A preposition is a word which is used before a noun, pronoun or noun phrase to express its relationship with some other word in the sentence.
Kinds of Preposition
1. Simple: Single Word- At, By, With, Of, From, After, Through.
2. Double: Preposition + Preposition- Out of, Upon, Into.
3. Compound: Noun/Adj./Adv + Simple Preposition- Behind=by (be)+hind.
4. Phrase: In front of (in+ Front + of)=Before, Because of, Instead of, As for.
5. Participle: Regarding this matter I know nothing. (About) [V+ ing-Pr. P].
6. Disguised: Now it is 10 o’clock (of clock) in the morning. Wait (for) a minute.
During
During is usually followed by a noun indicating time. It indicates period of time. Ex: During our vacation we visited many relatives. During the summer we do not have to study.
About
Common usages of about:
i. Concerning: I know everything about him.
ii. Around: I wrapped a piece of cloth about my finger.
iii. Busy with going something: Everywhere people were going about their daily business.
iv. Approximately: It costs about $10.
v. In many direction/Here and there: Children’s were rushing about in the garden.
vi. Nearly/Very close to: I am just about ready. I was just about to ask you the same thing.
vii. On the subject/Connected with something/somebody: A book about birds.
viii. Purpose of something: Movies are all about making money these days.
At
This preposition is used to indicate a general location. Ex: John is at the bank.
Common usages of at:
i. At + an address: Jeny lives at 172/16th Avenue
ii. At + a specific time: The class begins at 8:30 am.
Common expressions with at:
i. At home/school/work: Mr. Rajib is at work and his daughter is at school. At night, they are usually at home.
ii. At least (minimum): We will have to spend at least two weeks for the experiments.
iii. At once (immediately): Please come home at once.
iv. At present/at the moment (now): She is studying at the moment.
v. At times (occasionally): At times, it is difficult to understand mathematics.
vi. At first (initially): Jane was nervous at first, but later she felt more relaxed.
By
This preposition generally means to go past a place or to be situated near a place. Ex: We walked by the library on the way home. Your books are by the window.
Common usages of by:
i. To indicate the agent in passive sentences: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written by William Shakespeare.
ii. By + specific time (before): We usually eat supper by 11 o’clock in the evening.
iii. To indicate mode of travel: By bus/car/plane/ship/train/bike: We traveled to India
Common expressions with by:
i. By then (before a time in the past or future): I will be graduated from the university in 2014. By then I hope to have found a job.
ii. By the way of (via): we are driving to Rajshahi by way of Rangpur.
iii. According to: Now it is 10pm by my watch.
iv. By the way (incidentally): By the way, I have got two tickets for Saturday’s game. Would you like to go with me?
v. By far (considerable): This lecture sheet is by far the best on the subject.
vi. By accident/by mistake (not intentionally): system has locked because wrong cards were put into the computer by accident.
vii. Measure: Our dining table is 4 feet by 2 feet.
viii. Object: The work was done by him. Kill the snake by the stick.
ix. Way of doing something: You can win by practicing. She lost weight by hiking. Julie made a lot of friends by working in the cafeteria.
In
This preposition generally means inside a place or enclosure. Ex: Mr. Rajib is in his office. The tiger is in the cage.
Common usages of in:
i. In a room/building/drawer/closet (inside): Your socks are in the drawer.
ii. In + month/year: His birthday is in January. Peter will begin class in 2011.
iii. In time (not late, early enough): We arrived at the airport in time to eat before the plane left.
iv. In the street: The children were warned not to play in the street.
v. In the morning/afternoon/evening: I have a appointment in the morning, but I will be free in the afternoon.
vi. In the past/future: In the past attendance at school was not compulsory, but it is today.
vii. In the beginning/end: Everyone seemed unfriendly in the beginning, but in the end everyone made friends.
