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Common Prepositions and Their Usage in Sentences

Anjali Passport photo modified Common Prepositions and Their Usage in Sentences

Vishaleni

Content Writer

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Blog Images 3 6 Common Prepositions and Their Usage in Sentences

Tiny Words, Big Meaning!

When we speak or write in English, we often focus on big, bold words- nouns, verbs, adjectives. But what about the small ones like in, on, at, or by? These tiny words are called prepositions, and they’re more important than you might think.

Without prepositions, our sentences can sound broken or confusing. For example, if you say:

“The book is the table”-something feels wrong, right?

Now try:

“The book is on the table.”
That one small word makes the sentence complete.

This blog is for you if you’ve ever felt unsure about where to use in, on, or at. We’ll break it down step by step- in a simple, friendly way.

What Is a Preposition?

A preposition is a small word that shows the relationship between two parts of a sentence. It usually connects a noun or pronoun to another word.

Think of prepositions as bridge words — they link ideas together and tell us where, when, how, and why something happens.

Simple Definition:

A preposition is a word that shows position, direction, time, or relationship.
Examples:

  • The cat is under the table. (Position)
  • She walked to the market. (Direction)
  • We met at 5 p.m. (Time)
  • This gift is for you. (Relationship)

Why Are Prepositions Important in English?

Prepositions may seem like small words, but they make a big difference in your sentence. They help people understand:

  • Where something is
  • When something happens
  • How things are connected

Without the right preposition, your sentence can become confusing or even change meaning.

Let’s see how a preposition can change meaning:

  • The book is on the table. (It is placed above the table)
  • The book is under the table. (It is below the table)

Just one small word makes a big difference!

Key Takeaway:

Using correct prepositions makes your English:

  • Clear
  • Easy to understand
  • More professional or polite

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions come in different types depending on how they’re used in a sentence. Let’s break them down simply:

1. Prepositions of Place (Where?)

These prepositions tell us where something is.

  • on – The book is on the table.
  • in – The toys are in the box.
  • under – The shoes are under the bed.
  • behind – The cat is behind the door.
  • between – The pen is between the books.

2. Prepositions of Time (When?)

These tell us when something happens.

  • at – She comes at 5 p.m.
  • on – I was born on Monday.
  • in – We go on vacation in December.
  • before – Finish this before lunch.
  • after – Let’s talk after class.

3. Prepositions of Direction/Movement

These show where something is going.

  • to – She walked to the market.
  • into – He went into the room.
  • onto – The cat jumped onto the chair.
  • out of – He came out of the house.

4. Prepositions of Manner, Cause, or Instrument

These show how, why, or with what something is done.

  • with – He wrote with a pen.
  • by – The letter was sent by email.
  • because of – The class was canceled because of rain.

5. Prepositions of Comparison or Concession

These show contrast or comparison.

  • like – She sings like a bird.
  • unlike – Unlike her sister, she is quiet.
  • as…as – He is as tall as his brother.

This helps you build better and clearer sentences. And remember, these are just the basics you’ll learn and practice more with English Partner’s best online spoken English classes in erode
Tip: Prepositions don’t always follow rules – the best way to master them is by listening, reading, and practicing often. And that’s where learning with a supportive guide helps!

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct preposition: in, on, at, to, under, or for.
The books are ___ the shelf.

  1. We’ll meet ___ 5 PM.
  2. She sat ___ the table.
  3. He’s going ___ the market.
  4. There is a pencil ___ the box.
  5. This gift is ___ you!

 

Answers:

  1. on
  2. at
  3. at
  4. to
  5. in
  6. for

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Vishaleni

Vishaleni is a results-driven content creator and copywriter who turns ideas into powerful words. With a knack for engaging storytelling and SEO-savvy writing, she helps brands connect, convert, and grow.
Anjali Passport photo modified Common Prepositions and Their Usage in Sentences

Frequently Asked question?

A preposition is a word that tells us the relationship between two things in a sentence. It usually tells us about place, time, or direction. Example: “The phone is on the table.”
You can start by learning common ones like: in, on, at, to, from, by, for, with. Try using them in short, everyday sentences. Practice with real situations around you.

Yes! Think of it like this:

  • Use “in” for inside something → in the bag
  • Use “on” for surface → on the table
  • Use “at” for exact point or time → at 5 PM, at the door

Try this:

  1. Make 3 sentences using different prepositions daily.
  2. Read short stories or conversations and note how prepositions are used.
  3. Join apps or platforms like English Partner, where you can practice grammar in fun, interactive ways.

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