Grammar: Prepositions

 

Prepositions are words that are usually followed by nouns or pronouns. A noun or pronoun that comes after a preposition is calles the object of the preposition Below there are some of the most common prepositions, their meanings and examples on each one of them
1- About a. On the subject of This is a story about elephants b. Approximately He is about ten years old 2- Above a. Higher than; over The plane flew above the clouds 3- Across a. From one side to the other We walked across the field b. On the other side of There is a store across the street 4- After a. Later in time after ten o'clock; after lunch b. In pursuit of The dog ran after the cat 5- Against a. In opposition to Theft is against the law b. Touching; supported by I leaned my bicycle against the wall 6- Along a. Following the length of We walked along the road 7- Among a. Within a group The money was shared among three people 8- Around a. Circling something We walked around the block b. Surrounding There is a fence around the garden c. In different parts of I looked around the house for the keys d. Approximately He is around six feet tall 9- At a. A specific location at 23 Chestnut Street; at the park b. A point in time at 5 o'clock; at night c. A condition at peace; at war; at rest d. An activity at work; at school; at play e. Towards Look at someone; wave at someone 10- Before a. Earlier in time before two o'clock; before Christmas b. Earlier in a series S comes before T in the alphabet 11- Behind a. At the back of The little girl hid behind her mother. b. Late I am behind in my work c. Cause; origin Who was behind that idea 12- Below a. Lower than; under below freezing; below sea level 13- Beneath Lower than; below beneath the earth 14- Beside Next to; at the side of I sit beside her in class 15- Besides Also; as well as We study other languages besides English 16- Between a. An intermediate location: Toronto lies between Montreal and Vancouver. b. An intermediate time between Christmas and New Year's Day c. Intermediate in a series: B comes between A and C in the alphabet. d. Within a group of two: The money was shared between two people 17- Beyond a. Farther than The mountains lie beyond the horizon. b. Further than; exceeding That was beyond my expectations. 18- But Except: I have read all but the last chapter. 19- By a. Near a house by the sea b. Past He waved as he drove by the house. c. In units of cheaper by the dozen; sold by weight d. Through the means of travel by plane; written by him
	1. Despite : inspite of We walked downtown despite the rain. 2. Down To a lower position The ball rolled down the hill. 3. During Throughout a period She works during the day. 4. Except Not including I have visited everyone except him. 5. For 1 : Duration of time We walked for two hours. 2: Distance: I walked for five kilometers. 3: Purpose: I bought this jacket for you. 4:In favor of: We are for the proposal. 5: Considering: The boy is clever for his age. 6. From 1 Place of origin: We left from Boston; he comes from Mexico 2 Start of a period of time: from now on; from yesterday until today 3 Cause: He suffers from nervousness. 4 Source: I first heard the story from you. 7. In 1 Within a location: in the room; in London in the building 2 Within a certain time: I will return in an hour. 3 By means of: write in pencil; speak in English 8. Inside Within: They are inside the house. 9. Into 1 To the inside of: We stepped into the room. 2 Change of condition: The boy changed into a man. 10. Like )Resembling: That looks like him. 11. Near Close to: near the school; near the ocean 12. Of 1 the middle of the road ; the sound of music 2: Part of a group: one of us; a member of the team 3: Measurement: a cup of milk; two meters of snow 13. Off 1: Not on; away from: Please keep off the grass. 14. On 1 Touching the surface of: on the table; on the wall 2: A certain day: That happened on Sunday, on the 6th of June. 3: A certain street: on South Street 4: A state or condition: on strike; on fire; on holiday 5By means of: shown on television 15. Onto To a position on: The child climbed onto the table. 16. Opposite : Facing: The library is opposite the fire station. 17. Out of 1: To the outside of: She went out of the room. 2: From among: We won two games out of three. 3: Motive: We spoke to them out of politeness. 4: Beyond: out of control; out of danger 18. Outside On the outer side of: outside the house 19. Over : 1 Above; higher than: There are cupboards over the sink. 2: Covering: We spread an extra blanket over the bed. 3: More than: It cost over ten dollars; it took over an hour 4: During: I saw him several times over the past week.