Grammar: Preposition

The Preposition: A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what
relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else.

Modifier
Climatic conditions in Greenland during the winter are uninhabitable. (Here during modifies
the noun winter.)
The Prince of Persia was highly revered. (Here of modifies the noun Persia.)
The bear hibernated throughout the winter. (Here throughout modifies the verb hibernated.)
She acceded to stay with him. (here to complements the verb acceded.)
He needs to refrain from doing all evil acts. (Here from complements the verb refrain.)
His approach towards life is praiseworthy. (Here towards complements the noun approach.)
An amendment to the constitution was affected in June. (Here to complements the noun
amendment.)
The algorithm principle is common to all forms of Mathematics.(Here to complements the
adjective common.)
The conclusion follows essentially from the given premise.(Here from complements the
adverb essentially.)
In between intervals, we had the opportunity to speak to each other. (Here between
complements the preposition in.)
He has not seen her since long. (Here since modifies the adverb long.)
Listen to what I say! (Here to modifies the clause what I say.)
After faring well in the board exams, he has been in seventh heaven. (Here in modifies the
expression seventh heaven.)
Traversing the rugged terrains of Northeastern Alps was like a piece of cake to him.(Here of
modifies the idiomatic expression piece of cake, which refers to a task that can be easily
accomplished.)

Preposition not needed:

1) The verbs discuss, order, stress are not followed by prepositions.
2) No preposition is required with words like home, downtown, uptown, inside, outside,
downstairs, upstairs, etc.

Correct Use of Prepositions

1) At:
a) To talk about a place
2) On:
a) To talk about a position above a surface;
b) Sometimes use on instead of in when we talk about long streets or roads.
Our office was on Princep Street.
Durgapur is on the border of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
c) Things at rest

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 Grammar: Preposition

d) Idiomatic and formal expressions.

Look at all the muck on your trouser!
3) In:
a) To talk about a position within a larger area/larger space.
They live in that huge mansion
b) Non-specific times during the day, month, season or a year.
We will be there in a week.
The team will complete the project in a month.
c) Used before a noun denoting a period of time to indicate at the end of.
In two hours we will vacate this place.
4) Upon:
a) Things in motion.
The dog jumped upon the table.
b) Idiomatic and formal expressions.
Once upon a time, there lived a king.
5) Till and until:
a) Used in case of time,
Until 2000, India had only 25 states.
6) To:
a) Used in case of place.
We went to the fair last year.
7) With:
a) Often denotes the instrument
He was stabbed with a knife.
8) By:
a) The agent.
He was agitated by the noise.
9) Since:
a) Used before a noun or a phrase denoting some point of time, and is preceded by a
verb in the perfect tense.
I have been very relaxed since I came back from the vacation.
10) From:
a) Used before a noun or a phrase denoting some point of time, but, unlike since, it is
used with all tenses.
He will start working from today.
11) Beside:
a) By the side of; Also used as an adverb and more or less in the same sense.
Go and stand beside the speaker.
12) Besides:
a) In addition to.
Besides his movies, he produced a television program .

Common errors
You need to be present in morning class and in evening class. (incorrect)
You need to be present in morning class and evening class. (correct)

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 Grammar: Preposition

She was applauded by her subordinates and by her bosses. (Incorrect)

She was applauded by her subordinates and bosses. (correct)

Here is a table showing the correct usage of prepositions based on certain common
mistakes.
X √
This quality is different and This quality is different from
1 inferior to the other. and inferior to the other
2 See you on next Monday. See you next Monday
3 I met him on yesterday I met him yesterday
afternoon afternoon
4 They attacked on him They attacked him violently.
violently
5 They have violated against all They have violated all rules.
rules

SOME COMMON WORD COMBINATIONS WITH PREPOSITIONS

Prepositi to for with of from in on

ons
access apology alliance result delivera interest view
nce
Nouns antidote candidate compariso want inferenc confiden attack
n e ce
submission compensat conformit assuranc escape progress impressio
ion y e n

indifference leisure intimacy observati digressio faith depende

on n nce

encouragem predilectio acquainta failure abstinen part pity

ent n nce ce

Prepositions to for with of from in on

adapt canvass bear acquit prevent dabble deliberate

adhere care disagree dispose recover excel comment

Verbs
belong atone cope boast refrain indulge impose

refer Mourn grapple complain derive employ embark

contribute Yearn part taste alight persist encroach

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 Grammar: Preposition

Prepositions to For with of from in on

adjacent designed acquainted apprised detached absorbed based

contrary celebrated conversant accused derived experienced intent

Adjectives &
Participles disastrous penitent convulsed regardless distinct proficient dependent

condemned qualified fatigued suspicious omitted deficient

obliged eager satiated worthy separated interested

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