What Is a Preposition? How to Use Prepositions Correctly

A preposition is a word that links other parts of speech together. In English grammar, a preposition (or prepositional phrase) explains the relationship (typical spatial or temporal) between various nouns and verbs, as well as some adjectives and adverbs.

An example of a prepositional phrase is "under the table" where "under" is the preposition and "the table" is the object of the preposition. If we use it in a larger noun phrase like "the carpet under the table," we learn the relationship between the carpet and the table.

Per English grammar rules, there are four different types of prepositions.

1. 1. Prepositions of place: This type of preposition explains the physical location of something. Examples include words like “on,” “above,” “under,” and “beside.”
2. 2. Prepositions of time: This type of preposition explains where something is in time. Examples include words like “before,” “after,” “since,” and “during.”
3. 3. Prepositions of direction: This type of preposition evokes a sense of direction. Examples include words like “toward,” “through,” and “past.”
4. 4. Prepositions of agent/instrument: These prepositions describe relationships between verbs and nouns. Examples include words like “on,” “by,” “with,” and “without.”

A prepositional phrase is a phrase that contains both a preposition and its object. For instance, "through storm and strife" is a prepositional phrase where "through" is the preposition and "storm and strife" is the object of the preposition.

Explore these example sentences that contain common prepositions linking different kinds of words.

1. 1. Linking two nouns: "I placed the book on the shelf." In this sentence, "on" is a preposition linking "the book" and "the shelf."
2. 2. Linking a gerund with a verb phrase: "She is running to get fit." In this sentence, "to" is a preposition linking "running" and "get fit."
3. 3. Linking modifiers to nouns: "You can find the lawnmower inside the big shed, which is right behind the little shed." In this sentence, two different prepositions (“inside” and “behind”) are used to distinguish between locations that have distinct modifiers.
4. 4. As part of a phrasal verb: "We are looking forward to your anniversary party." In this sentence, "looking forward" is a two-word phrasal verb, and “to” is a preposition connected to that verb phrase. Prepositional verbs must contain both the main verb and a simple preposition; if the preposition is removed, the meaning of the verb changes.

English grammar does permit ending a sentence with a preposition. An example of such a sentence is: "We were supposed to go to dinner before the movie, but we ended up eating after." While English speakers frequently end their sentences with prepositions, it’s best practice to move prepositions to an earlier part of a sentence in formal writing. For instance, the sentence, "Whom should I give this book to?" can be rewritten as "To whom should I give this book?" The second sentence is preferable because it does not split up the prepositional phrase "to whom."

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