PREPOSITIONS

INTRODUCTION

By definition, a preposition is a word or phrase that connects a noun or pronoun to a verb or adjective in a sentence. Prepositions are short words which are placed in front of nouns. Also some prepositions can be found in front of gerund verbs.

*Prepositions express position, movement, possession, time, and how an action is completed.

*They are also used to connect people, objects, time, and locations.

*Prepositions are spoken and written quite often in English. In fact, many of us use all types of prepositions naturally without realizing that they are distinct and have a name.

Examples of prepositions: of, with, at, from, into, during, including, until, against. These are 10 most frequently used prepositions in English.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (of) I'm afraid of the snake.

(2) (with) You should come with me.

(3) (at) He'll come at 6 o'clock.

(4) (from) He comes from Singida.

(5) (into) The students moved into their respective classes.

(6) (under) The cat is under the table.

(7) (on) The food is on the table.

(8) (through) The cat ran through the window.

(9) (on) I will see you on Monday.

(10) I’m going to Mbeya for two weeks.

LIST OF PREPOSITIONS

The most common prepositions in English language are:

About
Above
Across
After
Against (Simba against Yanga should be a good match)
Alongside (The shop alongside the Police Station is mine)
Among
Around
At
Away

Barring
Before
Behind
Below
Beneath
Beside
Besides
Between
Beyond
But (except by)

Concerning
Considering

Despite
Down
During

Except

In
Inside
Into

Of
Off
On
Out
Outside
Over

Past
Pending

Respecting
Round

Save
Saving

Through
Throughout
Till
To
Touching
Toward
Towards

Under
Underneath
Until
Up
Upon

With
Within
Without

TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS

There are 10 most common types of prepositions:

(1) Simple Preposition

(2) Double Preposition

(3) Compound Preposition

(4) Prepositions of Time

(5) Prepositions of Place

(6) Prepositions of Direction

(7) Participle Preposition

(8) Disguised Preposition

(9) Detached Preposition

(10) Prepositions of Agents or Things

(11) Phrasal Prepositions/Prepositional Phrase/Prepositional verbs

HERE IS THE CLOSER LOOK FOR EACH TYPE OF PREPOSITIONS

1. SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS

Simple prepositions are used to show the relationship between nouns, pronouns, or to join parts of a clause or sentence. They are usually single short words.

Examples of simple prepositions:

Here is a list of simple prepositions. Most of them are common and they are used in every day conversations and writing:

aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
alongside
amid (=in the middle of) I found it amid trees.
among
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but
by
concerning
considering
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
near
of
off
on
onto
opposite
out
outside
over
past
regarding
round
save
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
unto
up
upon
via
with
within
without

Examples of Sentences:

(1) (above) The cat is above the roof.

(2) (across) She walked quickly across the street.

(3) (at) I live at Sibwesa Village.

(4) (without) She came home without her school bag.

(5) (behind) The dog barked behind us.

(6) (below) The river flows below the bridge.

(7) (during) We'll talk during the meeting.

(8) (in) They are sleeping in their room.

(9) (on) The book is on the table.

(10) (over) Birds are flying over the tree.

2. DOUBLE PREPOSITIONS

A Double Preposition is formed by joining two simple prepositions. Two Simple Prepositions are joined together to form one preposition which connects the nouns or pronouns to the rest the words in a sentence. It is a word that is made by the combining two simple prepositions into one word to make a whole new word.

A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COMPOUND AND DOUBLE PREPOSITIONS

A compound preposition is made by the combining a non-prepositional word with a simple preposition (according to), while a double preposition is made by the combining two simple prepositional words made into one word (out of).

Examples of double prepositions:

out of
inside of
in between,
along with
alongside of
around about
except for
from above
from among
from behind
from beneath
from between
inside of
out of
outside of
into
onto
inside
upon
up to
without
within
from beneath
next to 
throughout

Examples of sentences:

(1) (inside of) We hid ourselves inside of the tunnel.

(2) (out of) He tried to jump out of the hole, but he failed.

(3) (out of) Are you out of your mind?

(4) (outside of) Children are playing outside of the compound.

