Prepositions
Prepositions are words which relate two elements of a sentence, phrase or clause together. Prepositions usually indicate how the elements relate in time and space.
Prepositions generally precede the words which they ‘govern’. A preposition normally governs a Noun or a Pronoun.
Prepositions are often very short words, as – at, in, on, to, before, after, before, behind, below etc.
Some complex prepositions consist of two words, as ahead of, instead of, agree with, agree to. Instead of, and some consist of three, as – with reference to, in accordance with, in addition to etc.
Although prepositions are small, they are important and also tricky. Basic grammar books tell about prepositions that refer to time and place. But there are other prepositions where no rules can help, e.g. you laugh at someone; you are angry with someone; you are sorry for someone; you are afraid of something. And there is no reason why you use these. You must just learn the preposition with the word (noun, adjective and verb) that it goes with.
Let us look at some of these common prepositions illustrated in the sentences below:
About:
She walked about (around) the room.
They are always about the place.
There are about (nearly) a dozen apples in the basket.
Grandmother, tell me a story about a fairy.
She told me all about you.
I sent him about his business (sent him away).
What about some coffee? (Shall we have it?)
Above:
The blue sky is above our heads.
The airplane flew above the skyscrapers.
Her character is above suspicion.
Above all, don’t forget the salt.
After:
She takes after her mother (resembles).
She was named after her grandmother.
Everybody left, one after another.
The debate went on day after day.
Against:
He married against his father’s wish.
He was made to work against his will.
She was feeling weak and leaned against the wall for support.
They are saving money against a rainy day.
The soldiers defended the city against attack.
He struggled against great difficulties in his life.
He was against the proposal.
At:
at the top of the stairs, at a distance
at four o’clock, at Christmas, at night, at the end of the class
at work, at play, at school, at lunch
at war, at peace, at rest
I looked at the old man.
The little boy threw a stone at the bird.
We laughed at his actions.
Before:
He reaches office before nine o’clock.
It rained day before yesterday.
I will see you again before long.
The thief was brought before the magistrate.
Behind:
The girl is hiding behind the door.
The moon has gone behind the clouds.
It was wrong to do it behind my back.
What are you hiding behind you?
Beside:
There came a big spider and sat down beside her.
My house is beside the river.
She was beside herself with anxiety when she heard about the accident (wild with).
What you say is beside the question (has nothing to do with it).
Beyond:
The river lies beyond those hills.
We should not live beyond our means.
She is beyond the doctor’s help.
His behavior is beyond description.
But:
She took nothing but water for five days.
All but one of these students speak English.
War brings nothing but misery.
By:
She sits by me at school.
Our camp was by the lake.
We must get to school by 9 o’clock.
You must finish this work by tomorrow.
The parcel must have arrived by now.
They came to Goa by air.
One by one, step by step, drop by drop, little by little.
You must learn this poem by heart.
He dropped the glass by mistake.
He took me by surprise.
We use by for all passive constructions with agents, e.g.
This work was done by John.
The cake was eaten by the rats.
Machines are driven by steam or electricity.
The cake was cut by the newly wedded couple.