What is a Preposition?

 

What is a Preposition? Types, Examples, and Exercises 

To begin with, a preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It usually tells you where, when, or how something happens.

Some common prepositions are:

• in

• on

• at

• under

• over

• with

• by

• before

• after

Prepositions may be small, but they are very powerful!

What is a Preposition? — Easy Examples

Now that you know what a preposition is, let’s look at some easy examples to make it clearer:

• The book is on the table.

• The dog is under the chair.

• She went to the market.

• He arrived at 5 o’clock.

• The gift is for you.

As you can see, these words connect ideas and tell us more about the action.

8 Types of Prepositions (with Examples)

Next, let’s break down the 8 common types of prepositions, each with simple examples to help you understand how they work in real sentences.

Prepositions of Place/Position

These prepositions show where something is located.

• under, over, above, below, behind, between

• Example: 

The cat is under the bed.

 Prepositions of Time

These tell us when something happens.

• at, on, in, before, after, during

• Example: 

We will meet at noon.

 Prepositions of Direction/Movement

These show where something is going or coming from.

• to, into, towards, from, out of

• Example: 

She walked into the room.

Prepositions of Agent/Instrument

These show who did it or what was used.

• by, with

• Example: 

The cake was made by my mom.

• Example: 

He cut the bread with a knife.

Prepositions of Reason/Purpose

These explain why something happens.

• for, because of

• Example:

She left early because of the rain.

Prepositions of Manner

These describe how something is done.

• by, with, like

• Example: 

He solved the puzzle with ease.

Prepositions of Possession

These show ownership or belonging.

• of

• Example: 

The keys of the car are missing.

Prepositions of Measure/Rate

Finally, these show quantity, rate, or frequency.

• per, by

• Example: 

He earns 500 rupees per day.

Knowing these types will help you use prepositions correctly in many situations.

Preposition Examples (Sentences)

So far, you’ve learned the types. Now, let’s see more preposition examples in full sentences to practice how they appear in everyday English:

1. She sat beside her friend.

2. The school is near the park.

3. He will return after dinner.

4. They travelled by bus.

5. The ball rolled under the sofa.

6. I will meet you at the station.

7. The kids hid behind the curtain.

8. He works with his brother.

Reading real sentences is one of the best ways to understand how prepositions work naturally.

 Preposition Examples: Questions and Answers

Sometimes students have common questions about prepositions. Here are a few, along with clear answers to help you out:

Q1: Can a sentence end with a preposition?

Yes! For example: “What are you waiting for?”

Q2: Which preposition is used for time?

At, on, and in are common for time: “I wake up at 7 AM.”

Q3: Which preposition shows direction?

To, into, and towards: “He ran into the house.”

Q4: Can you give two easy preposition examples?

Sure! “The cat is on the roof.” and “She lives near the river.”

These questions make learning easier and clear up common confusion.

Preposition Exercises with Answers

Of course, the best way to learn prepositions is by practicing them. Try these preposition exercises — and check your answers below!

Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition:

1. The dog is hiding ___ the table.

2. We are going ___ school.

3. She was born ___ 2000.

4. He is sitting ___ his brother.

5. They walked ___ the park.

Answers:

1. under

2. to

3. in

4. beside

5. through

Exercise 2 — Choose the Correct Preposition

Choose the right preposition in brackets:

1. He lives ___ (in/on) London.

2. The keys are ___ (under/over) the pillow.

3. She came ___ (with/by) bus.

4. We stayed ___ (at/in) a hotel.

5. He was born ___ (on/in) January.

Answers:

1. in

2. under

3. by

4. in

5. in

Exercise 3 — Use of Preposition (Exercise 56)

Now, here’s Exercise 56: Use of Prepositions — a great way to check your skills.

Rewrite each sentence using the correct preposition:

1. She is good ___ dancing.

2. He divided the cake ___ four pieces.

3. I am fond ___ reading.

4. He depends ___ his parents.

5. They congratulated him ___ his success.

Answers:

1. at

2. into

3. of

4. on

5. on

Best Preposition Exercises

Finally, keep practicing daily with these best preposition exercises to build confidence:

• Make 5 new sentences using in, on, at.

• Write a short story using under, over, behind.

• Try explaining your day with at least 5 prepositions!

These preposition solved exercises are easy to follow and very effective for practice.

Ready to master prepositions? Keep practicing and you’ll see the difference!