Common expressions with in:
i. In the way (obstructing): He could not park his car in the driveway.
ii. Once in a while (occasionally): Once in a while, we eat dinner in a Chinese restaurant.
iii. In no time at all (in a very short time): Rajib finished his assignment in no time at all.
iv. In the meantime (at the same time, meanwhile): We started college in several weeks, but in the meantime, we can take a trip.
v. In the middle: Rony stood in the middle of the room looking for his friends.
vi. In army/air force/navy: My brother was in army for ten years.
vii. In a row: We sat in the tenth row of the hall room.
viii. In the event that (if): In the event that you win prize, you will be notified by mail.
ix. Language/Material: Say it in English. She wrote it in pencil.
x. In case (if): I will give you the key to the house in case I arrive a little late.
xi. (get) in touch with, (get) in contract with: Its very difficult to get in touch with Mr. Rahman because he works all day.
xii. Environment: She went there in rain. He was sitting alone in the darkness.
xiii. State or condition: I am in love. The daffodils were in full bloom.
On
This preposition generally means a position above, but in contact with an object. It refers a position touching a part of a surface. Ex: The books are on the table. There is a mark on your shirt. A painting is hanging on the wall.
Common usages of in:
i. On a day/date: I will call you on Friday. His birthday is on January 28.
ii. On (a/the) bus/plane/train/ship/bike: It’s too late to see the film star; he is already on the plane. I came to school this morning on the bus.
iii. On a street (situation of a building): Michel lives on 16th avenue
iv. On the floor of a building: Harry lives on the 8th floor of that building.
Common expressions with on:
i. On time (punctual, used for a scheduled event or appointment): despite the bad weather, our plane left on time.
ii. On the corner (of two streets): Bank Asia is on the corner of 13th street 15th avenue
iii. On the sidewalk: Don’t walk in the street, walk on the sidewalk.
iv. On the way (en-route): We can stop at the grocery store on the way to their house.
v. On the right/left: Paul sits on the left side of the room and Jane sits on the right.
vi. On television/ (the radio): The presidents ‘Address to the nation’ will be on television and on the radio tonight.
vii. On the telephone: Jane will be home soon; she is on the telephone.
viii. On the whole (in general): On the whole, the rescue mission was well executed.
ix. On the other hand (however, nevertheless): The present perfect aspect is never used to indicate a specific time; on the other hand, the simple past tense is.
x. On sale (offered for sale): The house will go on sale this weekend (offered at a lower price than normal price). The regular price of the radio is $20, but today it’s on sale for $15.
xi. On foot (walking): My car would not start so I came on foot.
xii. About: I wrote a book on applied accounting.
To
This preposition generally means the direction toward something. Ex: I am going to Miami Beach Switzerland
Common usages of to:
i. Direction: I walked to the office.
ii. Used to mention the limit: We want to fight to the end of the battle.
iii. Before the start of something: How long is it to lunch?
iv. Person or thing that receives something: Send a letter to his sister.
v. Result: Burn the letter to ashes. Beat the dog to death.
vi. Ratio: Ten to one will be succeed. I prefer walking to swimming.
vii. Quantity or rate: There are 2.54 centimeters to an inch.
viii. Relationship: She married to an African. The key to the door. The solution to the problem.
From
This preposition generally means the opposite of to. Ex: He came from Miami Miami
Common usages of from:
i. From (a time/place) to (a time/place): He lived in Germany Delhi
ii. From time to time (occasionally): We visit the art gallery from time to time.
Common expressions with from:
i. Used to show who sent something/somebody: A letter from my friend. A man from the insurance company.
ii. Reason for something: She felt sick from tiredness.
iii. Position or point of view: You can see the island from here. From a financial point of view the project was profitable.
iv. Used to show the change: Things have gone from bad to worse. Translate from English to Spanish.
v. Prevent something: The hero saved the heroine from drowning.
vi. Different from: Is the painting varying different from that?
vii. From now on: From now on you can work on your own.
Out
This preposition generally means away from the inside of a place or thing. Ex: She ran out into the corridor. I got out of bed.
Common usages of out:
i. Away from home or work: I called John but she was out. Let’s go out this evening.
ii. Away from place or land: He is working out in Australia
iii. Remove from place or job: The detergent is good for getting stains out. We want this corrupted leader out.
iv. Available to everyone: When does her new book come out?
v. Clearly and loudly: Read it out loud. Nobody speak out in his defense.
vi. In cricket or baseball: West Indies were all out for 264.
vii. In tennis: The umpire said the ball was out. (It landed outside the line)
viii. Not possible or not allowed: Swimming is out until the weather gets warmer.
ix. Not or no longer burning: Suddenly all the lights went out. He stubbed his cigarette out.
x. To the end: Hear me out before you say anything.
