Preposition Definition and Examples with its 8 Types

Preposition Definition and Examples

Prepositions are those words that create a bridge to understanding the meaning of the noun or pronoun with the remaining part of the sentence. Examples: in, on, under, above, between, over, into, against, by, among, below, with,….. and so on. In other words, prepositions help us identify the place, location, and direction of nouns or pronouns. In this article, we will learn more about preposition definition, types, usage, and examples.

More detailed Examples of Preposition

The board conducted a meeting at noon.

Your article was published in the newspaper.

She got distinctions in English and Mathematics besides Music.

I think your work experience is above 5 years.

The ball is passing through the tunnel.

Campers were dancing around the bonfire.

Preposition Types

There are 8 types of preposition:

1. Preposition of place – usage and examples

Prepositions of place show the position of noun or pronoun – where they are placed.

There are loads of prepositions to denote the place of nouns such as “in front of, behind, beside, outside, inside, above, under, over, near, etc. but the most commonly used preposition of place are “in, on, at”.

Preposition	Usage	Example
In	– for bigger places (nations, continents, states, union territories)	Siya resides in Japan.
On	– placed on the top of something (immediate contact of the surface of the object	My eye lens is on the table.
At	– for smaller places (villages, cities)	Her sister lives at Kanpur.
Behind	– at the back of something	She was hiding behind her mother.
Beside	– alongside of someone or something	Riya is sleeping beside her mother
Between	– in the midst of only two persons or objects	He was distributing the cake between his sister and his friend.
Among	– in the midst of more than two persons or objects	He was distributing the cake among his colleagues.
Above	– overhead or top of something (not in immediate contact)	The helicopter is flying above the ship.
Against	– opposed to, inclined to	She participated in a competition against her will.
Under/ Beneath	– below of something	My dog is playing under the table.

Preposition of place examples in sentences

For Example:

The bird is flying over the house.

The child is hiding under the table.

Rishi lives in Dubai.

The cat is playing with the baby on the carpet.

My niece hides behind the curtain to read the comic book.

2. Preposition of time – definition and examples

The preposition of time depicts the things happening in a specific time, date, month, year, and day. Preposition of time specifies the time are “at, from, until, till, by, etc.”.

Preposition	Usage	Example
In	– months, weeks, years, seasons, centuries	We picked the cherries in January.
On	– for definite days	I will submit my article on Wednesday.
At	– for definite time – for age	The doctor will reach at 6 p.m. She started garment business at twenty six.
Till/ Until	– for ending time, days, months	We will conclude the task till Tuesday.

Preposition of time examples in sentences

For Example:

He swims daily from noon to night.

My brother will receive the gift by next Tuesday.

He will receive the vaccination on Monday.

We went to the library at 6 p.m.

Preesha goes to school at 9 a.m.

3. Preposition of movement – definition and examples

The preposition of movement depicts the movement or direction of nouns or pronouns from one section to another section. We use a few prepositions for movement such as through, across, to, into, etc.

Preposition	Usage	Example
Through	someone is moving from one point to the other point and surrounded by something	We wandered through a forest.
Across	opposite side, something is expanding or spreading from one side to the other	She is tucking the bedsheet across the bed.
Towards	movement of noun or pronoun to reach somewhere	Priya ran towards her house to meet her mother.
Into	something or someone is in motion and going inside	He pours the lemonade into the jug.
Upon	When a noun or pronoun is in motion and now it’s on top of something.	The dog pounced upon the chair after seeing a vet.

Preposition of movement examples

For Example:

He is running to the bakery before it closes.

My teacher lives across the river.

I pour the water into the glass.

The ball passes through the pipe.

He sends his friend to a gift shop to purchase a book.

4. Preposition of manner – definition, usage and examples

The preposition of manner is used to describe the process of something. The most commonly used prepositions are – “by, with“.

Where to use prepositions of manner. —– When we get the answer by asking “how”.

Preposition	Usage
By	for method
With	for instruments, tools

Examples of preposition of manner

For Example:

My father plays the guitar with the guitar string.

In this example, “How did my father play the guitar?“. The answer will be – with the guitar string.

Her friend presented as if she had made the entire project herself.

In the above sentence, if we ask the question-“How did her friend present? then the correct answer will be – as if she had made the entire project herself.

