Prepositions
A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object. Some examples of prepositions are words like “in,” “at,” “on,” “of,” and “to.” (Walden University)
There are over 100 prepositions in English.
On: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface | a picture on a wall There’s a mark on your skirt. the diagram on page 5 Put it down on the table. He had been hit on the head. She climbed on to the bed. |
| supported by somebody/something | She was standing on one foot. Try lying on your back. Hang your coat on that hook. |
| used to show a day or date | He came on Sunday. We meet on Tuesdays. on May the first/the first of May on the evening of May the first on one occasion on your birthday |
| used to show direction | on the left/right He turned his back on us. |
| eating or drinking something; using a drug or a medicine regularly | He lived on a diet of junk food. The doctor put me on antibiotics. |
In: -Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| at a point within an area or a space | a country in Africa The kids were playing in the street. It’s in that drawer. I read about it in the paper. |
| within the shape of something; surrounded by something | She was lying in bed. sitting in an armchair Leave the key in the lock. Soak it in cold water. |
| during a period of time | in 2021 in the 18th century in spring/summer/autumn/winter in the fall in March in the morning/afternoon/evening I’m getting forgetful in my old age. |
| wearing something | dressed in their best clothes the man in the hat to be in uniform She was all in black. |
| used to show a state or condition | I’m in love! The house is in good repair. I must put my affairs in order. a man in his thirties The daffodils were in full bloom. |
| used to show somebody’s job or profession | He is in the army. She’s in computers.in business |
Download the file of Prepositions-Uses-Examples-English-Grammar
Into: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| to a position in or inside something | Come into the house. She dived into the water. He threw the letter into the fire. |
| used to show a change in state | The fruit can be made into jam. Can you translate this passage into German? They came into power in 2008. She was sliding into depression. |
At: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| used to say where something/somebody is or where something happens | at the corner of the street They arrived late at the airport. I’ll be at home all morning. I met her at the hospital. How many people were there at the concert? |
| used to say when something happens | We left at 2 o’clock. at the end of the week We woke at dawn. I didn’t know at the time of writing (= when I wrote). At night you can see the stars. |
| used to state the age at which somebody does something | She got married at 25. He left school at the age of 16. |
| used with adjectives to show how well somebody does something | I’m good at French. |
| used to show a rate, speed, etc. | He was driving at 70 mph. Prices start at $1 000. |
| in the direction of or towards somebody/something | What are you looking at? He pointed a gun at her. Somebody threw paint at the prime minister. |
| Since: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary |
| from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now (Point of time) | She’s been off work since Tuesday. We’ve lived here since 2006. I have lived in Minneapolis since 2005. Since morning/night/ |
For: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| in order to help somebody/something | What can I do for you? Can you translate this letter for me? soldiers fighting for their country. |
| used to show purpose or function | Let’s go for a walk. Are you learning English for pleasure or for your work? |
| from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now (Period of time) | For a week For a day For five years |
| used to say how difficult, necessary, pleasant, etc. something is that somebody might do or has done | It’s useless for us to continue. There’s no need for you to go. For her to have survived such an ordeal was remarkable. The box is too heavy for me to lift. Is it clear enough for you to read? |
by: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| used for showing how or in what way something is done | The house is heated by gas. May I pay by credit card? I will contact you by letter. to travel by boat/bus/car/plane to travel by air/land/sea Switch it on by pressing this button. |
| not later than the time mentioned; before | Can you finish the work by five o’clock? I’ll have it done by tomorrow. By this time next week we’ll be in New York. He ought to have arrived by now/by this time. |
| used to show the degree or amount of something | The bullet missed him by two inches. House prices went up by 10%. It would be better by far (= much better) to… |
| used for giving more information about where somebody comes from, what somebody does, etc. | He’s German by birth. They’re both doctors by profession. |
to: Preposition Uses/Rules/Examples from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
| in the direction of something; towards something | I walked to the office. It fell to the ground. It was on the way to the station. He’s going to Paris. my first visit to Africa He pointed to something on the opposite bank. Her childhood was spent travelling from place to place. |
| used to show a relationship between one person or thing and another | She’s married to an Italian. the Japanese ambassador to France the key to the door the solution to this problem |
| reaching a particular state | The vegetables were cooked to perfection. He tore the letter to pieces. She sang the baby to sleep. |
| directed towards; in connection with | It was a threat to world peace. She made a reference to her recent book. |
| used to introduce the second part of a comparison or ratio | I prefer walking to climbing. The industry today is nothing to what it once was. We won by six goals to three. |
Prepositions of Time
| Prepositions of Time | “in,” “at,” and “on.” |
| I go to work at 8:00. He eats lunch at noon. She often goes for a walk at night. | He reads in the evening. The weather is cold in December. She was born in 1996. |
| I work on Saturdays. He does laundry on Wednesdays. |
Prepositions of Place
| Prepositions of Place | “in,” “at,” and “on.” “over” “under” |
| They will meet in the lunchroom. She was waiting at the corner. He left his phone on the bed. | Place the pen inside the drawer. The bird flew over the house. The squirrel hid the nuts under a pile of leaves. |
We used https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/ for learning uses and examples of different prepositions for writing meaningful and accurate sentences. Rules and examples are from Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
Reference and Resources
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/on_1
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/in_1?q=in+
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/at?q=at
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/into?q=into+
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/for_1?q=for
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/by_1?q=by+
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/to_1?q=to
https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/prepositions