Types of Prepositions: Definition, Types, Examples, Rules and Exercises

In English grammar, prepositions are an important part. Prepositions are used to show the relationship between nouns, pronouns, and other words in a sentence. There are different types of prepositions based on what they are used to indicate. Learning the different types of prepositions will help you improve sentence formation, writing, and communication skills. In this guide, you will learn what prepositions are, their types based on structure and functionality, examples and exercises.

Table of Contents

• What are Prepositions?
• Types of Prepositions Based on Structure
• Types of Prepositions Based on Functionality
• Examples of Prepositions in Sentences
• Types of Prepositions: Exercises

What are Prepositions?

Prepositions are the words that are used to connect a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence and show their relationship. Some of the common prepositions lists are are in, on, at, under, over, beside, between, through, before, after, etc.

Examples:
The book is on the table.
She arrived after lunch.
We walked through the park.

Types of Prepositions Based on Structure

Prepositions can also be classified according to their structure or formation.

Simple Prepositions

Simple prepositions are single-word prepositions. Such as ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘at’, ‘by’, ‘for’, and ‘under’.

Examples:

The pen is on the desk.

We arrived at noon.

Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are formed by joining two or more words. Such as ‘according to’, ‘because of’, ‘next to’, ‘due to’, and ‘in front of’.

Examples:

We stayed home because of the rain.

The car is parked in front of the building.

Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase includes a preposition along with its object. Such as ‘in the morning’, ‘under the table’, and ‘beside the river’. 

Examples: 

We went jogging in the morning.

The cat slept under the table.

Participle Prepositions

Participle prepositions are words ending in -ing or -ed that function as prepositions. Such as ‘concerning’, ‘regarding’, ‘considering’, and ‘during’. 

Examples: 

We discussed issues regarding education.

Considering the weather, we stayed home.

Double Prepositions

Double prepositions are formed by combining two prepositions together. Such as ‘from behind’, ‘from among’, and ‘until after’. 

Examples: 

The dog came from behind the tree.

She emerged from among the crowd.

 

Types of Prepositions Based on Functionality

Prepositions can be grouped according to the function they perform in a sentence.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time show when something happens. The common prepositions of time are ‘at’, ‘on’, ‘in’, ‘before’, ‘after’, ‘during’, ‘since’, and ‘until’. 

Examples:

• The meeting starts at 10 AM.
• We visited them on Sunday.
• She was born in December.
• He slept during the movie.
  

Usage tips: 

• Use ‘at; to show exact time
• Use ‘on’ to show days and dates
• Use ‘in’ to show months, years, seasons
  

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place show the location or position of something. The common prepositions of place are ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘under’, ‘beside’, ‘between’, ‘behind’, and ‘near’. 

Examples:

• The cat is under the chair.
• The keys are on the table.
• She sat between her friends.
• The school is near my house.

Prepositions of Direction and Movement

These prepositions show movement from one place to another or direction toward something. The common prepositions of direction are ‘to’, ‘toward’, ‘into’, ‘onto’, ‘across’, ‘through’, and ‘along’. 

Examples:

• He walked to the station.
• The child ran toward his mother.
• She jumped into the pool.
• They walked through the tunnel.

Prepositions of Manner, Cause, or Purpose

These prepositions explain how, why, or for what purpose something happens. The common prepositions of manner, cause, or purpose are ‘by’, ‘with’, ‘for’, ‘because of’, and ‘due to’. 

Examples:

• He travelled by bus.
• She cut the paper with scissors.
• The match was cancelled because of rain.
• They are studying for the exam.

Prepositions of Spatial Relationship

Prepositions of spatial relationship describe how objects are positioned in relation to each other. The common prepositions of spatial relationships are ‘above’, ‘below’, ‘beside’, ‘between’, ‘among’, and ‘opposite’. 

Examples:

• The fan is above the bed.
• The shop is opposite the bank.
• She sat beside her friend.

Prepositions of Possession

These prepositions show ownership or possession. The common prepositions of possession are ‘of’, ‘with’, and ‘to’. 

Examples:

• This is the bag of my sister.
• The man with the blue shirt is my teacher.
• The house belongs to my uncle.

Prepositions of Source

Prepositions of source indicate origin or where something comes from. The common prepositions are ‘from’ and ‘out of’. 

Examples:

• She came from Delhi.
• The sound came out of the room.

Prepositions of Measurement

Prepositions of measurement show quantity, amount, or measurement. Common prepositions of measurement include ‘by’, ‘of’, and ‘at’. 

Examples:

• Milk is sold by the litre.
• He was driving at 80 km per hour.
• We bought a kilo of apples.

 

Examples of Prepositions in Sentences

Here are some more examples of prepositions used in sentences:

• The children are playing in the park.

• She sat beside her mother.

• We travelled by train.

• The cat jumped onto the wall.

• He arrived after dinner.

• The picture hangs above the fireplace.

• They walked through the forest.

• The gift is from my friend.

• He succeeded because of hard work.

• The ball rolled under the sofa.

 

Types of Prepositions: Exercises

Exercises 1: Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions.

1. The book is ___ the table.

2. We will meet ___ Monday.

3. She came ___ Mumbai yesterday.

4. The cat jumped ___ the wall.

5. The meeting was cancelled ___ heavy rain.

6. He travelled ___ bus.

7. The children ran ___ the playground.

8. The lamp is ___ the bed.

9. She sat ___ her friends.

10. The gift was sent ___ my uncle.

Answers:

1. on

2. on

3. from

4. onto

5. because of

6. by

7. across

8. above

9. between

10. by 

Exercise 2: Read the paragraph carefully and identify all the prepositions. 

Rohan and his cousins went to a village near Mysuru during their summer vacation. They stayed in a small house beside a river and spent their mornings walking through the green fields. In the evening, they played cricket with local children on the playground behind the school. One day, they climbed up a hill and looked at the beautiful sunset over the trees. After dinner, everyone sat around the campfire and listened to stories from their grandfather. Before going to bed, Rohan kept his shoes under the chair and placed his bag near the door.

Answer: 

Rohan and his cousins went to a village near Mysuru during their summer vacation. They stayed in a small house beside a river and spent their mornings walking through the green fields. In the evening, they played cricket with local children on the playground behind the school. One day, they climbed up a hill and looked at the beautiful sunset over the trees. After dinner, everyone sat around the campfire and listened to stories from their grandfather. Before going to bed, Rohan kept his shoes under the chair and placed his bag near the door.