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Preposition
Preposition: A preposition is a word which precedes a noun or a pronoun to show the
relationship of the nouns (or the pronouns) with another words in the sentence. The
word ‘preposition’ comes from the idea of being positioned before. It is not true to say
that a preposition always precedes a noun or a pronoun but it does most of the time.
Classification of Prepositions
To make a distinction, simple prepositions can also be divided into three classes.
(i) Prepositions of Time and Date:
These include ‘at’, ‘on’, ‘in’, ‘by’, ‘to’, ‘till’, ‘until’, ‘during’, ‘for’, ‘since’, ‘from’, ‘within’,
‘before’, ‘after’, ‘afterwards’, ‘then’ etc.
(ii) Prepositions of Place:
These include ‘at’, ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘to’, ‘behind’, ‘instead of, ‘in’, ‘into’, ‘at’, ‘out’
‘out of ’, ‘off etc.
(iii) Prepositions of Travel and Movement:
These include from, to, by, on, m, into, at, out, ‘out of’, ‘off’ etc.

How the Prepositions Should be Placed

Prepositions normally precede nouns or pronouns. However, in certain cases, it is
possible to move the preposition to the end of the sentence.
(i) When object of the preposition is an interrogative pronoun like what, who, whom,
which, where etc, the preposition can take end or front position.
Example:
(a) What are you thinking of?
(b) To whom were you talking?

(ii) When object of the preposition is relative pronoun ‘that’, the preposition takes end
position.
Example:
(a) This is the dish that she is fond of.

(iii) When object of the preposition is infinitive (to + verb), the preposition is placed after
infinitive.
Example:
(a) It is a beautiful house to live in.

(iv) In some sentences, where the relative pronoun is hidden, the preposition takes end
position.
Example:
(a) This is the girl (that) I told you of.
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(v) In some miscellaneous sentences, preposition is attached with the verb.

Example:
(a) I hate being laughed at.

The Use of Prepositions

Prepositions are used with reference to time and reference to space. With reference to
time, they may denote ‘a point of time’ or ‘a period of time’. A point of time will tell you a
particular time as 8 o’clock, 8 pm etc, whereas a period of time as 8 years, 8 months
etc.

With Reference to Time:

1. At, In, On
(i) At Used for a point of time.
Example:
(a) Meet me at 1 pm.
(b) Also, at noon, at the age of ninety.

(ii) In Used for a period of time in which something happens.

Example:
(a) I met him in the morning.
(b) His birthday falls in the month of January.

(iii) On Used with particular dates and days.

Example:
(a) Her dog died on Friday.
(b) I will go to Mumbai on 22nd of this month.

2. In, Within, Before , After

(i) In Also denotes the end of a period of time.e
Example:
(a) Justin will return in a week.
(b) Shalini will leave in a minute.

(ii) Within Denotes anytime before the expiry of a period.

Example:
(a) They have ordered him to come back within a week.

(iii) Before Used when we refer to a point of time.

Example:
(a)I will come back before 8:00 am.

(iv) After Denotes the end of a period of time.

Example:
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(a) I will go there after a month.

(b) She gave the book back after I reminded him.

3. By, Till
(i) By Denotes not later than.
Example:
(a) We will have vacated this space by 6 o’clock.
(b) She will have done it by this evening.

(ii) Till Means up to certain period.

Example:
(a) I will be staying in London till 15th of December.
(b) Wait here till I come back.

4. Since, For, From

(i) Since Used for a point of time.
Example:
(a) He has not been in touch since last Monday.
(b) He has been absenting himself since last week.

(ii) For Used to define a period of time.

Example:
(a) Nirmala has been ill for two weeks.
(b) I have been struggling in the industry for 3 years.

(iii) From Used for a point of time but can be preceded by a verb in any tense.
Example:
(a) I will be busy from tomorrow onwards.
(b) The guest lecture is from 8 to 10 am.

