PREPOSITIONS

Preposition

A word placed before a noun or pronoun to show its relation to

some other word in the sentence is called a preposition.
Eg:
▪ The book is on the table.

▪ We are in the classroom.

▪ She is standing at the door.

▪ They are sitting under a tree.

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Types of prepositions

There are five types of prepositions in English. They are:

1) Simple prepositions:

In, on, at, by, with, for, since, of, to, from, off, till, than, up, through,
etc.,

2) Compound prepositions:

Along, Across, Among, About, Above, Against, Beside, Besides,

Between, Beyond, Before, Beneath etc.,
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3) Double Preposition:
Into, Onto, Upon, Throughout, Within, From Behind, From Across, From
Along, Etc.,

4) Participle Prepositions:
During, Considering, Including, Regarding, Following, Barring,
Notwithstanding, Etc.,
Barring – except for
Ex: We should arrive at 10 ‘O clock barring any unexpected delays.
Not withstanding – in spite of
Ex: Not withstanding some members’ objection, I think we must go ahead
with the plan.

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5) Phrase Prepositions:

instead of, in front of, in addition to, in order to, in spite of, according
to, on behalf of, owing to, with a view to, because of, with reference to,
with regard to, by means of, in case of, on account of.

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Some Common Mistakes in Using Prepositions:

We entered into a hotel ordered for tea and discussed about our
next programme awaiting for our friend. He reached to the hotel in
the bus after half an hour despite of heavy rain. I told to him about
our new project and asked him to resign from his job. He accepted
to my proposal and signed on the agreement which comprises of 20
pages with blue ink on last Sunday at Bangalore.

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1. They are sitting __ the shade of a tree.

a) under b) in c) on d) at

2. He is __ the committee.

a) in b) on c) at d) with

3. What is the time _ your watch ?

a) in b) on c) at d) by

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4) She copied the notes word ___ word

a) to b) by c) for d) with

5) I am unable to cope ___ the work pressure

a) up b) with c) up with d) up to

6) He went _____ abroad last year.

a) to b) for c) into d) none

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The correct use of some confused prepositions
1. Beside Besides

By the side In addition

of/next to to/apart from

Ex:

▪ I know English _____ Telugu.

▪ Our house is _____ the temple.

▪ _____ being pretty, she is also intelligent.

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2. Between Among

Two persons / More than two

things persons / things

Ex:

▪ He shared his property _____ his two sons.

▪ All the five brothers always fight _____ themselves.

▪ When the British came to India there was no unity _____ Indian kings.

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 3. At PLACES In

Smaller places Larger places

(villages, colonies and small towns) (cities/ capitals / states / countries)

Ex:

▪ NTR was born _____ Nimmakuru ___ Krishna district _____ Andhra Pradesh.

▪ I live _____ Dilsukhnagar _____ Hyderabad.

▪ My cousin lives _______ Mumbai.

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4. Perfect tense/ time
Since For
Time / Perfect Tenses

Point of time Period of Time

1) She has been waiting for the bus _____ an hour.

2) We have been listening to this class _____ 8 o'clock.

3) He has been working here _____ 2005.

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1) We have been living here _____ ten years.

2) We have been preparing for SSC _____ 6 months.

3) She has not eaten anything _____ yesterday.

4) I have not seen him _____ a long time.

5) I have known him _____ my childhood.

5. In Into

Inside Movement

Ex:

▪ She is _____ the garden.

▪ The boys jumped _____ a well.

▪ He dived _____ the swimming pool.

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6. ON UPON OVER OFF

Position Motion Vertically above Disassociation/Separation

Ex:
▪ We are sitting _____ the bench.
▪ There is a roof _____ your head.
▪ The lion jumped _____ a goat.
▪ He fell _____ the building.

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7. Along Across

From one end to another From one side to another

Ex:

▪ We walk _____ the road.

▪ A dam is built _____ the river.

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8. BY WITH

Doer of an action Instrument

Ex:

▪ Suri was killed _____ Bhanu _____ a pistol.

▪ This picture has been painted _____ Anu _____ a brush.

▪ I cut an apple _____ a knife.

