is used for likeness (analogy). Compare … with is used to examine similarities and differences.
Sanath Jayasuriya's batting may be compared with the sales of a useful book: they score fast right from the beginning.
Sanath Jayasuriya's batting may be compared to the sales of a useful book: they score fast right from the beginning.
Rule: Use improvement in when a single thing gets better; use improvement on when the newer thing is better than the earlier one.
There has been an improvement on the weather.
There has been an improvement in the weather.
Rule: In means at the end of the said duration; within means before the end of it.
We left at 5 o'clock expecting to come back in an hour and watch the 6 o'clock movie.
We left at 5 o'clock expecting to come back within an hour and watch the 6 o'clock movie.
(Both sentences above are presented exactly as provided.)
Some important points about prepositions
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The words “superior”, “inferior”, “senior”, “junior” etc. take the preposition “to”.
Ram is senior than Mohan.Ram is senior to Mohan.
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The words “prefer”, “preferable”, “preferred” also take the preposition “to”.
I prefer tea than coffee.I prefer tea to coffee.
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“In spite of” and “despite” share the same meaning. “In spite” takes “of”; “despite” takes no preposition.
Despite of bad weather, he went to school.Despite bad weather, he went to school.
Similarly, “consist” takes “of”, whereas “comprise” does not.
The classroom comprises of twenty students.The classroom comprises twenty students.
