USAGE OF SOME IMPORTANT
PREPOSITIONS:
The following are the list of prepositions regularly
used. Some prepositions may give more than one meaning. Usage of each meaning
of the preposition is illustrated with suitable examples:
|
Sl.
No.
|
Preposition
|
Meanings
|
Examples
|
|
1
|
About
|
On the subject
of:
|
This is a story about
Lord Krishna
|
|
Approximately:
|
She is about
eight years old
|
||
|
2
|
Above
|
Higher than;
over:
|
The plane flew above
the clouds
|
|
Earlier on a
page:
|
There is a title above
each chapter
|
||
|
3
|
Across
|
From one side to
the other:
|
We walked across
the field
|
|
On the other side
of:
|
There is a store across
the street
|
||
|
4
|
After
|
Later in time:
|
He comes after
ten o’clock
|
|
Later in series:
|
Ramu comes after
me in the attendance register
|
||
|
In pursuit of:
|
The dog ran after
the cat
|
||
|
5
|
Against
|
In opposition to:
|
Theft is against
the law
|
|
Touching;
supported by:
|
I leaned the
ladder against the wall
|
||
|
6.
|
Along
|
Following the
length of:
|
They walked along
the road
|
|
7.
|
Among
|
Within a group:
|
The money was
shared among three people
|
|
8.
|
Around
|
Circling
something:
|
We walked around
the temple
|
|
Surroundings:
|
There is a fence around
the garden
|
||
|
In different
parts of:
|
We looked around
the marked to buy a bat
|
||
|
In the other
direction:
|
The police turned
around and went back to the station
|
||
|
Approximately:
|
He is around seven
feet tall
|
||
|
9.
|
At
|
A specific
location:
|
I will wait at
Koti bus stop
|
|
A point time:
|
She gets up at
5’0 clock
|
||
|
A condition:
|
Now, I am at peace;
She is at rest
|
||
|
An activity:
|
I am at work;
They are at office;
She is at play;
|
||
|
10.
|
Before
|
Earlier in time:
|
Come before 7
‘o clock
Go before
Christmas
|
|
Earlier in
series:
|
B comes before
C in the alphabet
|
||
|
11.
|
Behind
|
At the back of:
|
What is there behind
the curtain?
|
|
Late:
|
We are behind in
our work
|
||
|
Cause; origin:
|
Who was behind
that idea?
|
||
|
12.
|
Below
|
Lower than;
under:
|
Some plants grow below
the sea level
|
|
Later on a page:
|
Footnotes are
provided below the text
|
||
|
13.
|
Beneath
|
Lower than;
below:
|
The boat sank beneath
the waves
|
|
14.
|
Beside
|
Next to;
at the side of:
|
Sit beside your
sister
|
|
15.
|
Besides
|
In addition to;
also; as well as:
|
I have a flat besides
a duplex house
|
|
16.
|
Between
|
An intermediate
location:
|
Suryapet comes between
Hyderabad and Vijayawada
|
|
An intermediate
time:
|
Good business is
done between Christmas and Pongal
|
||
|
Intermediate in a
series:
|
D comes between
C and E in the alphabet
|
||
|
An intermediate
amount/ number:
|
You can expect a
salary between eight and ten thousand
|
||
|
Within a group of
two:
|
The money was
shared between Ram and Raju
|
||
|
17.
|
Beyond
|
Farther than:
|
The road
continues beyond the village up into the hills
|
|
Further than,
exceeding:
|
Her performance
on the stage is beyond our expectation
|
||
|
18.
|
But
|
Except:
|
I have met all but
Prasanth
|
|
19.
