## 📝 English Grammar: Prepositions - Quick Revision Notes & Short Tricks ### Introduction to Prepositions A **preposition** is a word or a group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, or to introduce an object. Prepositions are crucial for establishing relationships between different parts of a sentence. ### 🎯 Key Concepts & Rules #### 1. Prepositions of Time These prepositions help to indicate when something happens. * **ON:** Used for specific days and dates. * *Rules:* Use 'on' before days of the week (**on** Monday), specific dates (**on** 26th January), and specific holidays with 'Day' (**on** Christmas Day). * *Example:* I have a meeting **on** Friday. * **IN:** Used for months, years, centuries, and long periods. * *Rules:* Use 'in' before months (**in** August), years (**in** 2025), seasons (**in** summer), and centuries (**in** the 21st century). Also used for 'morning,' 'afternoon,' and 'evening.' * *Example:* The festival is held **in** November. * **AT:** Used for specific times. * *Rules:* Use 'at' for specific clock times (**at** 7 PM), and festival names without 'Day' (**at** Christmas). * *Example:* The train arrives **at** 8:30 AM. --- #### 2. Prepositions of Place & Location These prepositions indicate the position or location of something. * **ON:** Used for a surface. * *Example:* The book is **on** the table. * **IN:** Used for an enclosed space. * *Example:* The keys are **in** the drawer. * **AT:** Used for a specific point or location. * *Example:* She is waiting **at** the bus stop. * **ABOVE / OVER:** Indicates a higher position without contact. 'Over' can also imply movement. * *Example:* The bird flew **over** the house. / The painting is **above** the fireplace. * **BELOW / UNDER:** Indicates a lower position. * *Example:* The cat is sleeping **under** the bed. * **BESIDE / NEXT TO:** Means 'at the side of.' * *Example:* The chair is **beside** the window. * **BETWEEN:** Used for two people or things. * *Example:* The store is **between** the bank and the library. * **AMONG:** Used for three or more people or things. * *Example:* He distributed the sweets **among** the children. --- #### 3. Prepositions of Movement & Direction These prepositions show movement from one place to another. * **TO:** Indicates movement towards a destination. * *Example:* I am going **to** the market. * **INTO:** Indicates movement from outside to inside. * *Example:* He jumped **into** the pool. * **OUT OF:** Indicates movement from inside to outside. * *Example:* She walked **out of** the room. * **THROUGH:** Indicates movement from one side to the other of an enclosed space. * *Example:* The train passed **through** the tunnel. * **ACROSS:** Indicates movement from one side to the other of a surface. * *Example:* They walked **across** the bridge. --- ### 💡 Common Errors & Important Points for Exams * **Correct Use of 'On', 'In', 'At':** This is a very common area for errors. Remember the general rule: **AT** (specific), **ON** (less specific), **IN** (general/long period). * *Time:* at 3 PM, on Monday, in August. * *Place:* at the bus stop, on the table, in the room. * **Prepositional Phrases:** A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object. * *Example:* The man **in the red shirt** is my brother. * **Prepositions in Idioms & Phrasal Verbs:** The meaning of a phrasal verb often changes with the preposition used. * *Example:* Look **up** (search for information), Look **for** (try to find). * **No Preposition After Certain Verbs:** Some verbs do not require a preposition before their object, even though a similar verb might. * *Correct:* We discussed the matter. (NOT discussed about) * *Correct:* The police investigated the case. (NOT investigated into) * *Correct:* He reached the station. (NOT reached at) * *Correct:* They entered the room. (NOT entered into) * **Prepositions at the End of a Sentence:** While often avoided in formal writing, it is grammatically correct in certain contexts, especially in questions. * *Example:* What did you talk **about**? --- ### 📝 20 Objective Questions 1. He is afraid _____________ dogs. * **Answer:** of 2. I am going to the station _____________ bus. * **Answer:** by 3. The cat is sitting _____________ the table. * **Answer:** under 4. She lives _____________ Delhi. * **Answer:** in 5. He will arrive _____________ a few minutes. * **Answer:** in 6. The meeting is scheduled _____________ 10 AM. * **Answer:** at 7. She congratulated me _____________ my success. * **Answer:** on 8. He is good _____________ drawing. * **Answer:** at 9. The shop is open _____________ Monday _____________ Friday. * **Answer:** from, to 10. The teacher divided the books _____________ the students. * **Answer:** among 11. He jumped _____________ the river. * **Answer:** into 12. The dog ran _____________ the street. * **Answer:** across 13. I prefer tea _____________ coffee. * **Answer:** to 14. They are discussing _____________ the new project. * **Answer:** the new project (No preposition needed) 15. He is responsible _____________ the mistake. * **Answer:** for 16. The house is located _____________ the lake. * **Answer:** beside 17. I'll see you _____________ Christmas. * **Answer:** at 18. The film will be released _____________ December. * **Answer:** in 19. We talked _____________ his family. * **Answer:** about 20. The plane flew _____________ the clouds. * **Answer:** above --- *Last updated: 19/8/2025*
