Types of Prepositions

Types of Preposition is an important part of the English syllabus for the majority of govt. exams like SSC, Banking, Defence etc., thus candidates who intend to apply for any of these Government exams must carefully study the rules of prepositions and common prepositions of English grammar.

Prepositions

A Preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun or a pronoun and helps in establishing a relationship between that noun/pronoun with other words. 

For example:  There is a book on your table.
(In the sentence above, ‘on is a preposition used before the definite noun ‘table’ and shows a relation between the table and the book.) 

For example: I saw a kid in your room. 
(In the sentence above, ‘in’ is a preposition used before the noun ‘room’ and establishes a relation between the room and the kid.)

The prepositions are divided into three basic kinds:

• Prepositions of Place or Position
• Prepositions of Direction
• Prepositions of Time 

Classification of Prepositions

Prepositions of place or position 

• AT 

We use this preposition before a point position or location.
For example: Shruti was sitting at her desk when I saw her last.

When we talk about a company or a workplace referring to an activity.
For example:  There are more than a million people currently working at Apple.

We use this preposition before school, university, cinema, theatre, home, etc.
For example: My sister will not be at home at the moment. 

• IN 

We use this preposition when we refer to a place with a larger area.
For example: My aunt lives in Shimla.

When we talk about a company or a workplace only for its physical location.
For example:  Lola works in an office in Gurugram.

• ON 

We use this preposition when we refer to a surface.
For example: Ram left his phone on the table last Friday.

When we refer to a place/position along a road or river and by a lake or by the sea.
For example: Banaras is a city on the banks of the river Ganges in Uttar Pradesh.

When we refer to a floor on a building.
For example: My new flat is on the 5th floor.

When we talk about a person travelling on a public means of transport.
For example: Shobha was on the train when the mishap happened.

• ABOVE and BELOW 

These prepositions are used when we talk about levels.
For example: 
1. I am below thirty.
2. Rehan’s expenditures are above his income.

• UNDER and OVER 

This preposition is used to talk about a vertical position.
For example: 
1. I kept a box under your table. 
2. There is a lamp over your head, so watch for it.

• BETWEEN 

This preposition is used for two things/persons.
For example: I distributed the sweets equally between my sister and brother. 

Note: 
1. We also use objective case after between as in “Between you and him”
2. We also use ‘and’ after between as in “Between Ram and Shyam”

• AMONG or AMONGST 

We use these prepositions when we talk about more than two things/persons. Among is used before a consonant-sounding word. Amongst is used before a vowel-sounding word.

For example: 
1. Pinku distributed toffees among his classmates. 
2. Christmas hats were distributed amongst us.

• AROUND

We use this preposition when we refer to a position surrounding something or someone.
For example: 

There are beautiful flowers around the fountain.

• AMIDST 

These prepositions are used when more than two things/persons are being talked about.

For example: 
Rukmini is feeling lonely, even amidst her friends. 

Note: Among is used in the sense of “being a member of something”, whereas amidst is used in the sense of “in the middle/surrounded by something”. 

Because of their crucial roles, prepositions are referred to in English as “the biggest little words”. It is a vast chapter, yet not a hard nut to crack. Do follow up on the second part of the prepositions for the rest of this important topic.