Out of
This preposition generally means the opposite of into. Ex: She walked out of the room when John admonished him.
Common usages of out of:
i. Out of + noun (to lack, to be without): Maria went to the store because she was out of milk.
Common expressions with out of:
i. Out of town (away): Mr. Adams can’t see you this week because he is out town.
ii. Out of date (old): Don’t use that dictionary. It is out of date. Find one that is up to date.
iii. Out of work (jobless, unemployed): Watson was very unhappy since he was been out of work.
iv. Out of question (impossible): Your request for an extension of credit is out of the question.
v. Out of order (not functioning): We had to use our neighbors’ telephone because ours was out of order.
vi. From a particular number or set: You scored six out of ten.
Of
This preposition generally means belonging or relating to somebody. Ex: A friend of mine. The role of the teacher is significant.
**The painting of Leonardo de Vinci (we are talking of all paintings that Vinci painted)
**A painting by Vinci (we are referring a example of Vinci’s painting such as Mona Lisa)
Common usages of OF:
i. Belonging or relating to something: The lid of the box. The director of the company.
ii. Coming from a particular background: A women of Italian descent. The people of hill tracks.
iii. Concerning or showing something: The photo of my dog. The map of Bangladesh
iv. Consist or contains: A crowd of people. A glass of milk. The city of mosque.
v. Expressions of measurements: 2 kilos of potatoes. An increase of 2%. A girl of 16.
vi. Something belongs to a group: Some of his friends. Few of the problems.
Off
This preposition is generally used with phrasal verbs.
Common usages of off:
i. Away from work or duty: He has had ten day off school.
ii. Away from a price: They knocked 50% off the car.
iii. Not liking something anymore: I am off alcohol (not drinking). He has finally off drugs. (He no longer takes drugs).
iv. Adverb: The TV is off. The product is off. Her mood is off today.
Along
This preposition generally means from one end to other end of something. Ex: Go along this street. I walked along the roadside.
With
This preposition generally means the company or presence of something or somebody. Ex: She lives with her parents. I have a client with me right now.
Common usages of with:
i. Having or carrying something: A girl with blonde hair. A jacket with a hood.
ii. Using something: Cut it with a knife. The bag was filled with dirty clothes.
iii. Concerning: Be careful with the fragile glasses. Are you pleased with the result?
iv. Including: The meal with wine costs $20 each.
v. The way of showing attitude: He behaved with great dignity. Don’t stand with your hands in your pocket. She blushed with embarrassment.
vi. Despite something: With all her faults I still love her.
Within
This preposition generally means-before a particular period of time. Ex: You would receive a reply within seven days. The ambulance arrived within minutes of the call being made.
Common usages of within:
i. Not further than a particular distance from something: A house within a mile of the station. Is it within walking distance?
ii. Inside the range or limits: He finds it difficult to live within his income. There is discontent within the farming industry.
Without
This preposition generally means not accompanied by or having.
Common usages of without:
i. Not having, experiencing or showing something: They had gone two days without food. We found the place without difficulty.
ii. Not in the company of somebody: Don’t go without me.
iii. Not using or taking something: Can you see without glasses? Don’t go out without your cell phone.
iv. Not doing something: He left without saying good bye. You can’t learn how to ride cycle without riding it.
þ Problems with preposition þ
¯Between and Among
Remember that between and among have the same meaning. But between is used with two nouns and among is used with three or more nouns or a plural noun. Example:
i. The work is distributed between the secretary and the receptionist.
ii. The rent payments are divided among Ricky, John and Mary.
¯But and Except
Remember that when it is used as a preposition but means except.
Example:
i. Everyone but John wanted sugar in the tea.
ii. Everyone except John wanted sugar in the tea.
iii. None but Kathy knows very much about it.
iv. None except Kathy knows very much about it.
¯Instead of and Instead
Remember that instead of and instead both mean in place of. But instead of is used before a noun, adjective or adverb. And instead is used at the end of a sentence or a clause to refer to a noun, adjective or adverb that has already been mentioned.
