Preposition & Its Various Types

Prepositions are used to link nouns and pronouns to other words within a sentence. The words linked to are called objects. In another word, a preposition is a word that is usually placed before a noun or a pronoun to describe its relationship with other words in the sentence. For example:

•  The ball is under the table. Here, “ball” is the noun; “under” is the preposition; “table” is the object. Here, the preposition “under” links the noun “table” with the rest of the sentence.
• Grandma lives in a village.
• The village lies on the banks of the River Surma. 
• Take the lane behind our house.

A preposition tells us where a person, thing, or place is located. In the second sentence, the preposition “in” tells us where “grandma” lives. In the third sentence, the preposition “on” tells us where the village is located. A preposition also tells us where something happens or where something or somebody does something. Take the lane behind our house. The preposition “behind” tells us where the road is. Follow it till you reach the river Surma which flows under a bridge.  The preposition “under” tells us where the river “Surma” flows.  
A preposition can also indicate direction – from where somebody or something is coming, or where somebody or something is going. After crossing the bridge, go straight through the road which leads to a park. The preposition “to” indicates that the road goes in the direction of the park.

·         a left turn from the park and stop. “From,” tells us the direction that someone has to walk in.

        A preposition can also indicate the relationship of time.  I love visiting Grandma during my holidays. The preposition “during” indicates the time when someone loves visiting grandma.

·        I go for a walk in the morning. “In” indicates the time someone goes for a walk.

     How many prepositions does the English language have? There are over 150 in total. Honestly speaking, they can be very tricky to master because every rule is full of exceptions. 

      Tips for Using Prepositions

•          It is alright to end a sentence with a preposition.
•          A noun always comes after a preposition.
•         A verb never comes after a preposition.
•         It is alright to begin a sentence with a prepositional phrase, or a preposition, but be careful when you do so.
•  .      A prepositional phrase will always begin with a preposition but will always end with an object of the preposition, i.e. a noun or a pronoun.
•   .      The subject will never be considered a part of the prepositional phrase.
•   .      A verb too cannot be a part of a prepositional phrase.

Lesson Two: Kinds of Preposition 

                                              A preposition is of six kinds

                           1.       Simple                                                   4. Phrase Preposition

2                         2.       Double                                                   5. Participle Preposition

3                         3.      Compound                                             6.  Disguised Preposition
                           4.   Detached Preposition

       1.       Simple Preposition:

 Simple preposition consists of one word. They are of, by, at, in, with, after, off, through, from, over,   etc.

2.       2.    Double preposition:

 Though double prepositions act like single ones, they consist of two separate prepositions. 

·         You are now out of danger.                                    (out + of)

·         The frog jump into the pond.                                 (in + to)

·         The frog jumps onto the table.                                 (on + to)
       Finish the assignment within seven days.              (with + in)
       The cow lives upon the grass.                                       (up + on)

 List: into, upon, onto, throughout, inside, without, from within, out of, from behind, outside of, from above, up to, next to, according to, because of, as about, as above, as after, up against, at about, at around, before considering, as inside, as outside, over to, over from, off on, off to, etc.

1      3.   Compound Prepositions:

 When any noun, adjective, or adverb is preceded by a simple preposition, a compound preposition is formed.

 Examples:

·         along =on (=a) + long

·         behind = by (=be) + hind

·         before = by (+be) fore.

·         about = on (=a) + by (=b) = out. 

·         beside = by (=be) + side.

·         beyond = by (=be) + yond.

·         between = By (=be) + tween. etc.

Note: In compound preposition on turns into a and by turns into b or be. 

4. Phrase Preposition:

A phrase consists of more than one word having no subject or finite verb. Depending on the function, a phrase can be a noun or an adjective, or any other part of speech. So, when a phrase acts as a preposition, it is called a prepositional phrase. 

 Examples: 

·        There is a garden in front of my reading room.

·         He failed the exam in spite of his hard work.

·         I could not go to college in case of my illness.

·        We spent our time aimlessly instead of doing anything.

·        As for himself, he knows nothing about it. (as for = about)

      5.       Participle Preposition:

There are some present participles and past participles which behave like prepositions. Technically they are called participle prepositions.

Examples:

·         Regarding grammar, I have a lot of knowledge.

·         She works during the morning.

• He gets sick during the winter season.
• My holiday homework is still pending.
• Assuming the professor to be absent, some students left the class.
• Considering his performance, he can be considered one of the best all-rounders.
• We have to learn many things regarding grammar. 
• We will be rewarded according to our merit. 

·    The Surma river flows past our village. (past = by. As the word past is a past participle, it is a participle preposition.

List of some participle prepositions:

including, excluding, touching, notwithstanding, barring, concerning, pending, provided, saving, counting, accepting, excepting, gone, past, given, regarding, considering, respecting, following, failing, etc.

   6.  Disguised Preposition

Sometimes we replace of, at, for, on, per (preposition) by ‘o’ or 'a'. This usage of a preposition is called disguised preposition.

·         The king went on hunting.

·         The king went a-hunting. (a = disguised preposition.

·         Now it is 9 clock.

·         Now it is 9 o’clock. (O’ = of, disguised preposition)

·         Rohit goes to college once in a day.

·         Rohit goes to college once a day. (a = disguised preposition)

·         He sells 200 taka for k. g.

·         He sells 200 taka a k. g. (a = disguised preposition) 

·         He receives a salary of 40000 takas for a month.

·         He receives a salary of 40000 taka a month.

2.    7. Detached Preposition:

 Usage of a detached preposition is seen in interrogative sentences.

·         I live with my father.  Who/whom do I live with?

·         He reads in class XII. What class does he read in?

·         You have a chair to sit on. Do you have a chair to sit on?

·         We are going to Cumilla. Where have you come from?

·         I have brought it for you. Who/whom have you brought it for?

·         He has come from Australia. Where has he come from?

·         I depend upon my father. Who/ whom do I depend on? 


               Look at Prepositions for Transportation

                                          Prepositions of Time

                                          Prepositions of Place

                                          Prepositions of Movement

ARUP ROY

WORKING AS A LECTURER IN ENGLISH  

LITERATURE & LINGUISTICS

AT KANCHKHURA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF IELD

FORMER LECTURER OF STAMFORD COLLEGE

& DHAKA PUBLIC COLLEGE

WORKED AS A MEMBER SECRETARY
AT STAMFORD ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLUB UTTARA