(5) Raindrops fell from above.

(6) (outside) She parked her car outside the house.

(7) (within) Changes come from within.

(8) (upon) Our success is totally dependent upon this player.

(9) (throughout) The students were laughing throughout the lesson.

(10) (up to) This is up to you.

(11) (upon) Once upon a time in Tanganyika, there was a famous person called Nyerere.

(12) (from behind) He came out from behind the curtains.

(13) (without) We will not win this game without him.

(14) (into) Two prepositions are made into one.

(15) (within) This building will be destroyed within a few minutes.

3. COMPOUND PREPOSITIONS

The compound preposition is a preposition formed through the combination of a non-prepositional word and a simple preposition.

The Similarities and Differences Between Double Prepositions and Compound prepositions:

Double and compound prepositions are very similar. Both are two-word phrases.

However, while the double preposition is formed through the conjunction of two simple prepositions, compound preposition is formed through the conjunction of a non-prepositional word and a simple preposition.

That's the main difference between them.

Examples of compound prepositions:

The most common compound prepositions are:

according to
ahead of
apart from
as against
as between
as compared with
as compared to
as for
at that point in time
at this point in time
at the point of
at the time of
because of
by force of
by means of
by reason of
by virtue of
by way of
due to
during the course of
for fear of
for lack of
for the purpose of
for the reason that
for the sake of
from the point of view of
in accordance with
in a manner similar to
in care of
in case of
in close connection with
in common with
in comparison to
in compliance with
in connection with
in consequence of
in consideration of
in contrast to
in default of
in deference to
in exchange for
in excess of
in favor of
in front of
in opposition to
in order to
in place of
in preference to
in receipt of
in regard to
in relation to
in search of
in spite of
in terms of
in the course of
in the event of
in the face of
in the immediate vicinity of
in the nature of
independently of
instead of
on account of
on behalf of
on the basis of
on the part of
on the point of
on top of
owing to
previous to
prior to
pursuant to
regardless of
relating to
relative to
short of
similar to
subsequent to
under cover of
what with
with a view to
with regard to
with reference to
with respect to
with the intention of

Examples of sentences:

(1) (according to) According to the report, Malaria is slowing down.

(2) (apart from) Apart from this report, other reports are saying the same thing.

(3) (at the time of) At the time of departure, everyone was ready.

(4) (because of) The train delayed because of the rain.

(5) (by means of) We decided to travel by means of railroad.

(6) (in accordance with) We have come in accordance with the schedule.

(7) (with reference to) With reference to the book 'Passed Like a Shadow', HIV/AIDS can be controlled by maintaining good behaviour.

(8) (in spite of) In spite of the rain, we started the journey.

(9) (in terms of) In this supermarket, everything is paid in terms of US Dollars.

(10) (regardless of) We travelled regardless of the rain.

4. PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

A preposition of time shows the relationship of time between the nouns and other parts of a sentence.

Examples of prepositions of Time: at, in, since, for, on, at, from, to, ago, before, till/until, by, after.

Example of sentences:

(1) (at) She wakes up at 7 AM.

(2) (in) Tanzania got its independence from Britain in 1961.

(3) (Since) She has been cooking since morning.

(4) (in) There is a holiday in December.

(5) (for) We have been walking for two hours.

IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS ON PREPOSITIONS OF TIME

(A) "On" is used with days:

Examples:

(1) I will see you on Monday.

(2) The weekend begins on Friday.

(B) "At" is used with noon, night, midnight, and with the time of day:

Examples:

(1) The bus leaves at noon.

(2) The movie starts at 6:00 p.m.

Examples:

(1) He likes to read in the evening.

(2) This book was published in 1999.

(D) Extended time:

To express extended time, use these prepositions: since, for, by, from-to, from-until, during, (with)in:

Examples:

(1) I will have finished the assignment by tomorrow.

(2) She has been gone since yesterday.

(3) I’m going to Shinyanga for two weeks.

(4) The rainy season starts from November to May.

(5) This advertisement will remain here until May 2023.

In Summary:

* 'At’ designate specific times.

