Prepositions

📘 What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word that comes before a noun or pronoun and shows its relation with another word in the sentence.

✅ What can a preposition do?

A preposition can join:

➤ A noun to another noun.

• There is a bird on the roof. [In this sentence, on connects the noun roof to the noun bird (bird + roof).]

➤ A noun to an adjective.

• She is proud of her painting. [In this sentence, of connects the noun painting to the adjective proud. (proud + painting)]

➤ A noun to a verb.

• The puppy ran across the floor. [In this sentence, across connects the noun floor to the verb ran. (ran + floor)]

🎯 The object of a preposition:

The noun or pronoun that comes after a preposition is called its object.

Example:

• The gift is inside the box. [The word box is the object of the preposition inside.]

🔗 One preposition can have two or more objects:

• The train went through tunnels and mountains. (tunnels and mountains are both objects of through.)

🎯 Position of Preposition:

👉 The word "preposition" means “placed before.”

🔄 A preposition usually comes before a noun. 

Examples:

• You asked for the toy.
• I was talking about the girl.

🔄 Sometimes, the preposition comes at the end of the sentence:

Examples:

• This is the toy you asked for.
• That’s the girl I was talking about.
• What are you laughing at?
• Who are you waiting for?
• Which jacket did you try on?

➡ This usually happens when the sentence has a question word (like what, who, which) or words like that or whom.

🌟 For Special Focus:

Sometimes, we put the object first to give it more importance:

• This I will not agree to.
• He is known all the world over.

🚫 Prepositions are sometimes left out before words for time or place:

Examples:

• He came last night. (Not: on last night)
• Wait a second. (Not: for a second)
• She walked a mile without stopping.

Kinds of Prepositions

Prepositions are of three main kinds. Let’s learn them step by step.

🟢 1. Simple Prepositions

These are one-word prepositions. We use them often in everyday sentences.

🔸 Some common simple prepositions are:

at, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, to, up, with, till, through

✅ Example sentences:

• The books are on the table.
• She walked to school.
• We are going out for lunch.
• He jumped off the bench.
• The cat is hiding under the sofa.

🟣 2. Compound Prepositions

These are made by adding a word (like a- or be-) to a noun, adjective, or adverb. These are longer than simple prepositions but still just one word.

🔸 Some examples of compound prepositions are:

about, above, across, along, amidst, around, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without

✅ Example sentences:

• The ball rolled across the floor.
• He stood behind the door.
• The dog sat beside its owner.
• The treasure is beneath the old tree.
• She kept her keys inside the bag.

🟡 3. Phrase Prepositions

These are groups of words that work like one preposition. They are made of two or more words but act as a single preposition.

🔸 Common Phrase Prepositions with Meanings and Sentences:

1 According to – as stated by someone or something

• According to the teacher, the test is on Monday.

2 Along with – together with

• She went to the zoo along with her friends.

3 As a result of – because of

• As a result of the rain, the match was cancelled.

4 Away from – at a distance from

• The dog ran away from the loud noise.

5 Because of – due to

• We stayed inside because of the storm.

6 By means of – using something

• They crossed the river by means of a boat.

7 By reason of – because of

• He was late by reason of the traffic jam.

8 By virtue of – because of something (like a rule or power)

• She got the award by virtue of her talent.

9 By way of – through or as a method

• He sent money by way of a bank transfer.

10 For the sake of – for the benefit of

• He stopped shouting for the sake of peace.

11 In addition to – also

• In addition to singing, she can dance well.

12 In accordance with – following a rule or agreement

• He acted in accordance with the rules.

13 In case of – if something happens

• In case of fire, use the stairs.

14 In charge of – having control or responsibility

• She is in charge of the library.

15 In comparison to – when comparing two things

• This book is easier in comparison to the last one.

16 In compliance with – following a rule or law

• The workers acted in compliance with the safety rules.

17 In connection with – related to

• The letter is in connection with your complaint.

