What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are small but powerful words used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They show relationships of time, place, direction, and more.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions tell us when something happens.

Preposition	Usage	Example
At	Specific times or holidays without "day".	She arrives at 5 PM. We will meet at the festival.
On	Specific days and dates.	My birthday is on Monday. The event is on January 1st.
In	Months, years, centuries, and long periods.	He was born in June. They moved here in 2020.
Since	From a point in the past until now.	She has lived here since 2015.
For	To show a duration of time.	I have lived here for 5 years.
By	Not later than a specific time.	Finish the project by Friday.
Until	Up to a point in time.	He stayed until midnight.
During	Throughout the duration of an event.	I slept during the movie.

Prepositions of Place

These prepositions describe where something is located.

Preposition	Usage	Example
In	Something enclosed or inside.	The keys are in the drawer.
On	Something resting on a surface.	The book is on the table.
At	Specific places or points.	He is at the door.
Under	Lower than something.	The shoes are under the bed.
Over	Directly above something.	The clock is over the sofa.
Behind	At the back of something.	The bike is behind the car.
Beside / Next to	Close to or near.	He sat next to me.
Between	In the space separating two things.	The park is between the school and the hospital.
In front of	Ahead of or facing something.	The car is in front of the house.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions indicate movement from one place to another.

Preposition	Usage	Example
To	Shows movement towards a specific destination.	She went to the market.
Into	Shows movement to the inside of something.	She jumped into the pool.
Onto	Shows movement to a surface.	He climbed onto the roof.
Out of	Shows movement from inside to outside.	She came out of the room.
From	Shows the starting point.	He moved from one city to another.
Off	Shows movement away from a surface.	He jumped off the bed.
Toward	Shows direction (but not necessarily arrival).	She ran toward the park.

Conclusion

Understanding prepositions correctly helps you speak and write clearly, and also avoid common mistakes. Practice using them in sentences to become more confident.