Prepositions in English

What prepositions are and what types exist in English

Prepositions are words that allow us to connect two sentence fragments to provide grammatical meaning. There are a large number of prepositions in English, but their meaning and their position within the sentence depend on whether the preposition indicates place, time, movement, or position.

Examples:

• Marianne is at the bank. (Marianne is at the bank.)
• Put the groceries in the pantry. (Put the groceries in the pantry.)

As we mentioned before, there are four types of prepositions in English:

• Prepositions of place in English
• Prepositions of time in English
• Prepositions of movement in English
• Prepositions in on at in English

Video about English prepositions

The most used prepositions in English

As you well know, the best way to learn English is through examples that help us internalize the concept much more.

Therefore, we have prepared for you a table with the most used prepositions in English, their Spanish equivalent, and an example sentence that can be useful to you.

Types of prepositions in English

Prepositions of time in English

In English, time prepositions help us define the moment the action is carried out or the event referred to takes place. Let’s see the most common prepositions.

• I will be arriving in about five minutes. (I will be arriving in about five minutes)
• The next episode will begin after the credits. (The next episode will begin after the credits)
• Let’s have a cup of coffee before we leave. (Let’s have a cup of coffee before leaving)
• We won’t accept any more applications beyond midnight. (We won’t accept more applications beyond midnight)
• The restaurant will have the order ready by two pm. (The restaurant will have the order ready by two in the afternoon)
• I have to turn off my phone during classes. (I have to turn off my phone during classes)
• You must get ready for tonight. (You must get ready for tonight)
• They have been together over the past three years. (They have been together for the last three years)
• Sergei has been in recovery for the past month. (Sergei has been recovering for the past month)
• Since the surgery, Jenna has lost 40 pounds. (Since surgery, Jenna has lost 40 pounds)
• My son grew nine inches throughout his teen years.(My son grew nine inches during his teenage years)
• Two hours to the show. (Two hours to the show)
• Brady has to wait until his parents come pick him up. (Brady has to wait until his parents come to pick him up)
• You have to reach a decision within the next couple of days. (You have to make a decision within the next two days)

Prepositions of place

In English, prepositions of place tell us where an action is performed or an event takes place. Below, we will make a table with the most used prepositions of place in English.

• Carla is above me at the company. (Carla is above me in the company)
• David was waiting across the street. (David was waiting across the street)
• The children have band practice after school. (The children have band practice after school)
• There are a lot of restaurants along this street. (There are many restaurants along this street)
• I spotted the planet Venus among all the stars. (I saw the planet Venus among all the stars)
• Lila practiced riding her bike around the block. (Lila practiced biking around the block)
• The university programmed the event before classes. (The university scheduled the event before classes)
• He was behind me on the line. (He was behind me in the line)
• They keep the candy below the counter. (They keep candy below the counter)
• You have to stand beside him at the ceremony. (You have to stand beside him at the ceremony)
• Jane has to choose between chocolate and vanilla cake. (Jane has to choose between chocolate and vanilla cake)
• You have to go beyond being a simple employee. (You have to go beyond being a simple employee)
• Look at the vase by the window. (Look at the vase by the window)
• We live close to the school. (We live close to the school)
• The car is parked in front of the building. (The car is parked in front of the building)
• Don’t look inside the box, it’s a surprise. (Don’t look inside the box, it’s a surprise)
• Don’t go near the pond. (Don’t go near the pond)
• The library is next to the bookstore. (The library is next to the bookstore)
• Put the book on top of the shelf. (Put the book on top of the shelf)
• Cats shouldn’t be outside the house. (Cats shouldn’t be outside the house)
• I’ve been feeling sick throughout the week. (I’ve been feeling sick throughout the week)
• Carl is hiding underneath the covers. (Carl is hiding under the covers)
• The world doesn’t rest upon your shoulders. (The world doesn’t rest upon your shoulders)
• That is not within our reach. (That isn’t within our reach)

Prepositions of time in English

In English, time prepositions help us define the moment the action is carried out or the event referred to happens. Let’s see the most common prepositions.

• I will be arriving in about five minutes. (I will be arriving in about five minutes)
• The next episode will begin after the credits. (The next episode will begin after the credits)
• Let’s have a cup of coffee before we leave. (Let’s have a cup of coffee before leaving)
• We won’t accept any more applications beyond midnight. (We won’t accept more applications beyond midnight)
• The restaurant will have the order ready by two pm. (The restaurant will have the order ready by two in the afternoon)
• I have to turn off my phone during classes. (I have to turn off my phone during classes)
• You must get ready for tonight. (You must get ready for tonight)
• They have been together over the past three years. (They have been together for the last three years)
• Sergei has been in recovery for the past month. (Sergei has been recovering for the past month)
• Since the surgery, Jenna has lost 40 pounds. (Since surgery, Jenna has lost 40 pounds)
• My son grew nine inches throughout his teen years.(My son grew nine inches during his teenage years)
• Two hours to the show. (Two hours to the show)
• Brady has to wait until his parents come pick him up. (Brady has to wait until his parents come to pick him up)
• You have to reach a decision within the next couple of days. (You have to make a decision within the next two days)

Prepositions of movement

In English, prepositions of movement help us express the direction in which objects move relative to the subject or another point of reference, or vice versa. These are the most common prepositions of movement in English.

• We have to walk across the field. (We have to walk across the field)
• Paul walks the dogs along the stone pathway. (Paul walks the dogs along the stone path)
• The house is just around the corner. (The house is just around the corner)
• George is contagious, so you have to stay away from him. (George is contagious, so you have to stay away from him)
• My boyfriend lives down the street. (My boyfriend lives down the street)
• The view is amazing from this window. (The view is amazing from this window)
• The firemen rushed into the burning building. (The firefighters rushed into the burning building)
• Call me as soon as you get off the plane. (Call me as soon as you get off the plane)
• The dog jumped onto the bed. (The dog jumped onto the bed)
• Toby ran out of the house as soon as he saw his dad. (Toby ran out of the house as soon as he saw his dad)
• That rock flew right over my head! (That rock flew right over my head!)
• Linda’s house is that one, past the coffee shop. (Linda’s house is that one, past the coffee shop)
• The new route, through the tunnel, saves you one hour. (The new route, through the tunnel, saves you one hour)
• Mona is coming to my house this afternoon. (Mona is coming to my house this afternoon)
• This route goes straight towards the ocean. (This route goes straight towards the ocean)
• The old pipe runs under the entire first floor. (The old pipe runs under the entire first floor)
• The elevator is going up. (The elevator is going up)

Prepositions in on at

The prepositions in, on, and at, or location prepositions, are used to refer to the location of an object, place, or person depending on the exactness to which we adhere. These prepositions are:

• My sister lives in Washington D.C. (My sister lives in Washington D.C.)
• Sandra is at work at the moment. (Sandra is at work at the moment)
• They decided to meet on the corner of 27th and third. (They decided to meet on the corner of 27th and Third)

Exercises with prepositions in English

In the following sentences, identify the correct preposition to give meaning to the sentence.

1. I am currently living ________ my parent’s house.
2. The cake will be ready ________ time for the party.
3. We have to read _______ French Revolution.
4. My dad is on his way home ________ the hospital.
5. The man was ________ my age.
6. Are we going out ________ work?
7. Shawn and I have been best friends _________ first grade.
8. Please take a seat, we are ________ to begin.
9. The rules say no food _________ class.
10. We have been studying Cubism _________ the last few sessions.

Answers:

1. at.
2. in.
3. about.
4. from.
5. about.
6. after.
7. since.
8. about.
9. during.
10. over.