Name-Sohan Sarkar

Department-ECE1(X)
Semester-2nd
Roll No-42
Name of Subject- HM-HU 201

Title: The Uses of Correct Preposition of Place in Writing.

Abstract:
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the
person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else. In itself, a word like ‘in’ or
‘after’ is rather meaningless and hard to define in words. Yet, prepositions play a crucial role
in language, so much so, that the meaning of a sentence can change if a wrong preposition is
used. A person with a good command over the English language will use prepositions
correctly.

Introduction:

According to the Merriam-Webster Learners Dictionary, a preposition is: “a word or group of

words that is used with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, location, or time,
or to introduce an object”. Prepositions express relationships such as space (place, position,
direction), time, or figurative location. A preposition always has an object (usually a noun or
pronoun). The preposition and its object (and any modifiers) are together called a
prepositional phrase. For example:
The preposition “on” in “The flask is on the lab bench” shows location.
The preposition “in” in “The centrifuge will finish in 3 hours” shows time.

Prepositions are often called the biggest small words in English because although they are
generally short words, they are very important to the meaning of the sentence. A misused
preposition can make a big difference between a clearly stated sentence and a confusing
jumble of words. When used properly, however, prepositions provide the glue between parts
of a sentence that allows you to share your scientific research more precisely and
professionally.
Prepositions are used to connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases (called the object of the
preposition) to other words within a sentence. They reveal the temporal, spatial, or logical
relationship of their object to another word or part of the sentence. For example:

 The flask is on the lab bench. (space)

 The waste basket is below the lab bench. (space)
 The centrifuge is beside the lab bench. (space)
 The fume hood is across from the lab bench. (space)
 He broke the flask during the experiment. (time)

A preposition of place is a preposition which is used to refer to a place where something or

someone is located. There are only three prepositions of place, however they can be used to
discuss an almost endless number of places.

 At – A preposition of place which is used to discuss a certain point

  In – A preposition of place which is used to discuss an enclosed space
 On – A preposition of time which is used to discuss a surface
Body:
Preposition of place: AT
1) It’s used to talk about specific places or points in space.
 Sarah’s still at school.
 I’ll meet you at the bus stop.
 Turn left at the traffic light.
2) Now it’s also used with public places and shops.
 I studied design at college or school or university.
 Let’s meet at the station.
 We have to stop at the supermarket on the way home.
3) We also use it with addresses.
 They live at 14 Eagle Road.
 I’ll meet you at the corner of Beach Street and Park Road.
4) We can use “at” with events.
 We met at a party.
 He’s speaking at a conference later this week.

1) Do not use at for addresses without house or building numbers:

Wrong: He lives at Marshall Drive.
Wrong: Alice's office is at Main Street.

2) Do not use at for general locations thathave boundaries (cities, countries, regions, states,
etc.)
Wrong: Dave lives at California.
Wrong: Arizona State University is at Tempe, Arizona.
Wrong: Boston is at the part of the U.S. that's called "New England."

3) There are also several common fixedexpressions with at:

At home
At work
At school
At church

Preposition of place: ON

1) The preposition “on” is used to talk about the position of something on surfaces on
surfaces like walls or tables.
 My phone is on the table.
 You can see a painting on the wall behind me.
 We live on the fourth floor of the building.
 Can you write it on that piece of paper?

2) Used to express a surface of something:

 I put an egg on the kitchen table.
 The paper is on my desk.
3) Used to specify days and dates:
 The garbage truck comes on Wednesdays.
  I was born on the 14th day of June in 1988.
4) Used to indicate a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:
 He is on the phone right now.
 She has been on the computer since this morning.
 My favorite movie will be on TV tonight.
5) Used to indicate a part of the body:
 The stick hit me on my shoulder.
 He kissed me on my cheek.
 I wear a ring on my finger.

1) Do not use on for general locations that have boundaries:

Wrong: Dave lives on California.
Wrong: The zoo is on the city park.
2) For streets, in the street is where people drive, but on the street is alongside the street on
either side:
People ride bicycles on the street, not in it.
He parked his car on Mill Avenue.
Children shouldn't play in the street, even when there isn't much traffic.
3) When it is clear that a street's surface, not its sides, is being referred to, use on:
Traffic was very heavy on the freeway this morning.
Did you hear about the accident on Riverside Boulevard?

Preposition of place: IN
1) Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, year:
 She always reads newspapers in the morning.
 In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.
 The new semester will start in March.
2) Used to express while doing something:
 In preparing for the final report, we revised the tone three times.
 A catch phrase needs to be impressive in marketing a product.
3) Used to indicate a location or place:
 She looked me directly in the eyes.
 I am currently staying in a hotel.
 My hometown is Los Angeles, which is in California.

Do not use in with exact addresses (addresses that have house numbers or building numbers):
Wrong: He lives in 4732 Marshall Drive.
Wrong: Alice's office is in 26515 Main Street.

Other prepositions of places:

BY (use-near):
 I’m waiting by the car.
 Put your bag by the door and sit down.
BESIDE (use-Next to):
 Our house is beside the supermarket.
FROM (use-the place where it starts)
 Do you come from Tokyo?
IN FRONT OF (use-the part that is in the direction it faces)
  Our house is in front of the supermarket.
ONTO (use-moving to a place)
 The cat jumped onto the roof.

THROUGH (use-going from one point to the other point):

 You shouldn't walk through the forest.

Conclusion:
Prepositions are tricky little beasts. The relative shortness of the words (most are six letters or
under) and their often misplaced role in the overall scheme of thingsmean that we should
treat them carefully and perhaps give them more importance than is usually the case.While
prepositions are limited in number, they are important because they act as vital markers to the
structure of a sentence; they mark special relationships between persons, objects, and
locations. For this reason, we should think carefully about how we incorporate the teaching
and learning of prepositions into our classes. Prepositions determine the position, time and
limit.Prepositions play a vital role in grammar.They are the vital markers to the structure of a
sentence.Prepositions show special relationship between Persons, objects and location.They
work to connect various parts of a sentence.

References:
Books
1. High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin.
2. A Comprehensive Grammar of Current English by Joseph, Myall, Biswas.
Website
1. britishcouncil.org