|
By
|
Near:
|
She bought a
house by the sea
|
|
Nearness:
|
My mother sat by
me when the doctor was testing
|
||
|
Distance:
|
My village is
further by ten miles from here
|
||
|
Past:
|
He walked by
me without speaking
|
||
|
The sense of
along/ passing through/ across:
|
We traveled to
Rome by Milan and Florence
|
||
|
Not later than:
|
We have to finish
the work by 5’o clock
|
||
|
In units of:
|
In Hyderabad,
mangoes are sold by weight
|
||
|
Through the means
of:
|
I daily travel by
local train from Lingampally to Lakdikapool
|
||
|
20
|
Concerning
|
Connected with;
about:
|
I read every news
item concerning politics
|
|
21
|
Despite
|
In spite of:
|
He won the game despite
his fever
|
|
22
|
Down
|
To a lower
position:
|
The boy rolled
down the hill
|
|
|
|
Further along:
|
We live down
the lane
|
|
23
|
During
|
Throughout a
period:
|
Many call centers
run during the night
|
|
Sometime within a
period:
|
There will be two
intervals during the performance
|
||
|
24
|
Except
|
Not including:
|
I have read all
his books except this
|
|
25
|
For
|
Duration of time:
|
Test match is
played for five days
|
|
Distance:
|
He ran for 2
kilo meters
|
||
|
Purpose:
|
He brought a toy for
my child
|
||
|
In the direction
of:
|
My cousin left for
Mumbai
|
||
|
In favour of:
|
Our boss is for
the proposal
|
||
|
Considering:
|
The little girl
is clever for her age
|
||
|
26.
|
From
|
Place of origin:
|
I come from
Kakinada
|
|
Start of a period
of time:
|
They have
holidays from tomorrow
|
||
|
Start of a range:
|
From 40 to 50 were present for the
meeting
|
||
|
Cause:
|
He suffers from
fever
|
||
|
Source:
|
I heard this news
from my friend
|
||
|
27.
|
In
|
Place thought of
as an idea:
|
Different
languages are spoken in Europe
|
|
Within a
location:
|
My friend is
waiting in the room
|
||
|
Large units of
time:
|
I completed my
P.G. in April, in 1995
|
||
|
Within a certain
time:
|
I will meet you in a week
|
||
|
By means of:
|
Speak only in
English.
Please write in
pencil
|
||
|
Condition:
|
She is in
a doubt.
I am in a
hurry
|
||
|
A member of:
|
He is in the
army
|
||
|
Wearing:
|
She looks
beautiful in red sari
|
||
|
With reference
to:
|
Bihar is rich in
minerals
My cousin is poor
in communication skills
|
||
|
28.
|
Inside
|
Within:
|
Who is inside
the building?
|
|
29
|
Into
|
To the inside of:
|
My uncle stepped into
his room
|
|
Change of
condition:
|
The magician
changed the girl into a parrot
|
||
|
30
|
Like
|
Resembling:
|
My friend Mohan
looks like actor Chiranjeevi
|
|
Appearing
possible:
|
It looks like
a dangerous place
|
||
|
Be in a suitable
mood for:
|
I feel like
playing in the rain
|
||
|
31
|
Minus
|
Less:
|
Five minus
two equals three
|
|
32
|
Near
|
Close to:
|
We live near
BHEL.
|
|
33
|
Of
|
Location:
|
The traffic
signal is in the middle of the road
|
|
Possession:
|
He is a friend of
my brother
|
||
|
Part of a group:
|
He is a member of
our team
|
||
|
Measurement:
|
Please give me a
glass of water
|
||
|
34
|
Off
|
down; away from:
|
The ball rolled off
the table
|
|
At some distance
from:
|
There is a big
house off the high street
|
||
|
35
|
On
|
Being supported
by something else:
|
The dog sat on
the table
|
|
Condition of use,
sale etc:
|
This building is on
sale.
He will be on a probation for one year.
|
||
|
Motion:
|
The horse threw
the rider on the ground
|
||
|
The object of
feeling desire, achievement, etc:
|
The CEO is bent
on dismissing you.
The Chinese team
is now ready for its final assault on the Everest
|
||
|
Reference to a
topic or affair:
|
The Principal
gave a lecture on Nuclear Physics
|
||
|
A certain day:
|
Please come on
Monday
|
||
|
A certain street:
|
The shop is on
Gandhi street
|
||
|
About:
|
I bought a book on
Astrology
|
||
|
A state or
condition:
|
The workers are on
strike
The banks are on
a holiday
The shops are on
fire
|
||
|
By means of:
|
The old couple
are surviving on a meager pension
|
||
|
36
|
Onto
|
To a position on:
|
The boy climbed onto
the table
|
|
37
|
Opposite
|
Facing:
|
Her house is opposite
the police station
|
|
38
|
Out of
|
To the outside
of:
|
He went out of
home
|
|
From among:
|
They selected
three players out of five
|
||
|
Motive:
|
We spoke to them out
of politeness
|
||
|
Material:
|
The chapattis are
made out of wheat
|
||
|
Beyond:
|
My friend is out
of danger
|
||
|
39
|
Outside
|
On the outer side
of:
|
There is a
dustbin outside the house
|
|
Beyond the limits
of:
|
They asked
questions outside my experience
|
||
|
40
|
Over
|
Above; higher
than:
|
There are
cupboards over the sink
|
|
Covering:
|
Put the cloth over
T.V.
|
||
|
Across:
|
I jumped over
an anthill
|
||
|
More than:
|
The suit cost over
two thousand rupees.