18 In contact with – being in touch

• I am still in contact with my old classmates.

19 In control of – managing something

• The pilot is in control of the plane.

20 In course of – during

• He learned a lot in course of the training.

21 In favour of – supporting

• They voted in favour of the new idea.

22 In front of – before or outside of

• The car is parked in front of the house.

23 In lieu of – instead of

• He gave a toy in lieu of sweets.

24 In line with – similar to; agreeing with

• The school rules are in line with the national guidelines.

25 In need of – needing something

• The sick man was in need of help.

26 In order to – to do something

• He studies hard in order to pass the test.

27 In place of – instead of

• Use this book in place of the old one.

28 In pursuit of – trying to get something

• He travelled far in pursuit of knowledge.

29 In reference to – about something

• This is in reference to your earlier email.

30 In regard to – about something

• He spoke in regard to the problem.

31 In respect of – about or related to

• There was a question in respect of the new rule.

32 In response to – as an answer

• She smiled in response to his joke.

33 In return for – as a reply or reward

• He gave her a book in return for the gift.

34 In spite of – even though

• He went to play in spite of the rain.

35 In the event of – if something happens

• In the event of illness, call the doctor.

36 In view of – considering

• In view of the weather, the trip was cancelled.

37 Instead of – in place of

• We ate fruits instead of cake.

38 Owing to – because of

• Owing to heavy traffic, we were late.

39 On account of – because of

• School was closed on account of the storm.

40 On behalf of – as a representative

• He spoke on behalf of the class.

41 On the part of – done by someone

• There was no mistake on the part of the teacher.

42 With a view to – with the aim of

• He joined the class with a view to improving English.

43 With regard to – about

• With regard to your question, the answer is yes.

44 With respect to – about or concerning

• With respect to the plan, we agree fully.

45 With the aim of – to try to do something

• They trained hard with the aim of winning the game.

46 With the help of – using help

• She solved the puzzle with the help of her brother.

47 With the intention of – planning to do something

• He came with the intention of apologizing.

48 With an eye to – keeping something in mind for the future

• She saved money with an eye to buying a car.

💡 Remember:

👉 A preposition usually comes before a noun or pronoun.

👉 Simple, compound, and phrase prepositions all do the same job: they show a relationship between words in a sentence.

Participial Prepositions

Some words look like verbs ending in -ing, but they are used like prepositions in a sentence. These words are called Participial Prepositions.

They do not need another noun or pronoun with them and still show a relationship, just like other prepositions.

Here are some common Participial Prepositions:

Examples:

Barring (means "except for")

• Barring rain, we will go on the picnic tomorrow.
• (= If there is no rain, we will go.)

Concerning (means "about")

• Concerning your homework, the teacher will talk to you.
• (= About your homework...)

Considering (means "thinking about")

• Considering how tired he was, he did very well.
• (= Thinking about his tiredness...)

During (means "at the time of")

• We stayed indoors during the storm.

Notwithstanding (means "in spite of")

• Notwithstanding his broken arm, he still played the match.

Pending (means "until")

• Pending the doctor’s report, he will rest at home.

Regarding (means "about")

• I have nothing more to say regarding this problem.

Respecting (means "about")

• He will reply later respecting your question.

Touching (means "about")

• Touching that topic, I have no information.

Prepositions vs. Adverbs

Some words can be prepositions or adverbs, depending on how they are used.

👉 Preposition: It comes before a noun or pronoun and shows a relationship.

👉 Adverb: It tells how, when, or where something happens and does not have a noun or pronoun after it.

Preposition: She looked behind the curtain.
Adverb: He stayed behind.

Preposition: We walked along the road.
Adverb: Please come along.

Preposition: The ball rolled off the table.
Adverb: The wheel came off.

Preposition: He was in the pool.
Adverb: He quickly went in.

Preposition: She ran across the park.
Adverb: She ran across quickly.

What Can Be the Object of a Preposition?

