PREPOSITIONS

A preposition is a word that tells you when or where something is in relation to something else.

There are over 100 prepositions in English and using them correctly can be difficult, especially for learners.
Although most prepositions are single words such as 'at', 'on', 'to', 'from', some pairs and groups of words
operate like single prepositions, for example 'up to', 'out of' 'in front of' etc.
Below is a list of commonly-used propositions with their meaning and a sentence showing how they are used.

Preposition Meaning Example

about on the subject of; connected with Have you heard about the party? We're all invited.
above higher than, or over The sun is above the clouds.
across from one side to the other It's dangerous to run across the road.
after - following something; behind - The boy ran after the ball.
- later than - I'll phone you after lunch.
against - in opposition to - Stealing is against the law.
- in contact with - The sofa is against the wall.
along from one end to the other  They are walking along the street.
among surrounded by Peter was among the spectators.
around - in a circle - He walked around the table.
- near, approximately - It costs around 50 euros.
away (from) at a distance from The boy ran away from home.
before - earlier than - The day before yesterday.
- in front of - He bowed before the king.
behind at the back of  Passengers sit behind the driver.
below lower than  His shorts are below his knees.
beneath under The pen was beneath the books.
beside next to The bank is beside the cinema.
between in the space separating two things Mary sat between Tom and Jane.
by - near, at the side of  - The restaurant is by the river.
- not later than - The boss wants the report by Friday.
close to near The school is close to the church.
down from higher to lower She pulled down the blind.
for what is intended I bought this book for you.
from where something starts or originates The wind is blowing from the north.
in at a point within an area The pen is in the drawer.
in front of directly before The child ran out in front of the bus.
inside on the inner part of  The bird is inside the cage.
into enter a closed space He went into the shop.
near close to The school is near the church.
next to beside The bank is next to the cinema.
off down or away from He fell off the horse.
on in a position touching a surface  The plate is on the table.
onto move to a position on a surface  The cat jumped onto the roof of the car.
opposite facing, on the other side Eva sat opposite Tom at the table.
out of - move from a closed space - He got out of the taxi.
- without - She's out of work.
outside - opposite of inside The garden is outside the house.
 - on the outer side 
over - above/across - The plane flew over the Atlantic.
- on the surface of - She put a sheet over the furniture.
past beyond She drove past the supermarket.
round in a circular movement  The earth moves round the sun.
through from one side to the other The Seine flows through Paris.
throughout in every part of The virus spread throughout the country.
to in the direct of; towards On the way to the station.
towards in the direction of The child ran towards her father.
under beneath, below Water flows under the bridge.
underneath beneath There was dust underneath the rug.
up towards or in a higher position She walked up the stairs.
with including -Vegetables are served with the fish.
as a result of -The boss was annoyed with Tom for arriving late.
within inside They live within the old city.
without not have or lack something I don't like coffee without milk.

Here is the preposition list which are indicative of direction with their meanings.
Preposition of Direction Prepositions Meaning
Above Higher relative to something else
Across On the other side of
Along Beside
Among Within a group
Around In a circular way
At Indicates a particular point
Behind At the back of
Below Lower relative to something else
Beside Next to
Close to Near
Over Above
Through From one point to the next
Toward In the direction of
Up From low to high
Down From high to low
Between In the space separating two things
By Near
Inside/In Within
Near Close by
Next to Beside
On Touching something
Onto Moving on top of something
Off Away from
Past On the father side of
Under Below something

 Some appropriate preposition examples are provided below:

1. They went by bus.
2. Look to the right and you will see your destination.
3. Meet me at the chocolate shop.
4. The dog climbed onto the bed.

 Preposition of Time:
According to English Grammar rules, the words are used to refer to time in various aspects.
 
Preposition of Time Preposition Meaning
On Days (of the week) & dates
In Months/seasons/year, part of the day, after a period
At A specific point of time, exceptions
Since From a specific point in time until now (past till now)
For Over a certain period of time
Ago From now to a specific point in the past (now till past)
During Throughout the course
Before Previous to in time, earlier than
After Subsequent in time, at a later time than
Until (Till) Up to a certain point in time
To/ past Telling the time
From/ To A starting point/ an end point
By Not later than

Following is the preposition exercises with answer.

1. We arrived on Monday.
2. The seminar starts at 10 a.m.
3. The company was founded in the 20th century.
4. They got married on Friday the 5th June.
 
Preposition of Place:
These words indicate positions of the object in the sentence.
 
Preposition of Place Prepositions Meaning
In Position or state inside
At In the area of, specific position, an event (or a place related to it)
Position above, in contact with, for a certain side, the state or process of & means of
On
conveyance
Off From a place or position
By, Beside At the side of, close to & next to
Under In a lower position, beneath the surface
Over In or at a position above, more than
Below In or to a lower place, beneath
Above Overhead
Up From a lower towards a higher point
Down A descending direction

Some appropriate preposition examples according to grammar rules are provided below:
1. We live in India.
2. There is a cat under the table.
3. I hung my coat behind the door.
4. A path above the lake.