Preposition

Connecting Words with Prepositions

In this episode, we’ll learn about prepositions. Prepositions are small but important words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They tell us about location, time, and direction.

What is a Preposition?

Think of prepositions as words that show where something is, when something happens, or how things are connected.

Examples in Sentences:

The book is on the table. (Location)
I will see you at 3 o’clock. (Time)
He walked to the store. (Direction)

Common Prepositions

Here are some of the most common prepositions:

Location: on, in, at, under, over, above, below, beside, near, behind, in front of
Time: at, on, in, before, after, during, until, since, for
Direction: to, from, towards, into, out of, across, through, up, down

Prepositions of Location (Where?)

These prepositions tell us where something is.

In: Inside something. Example: The cat is in the box.
On: On top of something. Example: The book is on the table.
At: A specific place or point. Example: I am at home. I am at the store.
Under: Below something. Example: The ball is under the chair.
Near: Close to something. Example: The park is near my house.
Beside: Next to something. Example: She sat beside me.
Behind: At the back of something. Example: The car is behind the house.
In front of: At the front of something. Example: The tree is in front of the school.

Examples in Sentences:

The picture is on the wall.
I live in a small town.
He is waiting at the bus stop.

Prepositions of Time (When?)

These prepositions tell us when something happens.

At: A specific time. Example: I wake up at 7 o’clock.
On: A specific day or date. Example: My birthday is on Monday. I was born on July 4th.
In: A longer period (month, year, season). Example: I go swimming in the summer. I was born in 1990.
Before: Earlier than something. Example: I eat breakfast before school.
After: Later than something. Example: I go home after school.
During: Within a period of time. Example: I sleep during the night.

Examples in Sentences:

The movie starts at 8 pm.
We go to the beach in August.
I will call you after dinner.

Prepositions of Direction (Where to?)

These prepositions tell us where something is going.

To: Moving towards something. Example: I am going to the store.
From: Starting at a place. Example: I came from home.
Into: Entering something. Example: He walked into the room.
Out of: Leaving something. Example: She walked out of the house.

Examples in Sentences:

She drove to work.
He flew from London to Paris.
The cat jumped onto the roof.

What We Skipped (For Now):

Phrasal prepositions: These are combinations of words that act as prepositions (e.g., “because of,” “in spite of”).
More complex uses of prepositions: There are many more ways to use prepositions, but these basic uses are the most important for beginners.

Why are Prepositions Important?

Prepositions are essential for showing relationships between things in a sentence. They help us understand the meaning and context of what we’re saying or writing.

Preposition

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