Prepositions Definition
A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun or gerund to other words. They can have a variety of meanings:
- Direction- He's going TO the shops
- Location- It's IN the box
- Time- He left AFTER the lesson had finished
- Possession- The Government OF Italy
Some prepositional phrases can function like single word prepositions; next to, in front of, etc., called complex prepositions.
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Related to 'Prepositions'
Related English Articles
Continue to learn about prepositions by browsing our articles on the topic.
Learner Articles
Beside vs. Besides: Clearing Confusion in Grammar Usage
Discover the differences between 'beside' and 'besides' and enhance your grammar skills with clear explanations and insightful examples.
Using "By" and "Until" to Indicate Time Constraints
Understand how to use "by" and "until" in English grammar to set deadlines and indicate continuous activities, ensuring accurate communication regarding time limits and durations.
For and Since: Duration & Starting Points Explained
Learn how to effectively use "for" and "since" in English to express duration and starting points, unravelling their functions as prepositions and conjunctions.
To 'To' or not To 'To'
This article explores the unique nature of the word "to" as both a part of the infinitive and a preposition with the gerund. It discusses the different meanings and usage of "to" in various contexts and raises questions about its classification.
Articles for Teachers
How to teach like as a preposition
How to teach the preposition "like", including like as a preposition games
How to teach like and be like
How to teach like as a verb and like as a preposition together
How to teach like, be like and look like
How to teach like as a verb and as a preposition with look and be - including like, be like and look like games
How to teach prepositions of time
Teaching tips and classroom games and activities for time expressions with at, in, on, no preposition etc
Navigating Classroom Objects with Prepositions: A Lesson Plan
A lesson plan for English language teachers to teach young learners how to identify the location of objects in a classroom using prepositions.
Related Language Quizzes
Test your understanding by taking our language quizzes related to prepositions.
| Level | Quiz |
|---|---|
| Beginner/Elementary | Control (10) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Good + preposition (10) |
| Beginner/Elementary | In On At (12) |
| Beginner/Elementary | In, On & At (10) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Made of, from, in, with & by (8) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Prepositions after Adjectives (10) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Prepositions of Location- At & In (12) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Prepositions of Time (76) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Prepositions of Time- In On At (14) |
| Beginner/Elementary | Prepositions- Location (159) |
| Beginner/Elementary | To & For (10) |
| Beginner/Elementary | To & For (10) |
| Intermediate | About & Of (10) |
| Intermediate | Above & Over (10) |
| Intermediate | At the end, in the end, etc (10) |
| Intermediate | Beside & Besides (10) |
| Intermediate | By or Until? (15) |
| Intermediate | Except & Except For (10) |
| Intermediate | For & To (10) |
| Intermediate | Front & Back (10) |
| Intermediate | Of & From (11) |
| Intermediate | Prepositional Phrases (10) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions after Adjectives (22) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions after Adjectives 2 (10) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions after Nouns (10) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions after Nouns 2 (10) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions after Verbs (17) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions Mixed Types (31) |
| Intermediate | Prepositions with verbs (37) |
| Advanced | Below & Under (10) |
| Advanced | During, for and since (13) |
| Advanced | Over & Above (10) |
| Advanced | Prepositions after Verbs (10) |
| Advanced | Prepositions after Verbs 2 (10) |
| Advanced | Prepositions- words taking more than one preposition (23) |