Prepositions

Up till now you guys must have heard of this word prepositions, and won’t have realized that since how long you have been using it. But the question is what really are they?

Definition of Prepositions

Prepositions are defined as those words which point out or refers to the relationships between the words in a sentence. They basically indicate relationships between a noun or a pronoun or other words in a sentence.

Under, above, beside, beneath, below, since are some of the examples of prepositions.

It is basically used as a noun or a pronoun and connects the same with the other words.

Classification of Prepositions

Prepositions are classified into types which are given below:

• Simple Prepositions

• Compound Prepositions

Now, we will know about all these prepositions one by one.

1. Simple Prepositions

They are those which include by, at, on, of, in, out etc to indicate relationships between a noun or a pronoun or other words in a sentence.

2. Compound Prepositions

They are those which include are composed of two words such as according to, instead of, in addition to etc. indicate relationships between a noun or a pronoun or other words in a sentence.

Types of Prepositions

Prepositions are of six types namely,

• Prepositions of time

• Prepositions of Place

• Prepositions of Direction

• Prepositions of Agent

• Prepositions of Phrase

• Prepositions of Instrument

Now, we will know about all these prepositions one by one. We will best understand these with the examples. So let’s see what these actually are-

Prepositions of Place

These prepositions are used to refer or indicate a place where something is present or located. In, on, at are some of the examples of this type of prepositions.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions are used to refer or indicate a specific time period. In, on, at are some of the examples of this type of prepositions.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions are used to refer or indicate a direction where something is present or located. Towards, into, through are some of the examples of this type of prepositions

Prepositions of Agent

These prepositions are used to indicate relationships between a noun or a pronoun or other words in a sentence. With, by are some of the examples of this type of prepositions.

Prepositions of Phrase

These prepositions consist of any type of object which could be a noun or pronoun along with the words which modify the object. Agree with, listen to, and add to are some of the examples of this type of prepositions.

Prepositions of Instrument

These prepositions are used to indicate the actions which are conducted by a noun upon the other noun. On, by, with are some of the examples of this type of prepositions.

Prepositional Phrases

Now, we are aware of the basics of the prepositions. So, the next topic for us is to know about prepositional phrases. We all know what are phrases and prepositions but in this part, we will know about the prepositional phrases. Now, the question is what actually is a prepositional phrase?

Definition of Prepositional Phrase

Prepositions always begin with a phrase and these phrases end with a noun and these terms or these types of phrases are known as prepositional phrases.

For instance, I have traveled to various small cities.

In this example to denotes the preposition while the rest part is a phrase.

Participle Phrases

This is a bit new concept to your previously added stuff. Don’t get frightened with the heading as it is a very easy concept and is actually everyone’s cup of tea. So let us tell you what participle phrases are!

Definition of Participle Phrase

Participle phrases include present includes both, the past participle and the present participle. A participle phrase basically consists of two components namely, a participle and the other word or words.

If it is of the present participle form then, it will end with –ing at the end, but if it’s of the past participle form then it will end with –ed at its end.  

Examples of participle phrases are as follows:

1. Seeing a ghost in the mirror, she got scared
2. After a while, she was shouting loudly at the ghostly image 

 Recap

• Compound Prepositions are those which include are composed of two words such as according to, instead of, in addition to etc.
• Simple Prepositions are those which include by, at, on, of, in, out etc
• Prepositions indicate relationships between a noun or a pronoun or other words in a sentence.
• Prepositions always begin with a phrase and these phrases end with a noun.
• A participle phrase basically consists of two components namely, a participle and the other word.

So, this was all the basics of prepositions. Hope this makes your concepts clearer!