prepositions

Meaning

1. 1nounpluraltechnical

   Words such as in, on, at or by that link a noun or pronoun to other parts of a sentence, showing place, time or relationship.

   Grammar: Plural noun: prepositions come before nouns, as in on the table.

   Patterns

   • prepositions of place
   • prepositions of time

   In, on and under are prepositions of place.

   Many learners make mistakes with prepositions after adjectives.

   The teacher drew a chart of prepositions of time.

Word forms

Common combinations

prepositions of place

We practiced prepositions of place with a box and a toy.

prepositions of time

At, on and in are common prepositions of time.

dependent prepositions

Dependent prepositions follow certain verbs and adjectives, as in good at.

learn prepositions

It takes time to learn prepositions in a new language.

end a sentence with prepositions

Some old rules say not to end a sentence with prepositions.

Synonyms and how they differ

particles

Is a broader grammar word for small function words, and also names the adverb parts of phrasal verbs.

connectors

Is informal and wider, covering conjunctions as well.

function words

Is the technical class that includes prepositions, articles and conjunctions.

Word family

preposition noun

one word of this kind

prepositional adjective

relating to a preposition

postposition noun

a word that follows its noun, as in some other languages

Commonly confused: prepositions or propositions?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “prepositions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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