Qureshi University, Advanced courses, via cutting edge technology, News, Breaking News | Latest News And Media | Current News
admin@qureshiuniversity.com
Admissions | Accreditation | Booksellers | Catalog | Colleges | Contact Us | Continents/States/Districts | Contracts | Examinations | Forms | Grants | Hostels | Honorary Doctorate degree | Instructors | Lecture | Librarians | Membership | Professional Examinations | Recommendations | Research Grants | Researchers | Students login | Schools | Search | Seminar | Study Center/Centre | Thesis | Universities | Work counseling
Prepositions
What is a Preposition?
What are various examples of prepositions?
What is a prepositional phrase?
What does a prepositional phrase do in a sentence?
What is a Preposition?
Prepositions are words that help link either the noun, or the pronoun with another word in the sentence in order to describe their relationship. A preposition is a word, which is used to indicate different relations, such as place, time, reason and purpose, method, direction and motion, manner, and possession. It is usually placed before a noun, or pronoun. The most common examples of prepositions in grammar are on, in, at, to, with, up, etc.
Kinds of Prepositions
Kinds of prepositions are relatively easy to understand and have been basically classified in order to make the usage and understanding of prepositions easier. These kinds are named on the function that the preposition serves to link.
Time
preposition of time
A preposition of time helps to link the noun, or pronoun with a time value. It functions as an indicator as to what point of time did an event occur, was supposed to occur, will occur, etc. They are also called prepositions of date sometimes. For example: He was here at five in the evening.
Place
preposition of place
Prepositions of place, as the name suggests, link the noun/pronoun with a particular place or spot. These are also called prepositions of location or position. For example: The cat was sitting under the table.
Direction
These prepositions help understand the direction of the noun/pronoun. They are also called prepositions of movement as the direction of the noun/pronoun is directly related to their movement. For example: She ran across the room.
Agent and Instrument
The other kinds of prepositions depending on the functions that they perform are preposition of the agent and/or instrument. Although these kinds do exist, very few grammar books acknowledge them. Largely, the three basic kinds are the ones mentioned above -- time, place, and direction.
Classes of Prepositions
Simple Prepositions
Simple prepositions are nothing but prepositions that consist of one word and are very simple to understand. These prepositions are the most basic prepositions and are used frequently. Here is a list of such prepositions with examples.

Classes of Prepositions

Simple Prepositions
Double Prepositions
Compound Prepositions
Phrasal Prepositions
Participial Prepositions
Disguised Prepositions

What are various examples of prepositions?
Preposition Examples
About I will tell you a story about a lion.
Above The plane flies above the clouds.
Across They walked across the field.
After After lunch, I shall complete the remaining task.
Against I helped her going against the wishes of my loved ones.
Along All along the way, she did not speak a word.
Among The profit was shared among the shareholders.
Around Due to the snow, we turned around to return back home.
At The land is at war with its neighbor.
Before She had decided to quit before Christmas, but changed her plan.
Behind The church is located behind the supermarket.
Below The temperatures have dipped below freezing point.
Beneath The water level is beneath the average level.
Beside When we were in school, I used to sit beside her in class.
Besides Besides maths, I am very fond of history.
Between The profit was shared between the three of them.
Beyond The play was beyond my expectations.
But Everyone but her agreed with the arrangement.
By A house by the sea, to retire, is my dream
Concerning He is always curious about anything concerning her.
Despite Despite the snowfall, she decided to carry on with her journey.
Down Jimmy lives down the street.
During She works during the day and studies at night.
Except Except her no one has any objections to the plan.
For I jog for 10 miles everyday.
From She comes from Argentina.
In When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Inside Inside the tough exterior, lies a gentle soul.
Into As soon as she stepped into the room, there was pin drop silence.
Like She looks like her father.
Minus Ten minus eight equals two.
Near They have bought a new home near the school.
Of A friend of mine recommended the beautician to me.
Off To regain her lost health, it is important, she stays off her fad diet programs.
On There is an apple on the table.
Onto He always climbs onto the table.
Opposite Her desk is located diagonally opposite my desk.
Out of Out of sheer curiosity, I asked her the question.
Outside Outside the house lies a beautiful garden.
Over The journey cost me way over my budget.
Past She walked past me, but refused to acknowledge my presence.
Per What was the per person cost incurred?
Plus Eight plus six equals fourteen.
Since She was waiting for him since ten in the morning.
Through I slept all through the day.
Throughout Throughout winter, she has been sick.
To I am going to Atlanta, before I head back home.
Toward (s) It started raining towards the evening.
Under The road is under repair.
Underneath She found her earring underneath the carpet.
Until I did not get the documents until 5 pm.
Upon Once upon a time, there lived a king.
Up I walked up the stairs, to see the problem.
Up to The decision is up to the both of them.
Versus The last game was England versus France.
Via I will go via Sydney.
With She walked in with her new boyfriend.
Within She caters to customers within a radius of 5 miles.
Without I never leave my house without an umbrella, due to the uncertain weather.

