Preposition is one of the components of parts of speech. It shows or expresses the relationship between noun or pronoun with the rest of the sentence. Preposition of time, place, direction, agency, instrument, reason, connections are the types and examples of prepositions I’m going to explain in this article.
Examples of parts of speech
In english grammar, parts of speech are elements used to form sentence. So, proper understanding of these components is compulsory to form appropriate and grammatically correct sentences. Here, are the types of parts of speech.
1.Noun — name of a person, animal, and things.
2.Pronoun — word used instead of noun.
3.Adjective — describes noun in detail.
4.Adverb — modifies or describes verb, adverb and adjective.
5.Verb — it shows either action done or tells something about subject.
6.Preposition — expresses relations of nouns or pronouns.
7.Conjunction — joins two words, phrases, or clauses.
8.Interjection — expresses sudden feelings or emotions.
These are the types and examples of parts of speech in english grammar. Among these, you will read about types and examples of prepositions in more detailed manner.
Meaning and definition of preposition
Pre + position word itself shows its role. It is placed before noun or pronoun to show the relative position in the sentence compare to other grammatical elements. Like, on the roof, at noon, in December, by bus, etc. In each example, preposition is rightly placed before or earlier to that of nouns.
Object of Preposition and prepositional phrase
In the last paragraph, I defined the meaning of preposition. Preposition is placed earlier or before to that of the noun or pronoun.
Noun or pronoun connected by preposition is known as the “Object of preposition” such as on the roof, by bus.”Here , the roof and bus” are “Object of preposition”.
But, for both preposition and object of preposition together is named as the “Prepositional phrase”. For example, on the roof and by bus are examples of the prepositional phrases.
In sentence, prepositional phrase plays role of adjectives, adverbs, or adverbial complement.
Examples of prepositional phrases
Let’s see some useful examples of prepositional phrases to bring more clarity about the object of preposition and prepositional phrases.
- With a hammer, knife, pen etc.
- In the morning, evening, etc
- In the bus, room, ground etc.
- For dinner, breakfast, lunch etc.
- By train, bus, airplane etc.
- Behind the house, tree, car etc.
- At night, noon, 12 o’clock, etc.
- Across the river, road, street, etc.
- For work, study, exercise, etc.
- Because of the problem, exam, competition, etc.
- From US, China, Australia, etc.
- To the school, village, city, etc.
Importantly, “Preposition To” has other uses in the formation of infinitives like “to play, to run, to work”. So, do not get confused with infinitives and preposition.
Functions of Prepositional phrase
Now, as you are aware of the fact that prepositional phrase is a combination of preposition and noun or pronoun.
In the sentence, prepositional phrase plays the role of subject complement, as well as adverbial complement.
As adverbial complement, it is essential to provide complete meaning to the sentence. Else, it doesn’t qualify as adverbial complement but “Adjunct”.
- Himalaya is in the east of Tibetan plateau.
- Ganga river flows through the Himalayan mountain.
- He plays football in the ground.
For layman’s understanding, in the first example, prepositional phrase plays the role of subject complement. In second example, it plays the role of adverbial complement. And, in third example, it is adjunct.
Because, in the first example, it is describing subject, in second example, it is providing complete meaning to the sentence. While, in third example, it doesn’t make much difference in the meaning of sentence. So, it is an adjunct.
Moreover, same formation, sometimes, is used to describe subject as subject complement. So, you should understand the difference in uses of subject complement, adverbial complement and adjunct.
Hereon, let’s understand in detail the types and examples of prepositions one by one.
Understanding types and examples of prepositions
You are aware of that preposition is used to show position of noun or pronoun in relation to the rest of the sentence. Understandably, there might be numerous positions, so the relations. Therefore, classification of prepositions is essential to know each and every in detail.
Classification of prepositions
On the basis of kinds of relations it creates in the sentence, it is classified in the following types and order. Take a careful look at the types and examples of prepositions.
First, Preposition of place
At, in, on, by, near, away from, close to, next to, in front of, between, beside, behind, above, over, below, under, off, out of, underneath, beneath, up, down, by, among, standing about/around, inside, outside.
Second, Preposition of Time (point of time and period of time)
At, in, on, during, for, since, by, until, till, before, after, to, past, from…to, upto, between.
Third, Preposition of direction or movement
To, from, under, over, along, around, across, through, into, out of, towards, away from, onto, up, down, off,
Fourth, Preposition of agency and instrument
By and with are the only Prepositions of agent and instrument.
Fifth, Preposition of cause, reason, and purpose
Because of, on account of, due to, owing to, for, through, from, etc. Are the types and examples of prepositions of cause, reason, and purpose.
Sixth, Preposition of manner
He spoke with confidence, she studied with hope, and they played with courage are the examples of prepositions of manner.
Seventh, Preposition of connections and origin
Of, to, with are the Prepositions of connections. And, from, of are used as the Prepositions of origin.
Apart from these, Preposition of possession, measure, rate, contrast, and concession are the other examples of prepositions.
Last words on types and examples of prepositions,
So far, I have described the meaning of Preposition, parts of speech, prepositional object, prepositional phrase, functions of Preposition, and types and examples of prepositions. In short, I have provided a detailed overview of the Preposition as whole except usages of Preposition in sentence.
Notably, there is no clear-cut demarcation of Preposition in terms of types. But, there are many used as multiple types. So, it is more confusing and do not get confused of them.
In the next article, you will get perfect clarity of the usages and functions of Preposition in sentence.
Short summary of types and examples of prepositions
Now, let’s take a look at the short summary of types and examples of prepositions for in-depth understanding.
Like, other parts of speech, Preposition plays role in making sense of sentence.
- It is used before noun or pronoun to show position or relation with the other grammatical elements or rest of the sentence.
- When you use Preposition with noun or pronoun, it is (noun or pronoun) called the object of preposition.
- Preposition with object of preposition makes prepositional phrase.
- Grammatically, prepositional phrase plays role of subject complement, adverbial complement and adjunct.
- On the basis of kinds of relations, Prepositions are classified as time, place, direction, manner, instrument, agency, cause, reason, purpose, connections, origin, etc.
- Most of the Prepositions are used as multiple types, and, there, it is possibility of confusion while using in sentence.
Following are some solved questions. Take a look. It will enrich your knowledge about Preposition.
Solved questions on types and examples of prepositions
Finally, just have a look at the solved questions. It will help you to grasp this subject matter as part of long term memory.
Q. 1 What does Preposition mean?
Ans: It is a part of speech in basic english grammar. In sentence, it is used to show position or relation with the other grammatical elements.
Q. 2. Difference between object of preposition and prepositional phrase?
Ans: Noun or pronoun used with Preposition is called object of preposition. And, the combination of preposition and noun or pronoun forms the prepositional phrase. Like “at home” is the prepositional phrase in which “Home” is the object of preposition.
Q. 3. What type of functions does Preposition play in the sentence?
Ans:. With linking verb, it plays function of subject complement. If it provides the complete meaning to the given sentence, it becomes adverbial complement, or, adjunct.
Q. 4. Which are the types of Prepositions?
Ans: On the basis of they form the relations with the rest of the sentence, they are classified as Preposition of time, place, direction, manner, instrument, agency, cause, reason, purpose, connections, origin, etc.
In the end, this is all about the types and examples of prepositions. This article you will find useful as it will help you to know about Preposition, its functions, types, and examples in detail.
Prepositions of time place agency
Demonstrative distributive and indefinite pronouns
Explaining role of complements
Describing functions of Preposition