Subject – English
Sub topic – Grammar
Topic for the day – Preposition
By: Dr. Neha Singh
Introduction –
There are many words in English which show a relation between other words in a sentence and a noun or pronoun. Such words are called prepositions.
Example:
The pencils are in the box.
The highlighted word is an example of preposition.
Some of the common prepositions are in, into, on, at, to, of, under, over, between, near, behind etc. This relation is shown in terms of place, time, movement or direction.
Exercise
Identify preposition in following sentences:
1. Ram showed their tickets at the gate and went in the corridor.
2. Sachin went under the ball to catch it.
3. The match was between Australia and New Zealand.
4. Reena could not stay on the track for long.
5. The last over of the match was given to Venatkesh Prasad.
6. Reena looked at her mother.
A noun or pronoun following the preposition is called its object and is governed by it.
Example:
1. A bird is sitting on the tree.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its object which is governed by the preposition.
2. He cut a pear with a knife.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its object which is governed by the preposition.
Exercise
Circle the objects governed by the prepositions in the given sentences.
1. Myra sat on the sofa and read the book.
2. My grandfather kept his spectacles in a red colored pouch.
3. Shelley brought toffees for the children of her class.
4. The clothes are kept in the shelf.
5. Birds fly in the sky.
Types of prepositions
A. Prepositions of place
B. Prepositions indicating directions
C. Prepositions indicating position
D.Prepositions of time
A. Prepositions of place
These prepositions show the place of the noun or pronoun. Here, we use prepositions like at, in and on as prepositions of place.
Example:
1. Sheela met her friend at the cinema hall.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its place which is governed by the preposition.
2. My aunt is sitting on the floor.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its place which is governed by the preposition.
3. I was born at Jaipur in Rajasthan.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its place which is governed by the preposition.
B. Prepositions of time
These prepositions show the time of the noun or pronoun. Here, we use prepositions like at, for, since, from and to as prepositions.
Example:
1. My mother woke up at 5 a.m. today.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its time which is governed by the preposition.
2. It is 8 a.m. Aadhya has been awake for an hour now.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its time which is governed by the preposition.
3. He has been awake since 5 O’clock in the morning.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its time which is governed by the preposition.
4. Sneha had her office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its time which is governed by the preposition.
5. Daksh woke up at 10 a.m. today. He was late for playing cricket.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its time which is governed by the preposition.
C. Prepositions of directions or prepositions indicating directions
These prepositions show the direction of the noun or pronoun. Here, we use prepositions like at, to, off, out of, from and into as prepositions.
Example:
1. The students looked at the teacher with surprise.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
2. The culprit was taken to the prison.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
3. The truck went off the track.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
4. My cousin came from the market long back.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
5. The puppy was taken out of the kennel for the race.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
6. Suhana jumped into the river and shouted excitedly.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its directions which is governed by the preposition.
D. Prepositions indicating position
These prepositions show the position of the noun or pronoun. Here, we use prepositions like at, on, in, over and under as prepositions.
Example:
1. Raavi met an old friend at the main entrance of the museum.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its position which is governed by the preposition.
2. The purse is on the small table behind the sofa.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its position which is governed by the preposition.
3. The notebooks are in the drawer.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its place which is governed by the preposition.
4. The lamp was hanging over my friend’s head.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its position which is governed by the preposition.
5. The paint brush is under the stool.
The highlighted word in yellow is preposition here where as the red portion is its position which is governed by the preposition.
Exercise
Fill in the blanks with suitable prepositions:
1. The policeman is _________ duty.
2. I met a beggar _______ the way.
3. He died _______ plague.
4. I agree _________ you.
5. My father is __________ office.
Answer:
1. On 2. On 3. Of 4. With 5. At