## 📝 English Grammar: Prepositions - Quick Revision Notes & Short Tricks ### Introduction to Prepositions A **preposition** is a word or a group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, or to introduce an object. Prepositions are crucial for establishing relationships between different parts of a sentence. ### 🎯 Key Concepts & Rules #### 1. Prepositions of Time These prepositions help to indicate when something happens. * **ON:** Used for specific days and dates. * *Rules:* Use 'on' before days of the week (**on** Monday), specific dates (**on** 26th January), and specific holidays with 'Day' (**on** Christmas Day). * *Example:* I have a meeting **on** Friday. * **IN:** Used for months, years, centuries, and long periods. * *Rules:* Use 'in' before months (**in** August), years (**in** 2025), seasons (**in** summer), and centuries (**in** the 21st century). Also used for 'morning,' 'afternoon,' and 'evening.' * *Example:* The festival is held **in** November. * **AT:** Used for specific times. * *Rules:* Use 'at' for specific clock times (**at** 7 PM), and festival names without 'Day' (**at** Christmas). * *Example:* The train arrives **at** 8:30 AM. --- #### 2. Prepositions of Place & Location These prepositions indicate the position or location of something. * **ON:** Used for a surface. * *Example:* The book is **on** the table. * **IN:** Used for an enclosed space. * *Example:* The keys are **in** the drawer. * **AT:** Used for a specific point or location. * *Example:* She is waiting **at** the bus stop. * **ABOVE / OVER:** Indicates a higher position without contact. 'Over' can also imply movement. * *Example:* The bird flew **over** the house. / The painting is **above** the fireplace. * **BELOW / UNDER:** Indicates a lower position. * *Example:* The cat is sleeping **under** the bed. * **BESIDE / NEXT TO:** Means 'at the side of.' * *Example:* The chair is **beside** the window. * **BETWEEN:** Used for two people or things. * *Example:* The store is **between** the bank and the library. * **AMONG:** Used for three or more people or things. * *Example:* He distributed the sweets **among** the children. --- #### 3. Prepositions of Movement & Direction These prepositions show movement from one place to another. * **TO:** Indicates movement towards a destination. * *Example:* I am going **to** the market. * **INTO:** Indicates movement from outside to inside. * *Example:* He jumped **into** the pool. * **OUT OF:** Indicates movement from inside to outside. * *Example:* She walked **out of** the room. * **THROUGH:** Indicates movement from one side to the other of an enclosed space. * *Example:* The train passed **through** the tunnel. * **ACROSS:** Indicates movement from one side to the other of a surface. * *Example:* They walked **across** the bridge. --- ### 💡 Common Errors & Important Points for Exams * **Correct Use of 'On', 'In', 'At':** This is a very common area for errors. Remember the general rule: **AT** (specific), **ON** (less specific), **IN** (general/long period). * *Time:* at 3 PM, on Monday, in August. * *Place:* at the bus stop, on the table, in the room. * **Prepositional Phrases:** A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object. * *Example:* The man **in the red shirt** is my brother. * **Prepositions in Idioms & Phrasal Verbs:** The meaning of a phrasal verb often changes with the preposition used. * *Example:* Look **up** (search for information), Look **for** (try to find). * **No Preposition After Certain Verbs:** Some verbs do not require a preposition before their object, even though a similar verb might. * *Correct:* We discussed the matter. (NOT discussed about) * *Correct:* The police investigated the case. (NOT investigated into) * *Correct:* He reached the station. (NOT reached at) * *Correct:* They entered the room. (NOT entered into) * **Prepositions at the End of a Sentence:** While often avoided in formal writing, it is grammatically correct in certain contexts, especially in questions. * *Example:* What did you talk **about**? --- ### 📝 20 Objective Questions 1. He is afraid _____________ dogs. * **Answer:** of 2. I am going to the station _____________ bus. * **Answer:** by 3. The cat is sitting _____________ the table. * **Answer:** under 4. She lives _____________ Delhi. * **Answer:** in 5. He will arrive _____________ a few minutes. * **Answer:** in 6. The meeting is scheduled _____________ 10 AM. * **Answer:** at 7. She congratulated me _____________ my success. * **Answer:** on 8. He is good _____________ drawing. * **Answer:** at 9. The shop is open _____________ Monday _____________ Friday. * **Answer:** from, to 10. The teacher divided the books _____________ the students. * **Answer:** among 11. He jumped _____________ the river. * **Answer:** into 12. The dog ran _____________ the street. * **Answer:** across 13. I prefer tea _____________ coffee. * **Answer:** to 14. They are discussing _____________ the new project. * **Answer:** the new project (No preposition needed) 15. He is responsible _____________ the mistake. * **Answer:** for 16. The house is located _____________ the lake. * **Answer:** beside 17. I'll see you _____________ Christmas. * **Answer:** at 18. The film will be released _____________ December. * **Answer:** in 19. We talked _____________ his family. * **Answer:** about 20. The plane flew _____________ the clouds. * **Answer:** above --- *Last updated: 19/8/2025*