With Reference to Space:

1. At, In
(i) At Used with the names of places.
Example:
(a) He was waiting at the metro station.
(b) Her friend lives at Nehru Nagar.

(ii) In Used with the names of big cities, states and country.
Example:
(a) He lives at Kalyan in Mumbai.
(b) The Prime Minister lives in Delhi.
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2. In, Into
(i) In Denotes rest or position inside something.
Example:
(a) They are waiting in the room.
(b) The guests gathered in the auditorium.

(ii) Into Denotes motion towards the inside of something.

Example:
(a) He came into the room.
(b) The fisherman jumped into the river.

3. On, Upon
(i) On Used when we point to something at rest
Example:
(a) She was made to sit on the floor.
(b) The girl sat on the carpet.

(ii) Upon Generally denotes motion.

Example:
(a) The cat jumped upon the table.
(b) The tiger sprang upon the deer.

4. Behind
(i) Refers to the position or place signalling at the back of something.
Example:
(a) He hid behind the wall.
(b) Who stood behind Abhinav?

5. Between, Among
(i) Between Used for two persons or things.
Example:
(a) Share this biscuit between the two girls.
(b) Shankar and Ravi fought between themselves.

(ii) Among Used with more than two persons or things.

Example:
(a) They shared the fruits among themselves.
(b) There is said to be honour even among thieves.

6. Beside, Besides
(i) Beside Means ‘by the side of’ or ‘outside of’.
Example:
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(a) She sat beside him.

(b) His speaking ill about her, is beside the point.

(ii) Besides Means ‘in addition to’.

Example:
(a) Besides Mira, all of you are invited.
(b) Besides being rich, she is famous too.

7. Above, Below, Across

(i) Above Means ‘in a higher position’.
Example:
(a) A sword is hanging above my head.
(b) I was surprised to see my name above his.

(ii) Below Means ‘a lower level than the other’.

Example:
(a) He is much below me in rank.
(b) I live in the flat below his.

(iii) Across Means ‘from one side to the opposite’.

Example:
(a) He waited across the road.
(b) I live across the river.

8. Towards
(i) Denotes ‘in the direction of’.
Example:
(a) They moved towards the setting sun.
(b) She ran towards the police station for help.

9. Through
(i) Indicates a piercing action and also the medium or passage.
Example:
(a) The sword ran through him.
(b) I was able to pull through the deal.

10. Around
(i) Refers to a surrounding position.
Example:
(a) She looked around the place.
(b) The path around the statue was concrete.
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11. Over, Under

(i) Over Indicates the position exactly above something or somebody.
Example:
(a) I leaned over my son to explain the sentence.
(b) A new bridge is being constructed over this river.

(ii) Under Indicates a position exactly below ’ somebody or something.

Example:
(a) I put my suitcase under the table.
(b) There is something under your chair.

12. Against
(i) Indicates opposition of some kind.
Example:
(a) She went against him for Rachna.
(b) He married against his parents’ wish.

13. Along
(i) Through any part of the length of or from one end to the other end.
Example:
(a) I took a walk along the broken path.
(b) They scanned for the gold ring along the edges of the river.

Preposition Worksheets

A. Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions.

1. Peter is playing tennis ……on……. Sunday.
2. My brother’s birthday is …on………. the 5th of September.
3. My friend has been living in Canada …for………. two years.
4. The son and the daughter are sitting ……beside……. each other.
5. The woman is looking ……at……. her daughter.
6. What are you doing ……on……. Saturday?
7. I haven’t been to the countryside …since ............ December.
8. I am leaving……in ........ the afternoon.
9. I am leaving .......at ..... noon.
10. The people are busy …with………. some important work.
11The girl was eager ……to ........ show her painting.
12.He dreamt ……of……. being a king.
13I write letters ……to……. my parents regularly.
14Look after the children …for………. a while.
15. He takes a lot …of ............ interest in music.
16. Put this ……in ........ place of that.
17. learnt about it ……from ........ my friend.
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18. Rita heard …about ............ her success.

