English Grammar: Prepositions

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Definition:

A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun or gerund to other words. They can have a variety of meanings:

  • Direction- He's going TO the shops
  • Location- It's IN the box
  • Time- He left AFTER the lesson had finished
  • Possession- The Government OF Italy

Some prepositional phrases can function like single word prepositions; next to, in front of, etc., called complex prepositions.

See Also:

Complement; Parts of Speech

Category:

Prepositions

Related Grammar Definitions

Related English Articles

Continue to learn about prepositions by browsing our articles on the topic.

Learner Articles

Beside & besides

The differences in usage between beside and besides.
For & Since

What's the difference between 'for' and 'since'?
The Use of By + Until

When should you use 'by' and 'until'?.

Articles for Teachers

How to teach prepositions of time

Teaching tips and classroom games and activities for time expressions with at, in, on, no preposition etc

Related Language Quizzes

Test your understanding by taking our language quizzes related to prepositions.

Level Quiz
Beginner Control (10)
Beginner Good + preposition (10)
Beginner In On At (12)
Beginner In, On & At (10)
Beginner Made of, from, in, with & by (8)
Beginner Prepositions after Adjectives (10)
Beginner Prepositions of Location- At & In (12)
Beginner Prepositions of Time- In On At (14)
Beginner Prepositions- Location (159)
Beginner Prepositions- Time (76)
Beginner To & For (10)
Beginner To & For (10)
Intermediate About & Of (10)
Intermediate Above & Over (10)
Intermediate At the end, in the end, etc (10)
Intermediate Beside & Besides (10)
Intermediate By or Until? (15)
Intermediate Except & Except For (10)
Intermediate For & To (10)
Intermediate Front & Back (10)
Intermediate Of & From (11)
Intermediate Prepositional Phrases (10)
Intermediate Prepositions after Adjectives (22)
Intermediate Prepositions after Adjectives 2 (10)
Intermediate Prepositions after Nouns (10)
Intermediate Prepositions after Nouns 2 (10)
Intermediate Prepositions after Verbs (17)
Intermediate Prepositions Mixed Types (31)
Intermediate Prepositions with verbs (37)
Advanced Below & Under (10)
Advanced During, for and since (13)
Advanced Over & Above (10)
Advanced Prepositions after Verbs (10)
Advanced Prepositions after Verbs 2 (10)
Advanced Prepositions- words taking more than one preposition (23)