The journey took over
three hours
|
||
|
During:
|
We met them over
the last week’s meeting
|
||
|
By means of:
|
He talked to me over
the mobile
|
||
|
41
|
Past
|
Upto and beyond:
|
I walked past the
Church
|
|
After (to
indicate time):
|
It is half past
three
|
||
|
Beyond:
|
His narration is past
belief
|
||
|
42
|
Per
|
For each:
|
This bike gives
60 KM mileage per litre
|
|
43
|
Plus
|
With the addition
of:
|
Ten plus
five equals fifteen
|
|
44
|
Since
|
From a specific
time in the past:
|
I had been
waiting for her acceptance since 2005
|
|
From a past time
until now:
|
She has been
singing since morning
|
||
|
45
|
Through
|
Across; from end
to end:
|
The National
Highway-5 goes through our village
|
|
For the whole of
a period:
|
I slept through
the night
|
||
|
By means of:
|
He got the job through
reference of his friend
|
||
|
46
|
Throughout
|
In every part of:
|
English is spoken
throughout the world
|
|
For the whole of
a period:
|
His business runs
well throughout the summer
|
||
|
47
|
Till
|
Till can be used
instead of until.
However, at the
beginning of the sentence, until is generally preferred
|
Please wait till
my brother comes
|
|
48
|
To
|
In the direction
of:
|
All of you, turn to
the right!
|
|
Destination:
|
I am going to Vijayawada
|
||
|
Until:
|
The classes run
from Monday to Friday
|
||
|
Compared with:
|
I prefer Coffee to tea
|
||
|
With indirect
object:
|
Don’t show it to
me
|
||
|
As part of
infinitive:
|
I like to sing
on the stage
|
||
|
In order to:
|
I went to the
hospital to help my friend
|
||
|
49
|
Toward (or towards)
|
In the direction
of:
|
They walked toward
the park
|
|
Near; just before
(time)
|
He came here towards
evening
|
||
|
50
|
Under
|
Beneath:
|
The children are
playing under the trees
|
|
Less than:
|
Children under
eighteen years are not allowed for the show
|
||
|
In circumstances
of:
|
The file under
process
My bike is under
repair
|
||
|
51
|
Underneath
|
Below, under:
|
The water is
flowing underneath the carpet
|
|
52
|
Until
|
Upto a certain
time:
|
I will wait until
7 p.m.
|
|
53
|
Upon
|
On and Upon have similar
meanings.
|
Upon may be used in certain
expressions, as in once upon a time, and following certain verbs, as in to rely
upon someone.
|
|
54
|
Up
|
To a higher
place:
|
They went up
the stairs
|
|
|
|
In a higher
place:
|
They camped up
the hill
|
|
55
|
Up to
|
As far as:
|
I have not faced
any problem Up to now;
I have seen the
movie up to interval
|
|
Depending on:
|
The decision is up
to you whether to marry him or not.
|
||
|
As good as; ready
for:
|
His performance
is up to my expectations
|
||
|
56
|
Versus
|
Against (sports,
legal):
|
The next match is
Kolkata riders versus Deccan chargers
|
|
57
|
Via
|
By way of:
|
We went to
Australia via Singapore
|
|
58
|
With
|
Accompanying:
|
My friend came with
his wife
I have my bag with
me
|
|
Having; containing:
|
Here is a house with
all modern facilities
|
||
|
By means of:
using:
|
I tightened the
screw with a spoon
|
||
|
Manner:
|
We welcome you with
pleasure
He dances with
ease
She attempted the
exam with difficulty
|
||
|
Because of:
|
We were frozen with
fear
|
||
|
59
|
Within
|
Inside of:
|
I will come back within
one hour;
The distance will
be within two kilometer
|
|
60
|
Without
|
Not having:
|
No entry without
invitation;
Don’t talk without
preparation
|
NOOJILLA SRINIVAS
Lecturer in English
Govt. Degree College,
Alamuru,
Andhra pradesh - India
M: 7981862200
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