He crosses the puddles with skates.

If we enquire – How did she cross the puddles? then the reply will be – with the skates.

She reached the school by bus.

If we raise the question- How did she reach the school? Then the answer will be – by bus.

My sister managed the noisy students in the classroom with patience.

How did your sister manage the noisy students in the classroom? Here, the answer is – with patience.

5. Preposition of Agency – meaning and examples

The preposition of Agency creates a relationship between a person who is performing the activity and the verb or we can say actions. In other words, we can say that preposition of agency is used when an activity is performed by a person or by using an object. The most common prepositions are – by, with.

Sometimes, passive voice sentences are used for the preposition of the agency.

Where to use the preposition of agency?

When we get the answer by asking “who/whom”.
When we have to place “with” instead of “with the help of”.

For Example:

The dress has been made by my mother. (Passive voice)

The dress has been made by whom?

The computer has been invented by Charles Babbage. (Passive voice)

The computer has been invented by whom?

She prepared the chocolate with cocoa beans.

She prepared the chocolate with the help of cocoa beans. So, here we have to replace “with the help of” by using “with” in the sentence.

The question has been solved by my brother. (Passive voice)

The question has been solved by whom?

I removed the stain from my clothes with baking soda.

So, here we have to replace “with the help of“ by using “with” in the sentence.

6. Preposition of possession – examples

The preposition of possession states the ownership of a noun or pronoun (person or living being) on an object.

The most commonly used preposition are “of, with, to”.

For Example:

This old vintage clock belongs to my grandfather.

A piece of cake left in the kitchen belongs to Tanisha.

I like the dance moves of a girl with a pink bow.

That was the secret recipe of my mother.

This lush green garden is the estate of her teacher.

7. Preposition of measure

The preposition of measure depicts a noun or pronoun’s measurement (such as kilogram, grams, litre, centimetres, metres, etc.). The most commonly used preposition are “by, of”.

For Example:

I purchased two litres of milk from the dairy.

The vendor is charging an extra cost of one kg tomato.

Priyal is taller than Shikha by one inch.

He had gifted a dozen of toys to her sister on her birthday.

Kirti defeats Shalini in a badminton match by five points.

8. Preposition of source

The preposition of source states a source of a noun from which it can be obtained. The most commonly used preposition of source are – “from, by”.

For Example:

This book was written by my teacher.

We receive a prescription from the doctor.

I have gained knowledge from my school library.

This foundation was established by his father.

His scholarship was fully sponsored by the university.

Tricky Prepositions

By vs With

By:

used for means of transport

For Example: I travelled there by train.

used for ” before of a certain time or till this time”

An Instance: Uncle will negotiate the deal by the end of this week.

used in passive voice

For Example: The meal was prepared by my sister. (Passive voice)

used to show who is performing the action.

Example: The article was written by Nitya.

to show (which method or means) have been used to perform the actions.

For Example: I sent the product catalogue by mail.

With:

used to show which device or instrument has been used to perform the action.

For Example: She fixes the broken tap with a wrench.

used to show accompany and separation

Example: She started the travel journey with her brother.

used to show the cause

For Instance: While seeing me in the army, my mother was thrilled with pride.

Beside vs Besides

Beside:

denote “next to you or by the side of”

For example: She was singing beside her mother.

Besides:

denote “except or in addition to”.

For example : Besides playing cricket, I like to sing in concert.

Verbs and Adjectives following Preposition

Some verbs and adjectives are placed just before the preposition and transform the whole meaning of the sentence.

Verbs	Preposition
Aim	at
Adhere	to
Confer	with
Furnish	with, to
Hover	over
Lean	against
Meddle	with
Reconcile	to, with
Tell	of, about
Wish	for

Adjectives	Preposition
Acquainted	with
Boastful	of
Careful	of, about
Contrasted	with, to
Essential	to
Fearful	of
Harmful	to
Loyal	to
Mad	about, at
Proficient	in
Sick	of

Practice Exercise

Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition: The mouse jumped _______ the wooden slab.	(upon/in)
Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition: She reaches the office _______ 9 a.m.	(on/at)
Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition: We share the doughnuts ________ children.	(between/among)
Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition: She peeled the mango ________ a knife	(with/by)
Fill in the blanks with a suitable preposition: I sent the documents _______ mail.	(by/with)