List of Common Prepositions

In this article, we help you learn about the most commonly used prepositions. These would go a long way in helping you understand the usage of prepositions in english grammar. Use this article as a revision tool in your spare time.

Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition. A preposition is simply a short word (like in, at, to) commonly placed before a noun (sometimes also before gerund verbs). Learning prepositions can pose a problem as there are no set rules to follow. Besides, an exact translation is usually not possible. A single preposition in a native language may have many translations depending on the situation. The best way to learn prepositions is to note them carefully while looking up a dictionary for word meanings. In addition, extensive reading and an alert mind can be a great help.

Example: The book is on the table.

A prepositional phrase is made up of the preposition, its object and any associated adjectives or adverbs. A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Example: At home, in time.

Go through the list of most common prepositions along with their uses and examples.

Uses:	Example:
attached	the photo on the wall
a place by a river	Allahabad is located on the Sangam.
on a surface	my book is on the table
a certain side (right, left)	on the left of the road
a storey in a building	on the top floor
public transport	on a train, on a plane

Uses:	Example:
hall, house, street, town, city	in India, in Kanpur
magazine, book, newspaper	in The Tribune
cab, auto rickshaw	sitting in a cab
picture, world	not in the picture, in her own world

Uses:	Example:
on the ground, lower than something else	the purse is under the stool

Uses:	Example:
lower than something but above ground	the impurities are below the surface

Uses:	Example:
covered by something	put a cover over the dish
more than	over 80 years of age
getting to the other side	climb over the wall
overcoming an obstacle	walk over the bridge

Uses:	Example:
higher than but not directly over it	a bridge above the lake

Uses:	Example:
left or right of somebody/ something	Gili is standing by / next to / beside the scooter.

Uses:	Example:
going to the other side	a lake walk across a road, row across

Uses:	Example:
with limits on all sides	drive through the tunnel

Uses:	Example:
move to a person/ building	go to Ram first, go to the school
move to a place/ country	go to the cinema, go to Kolkata
for bed	go to bed at night

Uses:	Example:
enter a room / building	go into the garage / the kitchen

Uses:	Example:
move in a direction	go towards the house/ the north

Uses:	Example:
move to the top of something	jump onto the table, get onto the car

Uses:	Example:
where from	almonds from Afghanistan

Uses:	Example:
when only physical change is there	This table is made of wood

Uses:	Example:
when physical as well as chemical change is there.	Curd is made from milk

Prepositions: Key Learning

• Practice will help you to master the rules of Prepositions.
• Follow the simple rules given in the article and solve as many questions as you can.