We already know that a preposition is usually followed by a noun or pronoun. But sometimes, it can also come before other things, like time words, places, or even full ideas. Let’s learn more!

1. Preposition before Words of Time or Place

👉 Sometimes, a preposition is used before a word that shows time or place.

Examples:

• I will finish the project by tomorrow.
• He has not visited us since Monday.
• Come here, away from there.
• He should be home by now.
• How far is the school from here?

2. Preposition before a Group of Words (Adverbial Phrase)

👉 Sometimes a preposition comes before a group of words that tell us more about time, place, or reason.

Examples:

• Each bag was sold at more than five dollars.
• A loud sound came from across the lake.
• I sold the toy for less than half its price.
• We played from morning till late at night.
• He didn’t meet her until a few weeks ago.
• I was thinking about how to help him.

3. Preposition before a Clause (a group of words with a subject and verb)

👉 A preposition can also be followed by a whole sentence.

Examples:

• Listen carefully to what I will tell you.
• There is no truth in what she says.
• He got a promotion just a few days before he quit.

4. Missing Object in Some Sentences

👉 Sometimes, the noun or pronoun after a preposition is not written but is understood.

Examples:

• He is the boy I was looking for. (The word whom is understood.)
• These are the rules we should live by. (The word which is understood.)

Using Prepositions with Verbs

👉 Sometimes, we use prepositions with verbs to make new meanings. A preposition can combine with a verb is two ways:

✅ Prepositions can come before the verb to make a new word:

👉 These new words are just one word.

Examples:

• Overcome (Over + come) – Rina overcame her fear of the dark.
• Undertake (Under + take) – They will undertake a big project.
• Withdraw (With + draw) – He wants to withdraw money from the bank.
• Withstand (With + stand) – The wall can withstand strong winds.

✅ Prepositions can also come after the verb:

👉 These are two words – the verb and the preposition – but they work together.

Examples:

• Look for – She looked for her keys under the bed.
• Send for – Please send for the doctor quickly.
• Boast of – He boasted of his drawing skills.
• Laugh at – The children laughed at the funny story.

👉 When a preposition is added to a verb, the meaning can change.

👉 Sometimes the verb and the preposition stay together as one word.

👉 Sometimes the verb and preposition are separate but still go together in meaning.

Function of Prepositions

Prepositions Show Relationships

👉 Prepositions are words that tell us about the relationship between people, things, places, and time. Let’s see the different ways prepositions are used.

1. Place – Where something happens or is

👉 Prepositions can tell us where something is happening.

Examples:

• The dog ran across the street.
• He sat beside his friend.
• The ball is under the chair.
• We walked through the forest.
• She stood behind the door.
• The stars shine in the sky.
• He climbed up the tree.
• The cat jumped onto the table.
• The bag is near the wall.
• She lives within the city.

2. Time – When something happens

👉 Prepositions can also show time.

Examples:

• We will meet after lunch.
• He arrived before me.
• The train came at 5 o’clock.
• She has lived here for two years.
• I was born on Sunday.
• They played during the holidays.
• He worked throughout the night.
• She slept till morning.
• The show will begin by 6 p.m.

3. Agent or Tool – Who or what does something

👉 Sometimes prepositions tell who did it or what was used.

Examples:

• The parcel was sent by my uncle.
• He cut the paper with scissors.
• The news was heard through a friend.
• The house was burnt by fire.

4. Manner – How something is done

👉 Prepositions can show how something happens.

Examples:

• He fought with bravery.
• She worked with care.
• They won with joy.

5. Cause or Reason – Why something happens

👉 Prepositions can show the reason something happened.

Examples:

• He died of fever.
• She cried from sadness.
• He ran away through fear.
• They worked for a better life.
• She took medicine for a cold.

6. Possession – Who something belongs to

👉 Prepositions can show ownership or description.

Examples:

• The house of my uncle is big.
• A girl with blue eyes sang a song.
• A boy of great talent won the prize.
• There was no money on him.

