Grammar Guide: Prepositions

To continue our discussion of parts of speech, we will talk about one of the most difficult parts of many languages: prepositions. As we mentioned in the previous post, prepositions connect nouns, pronouns, and phrases to the sentence. The preposition and its object (the noun, pronoun, or phrase) together is called a prepositional phrase.

There are over 100 prepositions in the English language; however, prepositions are most commonly used to indicate location or time.

She set the book on the table.
She set the book under the table.
She set the book beside the table.
She set the book near the table.

Each of the prepositions in these sentences indicate the location of the book.

She read the book on Monday.
She read the book during her break.
She read the book in two weeks.
She read the book after lunch.

Each of the prepositions in these sentences indication the time the book was read.

Prepositions are also used to express other ideas, either adjectivally or adverbially. The underlined words in the following sentences are all prepositions.

They talked about grammar.
Bill invited everyone except Shirley to his party.
We walked past the gym on our way to the school.
They walked through the forest without fear.
She wishes she could paint like Picasso.
The baby fell off the sofa.
I received a gift from my mother.

For a full list of English prepositions, their meanings, and example sentences, click here.

To learn more about prepositions and other grammar concepts, study with us at Nomen Global!

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