Introduction:
What is a preposition?
==> A preposition is a word or group of words that shows the relationship between a noun, pronoun, or verb phrase and another word in the sentence. Prepositions are usually placed directly before the noun or pronoun they modify, but they may also come at the end of a sentence or phrase.
Types of prepositions
There are many different types of prepositions, but some of the most common include:
Place prepositions: These prepositions indicate where something is or is happening. Examples include in, on, at, above, below, behind, beside, between, and beyond.
Time prepositions: These prepositions indicate when something happens or for how long. Examples include before, after, during, since, until, and at.
Direction prepositions: These prepositions indicate the direction in which something is moving or happening. Examples include to, from, into, out of, through, and across.
Manner prepositions: These prepositions indicate the way in which something happens. Examples include by, with, according to, and in spite of.
How to use prepositions
To use a preposition correctly, it is important to know what type of preposition it is and what kind of relationship it shows. For example, the preposition "in" can be used to show location, time, or manner.
Location: The cat is in the box. (The cat is inside the box.)
Time: I was born in 1980. (I was born during the year 1980.)
Manner: He spoke in a low voice. (He spoke quietly.)
Rules
1. Use of 'On'
(a) Fixed days and dates:
* on Saturday
* on Halloween
* on 15th August
(b) To denote position:
* on the wall
* on a paper
* on the ceiling
* on the table
* on the floor
* on the right
(c) With means of transportation:
on a train
on foot
on tramp
on a bicycle
on a bus
| However |
in a car
in a taxi
Note: It can be easily determined by the experience on certain means of transportation. If we can easily move around when we are inside the mean of transportation [for eg.Bus]then we can use "on" for it however if we can't move easily inside any means of transportation[for eg. : car] then we should use "in".
(d) With verbs/phrases like:
insist on, move on, rely on, depend on, keep on, pass on, live on, put on, switch on, turn on
on the right, on the other hand, on strike, on duty, on line, on fire, on diet, on sale, on the way, on board, on the average, on order, on time, on account of, on the contrary
Some examples:
We depend on internet.
Flies may pass on infectious disease.
He is putting on his jacket.
Keep on going until you succeed.
2. Use of 'in'
(a) Before month, season, year, century and period of history (bigger than day):
in October
in winter
in fall
in 2018
in the 18th century
in the Renaissance
b) Before parts of the day:
in the morning
in the aftermoon
in in the evening
|However|
at noon
at night
at midnight
at dawn
at dusk
(c) To denote place bigger than district
in Alaska
in Nepal
in America
in Asia
in the World
in Ohio
|But for smaller than district "at" is used|
at 10 Downing Street
at Butwal
(d) Before period of time
in few hours
in a twilight
in a year
in ten weeks
in 1 minute
(e) Before dress:
in pants
in a red necklace
in a black coat
f) Position of something/somebody inside an area:
in a classroom
in a box
in a pocket
(g) Some phrases
in brief, in addition, in a hurry, in search of, in advance, in front, in vain, in power.
h) Adjectives/verbs + in:
deal in , scored in , involved in , polite in
skillful in, perfect in, engaged in.
3) Use of "at"
a) Before clock time
at 10 o'clock
at four
at 9:30
c) Betare name of festivals:
at Christmas
at Dipawali
at Holi
at Halloween
at Easter
d) To denote place:
at a conference
at a restaurant
at the bus station
at Baker Street
e) To make time adverbials:
at daybreak
at present
at the same time
at the moment
at sunrise
at dusk
f) Verbs/adjectives + at:
look at, bark at, shocked at, smile at, slow at, arrive at , point at, mock at, laugh at, stare at
etc.
g) To indicate the age/speed / temperature:
completed degree at 21.
at the age of 42
at 100 miles
at 98 degree Fahrenheit
h) To indicate a rate, price:
at 4 % interest
at 4 cents per gallon
i) Some phrases:
not at all, at all times , at a glance, at the mercy of, at a distance , at any cost
j) Indicating side:
My house is at Baker Street.
There are crowd of people at the river.
4. Use of 'by
a) Before point of times in future:
by 2024
by September
by Friday
by tomorrow
b) By+ agent in passive:
The Odyssey was written by Homer.
America was discovered by Christopher Columbus
C) To denote position (near/beside/at the side of):
Pray sit by me.
The medical store is by the hospital.
(d) To indicate a means of transport or a route taken:
by boat
by bus
by sea
by air
(e) Mode of payment/measurement/route:
The transaction is done by check(cheque).
We sell by dozen.
May I enter by the back door?
f) Some phrases:
by accident ,by chance, bit by bit, by hand, by mistake, by the way , by heart, by oneself
, side by side etc.
5. Use of 'with
(a) Possession:
a boy with cowboy hat
a man with an umbrella
a woman with a bag
a child with books
(b) Indicating the tool or instrument/material used:
Draw with a pencil.
Cut it with a knife.
Feed with a spoon.
The lorry was loaded with timber.
(c) In the company:
I live with my parents.
Discuss the plans with an expert.
He played soccer with his friends.
(d) Manner:
He did it with pleasure /ease/ difficulty.
(e) Giving assistance:
Can you help me with the washing up?
(f) Adjectives/verbs + with:
satisfied with , furious with, deal with
angry with ,familiar with , collided with
content with, bored with, bargain with
pleased with , fed up with , quarrel with
delighted with, agree with , fight with etc
(g) Common expressions:
with pleasure
with care
with practice
with difficulty
with regard
Conclusion
These are the commonly and frequently used prepositions that are used in daily bases.
There are many other prepositions that we will discuss about them in the another part.