Example:
i. Bob’s father wanted him to be an engineer instead of a doctor. Or, Bob’s father wanted him to be an engineer instead.
ii. Could I have rice instead of potatoes please? Or, Could I have rice instead please?
iii. We choose David instead of Watson as our representative. Or, We choose David instead.
¯Because of and Because
Remember that because of is a prepositional phrase. It introduces a noun or a noun phrase. Because is a conjunction. It introduces a clause with a subject and a verb.
Example:
i. They decided to stay at home because the weather was bad. Or, they decided to stay at home because of bad weather.
ii. She didn’t buy it because the price was too high. Or, She didn’t buy it because of the price
¯Place-In, On, At
| | At | Small place | On | Street | In | Large place |
| I live | at | Uttara | on | | in | |
¯Time-In, On, At
In+ year/month On+ day/date At+ time
| | In | Year | In | Month | On | Day | At | Time |
| Lilly was born | in | 1990 | in | December | on | Sunday | at | 7:30pm |
¯Such as
Remember that such as means for example.
| | Such as | Noun/Noun phrase | |
| Some birds | such as | Robins and swallows | spend their winter in the north. |
Avoid using such or as such instead of such as.
Jobs as fast-food restaurants such as Mc Donald’s or KFC are often filled by students.
¯Besides and Beside
Remember that besides means in addition to, and beside means near.
| Besides | Noun/Adjective | |
| Besides | our dog | we have two cats and a parrot. |
| Besides | reading | we should practice in writing. |
| | Beside | Noun |
| We sat | beside | our teacher. |
¯Despite and In spite of
Remember that despite and in spite of have the same meaning. They introduce a contradiction in a sentence or clause of cause-and-result.
Example:
i. Despite his denial we knew that he was guilty.
In spite of
ii. Despite the light rain, the baseball game was not canceled.
In spite of
iii. John and Sarah are still planning to get married in spite of their disagreement despite
**Avoid using ‘of’ with despite. Avoid omitting ‘of’ after in spite.
¯From-To
Remember that from introduces a time and to sets a limit.
| | From | Time | To | Limit |
| The band was popular | from | the 1990 | to | The 2000 |
Example:
i. Our ID card is valid from 2009 to 2013.
ii. The class is scheduled from January 15 to May 15.
**Sometimes From means caused by. In that case it is usually used after adjectives
| | Adj. | From | Noun/ing-noun | |
| The chairs are | wet | from | the rain. | |
| The chairs are | wet | from | sitting | out in the rain |
þ Verbs which do not take preposition þ
| Reach | Resemble | Violate | Discuss |
| Resign | Sign | Investigate | Recommend |
| Order | Command | Enter | |
As these verbs are transitive, avoid using preposition with these verbs. Objects directly take places after these verbs.
Example:
Inc: We reached at the station.
Cor: We reached the station.
Inc: The boy resembles to his father.
Cor: The boy resembles his father.
Inc: We discussed on/about the matter.
Cor: We discussed the matter.
Inc: The judge investigated into the case.
Cor: The judge investigated the case.
Inc: The teacher recommended for the new book.
Cor: The teacher recommended the new book.
Inc: The captain ordered to his soldiers to march on.
Cor: The captain ordered his soldiers to march on.
Inc: We should not violate with/against the law of our country.
Cor: We should not violate the law of our country.
**Avoid using preposition before adverb or adverb phrases.
Inc: He left the village with bag and baggage.
Cor: He left the village bag and baggage.
Inc: We listened to his statement with attentively.
Cor: We listened to his statement attentively.
Inc: She tried with heart and soul.
Cor: She tried heart and soul.
þ Some useful examples of preposition þ
i. It is ten o’clock by my watch.
ii. I don’t sleep by day.
iii. I sleep at night.
iv. Open at page 15.
v. I don’t want a word for word translation.
vi. Just copy this paragraph line by line.
vii. I read with a good teacher.
viii. Write it in ink.
ix. Don’t go by/through/along this road.
x. There are five members on the committee.
xi. You sat with your back to the wall.
xii. I met him on my way to school.
xiii. On my way back, I did not see him.
xiv. To my great surprise, he won the prize.
xv. Would you please show me the way to the market?
xvi. With all his wealth, he is unhappy.
xvii. Air is coming into the room through the window.
xviii. My reading room is 20 feet by 12 feet.