7. Measure or Value – How much, how many, how tall

👉 Prepositions can show size, number, or value.

Examples:

• He is taller than me by three inches.
• Apples are sold by the dozen.
• Interest is charged at 10%.
• It was one by the clock tower.

8. Contrast or Opposite – Showing a difference

👉 Prepositions can show a contrast or an opposite idea.

Examples:

• In spite of the rain, we went out.
• Despite being rich, he is not happy.
• With all his mistakes, he is still loved.
• For one enemy, he has many friends.

9. Source or Beginning – Where something comes from

👉 Prepositions can show the starting point or source.

Examples:

• The light comes from the lamp.
• The idea came from a book.
• He acted from kindness.
• I learned this from my teacher.

🧠 Special Prepositions – Easy Rules

Let’s learn how some prepositions work in special ways:

1. In or At – Places

👉 Use in when you are talking about the whole area.

👉 Use at when talking about a specific point (like a building or station).

Examples:

• I stayed in Delhi for a week.
• The bus stopped at Delhi (means the bus stop/station).
• He lives in this village.

2. At – Events and Places of Work

👉 Use at to talk about: 

✔️ Parties, meetings, or events

✔️ Shops or places where people work

Examples:

• I met her at the wedding.
• We saw him at the doctor’s clinic.

3. In for Streets / At for House Numbers

Examples:

• She lives in Park Street.
• He lives at 12 Park Street.

4. On – Surfaces

👉 Use on when something is placed on top of a surface.

Examples:

• The book is on the table.
• Hang the photo on the wall.

5. Till vs. To

👉 Till is used for time

👉 To is used for place

Examples:

• He studied till 9 p.m.
• They walked to the school.

6. With and By

👉 Use with for tools or instruments

👉 Use by to show who did something

Examples:

• He cut the apple with a knife.
• The painting was made by an artist.

7. Since – A Point of Time (used with Present Perfect Tense)

Examples:

• I have not eaten since morning.
• He has been sick since Monday.

8. In vs. Within (Time Period)

👉 In means at the end of a time

👉 Within means before that time ends

Examples:

• I’ll be back in an hour.
• I’ll be back within an hour.

9. Beside vs. Besides

👉 Beside means next to

👉 Besides means in addition to

Examples:

• The cat sat beside me.
• Besides me, my sister also came.
• Besides being tired, he was hungry too.

📌 Be careful! Don’t mix beside and besides.

🚌 Prepositions with Transport

🚗 How We Use "by", "on", and "in" with Vehicles

👉 We use "by" + vehicle when we are talking about how we travel — not the exact vehicle, just the way of traveling.

✅ Example:

• We went by bus.
• She travelled by train.
• He came by car.

💡 Don't use "a" or "the" with the vehicle after "by".

• ❌ Wrong: We went by the bus.
• ✅ Correct: We went by bus.

🚴‍♂️ When NOT to Use "by"

👉 If you are talking about a special or exact bicycle, car, or bus, don’t use "by".

✅ Examples:

• Riya went there on my cycle. (not by my cycle)
• We went in my uncle’s car. (not by my uncle’s car)
• He came in a red taxi.
• I will go on the 6 o’clock train.

🚶‍♀️ Use "on" or "in" for Specific Transport

👉 Use "on" when you are talking about a specific bus, train, ship, bike, or plane.

✅ Example:

• He went on the school bus.

👉 Use "in" when you are talking about a car, taxi, ambulance, or van.

✅ Example:

• She went to the hospital in an ambulance.

🚶 Use "on foot" (Never "by foot")

👉 We don’t say "by foot". We say "on foot" when someone is walking.

✅ Example:

• I go to school on foot. (= I walk to school.)

🌟 Words That Need Prepositions

👉 Some words always need a preposition after them. These words can be:

Adjectives (describing words)

• afraid of – Rina is afraid of the dark.
• angry with – Mom was angry with Ravi for breaking the vase.
• different from – Cats are different from dogs.
• famous for – The Taj Mahal is famous for its beauty.
• fond of – I am fond of drawing pictures.
• full of – The basket was full of ripe apples.

