Basics. Prepositions.
Prepositions
Prepositions are used to connect words in a sentence and show the relationship between them. They typically express information about time, place, direction, or other connections.
Common Prepositions
Time-related Prepositions
at: used for specific times
- Example: The meeting is at 9:00.
on: used for specific days
- Example: I have a dentist appointment on Monday.
in: used for months, years, and seasons
- Example: They will visit us in January.
from ... to ...: used to indicate a range of time
- Example: The store is open from 11:00 to 17:00.
until: used to indicate a point in time when something ends
- Example: The sale lasts until Friday.
since: used to indicate a starting point in time
- Example: They have been living here since 2010.
for: used to indicate a duration of time
- Example: She studied for three hours.
Sequence and Duration Prepositions
before: used to indicate an event happening earlier in time
- Example: We arrived before the movie started.
after: used to indicate an event happening later in time
- Example: They left after dinner.
during: used to indicate something happening within a period of time
- Example: It rained during the night.
while: used to indicate something happening at the same time as another event
- Example: She called while I was cooking.
Location and Direction Prepositions
in: used for larger areas, such as countries, cities, or rooms
- Example: They live in France.
at: used for specific locations or addresses
- Example: We met at the library.
on: used for surfaces
- Example: The book is on the table.
to: used to indicate movement toward a destination
- Example: She went to the store.
in: used to indicate movement into a place
- Example: They walked in the park.
at: used to indicate movement to a specific location
- Example: He arrived at the party.
up, over, through, etc.: used to indicate movement in various directions
- Example: She climbed up the ladder.
- Example: The bird flew over the trees.
- Example: He drove through the tunnel.
Prepositions for Other Relationships
on, at, by, with, about: used to show various connections between words
- Example: I found this book on the Internet.
- Example: She is good at math.
- Example: The painting is by Picasso.
- Example: He cut the paper with scissors.
- Example: She is worried about her test.
afraid of ..., good at ...: used to show emotions or abilities
- Example: He is afraid
- Example: She is good at painting.
listen to ..., look at ...: used to show actions related to our senses
- Example: I like to listen to music.
- Example: Look at that beautiful sunset.
Prepositions play a vital role in connecting words and expressing relationships in the English language. Understanding how to use them correctly will enhance your ability to convey more detailed and precise information.
Check your progress in your language learning journey with our quiz!
English Grammar Basics
"English Grammar Basics" tag marks quiz and explainers that intend to provide a solid foundation in English language grammar. This includes all the major concepts and topics in English grammar, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, tenses, voice, mood, and sentence structure. The explanations we provide in quiz intro sections are clear and concise, making it easy for learners of all levels to understand. These quizzes are designed to be fun and engaging, helping you to retain the information more effectively. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refresh your knowledge, look for content marked with the "English Grammar Basics" tag for everything you need to master English language grammar.
Preposition
Prepositions form a closed word class, although there are also certain phrases that serve as prepositions, such as in front of.
A single preposition may have a variety of meanings, often including temporal, spatial and abstract. Many words that are prepositions can also serve as adverbs. Examples of common English prepositions (including phrasal instances) are of, in, on, over, under, to, from, with, in front of, behind, opposite, by, before, after, during, through, in spite of or despite, between, among, etc.
A preposition is usually used with a noun phrase as its complement.
A preposition together with its complement is called a prepositional phrase.
Examples are in England, under the table, after six pleasant weeks, between the land and the sea.
A prepositional phrase can be used as a complement or post-modifier of a noun in a noun phrase, as in the man in the car, the start of the fight; as a complement of a verb or adjective, as in deal with the problem, proud of oneself; or generally as an adverb phrase.
English allows the use of "stranded" prepositions. This can occur in interrogative and relative clauses, where the interrogative or relative pronoun that is the preposition's complement is moved to the start (fronted), leaving the preposition in place. This kind of structure is avoided in some kinds of formal English.
For example:
- What are you talking about? (Possible alternative version: About what are you talking?)
- The song that you were listening to ... (more formal: The song to which you were listening ...)
Notice that in the second example the relative pronoun that could be omitted.
Stranded prepositions can also arise in passive voice constructions and other uses of passive past participial phrases, where the complement in a prepositional phrase can become zero in the same way that a verb's direct object would: it was looked at; I will be operated on; get your teeth seen to.
The same can happen in certain uses of infinitive phrases: he is nice to talk to; this is the page to make copies of.
A1 / Elementary / Beginners
A CEFR A1 level English language user is considered a beginner. At this level, an individual is expected to have a basic understanding of the English language, including basic vocabulary and grammar. They should be able to understand and use simple phrases and sentences in order to meet basic needs and engage in simple, everyday conversations. They should also be able to understand simple instructions and signs in English.
At A1 level, they are able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. They can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. They can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Difficulty: Easy
Easy difficulty. Difficulty levels represent author's opinion about how hard a question or challenge is.