Double Prepositions
Double prepositions are words, such as into, onto, within, etc., which are used as prepositions. They are two prepositions, but are joined to make a whole new one. These examples will make it easier for you.
Amid: The kids were lost amid the jungle.
Atop: The owl sat atop a banyan tree.
Inside: Inside the tough exterior, lies a gentle soul.
Into: As soon as she stepped into the room, there was pin-drop silence.
Onto: He always climbs onto the table.
Outside: Outside the house lies a beautiful garden.
Throughout: Throughout winter, she has been sick.
Upon: Once upon a time, there lived a king.
Up to: It is up to us to find a way out.
Within: She caters to customers within a radius of 5 miles.
Without: I never leave my house without an umbrella due to the uncertain weather.
Compound Prepositions
Compound prepositions are nothing but the use of two prepositions together to do the work of one. However, unlike double prepositions, compound prepositions are not joined and turned into one word. They remain two different words. Their use is mainly in idiomatic forms. Read through the examples below to understand them better.
According to: According to the rule book, peeping is allowed in this game.
Ahead of: He was always two steps ahead of his competitors.

Apart from: Apart from the dresses, Sara shopped for some shoes, too.
As for: As for the record, she did not sign in late.
As of: He cannot stay here as of now.
As per: As per her mother, she is a silent child.
Aside from: The mother pulled her child aside from the dirty dustbin.
Because of: He could not leave home because of the heavy rain.
Close to: She was never close to her parents.
Due to: I seldom step out due to the uncertain weather.
Except for: I love her attire, except for the chunky neckpiece.
Far from: Her behavior is far from normal.
Inside of: The inside of the auditorium is beautiful.
Instead of: Instead of standing by my side, he ran away.
Left of: All that is left of the meal is some salad.
Near to: There are beautiful weekend getaways near to New York.
Next to: Phoebe was sitting next to Joey.
Out from:She had been singled out from the event.
Out of: They persuade us to think out of the box.
Outside of: Nobody outside of this room should know about this plan.
Owing to: Owing to the bad weather, the trip was canceled.
Prior to: I never felt this way about anybody prior to you.
Rather than: I prefer leaving rather than waiting for an hour.
Regardless of: Regardless of her sentiments, he went on accusing her.
Right of: The cat was lying on the rug right of Charlie.
Subsequent to: Subsequent to their arrival in France, they bought a new home.
Thanks to: She had a job now, all thanks to her brother.
That of: The surprise plan was that of her own.
Where as: Cats like to sleep, where as dogs like to play.
Phrasal Prepositions
Phrasal prepositions are a group of verbs, adverbs, and other words that function as a preposition. There can be many phrasal verbs. However, the ones that function as prepositions in grammar are called phrasal prepositions. These are some examples of phrasal prepositions.

As far as: He walked as far as he could.
As long as: As long as you do not change the meaning, you can rephrase the sentence.
As opposed to: Christina came out stronger as opposed to the others.
As soon as: As soon as they reached the house, the children jumped out of the car.
As well as: Abraham took his children as well as the neighboring kids to the circus.
In addition to: In addition to all the hurt, he sent her a terrifying hate mail, too.
In front of: We clicked a hundred pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty.
In reference to: This is in reference to the article in yesterday's paper about child abuse.
In regard to: In regard to everything that has happened, I want my questions answered.
In spite of: They stood there in spite of the bitter cold.
On account of: On account of the processions, the mayor declared a holiday.
On top of: He believed in staying on top of things.
With regard to: Opinions have changed with regard to the idea of live-in relationships.
With the exception of: With the exception of Rachel, everybody had come to school.
Participial Prepositions
Participial prepositions are basically participles used as prepositions. A participle is a verb ending with 'ed' or 'ing'. Thus, participles are words, such as concerning, observing, regarding, etc. The ones that are used as prepositions are called participial prepositions.

Assuming: He had made preparations assuming she liked Thai food.
Barring: Everybody was invited barring underage children.
Concerning: He is always curious about anything concerning her.
Considering: Considering the circumstance, he did not punish the kids.
During: She works during the day and studies at night.
Excluding: Excluding her from the plan would just hurt her even more.
Failing: Failing to get her, he settled for his unrequited love.
Following: Everywhere he went, the dog kept following him.
Including: The entire class was in a party mood including the teacher.
Regarding: The police were asking questions regarding Joseph's behavior.
Respected: John F. Kennedy was respected by all.
Provided: After a lot of questioning, he provided her with all the information.
Disguised Prepositions
Disguised prepositions are those that are not used in the sentences but are implied. Classic examples of disguised prepositions are the letters 'a' and 'o'. Here, 'a' stands for the shortened form of the preposition 'on' and 'o' stands for the shortened form of the preposition 'of'.

O' (of)
Be home by nine o' clock.
a (on)
Everyone went a-hunting.
Usage of Prepositions
✔ A preposition is followed by a noun.
✔ A sentence can begin with a preposition, or a prepositional phrase.
✔ A sentence can also end with a preposition, but one should always take care while constructing it.
✔ A prepositional phrase always begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, or pronoun.
✘ The subject of the sentence can never be a part of a prepositional phrase.
✘ It is never followed by a verb.
✘ A verb can never be a part of a prepositional phrase.
What does a prepositional phrase do in a sentence?
What are various examples of prepositions?

Last Updated: April 16, 2017