Verbs (action words)

• belong to – This pen belongs to Meera.
• depend on – We depend on the sun for light.
• live on – Cows live on grass and hay.

Participles (words made from verbs that act like adjectives)

• excited about – The kids are excited about the picnic.
• interested in – My brother is interested in science.

💡 Easy Tip

👉 Some words just "sound right" with a certain preposition. It’s good to read and listen to English often so you get used to hearing which words go together!

Some Words Use Different Prepositions in Different Situations

👉 Some words can be used with different prepositions depending on how we use them. The meaning changes with the preposition. Let's look at some easy examples.

1. Accommodate

Meaning: To help someone or adjust to something.

• We should accommodate ourselves to changes in life. [We should adjust to new situations.]
• My uncle accommodated me with some money when I needed help. [My uncle helped me by giving me some money.]

Meaning: To not be the same.

• I differ with you on this topic. [I don’t agree with you on this matter.]
• Your bike differs from mine in colour and size. [Your bike is not the same as mine.]

3. Anxious

Meaning: Worried or eager.

• I am anxious about my test results. [I am worried about my test.]

• Her mother was anxious for her to win the prize. [Her mother was eager for her success.]

Meaning: To stop working or to go into a quiet life.

• He has retired from teaching. [My grandfather stopped working from his job.]
• He has retired into a peaceful life. [He now lives quietly in the village.]

Meaning: To affect someone or something.

• The teacher has great influence over the class. [The teacher has control over the students.]
• He has little influence with the manager. [He is friendly but does not have much say with the manager.]
• Her advice had a good influence on me. [Her words made a big change in my thoughts.]

Meaning: To work hard or be under pressure.

• He laboured for the good of others. [He worked for the poor people.]
• He is labouring under a wrong belief. [He is under a wrong idea or pressure.]
• He laboured at his book for many years. [He worked hard at writing his book.]

Meaning: Can be punished or responsible.

• The man is liable to a fine for breaking the rule. [If you break the rule, you must pay a fine.]
• He is liable for his wife’s debts. [A husband may have to pay for his wife’s bills.]

👉 Some words can go with different prepositions, and the meaning changes with the preposition. You should always check how the word is used in the sentence.

🌟 Same Word Family, Different Prepositions

👉 Some words look like they belong together, but they use different prepositions. This happens because they are used in different ways or in different forms (like nouns or adjectives). Let's look at some simple examples.

1. According to / In accordance with

• I acted according to my teacher’s advice.
• We planted the tree in accordance with the instructions.

2. Affection for / Affectionate to

• The grandma has strong affection for her cat.
• She is very affectionate to the little baby.

3. Alternate with / Alternative to

• Rainy and sunny days often alternate with each other.
• The only alternative to walking is taking the bus.

4. Ambition for / Ambitious of

• He has strong ambition for becoming a doctor.
• She is ambitious of winning the prize.

5. Capable of / Capacity for

• She is capable of solving the puzzle.
• He does not have the capacity for hard work.

6. Confidence in / Confident of

• I have confidence in my team.
• She is confident of winning the race.

7. Contrast to / Contrast between / Contrasted with

• This dress is a big contrast to the old one.
• There is a clear contrast between day and night.
• Her calm voice contrasted with his shouting.

8. Derogate from / Derogatory to

• This small mistake doesn’t derogate from his good work.
• His rude words were derogatory to his position.

9. Descended from / Descendant of

• She is descended from a royal family.
• He is a descendant of a famous poet.

10. Desire for / Desirous of

• He has no desire for fame.
• She is desirous of visiting the zoo.

11. Equal to / Equally with

• He is equal to any challenge.
• She was punished equally with her friend.

12. Except for / Take exception to

• The jacket fits me well, except for the sleeves.
• I take exception to what you said in class.

