List of Common Prepositions

In this article, we help you learn about the most commonly used prepositions. These would go a long way in helping you understand the usage of prepositions in english grammar. Use this article as a revision tool in your spare time.
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Prepositions:
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition. A preposition is simply a short word (like in, at, to) commonly placed before a noun (sometimes also before gerund verbs). Learning prepositions can pose a problem as there are no set rules to follow. Besides, an exact translation is usually not possible. A single preposition in a native language may have many translations depending on the situation. The best way to learn prepositions is to note them carefully while looking up a dictionary for word meanings. In addition, extensive reading and an alert mind can be a great help.
Example: The book is on the table.
A prepositional phrase is made up of the preposition, its object and any associated adjectives or adverbs. A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.
Example: At home, in time.
Frequently Used Prepositions
Go through the list of most common prepositions along with their uses and examples.
1.  AT
Uses: Example:
next to, by an object at the gate, at the door
for table at the dinner table
for events at a dance show, at a get-together
place for doing typical work at a multiplex, at college, at home
(watch a movie, study, work)

2. ON
Uses: Example:
attached the photo on the wall
a place by a river Allahabad is located on the Sangam.
on a surface my book is on the table
a certain side (right, left) on the left of the road
a storey in a building on the top floor
public transport on a train, on a plane
3. IN
Uses: Example:
hall, house, street, town, city in India, in Kanpur
magazine, book, newspaper in The Tribune
cab, auto rickshaw sitting in a cab
picture, world not in the picture, in her own world
4. UNDER
Uses: Example:
on the ground, lower than something else the purse is under the stool
5. BELOW
Uses: Example:
lower than something but above ground the impurities are below the surface
6. OVER
Uses: Example:
covered by something put a cover over the dish
more than over 80 years of age
getting to the other side climb over the wall
overcoming an obstacle walk over the bridge
7. ABOVE
Uses: Example:
higher than but not directly over it a bridge above the lake
8. BY, NEXT TO, BESIDE
Uses: Example:
left or right of somebody/ something Gili is standing by / next to / beside the scooter.
9. ACROSS
Uses: Example:
going to the other side a lake walk across a road, row across
10. THROUGH
Uses: Example:
with limits on all sides drive through the tunnel
11. TO
Uses: Example:
move to a person/ building go to Ram first, go to the school
move to a place/ country go to the cinema, go to Kolkata
for bed go to bed at night
12. INTO
Uses: Example:
enter a room / building go into the garage / the kitchen
13. TOWARDS
Uses: Example:
move in a direction go towards the house/ the north
14. ONTO
Uses: Example:
move to the top of something jump onto the table, get onto the car
15. FROM
Uses: Example:
where from almonds from Afghanistan
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16. Made of
Uses: Example:
when only physical change is there This table is made of wood
17. Made from
Uses: Example:
when physical as well as chemical change is there. Curd is made from milk
Prepositions: Key Learning
  • Practice will help you to master the rules of Prepositions.
  • Follow the simple rules given in the article and solve as many questions as you can.
If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section given below.
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