Using Prepositions

Prepositions are words that specify time, place and direction. There are three types of prepositions.

Prepositions of time

A few common prepositions of time are in / at / on / for / during / since

Using in
Please don't leave this room. I'll be right back in 5 minutes.
They usually entertain their new clients in the afternoon.

Using at
I've arranged for Mr Peterson to see his new client at 10 tomorrow morning.
We shall have our lunch break at noon.
Some flowers bloom at midnight.

Using on
The witness swore in court that he saw the murder on the morning of 16th December.
The students attend classes on weekdays.
We received the new products on the 18th of February.

Using for
They have been waiting for 2 hours.
We were extremely busy for the whole of last week.

Using during
Our school football team was in the lead during the first 20 minutes.
Nancy was very nervous during the driving test.

Using since
They have been watching TV since this morning.
Henry and his friends have been trying to fix the jigsaw puzzle since 9 am.


Prepositions of place

A few common prepositions of place are in / on / at / inside / outside / beside / across

Using in
Where's Henry? He's in the washroom.
Many young children like to play in the new playground.
The kids are enjoying themselves in the swimming pool.
The Hardy family lives in Chicago.

Using on
Where are the reference books? They're on the shelves.


Using at
Where do you live? I live at No. 88 Boulevard Park.
She bumped into her old friend, Hilda, when she was doing shopping at the supermarket.

Using inside
I put all your History notes inside the A4-sized folder.
The children love to play chess inside the cute tree-house they built last summer.

Using outside
He usually leaves his raincoat and umbrella outside the house.

Using beside
The young lady standing beside the couch is Mr Peterson's new secretary.

Using across
Pauline's house is just across the street.


Prepositions of direction
A few common prepositions of direction are to / toward / through / past

Using to
The rain came suddenly and Laura quickly ran to the corridor.

Using toward (also spelt as towards)
She almost fainted when she saw the huge dark shadow walking toward her!

Using through
Walk through the narrow passage and turn left.

Using past
I drive past the town library on my way to the office every morning.


Click on grammar Articles to view other kinds of grammar.

By Susan L
On 3/09/2010 06:22:00 AM
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