13. Fond of / Fondness for

• The child is very fond of ice cream.
• He has great fondness for puppies.

14. Founded on / Foundation in

• The story is founded on a real event.
• His claim has no foundation in fact.

15. Hinder from / Hindrance to

• The rain hindered me from going out.
• Laziness is a hindrance to learning.

16. Infatuated with / Infatuation for

• He is infatuated with that movie star.
• His infatuation for cartoons makes him watch all day.

17. Liking for / Dislike to

• She has a liking for drawing.
• He has a strong dislike to spicy food.

18. Neglectful of / Negligent in

• He is neglectful of his homework.
• The driver was negligent in his duty.

19. Partial to / Partiality for

• He is partial to chocolate over vanilla.
• Children often show partiality for toys.

20. Prejudice against / Prejudicial to

• He has no prejudice against anyone.
• Smoking is prejudicial to health.

21. Prepared for / Preparatory to

• I am prepared for the exam.
• The cleaning was preparatory to the event.

22. Pursuant to / In pursuance of

• I sent the money pursuant to our chat.
• The letter was written in pursuance of your order.

23. Qualified for / Disqualified from

• She is qualified for the job.
• He was disqualified from playing due to injury.

24. Result of / Resulted from

• He died as a result of an accident.
• Nothing good resulted from the fight.

25. Respect for / Respectful to

• I have great respect for my teacher.
• He is always respectful to elders.

26. Seized upon / Seizure of

• He seized upon the chance to speak.
• The seizure of his books was unfair.

27. Sensible of / Insensible to

• She is sensible of your help.
• His injured leg is insensible to touch.

28. Subsequent to / Consequent upon

• He wrote a letter subsequent to the meeting.
• Consequent upon the complaint, action was taken.

29. Trust in / Distrust of

• We should have trust in God.
• His distrust of others made him lonely.

30. Want of / Wanting in

• The poor man suffers for want of food.
• He is wanting in good manners.

Some Verbs Are Used With or Without Prepositions

👉 Sometimes a verb has a preposition after it. Sometimes the verb comes without a preposition.

👉 The meaning can change depending on whether the preposition is used or not.

👉 Let’s look at some examples to understand this better:

1. Call

• I called my friend. (Here, "call" means to say something to get someone’s attention or talk to them.)
• I called on my friend yesterday. (Here, "call on" means to visit someone.)

2. Catch

• I don’t catch what you said. (Here, "catch" means to understand.)
• The child caught at my hand. (Here, "catch at" means to try to hold something quickly.)

3. Close

• They closed the door. (Here, "close" means to door not being open.)
• He closed with my suggestion. (Here, "close with" means to agree to something.)

4. Commence

• He commenced work at a factory. (Here, "commence" means to start something.)
• The program commenced with a song. (Here, "commence with" means to begin with something.)

5. Count

• Did you count the apples? (Here, "count" means to find the number of something.)
• I count upon you for help. (Here, "count upon" means to depend on someone.)

6. Dispense

• The nurse dispenses medicine. (Here, "dispense" means to give out.)
• We can dispense with extra decorations. (Here, "dispense with" means to do without something.)

7. Gain

• He gained success through hard work. (Here, "gain" means to get something.)
• She gained upon the old man by being polite. (Here, "gain upon" means to win someone’s trust or love.)

8. Grasp

• He quickly grasped the idea. (Here, "grasp" means to understand.)
• She grasped at the chance to join the team. (Here, "grasp at" means to try eagerly to get something.)

9. Meet

• I met her at the market. (Here, "meet" means to see someone by chance or plan.)
• His plan met with strong support. (Here, "meet with" means to receive a reaction.)

10. Prepare

• He prepared a speech. (Here, "prepare" means to get something ready.)
• The team prepared for the match. (Here, "prepare for" means to get ready to face something.)

11. Search

• The police searched the car. (Here, "search" means to look inside carefully.)
• We searched for the missing keys. (Here, "search for" means to try to find something.)

