Skills

Levels

Prepositions

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Prepositions indicate relationships between words or ideas. Most prepositions deal with location and are easy to learn.

above

inside

beside

near

up

before*

with

into

between

like

despite

below

outside

beyond

nearby

down

after*

without

out (of)

among

as

in spite of

over

around

behind

by

toward

during

within

off

except

than

beneath

under

through

in front of

next to

along (side)

since*

until*

upon

but*

about

underneath

*These can also be used as conjunctions.

Some prepositions, however, have more than one meaning and can be very confusing.

in

to


on

from


at

for

of

Generally, in, on and at indicate location.

See also : Grammar - Prepositions of Location


To and from imply movement toward or away from something. However, to can also function as part of an infinitive.

See also : Grammar - Infinitives, To V or Not To V


To and for can introduce indirect objects.

See also : Grammar - Indirect Objects


For and since can also indicate duration.

See also : Grammar - Present Perfect Progessive


Of is used in partitives (all of, some of . . .) and other expressions.

See also : Grammar - Quantifiers


Many prepositions are also used in expressions.

See also : Grammar - Preposition Collocations with "Be"; Verb and Preposition Collocations


For further reference:

Grammar : Prepositions and Time Words

Grammar : Adverbs and Prepositions

Grammar : Prepositions and Subordinators

The Preposition (from Grammar Bytes)

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Last updated: 15 February, 2010 02:43:16
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