Preposition
Learn what a preposition is, its types, rules, examples, common prepositions, and common mistakes with this beginner-friendly English grammar lesson.
Preposition
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in a sentence. It often expresses place, time, direction, movement, cause, manner, or possession.
Examples
| Sentence | Preposition |
|---|---|
| The book is on the table. | on |
| We arrived at the station. | at |
| She walked through the park. | through |
| The meeting starts at 10 a.m. | at |
What Does a Preposition Show?
A preposition can show:
- Place
- Time
- Direction
- Movement
- Cause
- Manner
- Possession
Types of Prepositions
1. Preposition of Place
Shows where something is located.
Common Prepositions
- in
- on
- at
- under
- above
- below
- behind
- beside
- between
- among
- near
Examples
- The keys are on the table.
- She lives in Dhaka.
- The cat is under the bed.
2. Preposition of Time
Shows when something happens.
Common Prepositions
- at
- on
- in
- before
- after
- during
- since
- until
- for
Examples
- The class starts at 9:00 a.m.
- We met on Monday.
- He was born in 2005.
3. Preposition of Direction or Movement
Shows where someone or something is moving.
Common Prepositions
- to
- into
- onto
- toward
- through
- across
- along
- out of
Examples
- She walked into the room.
- They drove across the bridge.
- He went to school.
4. Preposition of Manner
Shows how something happens.
Common Prepositions
- by
- with
- like
Examples
- He travelled by train.
- She cut the paper with scissors.
- He fought like a lion.
5. Preposition of Cause or Purpose
Shows the reason or purpose.
Common Prepositions
- because of
- due to
- for
- from
Examples
- The match was cancelled because of rain.
- She was praised for her honesty.
Common Prepositions
| Place | Time | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| in | at | to |
| on | on | into |
| under | in | onto |
| beside | before | through |
| behind | after | across |
| between | during | toward |
Common Uses of In, On, and At
In
Used for:
- Months
- Years
- Seasons
- Countries
- Cities
Examples
- In July
- In 2026
- In Bangladesh
On
Used for:
- Days
- Dates
- Surfaces
Examples
- On Monday
- On 10 July
- On the table
At
Used for:
- Exact time
- Specific places
Examples
- At 8:00 a.m.
- At school
- At the bus stop
Rules
- A preposition is usually followed by a noun or pronoun.
- Never end a sentence with a preposition in formal writing unless it sounds unnatural to avoid it.
- Choose the correct preposition based on meaning, not direct translation.
- Some verbs and adjectives always take specific prepositions.
Common Mistakes
❌ She is married with a doctor.
✅ She is married to a doctor.
❌ He arrived to the station.
✅ He arrived at the station.
❌ I was born at 2005.
✅ I was born in 2005.
❌ The picture is in the wall.
✅ The picture is on the wall.
Quick Quiz
1. Which word is a preposition?
A. quickly
B. under
C. happy
D. write
Answer: B
2. Which sentence is correct?
A. I was born at 2010.
B. I was born in 2010.
C. I was born on 2010.
D. I was born to 2010.
Answer: B
3. Which preposition is used with days?
A. at
B. on
C. in
D. into
Answer: B
Summary
- A preposition shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in a sentence.
- It can express place, time, movement, direction, manner, cause, or purpose.
- Major types of prepositions include:
- Preposition of Place
- Preposition of Time
- Preposition of Direction
- Preposition of Manner
- Preposition of Cause
- Learning common preposition patterns is essential because many expressions use fixed prepositions.