xix. She returns home between 5pm and 6pm.
xx. Now it is 15 minutes past 10.
xxi. Now it is 15 minutes to 10.
xxii. We have come from Dhaka and we want to go to Cox’s bazar.
xxiii. It is a long way from Chittagong
xxiv. Our village stands on the Karnafuli.
xxv. For all his money, he is dishonest.
xxvi. We broke through the crowd.
xxvii. He fell down the hill.
xxviii. The boat sailed down the river.
xxix. Don’t run in the sun.
xxx. She died of Cholera.
xxxi. She died from hard work.
xxxii. The girl died by hanging. (suicide)
xxxiii. One should not hesitate to die for one’s country.
þ Some exceptional examples of preposition þ
i. Barring (=excepting) accident, the mail will arrive tomorrow.
ii. Concerning (=about) yesterday’s fire, there are many rumors in the bazaar.
iii. Considering (=taking into account) the quality, the price is not high.
iv. Pending further orders, Mr. Babul will act as headmaster.
v. Regarding your inquiries, we regret to say that we are not interested in imitation silk.
vi. Respecting the plan you mention, I shall write to you.
vii. Touching (=with regard to) this matter, I have not as yet made up my mind.
viii. I will be done by then (=that time).
ix. Since then (=that time) she has not shown his face.
x. He must have reached there by now (=this time).
xi. Each article was sold at over a pound.
xii. The noise from across the river.
xiii. I sold my car for under its half cost.
xiv. He swore from dawn till far into the night.
xv. He did not see her till a few days ago.
xvi. I was thinking about how to circumvent him.
xvii. Pay careful attention to what I am going to say.
xviii. There is no meaning in what you say.
xix. She is the girl I was looking for.
xx. These are the good rules to live by.
xxi. He charges interest at nine per cent.
xxii. Cloth is sold by the yard.
xxiii. I am taller than you by two inches.
xxiv. From what I know of him, I hesitate to trust him.
xxv. He did it from gratitude.
xxvi. Light emanates from the sun.
xxvii. Skill comes from practice.
xxviii. We traveled by train. (not: by the/a train)
xxix. Suresh went there on my bike. (not: by my bike)
xxx. We traveled in Mr. Joseph’s car. ( not: by Mr. Joseph’s car)
xxxi. They came in a taxi. I’ll go on the 7:30 bus.
xxxii. He goes to the office on foot=he walks to the office. (not by foot)
xxxiii. He was stabbed by a lunatic with a dagger.
xxxiv. He succeeded by dint of perseverance and hard work.
xxxv. In case of need, phone 01715390531.
xxxvi. By virtue of the power vested in me, I hereby rule.
xxxvii. In consequence of his illness he could not finish the work in time.
xxxviii. Owing to his ill health, he retired from business.
xxxix. With reference to your letter of date, we regret we cannot allow any further rebate.
xl. In order to avoid litigation, he accepted Rs. 300 in full settlement of his claim for Rs. 450.
xli. In course of time he saw his mistake.
xlii. He died fighting on behalf of his country.
xliii. On behalf of the staff he read the address.
xliv. He preserved in spite of difficulties.
xlv. In the event of his dying without an issue, his nephew would inherit the whole property.
xlvi. Instead of talking, prove your worth by doing something.
xlvii. By reason of his perverse attitude, he estranged his best friends.
xlviii. He acted according to my instructions.
xlix. Why don’t you go along with your brother?
l. In accordance with your instructions, we have remitted the amount to your bankers.
li. There is a big tree in front of his house.
lii. By way of introduction, he made some pertinent remarks.
liii. By means of rope ladders they scaled the wall.
liv. For the sake of their beliefs, the Puritans immigrated to America
lv. In courses of his researches he met with many difficulties.
lvi. He abdicated the throne in favor of his eldest son.
lvii. He accepted the car in lieu of his claim for Rs. 125000.
lviii. On account of his negligence the company suffered a heavy loss.
lix. Whatever he does, he does with an eye to the main chance.
lx. With a view to an amicable settlement, we offer you without prejudice Rs. 750 in full settlement of all your claims up-to-date.
lxi. Agreeably to the terms of settlement, we herewith enclose our cheque for Rs. 1000.
