1. Preposition of time
I. At
With a definite point of time.
Example: at 5 o’clock
With festivals.
II. In
With parts of the day, months, seasons and years.
Example: in the afternoon
III. On
With days and dates
Example: On Monday, on the first day of June
IV. By
Refers to the latest time at which an action will be over.
Example:
The examination will be over by 5 p.m.
V. For
Period of time
Example: For three years
VI. Since
Point of time
Example: Since last Tuesday, since 1980
VII. From
Refers starting point of action
Example:
This water came from a spring. She came from USA.
2. Preposition of position
I. At
To an exact point
Example:
The tourist stays at the Tourist Hotel. He studied at Oxford.
II. In
Refers to larger areas
Example:
He lives in Bombay
III. Amongst
It is used with more than two persons or things but the word which starts with a vowel letter.
Example:
Divide the sweets amongst us.
IV. Above
It is used for higher than but for non-vertical position
Example:
The sun rose above the horizon. The sky is above our head.
V. Over
It is used for vertically above position. Sometimes, it is used when something crosses over something.
Example:
The plane flew over my head. The cloud is over our head. The bathroom is over the kitchen.
VI. Below
For lower than but for non-vertical position
Example:
When the sun sets it goes below the horizon. Your work is below the average.
VII. Under
For vertically below
Example:
It is shady under the trees.
VIII. Beneath
Means lower position
Example:
The ground was slippery beneath her.
3. Preposition of Direction
I. To
It is used to express motion from one place to another.
Example:
We walked to the river and back.
II. Towards
Refers to direction
Example:
He saw me running towards him.
III. Into
Refers to motion towards the inside of something i.e. entry from outside to inside.
Example:
He jumped into the well. She fell into a ditch.
IV. In
It is used for the static condition. It is used when something already inside something.
Example:
A boy is in the room. A student is running in the room. Ram is in the river.
V. At
Refers to aim
Example:
He aimed at the bird.
VI. Against
It shows pressure
Example:
He leaned against a tree. She cleaned the edge of her knife against the plate.
VII. Off
Refers to separation
Example:
He was wiping sweat off his face. Kim fell off his chair in a swoon.
VIII. Across
Means one side
Example:
She ran across the field.
IX. Beyond
Means on the farther side of.
Example:
This is beyond his power.
X. Beside
Means by the side of
Example:
I sat down beside my wife.
XI. Besides
Means in addition to
Example:
He is guilty of five killings and more besides.
Besides being a teacher, he is a skilled trainer.
4. Miscellaneous preposition
I. In/At
In is used for smaller area while “at” is used for larger area.
Example:
I live at Lakshmi Nagar. I live in Delhi.
In case of floor, we use “on”
Example:
I live on the fifth floor.
II. Agree
Agree with, for person
Example:
He agrees with you.
Agree to, for thing
Example:
The boys agreed to do what I asked.
Agree upon, for a policy discussion
III. Quarrel
Quarrel with, for person
Example:
I quarrel with my sisters for sweets.
Quarrel over, for thing
Example:
Sister hangs self after a fight over TV remote.
IV. In/Inside (Boundary related), Out/Outside (Boundary related)
Example:
- She is in the room.
- She is inside the cupboard.
- She is out of the room.
- She is outside the cupboard.
V. On/Upon
When something is already on something then use “on” and when something comes on something in motion then use “upon”
Example:
The boys are on the table. The dog jumped upon the table.
VI. Entrust
Entrust with, for thing
Example:
Entrust a person with a thing.
Entrust to, for person
Example:
I entrust to you with my valuables.