19. She came ……on ........ time.
20. He had no money ……to……. give you.
21. Walk carefully ………to…. avoid falling.
22. The author …of………. Saket was very religious minded.
23. I go …to………. bed at night.
24. The thief climbed …upon ........... the roof.
25. He is dedicated ……to……. his work.

B. Fill in the blanks using suitable prepositions.

1. Does this book belong ……to ........ you?
2. I saw him felling a big tree ………with…. an axe.
3. These people are always quarrelling …among............ themselves.
4. Himani borrowed a pen ……to ........ use.
5. I met him ……at........ Alipur.
6. I have been waiting here …since………. 6 o’clock.
7. …… In …….. the last ten years, he had done all the good.
8. The situation has grown ……into……. a big menace.
9. Nobody cares ……for……. a weak, old man.
10.Shobha burst ……into ........ tears.
11. Mohan was charged ………with…. the murder of Rajan.
12. The boys are confident ……of……. a huge victory.
13. I saw the monkey charge ……into……. the house.
14.Let us divide the money …among ............ ourselves.
15.I am worried …about ............ her.
16. She is busy ……with……. her work.
17. She is doing a degree course …from ............ a university.
18. His trousers were washed ……in……. the washing machine.
19. We had to climb slowly …up………. the hill.
20. His house looks …like………. a temple.
21. How many ……of……. your group will join the trip?
22. Don’t lean the ladder ……against……. the wall.
23. He stood …before ............ me firmly.
24. She yelled ……at ........ me.

C. Fill in the blanks using suitable prepositions.

1.Don’t clap ……until ........ I finish talking.
2.Children always quarrel ……over ........ toys.
3. She has applied ……for ........ a job.
4. She came ……for……. a week.
5. I was invited ……for ........ dinner.
6. I am satisfied …with ........ your work.
7. He resorted ……to ........ thievery.
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8. Sarla has been called ……for……. an interview.

9. The teacher spoke ……up……. for Raju when he was wrongly accused of
stealing money.
10. We can visit her in the hotel ……between……. 3 pm and 5
11. The Suhas have lived in New Delhi …since ............ 1943.
12. Little children are often afraid ……of……. the dark.
13. Sneha has applied ……for……. a scholarship.
14. It took Ahmed many months to get ……over……. the loss of his friends.
15. She turned …down………. the generous offer made by the manager.
16.We were asked to take ……off……. our footwear as we were entering a
place of worship.
17. She takes a lot of trouble ……for ......... her work.
18. Our English friends have taken …to………. Indian food quite quickly.
19. He secured grade ‘A’ ……in……. the Mathematics test.
20. He jumped ……into……. the river to save his friend from drowning.
21. Always be prepared ……for……. a surprise test.
22. She hid ……inside……. the cupboard and gave everyone a fright.
23. She is fond ……of ........ pets.
24. The brothers quarelled ……among……. themselves for their father’s
property.
25. He was touched ……with……. pity when he heard the tale.
26.There is always a demand ……for ........ good tailors.
27. The mother prevented her child ……from ........ going out in the farm.
28. The baby crawled ……under……. the table and hid there.
29. Once upon a time the great king ruled …over………. all these villages and
towns.
30. She is the smarter ……of……. the two.
31. Shila insists ……on ........ wearing that dress, although her mother thinks it is
too short for her.
32. The teacher complained …against………. him when she met his father in
the market.

D. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

1.He congratulated me ……on……. my great achievement.
2.The poor man is afflicted ……with.........arthritis.
3.She is blind ……to……. the faults of her husband.
4. The boss had many complaints ……against ........ Shyam.
5. You must prepare ……for……. the examinations.
6.She is not aware ……of……. the danger.
7.Ravi was accurate …with………. his calculations.
8.They hid the money ……under......... the carpet.
9.I refrained ……from ......... telling Reeta the truth.
10. The leader counted ………on…. the cooperation of his colleagues.
11. The public was cautioned …against ............ pickpockets.
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12. Janaki escorted her daughter to the cinema theatre as she was anxious
…about ............her safety.
13. The path was beset …with………. difficulties yet they succeeded.
14. The mouse crept stealthily …towards ............ the cheese.
15.It was good ……of……. you to invite Sheila for the picnic.
16.Smoking …in………. public places is now banned.
17.I prevailed …upon………. him to join the gymnasium.
18.The curious child eagerly begged …for………. an answer to the riddle.
19.He was bent … on/upon ………. coming first in the examination.
20. The theory exam was followed ……by……. a group discussion.
21. I ran …into ........... my teacher at the show last night.
22. She is extremely anxious …about………. the interview next week.
23.What a contrast …between ............ the two siblings!
24.The brother fought …… over/for ……. their father’s property.

E. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

1. The elderly man prepared himself for a life …… after ..........retirement.
2. Do you take his word ……over ........ mine?
3. Rohini is very concerned …… about ……. her father’s health.
4. Altaf had many books and papers scattered all … over ............. the room.
5. The phoenix is a legendry bird that rises … from ............. its ashes.
6. The police pulled the briefcase from … under ………. the table.
7. The mob rushed onto the pavement, everyone seemed angry… with...
everyone else.
8. The old woman looked the cupboard, searching for …… inside/into ......... the
photograph.

9. Truth always prevails …… in ......... the long-run.

10. Sujata stood …… beside ……. the river and saw the ship pass by.
11.She took some money … from ………. her father to buy a video game.
12.Shilpa gave me a rare gift … on ............ my birthday.
13. Deepak was very upset …… with ......... me.
14. Michelle is longing …… to ......... meet me.
15. It has been a long time … since .............I met my sister.
16. The worker asked … for ………. his wages.
17. He refused to put …… up ……. with their interference in his affairs.
18. She has been going …… through ……. the script for days.
19. It is our duty to protest …… against ......... injustice.
20. He soon became accustomed …… to ……. the harsh weather.
21. Dilip went out ……… of …. his way to help the poor.
22. He was able to put ……… up …. his ideas so cleverly that he impressed
everyone.
23. He persists …… on ……. teasing the other children in the class.
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24. I have been waiting for you …… since ……. four o’clock.

F. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

1. The safari parks of South Africa abound … with ………. wild animals.
2. The young man excels …… in ……. both music and dance.
3. She is a diligent student, worthy … of............. praise.
4. I saw … through ………. his plan and realised that he was going to cheat us.
5. I was …… under ……. the impression that the meeting had been cancelled.
6. Always be true … to ............ yourself.
7. The villagers lodged a complaint the … against ............ corrupt officials.
8. I can rely … on ………. my sister for help.
9. There was a steep rise … on ………. onion prices.
10. Air pollution is responsible for the spread …… of ......... bronchitis.
11. He was … under ………. pressure to complete the work.
12.John jumped … into ………. the river to rescue the child.
13.His teacher is very pleased … with ............ him.
14. All took …… off ……. his cap and wiped his face.
15. The old woman could not get …… away with ……. the shock.
16. He should not get …… away ……. with such rudeness.
17. What is he thinking ……… of ….?
18.Veer is fond …… of ……. this dish.
19.This is the house he lives … in ……….
20. Everybody laughed …… at ......... the joker.
21. She promised me to meet …… at ……. 2 pm.
22. He left the city ……… on …. Monday.
23. My father will return from the village … within ............. a week.
24. She hid herself …… behind ......... the curtains.
25. She shouted angrily …… at ……. the disobedient boy.
26. I asked them to provide us …… with ……. a guide.
27. The tree grew at a dangerous slant and had to be cut …… down …….
28. My daughter believes …… in..........fairies.
29. He drew a beautiful diagram …… on ……. the board.
30. She battled her way ……… against …. the crowd.
31. We were asked to gather … near ………. the teacher.
32. They had to climb … up ………. the steep pathway to reach the top.