Preposition

     
 

PREPOSITION

 
     
  Preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object.  
     
     
     
 
1.1    PREPOSTION OF LOCATION
 
     
 

We use prepositions of location to show us where an object is which are as below:

On, above, beneath, under, underneath, out, in front of, at the back of, behind, in, inside, outside, in the centre of, in the middle of, down, up, beside, near, at, between, among, below.

For example:

- After weeks at sea, it was wonderful to feel firm ground beneath our feet once more.

- Standing between the two adults was a small child.

- As hard as she tried, she always fell behind the other swimmers in the races.

- I was standing just near enough to hear what they were saying.

 
     
     
     
 
1.2    PREPOSITION OF DIRECTION
 
     
 

We use preposition of direction to show us where an object is moving which are as below:

To, from, over, into, out of, round, up, down, through, towards, upwards, downwards, across.

For example:

- He struggled through the crowd till he reached the front.

- She held the umbrella over both of us.

- She kept glancing towards the phone.

- They're building a new bridge across the river.

 
     
     
     
 
1.3    PREPOSITION OF PLACE AND TIME
 
     
  'Over' and 'among' are prepositions of place.  
     
 

'Over' is used for movement from one side to another, normally in an upward direction or across something.

For example:

- Fakrullah glanced at the clock over the door.

- The aeroplane flew over the building.

- The trees' branches intertwined to form a dark roof over the path.

 
     
 

'Among' is used when and object is surrounded by other objects.

For example:

- The sailors divided his money among themselves.

- I saw a few familiar faces among the crowd.

- The cost should be shared equally among the three of you.

 
     
 

'At' is used to:

a. Preposition of place:

i. shows the exact location and specific address.

For example:

- My house is at No. 12, Jalan Prima.

- Erman is standing at the railway station.

 

b. Preposition of time:

i. shows a specific time.

For example:

- School starts at 7.30 every morning.

- In theory, women can still have children at the age of 50.

 
     
 

'On' is used to:

a. Preposition of place: 

i. shows position on a street or road.

ii. shows position on a surface.

For example:

- We parked the car on Fifth Avenue.

- The coins are on the floor.

- Kamil lives on Pangkor Island.

 

b. Preposition of time:

i. shows a day or date.

For example:

- The Safety Campaign will commence on Wednesday.

- I was born on 12th January.

 
     
 

'In' is used to:

a. Preposition of place:

i. refer to an enclosed area.

For example:

- My uncle is in his bedroom.

 

b. Preposition of time:

i. shows a time frame.

ii. shows part of the day.

For example:

- The train leaves in an hour.

- I heard a commotion early in the morning.

 
     
     
     
 
1.4   PREPOSITION OF POSITION
 
     
  'Along' and 'against' are prepositions of position. They show the location of a person, an object or an animal.  
     
 

a. We use 'along' for things that are placed from one end to the other.

For example:

- Flowers are planted along the road.

b. 'Along' is also used when someone or something is moving in a constant direction.

For example:

- The couple enjoyed walking along the beach.

 
     
 

a. We use 'against' when someone or something is pressing on another object.

For example:

- Samy is leaning against the wall.

b. 'Against' is also used to talk about the physical contact made by two objects.

For example:

- The waves are crashing against the cliffs.