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Prerequisite: Basic Knowledge of Nouns, Pronouns, Voice, Verb, Adverb.

Preposition

Preposition is put before a noun or pronoun to join it with the sentence and denote the time, place, position, etc.

Example: Keep the bag under the table. (Here the preposition under indicates the position or place of the bag, the object)

I will return at night. (Here the preposition at indicates the time)

Some prepositions and their general use-

Rule 1:

One must be careful in using prepositions when two or more adjectives demand different prepositions.

Example: 

He is taller and stronger than his friend. (Here only ‘than’ is used as both ‘taller’ and ‘stronger’ demand ‘than’).

This dress is inferior to and cheaper than the previous one. (Here ‘to’ and ‘than’ have been used with the adjectives ‘inferior’ and ‘cheaper’ respectively as both the adjectives require different prepositions).

Rule 2:

Preposition is put after the object when-

i. The object is an interrogative pronoun

ii. ‘that’ is used as a relative pronoun

iii. An infinitive modifies the noun

(For more details follow the chapter NOUNS and PRONOUNS) 

Example:

Which school are you from?

Where are you going to?

This is the building that I was looking for.

This is the place that I had mentioned about.

She is the best person to talk to.

This is not the right time to go to.

Rule 3:

Preposition is not used-

i. Before any indirect object when verbs – fetch, buy, bring, promise, find, ask, offer, show, cost, etc. are used.

ii. When the verbs regret, concern, await, ensure, stress, comprise, investigate, consider, accompany, demand, precede, order, join, invade, violate, resemble, resign, direct, affect are used in active voice.

iii. When verbs of communication (viz. tell, request, inform, advise, command, ask, etc.) are placed before the object.

Example:

I will buy you the book.

I will bring you the notes.

I will ask him the reason.

I consider him my brother.

I have joined the gym.

Riya and Rima resemble each other.

I will inform you the time of the examination.

He requested me to attend his seminar.

Rule 4:

In the case of the verbs - furnish, supply, entrust, provide, the structure is

Note the difference-

i. Nisha provided me with the necessary notes.

Nisha provided necessary notes to me.

ii. Rahul presented us a wonderful gift.

Rahul presented a wonderful gift to us.

Rule 5:

Sometimes ‘a’ is used as a preposition in place of ‘in’

Example:

I go to the market twice a week. (‘a’ replaced ‘in’)

He works eight hours a day. (‘a’ replaced ‘in’)

Rule 6:

For two persons/things between is used.

For more than two persons/things among is used.

Example:

Two sisters fought  between themselves.

Distribute the food  among the students.

Rule 7:

# Since is used as a preposition to denote time duration.

Example:

I have been working since the morning. (I have been working from the morning until now)

# Preposition for is also used to denote any time duration and any specific period of time.

Example:

My post-graduation is for two years. (specific period of time)

I need to talk for 5 minutes. (time duration)

Rule 8:

Beside is used for next to/by the side of

Besides is used for moreover/in addition to

Example:

I will sit beside you.

Besides dancing I also like singing.

Rule 9:

From is used with till, until, to

Between is used with and

Example:

I frequently travel from Andheri to Mumbai.

The distance is not much between Andheri and Mumbai.

Rule 10:

In case of any big place, in is used while at is used in case of any (comparatively) smaller place.

Example:

I live at Bengaluru in Karnataka.

I will go to Miami at Florida in the USA.

Rule 11:

Home is not preceded and followed by any preposition except we place any object after it.

Example:

I will return home at night.

I will return home early.

Rule 12:

Ago indicates any action that has taken place in the past.

Before indicates the preceding action and it can be used instead of ago.

Example:

I saw her long time ago.

She had arrived before we reached the theatre.

Rule 13:

We use to/upto for distance and place.

We use till for time.

Example:

I went upto the fourth floor.

I worked till 8PM.

Rule 14:

Rule 15:

Time and date-

By– it denotes a time which is not later than the time mentioned.

Example: I will reach my college by 9AM

At – used with dawn, midnight, dusk, night, noon, any particular age

Example:

I will call you at noon.

I will cast my first vote at 18.

In – morning, evening, afternoon.

Example: They are coming for tea in the evening.

Rule 16:

In case of time,

Within is used to denote before the time has ended.

e.g. I will submit my work within a week.

On time is used to denote something exactly at the time indicated.

e.g. I reached the station on time.

In time denotes at the end of the period of time.

e.g. I will finish the game in 20 minutes.

In good time denotes sufficient margin.

e.g. I reached the airport in good time.

Exercise – Find the error if any.

1. The train is/ running within/ the time. /No error  (Rule 16)

2. Romita is/ working beneath/ my uncle. /No error   (Rule 14)

3. Nilam called me /at the evening/ when I was/ watching the match. /No error   (Rule 15)

4. Mohan had arrived/ ago we reached/ the clinic. /No error   (Rule 13)

5. Kalyan and Shyamal/ are fighting/ among themselves. /No error (Rule 6)

6. You can come /to my office between/ 1PM to 4PM. /No error  (Rule 9)

7. Mala always sits/ besides her father /when she goes/ for a trip. /No error  (Rule 8)

8. We supply to/ basic amenities/ to the poor. /No error   (Rule 4)

9. I will go/ to home/ at night. /No error   (Rule 11)

10. In which/ class do /you study?  /No error  (Rule 2)