The preposition meaning in grammar is a word that sits before a noun or pronoun and shows how it relates to something else, usually in place, time or direction. In "the keys are under the cushion," the word under tells you where the keys are in relation to the cushion.
Prepositions are short and common, yet they cause more slips for English learners than almost any other word class, because the right choice often follows habit rather than logic. What follows: a clear definition of preposition, its main types, and the errors worth watching.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A linking word placed before a noun or pronounPart of speech
Noun (it names a word class)Pronunciation
prep-uh-ZISH-uhnAdjective form
prepositional (as in prepositional phrase)Origin
Latin praepositio, "a putting before"; in English grammar since the late 1300sCommon examples
in, on, at, by, for, with, from, to, of, under, betweenRegister
Grammar term, neutral
Preposition meaning: how these words connect
To define preposition simply: it is a word that connects a noun, pronoun or noun phrase (called its object) to another part of the sentence. The preposition plus its object makes a prepositional phrase, such as after lunch, on the roof or with my sister.
The name itself is a clue. It comes from Latin praepositio, "a putting before," from prae (before) and ponere (to place), because the word is placed before its object. Roman grammarians coined it to match the Greek term prothesis.
The main types
| Type | What it shows | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Place | Where something is | in, on, at, under, beside, between |
| Time | When something happens | at, on, in, before, after, during, since |
| Direction or movement | Where something goes | to, into, onto, toward, through, across |
| Cause or purpose | Why | for, because of, due to |
| Means or manner | How | by, with, via |
| Possession or relation | Belonging, link | of, about, like |
Some prepositions are a single word, and others are groups that work as one, like in front of, according to and instead of.
Examples you can copy
- The bus stop is opposite the bakery.
- We have a test on Friday at nine.
- She walked across the bridge without an umbrella.
- The parcel came from my aunt in Pune.
- He has worked here since March.
In, on and at: the trickiest trio
For time, a quick pattern helps: at for clock times (at 6 pm), on for days and dates (on Monday, on 5 May), and in for longer stretches (in July, in the morning, in winter). For place, at marks a point (at the station), on a surface (on the table), and in an enclosed space (in the car).
There are exceptions: "at night," "on the bus" and "in the picture" have to be learned one by one. Indian English and American English also differ slightly in places, such as "on the weekend" (common in the US) next to "at the weekend" (common in British-influenced use).
Same word, different job
A word is only a preposition when it has an object. Compare "Come inside the house" (preposition, object the house) with "Come inside" (adverb, no object). Likewise, "after dinner" uses a preposition, but "after we ate" uses a conjunction, because a full clause follows. Our pages on the adverb and the conjunction explain those roles in more depth.
Prepositions also team up with verbs: look after, depend on, listen to. In some of these, like give up, the small word changes the verb's meaning, and grammarians call it a particle rather than a preposition.
Common mistakes
- Extra prepositions: "discuss about the plan" should be "discuss the plan." Likewise "enter into the room" should be "enter the room."
- Wrong pairing: say "married to," not "married with"; "different from" is the safest form in formal writing.
- Ending a sentence with one: "Who are you talking to?" is perfectly correct English. The old rule against it is a style myth.
- Since and for: use since with a starting point (since Tuesday) and for with a length of time (for three days).
Where it fits in grammar
The preposition is one of the traditional parts of speech, alongside the noun, verb, adjective and pronoun. It belongs to a closed class, which means new prepositions are rarely added to the language, unlike nouns. More grammar words are gathered in grammar and writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of preposition in English?
It is a word that shows the link between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Words like in, on, at, by, with and from are prepositions.
What is the definition of preposition for kids?
A preposition is a little word that tells where or when something is. The cat is under the bed; we play after school.
Can a sentence end with a preposition?
Yes. "What are you waiting for?" is natural and correct. Rewording it to avoid the ending often sounds stiff.
Is "and" a preposition?
No. "And" is a conjunction, because it joins words or clauses of equal rank. A preposition always takes an object such as a noun or pronoun.
How many prepositions are there in English?
There is no fixed count, because grammarians disagree on which multi-word forms like in spite of should be included. Most lists run to well over a hundred, but the core group used every day is far smaller.
What is the meaning of preposition outside grammar?
Rarely, preposition with a hyphen, pre-position, is a verb meaning to place something in position ahead of time, such as supplies before a storm. It is a separate use from the grammar term.