Some Words Need a Preposition + Verb with -ing

👉 Some words do not take “to” with the base form of the verb (infinitive).

👉 Instead, they are followed by a preposition and a verb ending in -ing (called a gerund).

👉 Let’s learn with easy examples.

Examples:

✅ He is addicted to playing video games.

❌ Not: addicted to play video games.

• I helped her in cooking dinner.
• She is not interested in playing football.
• I believe in being kind to others.
• He is eager for learning new things.
• They have a chance of winning the match.
• She is confident of passing the test.
• The habit of sharing is important.
• He is keen on going to the zoo.
• He lost hope of finding his lost puppy.
• I have difficulty in solving this puzzle.
• He is not allowed for working in that office.
• Neha excels in singing.
• You have no excuse for shouting at him.
• He is good at drawing.
• I am fond of listening to music.
• They were lucky in getting help on time.
• What stopped you from calling me?
• She was sad in missing the show.
• He felt bad about forgetting your birthday.
• We should be active in doing good things.
• I insisted on speaking to the teacher.
• He is focused on finishing the project.
• You were not right in blaming him.
• She has a skill of solving puzzles fast.
• He understood the need for acting quickly.
• He kept on ignoring the warnings.
• He is good at explaining, but doesn't like to teach.
• The habit of memorizing without understanding is bad.
• He gave a reason for coming late.
• What can stop him from joining the trip?
• I had the honor of meeting a famous artist.
• They were stopped from going into the garden.
• I avoided hurting his feelings.
• You were right in doubting him.
• There is no fun in sitting alone.
• He has no shame in asking for help.
• He succeeded in solving the problem.
• He thought of escaping from the crowd.
• I am tired of waiting for the bus.

Note:

Sometimes both forms are okay and the meaning is almost the same:

• He was afraid of telling the truth.
• He was afraid to tell the truth.
• She finally got the chance of meeting her friend.
• She finally got the chance to meet her friend.

Some Words Need "To" Before a Verb (Infinitive)

Some words are always followed by “to” + a verb.

This verb form is called the infinitive (like: to eat, to go, to play).

Examples:

• He advised us to stop making noise.
• I refuse to answer that question.
• We expect to finish the work soon.
• It is difficult to meet the principal.
• She hopes to get good marks.
• People are often ready to believe what they hear first.
• He plans to write a new storybook.

Be Careful: Don’t Use Extra Prepositions!

Sometimes we use extra words by mistake. These words are not needed and make the sentence wrong.

Wrong and Right Examples:

❌ Where have you been to?
✅ Where have you been?

❌ My cousin is a boy of about ten years old.
✅ My cousin is a boy about ten years old.

Some Verbs Do NOT Take Prepositions

Certain verbs are direct and do not need a preposition after them. These verbs are called transitive verbs.

Examples:

✅ We discussed the plan.
❌ Not: discussed about the plan.

✅ She ordered a coffee.
❌ Not: ordered for a coffee.

✅ The teacher stressed the rules.
❌ Not: stressed on the rules.

Preposition Stranding

A preposition is generally used before its object. But sometimes the preposition is separated from its object. It is called preposition stranding. It is opposite to preposition pied piping.

Here are some examples of preposition stranding:

Original: To whom are you talking?
Stranded: Who are you talking to?

Original: For what are you looking?
Stranded: What are you looking for?

Original: I don't know from where he comes.
Stranded: I don't know where he comes from.

Original: She is the person with whom I want to be.
Stranded: She's the person I want to be with.

Preposition Pied-Piping

Sometimes both the preposition and its object are moved to the front of a sentence for the purpose of emphasize. This is called preposition pied piping. It is opposite to preposition stranding, where the preposition is separated from its object.

Here are some examples of pied piping:

Original: I am interested in the book.
Pied-Piping: In the book, I am interested.

Original: She traveled with her family.
Pied-Piping: With her family, she traveled.

Original: They live in that house.
Pied-Piping: In that house, they live.

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