Prepositions in English Grammar

Study Notes

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

Words of location: in, on, at, by, with, etc.
- Examples: in the room, on the table, at the store
Words of direction: to, from, up, down, in, out, etc.
- Examples: going to the store, coming from school, up the stairs
Words of time: at, on, during, before, after, etc.
- Examples: at 5 o'clock, on Monday, during the summer
Words of movement: to, from, up, down, in, out, etc.
- Examples: going to the park, coming from the city, up the mountain
Words of manner: by, with, in, etc.
- Examples: by car, with a friend, in a hurry

A preposition phrase is a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.

Most common prepositions:
- of
- to
- in
- that
- is
- for
- it
- with
- as
- on
Prepositions that are often confused:
- to / two / too
- their / there / they're
- its / it's

Prepositions are not used after verbs of movement:
- Examples: go home, come here, run outside
Prepositions are not used after verbs of rest:
- Examples: sit down, lie down, stand up
Prepositions are not used after verbs of perception:
- Examples: see the movie, hear the music, smell the flowers

Prepositions show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

Words of location: show where something is, e.g., in, on, at, by, with (e.g., in the room, on the table, at the store)
Words of direction: show direction or movement, e.g., to, from, up, down, in, out (e.g., going to the store, coming from school, up the stairs)
Words of time: show when something happens, e.g., at, on, during, before, after (e.g., at 5 o'clock, on Monday, during the summer)
Words of movement: show movement or direction, e.g., to, from, up, down, in, out (e.g., going to the park, coming from the city, up the mountain)
Words of manner: show how something is done, e.g., by, with, in (e.g., by car, with a friend, in a hurry)

A preposition phrase is a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (e.g., in the morning, on the top shelf, at the bottom of the page)
Functions as a single unit in a sentence, often as an adverb or adjective.

Most common prepositions: of, to, in, that, is, for, it, with, as, on
Prepositions that are often confused: to / two / too, their / there / they're, its / it's

No prepositions after verbs of movement: e.g., go home, come here, run outside
No prepositions after verbs of rest: e.g., sit down, lie down, stand up
No prepositions after verbs of perception: e.g., see the movie, hear the music, smell the flowers