What is a Preposition?

Preposition Definition

In the most simple terms, a preposition is a word that can link verbs, nouns, and pronouns together. In many cases, it might suggest location or any other type of relationship which occurs between the various words within a sentence.

Many words can be classed as a preposition but that does not mean that they are one all the time. For example, lets take the word after as an example. On its own it is not a preposition, take a look at the following sentence.

• He didnt meet her until after.

In this case, the word after serves as an adverb, however by changing its location in the sentence and linking it to a noun, it then becomes a preposition. Take a look at this sentence:

• We will meet after lunch.

The word after now has a relationship to the noun lunch, which turns it into a preposition.

The Importance of Prepositions

In the English language, prepositions are words that connect nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence.

A preposition is used before a noun, pronoun, or gerund to show place (prepositions of place), time (prepositions of time), direction (prepositions of movement),… in a sentence.

Preposition examples: After, along, above, except, from, near, of, before, since, between, upon, with, to, after, toward, in, on, at, about, apropos, according to,…

Preposition Examples

• In the morning
• In (the) summer
• In a moment
• On Thursday
• On the first day
• On time
• At 12 oclock
• At present
• In Manhattan
• In a building
• On a wall
• At the corner
• Below the surface
• In front of the city hall
• During the conference
• Before dawn
• Within seven days
• Into her eyes
• Across the road
• Along the beach
• Down the hill