What Is Prepositions: Lists, Uses, and Examples

Prepositions are small but mighty words that glue sentences together, showing relationships between things, places, or ideas. They’re everywhere in English—think on, in, at—and mastering them can make your writing clearer and more natural. This article breaks down what prepositions are, gives a handy list, and shares examples to help you nail their use.

What Are Prepositions?

A preposition connects a noun or pronoun to another word, showing direction, location, time, or manner. They often answer questions like where?, when?, or how?. For example, in “The book is on the table,” on tells you where the book is relative to the table.

Prepositions can be single words (under, after) or phrases (in front of, because of). They’re usually followed by a noun or pronoun, forming a prepositional phrase (e.g., at the park).

Common Types of Prepositions

1. Place
   Describe location or direction: in, on, at, under, between.
   Example: “She’s at the beach.”
2. Time
   Indicate when something happens: before, after, during, since.
   Example: “We’ll meet after lunch.”
3. Direction
   Show movement: to, toward, into, through.
   Example: “He walked into the room.”
4. Manner
   Explain how something is done: with, by, like.
   Example: “She paints with care.”
5. Other
   Cover cause, possession, or comparison: of, for, about.
   Example: “This gift is for you.”

List of Common Prepositions

Here’s a quick reference of frequently used prepositions:

• about
• above
• across
• after
• against
• along
• among
• around
• at
• before
• behind
• below
• beneath
• beside
• between
• beyond
• by
• down
• during
• except
• for
• from
• in
• inside
• into
• like
• near
• of
• off
• on
• onto
• out
• over
• past
• since
• through
• throughout
• to
• toward
• under
• until
• up
• upon
• with
• within
• without

Examples in Sentences

To see prepositions in action, check these out:

• Place: “The cat slept under the bed.” (Under shows location.)
• Time: “I’ve been here since morning.” (Since indicates when.)
• Direction: “She ran toward the park.” (Toward shows movement.)
• Manner: “He fixed it with a hammer.” (With explains how.)
• Other: “This book is about adventure.” (About links to the topic.)

Prepositional phrases can also spice up sentences:

• “In the evening, we stargaze on the roof.” (In the evening sets time; on the roof sets place.)

Tips for Using Prepositions

• Context Matters
  Prepositions can be tricky because their meaning shifts. “I’m at the store” (specific spot) vs. “I’m in the store” (inside it). Practice makes perfect.
• Avoid Overuse
  Too many prepositional phrases can clog a sentence. Instead of “The book on the table in the room near the window,” try “The book sits on the room’s table.”
• Watch Idioms
  English loves prepositional idioms, like “run out of time” or “look up to someone.” Memorize these as chunks.
• Prepositions Don’t End Sentences (Usually)
  Old-school grammar frowned on ending sentences with prepositions (“Who’re you talking to?”). It’s more accepted now, but formal writing may avoid it.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong Preposition: Saying “I’m good in math” instead of “I’m good at math.” Check standard usage.
• Unneeded Prepositions: “Where are you at?” drops the at—it’s redundant.
• Mixing Up Similar Ones: “Between you and me” (two people) vs. “among the crowd” (more than two).

Final Thoughts

Prepositions are like the unsung heroes of language, quietly tying ideas together. By understanding their types—place, time, direction, and more—and practicing with examples, you’ll use them confidently. Keep the list handy, play with sentences, and soon they’ll feel second nature. What’s a preposition you trip over? Start there, and you’re on your way!