* ‘On’ designates specific days and dates.

* ‘In’ is used for nonspecific when we measure time (seconds – year).

* ‘Since’ is used with specific date or time.

5. PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

A preposition of place shows the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence. We use preposition of place to describe where something is located.

Examples of prepositions of place: under, over, across, behind, on, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, between, among, through, in front of, above, below.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (at) We stayed at the village for two weeks.

(2) (under) The cat is under the table.

(3) (at) He is at home.

(4) (from) He came from Lindi.

(5) (behind) Our house is behind the Postal Bank.

(6) (into) The police broke into the house.

(7) (across) They live across the river.

(8) (in) I have been living in Ruvuma for two years now.

IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS ON PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

(A) "At" describes a specific point in space.

Examples:

(1) They are at the station.

(2) Meet me at the library.

(B) "In" describes an enclosed space.

Examples:

(1) I'm trapped in the forest!

(2) I'm in the tunnel.

Examples

(1) I'm on the roof.

(2) The cat is sleeping on the mat.

(D) "By" describes an objects proximity to something else.

Examples:

(1) She lives by the river.

(2) His cafe lies by the train station.

6. PREPOSITIONS OF DIRECTION

A preposition of direction shows where something is going or which direction something is going to.

Prepositions of direction indicate which direction something is moving. They express notions of location.

Examples of prepositions of direction:

through, behind, along, above, across, along, among, around, at, below, beside, over, toward, up, down, between, by, inside, in, near, past, under.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (along) The train is moving along the beach.

(2) (across) She walked across the road quickly.

(3) (over) The birds flew over the trees.

(4) (behind) The angry buffalo was running towards us.

(5) (around) The children are running around the house.

IMPORTANT EXPLANATIONS ON PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE AND DIRECTION

IN talks about the point itself.

Examples:

(1) There was a snake in the room.

(2) She is in her room.

INSIDE is used to express something contained.

Examples:

(1) Go inside.

(2) Put the gift inside the box.

ON talks about the surface.

Examples:

(1) Put that box on the cupboard.

(2) I left your keys on the table.

AT talks about a general vicinity.

Examples:

(1) He is at the bar.

(2) She is waiting at the corner.

OVER and ABOVE are used to talk about something higher than a point:

Examples:

(1) He threw the ball over the roof.

(2) Hang this picture above the cupboard.

UNDER, UNDERNEATH, BENEATH, and BELOW are used to talk about something lower than a point:

Examples:

(1) The mice dug under the ground.

(2) This valley is below sea level.

NEAR, BY, NEXT TO, BETWEEN, AMONG, and OPPOSITE are used to talk about something close to a point:

Examples:

(1) She lives near the school.

(2) I found my pen lying among the books.

Note: "Sing along" is an example of a command using a Preposition of Direction

7. PARTICIPLE PREPOSITIONS

Participle prepositions are prepositions with '-ed' and '-ing' endings. These are called participle prepositions because present participles (-ing) and past participles (-ed and -en) are used as prepositions instead of being used as verbs.

Examples of participle prepositions: during, considering, assuming, regarding, barring, considering, given, notwithstanding, provided, respected, gone, barred, taken.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (Notwithstanding) Notwithstanding the rain, children played outside.

(2) (Barred) Barred from the entrance, football fans climbed the stadium walls.

(3) (given) The fans were happy given the fact that they wanted to watch the match.

(4) (Assuming) Assuming the possibility of rain, the match was postponed.

(5) (during) The babies cry during the day and sometimes at night.

(6) (including) All students are in the classroom including the teacher.

(7) (Considering) Considering the possibility of rain, the players were told to return to their changing rooms.

8. DISGUISED PREPOSITION

These are the prepositions which are usually disguised as some other elements in English language.

This is a preposition that is not directly used in a sentence but is mentioned indirectly.

These prepositions unrecognizable but they are identified as "a" and "o" in sentences. “On” changed into “a”, and “of” can be changed into “o” respectively.

Examples: the words; o'clock, ahead, onshore.

