Meaning and Types of Preposition (with Examples and Sentences)

WHAT IS A PREPOSITION? 

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. It usually tells where, when, how, or in what way something happens.

Examples: in, on, at, under, behind, to, from, with, about, between

Example in a sentence: The cat is under the table. “Under” shows the relationship between “cat” and “table.”

 

TYPES OF PREPOSITIONS 

Here are the main types of prepositions with examples and sentences.

1. Prepositions of Place – These show where something is located.

Examples: in, on, at, under, over, between, behind, beside, near

Sentences:

A. The book is on the table.

B. The cat is under the chair.

C. The school is near my house.

D. She sat between her friends.

 

2. Prepositions of Time – These show when something happens.

Examples: at, on, in, before, after, during, since, until

Sentences:

A. We will meet at 5 o’clock.

B. My birthday is in May.

C. He left before sunset.

D. She has been here since morning.

 

3. Prepositions of Direction or Movement – These show movement from one place to another.

Examples: to, from, into, out of, onto, toward, across, along

Sentences:

A. She is going to the market.

B. The boy jumped into the pool.

C. The train came from Abuja.

D. They walked across the road.

 

4. Prepositions of Agent or Instrument

These show the doer of an action (agent) or the instrument used to perform it.

Examples: by, with

Sentences:

A. The letter was written by John. (Agent)

B. She cut the cake with a knife. (Instrument)

 

5. Prepositions of Manner – These show how something is done.

Examples: by, with, in, like

Sentences:

A. She spoke with confidence.

B. He travelled by car.

C. They fought like lions.

 

6. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose – These show why something happens.

Examples: because of, due to, for, from

Sentences:

A. He couldn’t play because of the rain.

B. She was absent due to illness.

C. They work for peace.

 

7. Prepositions of Possession – These show ownership or belonging.

Examples: of, with

Sentences:

A. The house of my uncle is big.

B. The girl with the red dress is my sister.

 

8. Prepositions of Comparison – These are used to compare things.

Examples: like, as, than

Sentences:

1. He swims like a fish.

2. She is taller than her brother.

 

9. Compound Prepositions – These are formed by joining two or more words.

Examples: in front of, because of, instead of, according to, next to

Sentences:

A. The car is parked in front of the house.

B. Because of the storm, school was closed.

C. He sat next to his friend.

 

10. Double Prepositions – These are two prepositions used together.

Examples: into, onto, upon, out of, from behind

Sentences:

A. She climbed onto the roof.

B. The bird flew out of the cage.

D. The cat jumped upon the wall.

 

SUMMARY 

Type of Preposition	What It Shows	Examples	Sample Sentence
Place	Location	in, on, under	The cat is on the chair.
Time	When	at, in, before	We met at noon.
Direction	Movement	to, from, into	She walked into the room.
Agent/Instrument	Who or What acts	by, with	The book was written by John.
Manner	How	by, with	She spoke with courage.
Cause/Reason	Why	because of, for	He stayed home because of the rain.
Possession	Belonging	of, with	The girl with blue eyes is my cousin.
Comparison	Comparison	like, as, than	He runs faster than me.
Compound	Two or more words	in front of, next to	The school is in front of the park.
Double	Two prepositions together	into, out of	He jumped out of the car.