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 Some important rules on prepositions
Ownership
Rule - 1 Mode of travelling – “ BY”
Bus In his car ( )
By walk ( X )
Car
On foot ( ) On my bike ( )
Train

Ship
Eg:-
‘By’ Aeroplane

Road a) She goes to college ______ bus.

Sea
b) I went to Tirupati ____ my friend’s car.
Air
c) He goes to office _____ foot.
Bike

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 Rule 2:

Leave Radio Duty

Tour TV Campus
ON
Strike Committee

Fire Staff

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Eg:

▪ I am _____ leave today.

▪ He is _____ tour to Europe.

▪ The building is _____ fire.

▪ They Listen to music _____ Radio.

▪ I watch movies _____ T.V.

▪ I am _____ the staff of Everest.

▪ She is ____ the committee.

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 Rule: 3
Eg:
Rate
1. I bought apples ____ Rs.500/- a dozen.
Age 2. Gandhiji got married ____ 14.

Speed 3. He was driving ____ the speed of 120kmph when

AT the accident took place.
Activity
4. I am ____ home /college / theatre.
Point of place 5. He is ____ work. Don’t disturb him.
6. He lives ____ 20-60, Gandhinagar.
Door numbers

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Rule :4

ON – Days of a week or dates.

Eg:

▪ I will meet you ____ Sunday.

▪ He came here ____ 15th August.

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Rule :5

Names of months

IN Names of seasons
Names of years

Eg:

▪ He got married ____ August.

▪ It is very hot ____ summer.

▪ YSR died ____ 2009.

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Rule: 6 – Parts of a day - IN
❑ In the morning ❑ Noon
❑ In the evening ❑ Night
AT
❑ In the afternoon ❑ Dawn
❑ In the night ( X ) ❑ Dusk
❑ At night ( )
Eg:
1. I get up ____ 6 ‘O’clock ____ the morning.
2. I go to sleep late ____ night.

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Words followed by prepositions (WFP) ( Fixed prepositions )

1 Congratulate

Compliment ON
Comment

Eg: I congratulated my friend ____ his success.

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2. Believe
Faith IN
Confidence
Trust
Confident (Adj.) OF

Eg.
I believe ___ God.
I have faith ___ you.
I am confident ___ my success in SSC.

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 Surprised
3.
Wondered
Amazed
Puzzled
AT
Bewildered
Perplexed
Startled
Astonished
Eg:
1) We were surprised ____ the results.
2) Every one was astonished ____ his behaviour.
3) I was amazed _____ the depth of her knowledge.

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4. Married To (person)
Engaged

Engage IN (Action)

Eg: We are engaged ____ preparing for SSC.

Eg: He was married ____ a rich girl.

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 5.
Leave
Start FOR (Destination)
Depart

Eg:

He is leaving ____ Chennai tomorrow.

She started ____ Mumbai yesterday

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6. Good
AT
Bad

Eg:

1. He is good ____ English.

2. He is bad ____ Maths.

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7.
Committed
Dedicated TO
Devoted

Eg:

He dedicated his life ____ the service of the poor.

We are committed ______ providing high quality coaching.

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8. Obedient
Faithful
Loyal TO
Thankful
Indebted

Eg:
1. I will be thankful ___ you ___ your help.
2. One must be loyal ___ one’s country.

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9.
Eg:
Fond
Proud 1. I am fond ____ reading books.

Avail 2. Never boast ____ your achievements.

Jealous OF
3. Please remind me ____ her birthday.
Repent
4. He repented ____ his sins just hours
Boast
before he died.
Remind

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10.
Zeal

Desire

Passion

Greed FOR

Liking
Eg:
Thirst
1. We must have zeal ____ success.
Fascination
2. I have passion ____ teaching.

3. He has greed ____ money.

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11. Stop

Prevent

Prohibit

Debar FROM + ING ( V4 )

Abstain Eg:
▪ He stopped me _____ entering the class.
Ban
▪ He prevented the car _____ hitting the wall.
Refrain
▪ The doctor advised him to abstain himself _____
taking alcohol.
▪ The sign on the wall sight “Please refrain ______ smoking.”

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 Accuse
12
Guilty
OF
Convict

Acquit

Charge With
Eg:

▪ He was accused _____ a murder case.

▪ She was charged ______ a theft case.

▪ She was acquitted ______ all the charges against her.

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