Examples of sentences:

(1) I wake up at 6 o'clock. (Of the clock)

(2) We have to move ahead. (on the head)

(3) Paul went ashore. (onshore)

(4) Rama visits the garden once a day. (in a day)

(5) She earns one Dollar a day.

(6) They play football once a week.

9. DETACHED PREPOSITION

A detached preposition is a preposition that has been removed from its original place and moved at the end of the sentence. These prepositions are mostly detached from the interrogative or relative pronouns and adverbs.

Examples of detached prepositions: to, from, ahead, at.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (ahead) Are you moving ahead?

(2) (from) Where are you coming from?

(3) (for) What are you looking for?

(4) (to) What are you listening to?

(5) (at) What are you screaming at?

(6) (at) What are you looking at?

10. PREPOSITIONS OF AGENTS OR THINGS

Prepositions of agents or things indicate a causal relationship between nouns and other parts of the sentence.

Examples of prepositions of agents or things: about, of, for, by, with, at.

Examples of sentences:

(1) (of) Most of the students have failed.

(2) (about) This report is about women empowerment.

(3) (for) I will always be here for you.

(4) (with) I'm going to play with you.

(5) (with) He is playing with his brothers.

(6) (by) He will be accompanied by his friends.

Other examples of Prepositions of Agents or Things. These prepositions introduce the objects.

(A) At:

- glance at

- laugh at

- look at

- rejoice at

- smile at

- stare at

(B) Of:

- approve of

- consist of

- smell of

- dream of/about

- think of/about

(D) For:

- call for

- hope hope

- look for

- wait for

- watch for

- wish for

11. PHRASE PREPOSITIONS

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that has a simple preposition and a noun or a simple preposition and a pronoun. Prepositional phrases usually contain a preposition followed by an article followed by a noun.

A prepositional phrase does not contain a verb or a subject. It just functions as a unified part of speech. In English, many verbs are followed by prepositions and adverbs. Prepositional phrases are sometimes called phrasal verbs or prepositional verbs.

In other words, prepositional verb is a verb that is followed by a preposition. The meaning of these two words together is usually very similar to the original meaning of the verb.

Examples of prepositional phrases/verbs: get in, look for, think about, wait for.

To agree = to agree with (someone or something)

To worry = to worry about (someone or something)

SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PREPOSITIONAL VERB TO A PHRASAL VERB

(1) A phrasal verb is often different to the original meaning of the main verb, while the meaning of a prepositional verb is similar to the meaning of main verb.

(2) Phrasal verbs use adverbs as well as prepositions, while prepositional verbs do not.

(3) Phrasal verbs are normally separated by nouns and pronouns. For example, "Put your shirt on" or

"Put it on." 'Put' and 'On' are separated. But prepositional verbs cannot be separated. The two words must remain together.

SOME COMMON PREPOSITIONAL VERBS WITH EXAMPLES

These are prepositional verbs that we use every day. Try to learn them and remember how to use them.

EXAMPLES OF PREPOSITIONAL VERBS IN SENTENCES:

(1) (care for) She cares for her mother.

(2) (believe in) She believes in Allah.

(3) (consist of) This exam consists of three sections.

(4) (deal with) I have so many things to deal with.

(5) (depend on) Rains depends on the weather.

(6) (look after) She looks after the kids after school.

(7) (agree with) I agree with you.

(work for) Who do you work for?

(8) (laugh at) They will laugh at you.

(9) (listen to) He likes listening to Bongo Fleva music.

(10) (look at) Look at this picture. It's beautiful, isn't it?

OTHER COMMON EXAMPLES OF PHRASAL PREPOSITIONS OR PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE/VERBS

approve of
decide on
get on
get off
get out of
insist on
pay for
specialize in
go away
come in
watch out
grow up
check up
answer back
call back
hand over
throw away
print out
try out
pull down
sort out
look forward to

REFERENCES

https://www.wallstreetenglish.com/exercises/prepositional-verbs

11-03-2022

https://blog.inkforall.com/types-of-prepositions#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20types%20of%20prepositions.,objects%2C%20time%2C%20and%20locations.

11-03-22

https://www.learngrammar.net/english-grammar/preposition

11-03-2022

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