Types of Preposition

 Types of Preposition 

According to the function prepositions are categorized into the following types. 

1) Preposition of time

2) Preposition of place

3) Preposition for direction or movement 

4) Preposition for  agency 

5) Preposition of instrument

6) Preposition for reason

7) Preposition for origin

8) Preposition for purpose 

9) Preposition for price

10) Appropriate preposition 

         

  

1) Preposition of time - 

These prepositions are used to denote the time. These prepositions tell us when the thing is taking place. 

E.g. - At, on, in, by, off, from, away, since, for, towards etc. 

Now let's form some sentences using these preposition :

• He came at 4 o' clock. 

• There are seven days in a week. 

• I will finish this work by tomorrow. 

• The Children's Day is celebrated on 14th November. 

2) Preposition for place -  

These prepositions are used to denote the place. 

E.g. -  On, at, in, into, from, within, without, inside, outside, in front of, on top, between, among, behind, under, below etc. 

Now let's form some sentences using these preposition :

• He puts his books on the table. 

• The gatekeeper is sitting at the gate. 

• He jumped from a wall.

•  The pitcher sank into the water. 

3) Preposition for direction or movement - 

These prepositions express the direction or movement of something. 

This type of prepositions are :

Up, down, over, under, along, across, To, into, through, towards etc. 

Now let's form some sentences using these preposition :

• The cat jumped over the wall.                                                   (movement)
• He went to the office.                                                                 (direction) 
• The train went through the tunnel.                                         (movement) 
• He threw a ball into a river.                                                     (movement, direction) 

 4) Preposition for agent - 

These preposition are used to denote an action done by someone to the subject. 

(this type of preposition is used in passive voices) 

E.g. -  By, with.

• The book was written by Shakespeare. 

• This task was finished by him. 

• This glass was filled with milk. 

(Here these prepositions are used to tell about the action done by someone. These sentences are in passive voice.) 

5) Prepositions for instrument or means -  

The prepositions for instrument indicates using which the action is performed. To define instrument or means we use the preposition 'By'  &  'with'.  

• By -  means of transportation. 

• With -  instrument or tool used. 

Examples - 

• He went to office by bus.            (means) 

• He cut the apple with a knife.   (tool)

• We hear with our ears.               (tool) 

6) Prepositions of cause (reason) - 

These prepositions are used to describe why something has occurred. To define cause, we use the following prepositions :

Of, for, with, as, through, due to, because of, on account of, on behalf of etc. 

• She obtained good marks because of her hard work. 

• He was awarded for his excellence. 

7) Prepositions for origin or source -  

The  preposition 'from'  is used to describe the origin or source of a person or a thing.  

• I am basically from U. P.     (origin) 

• She got a beautiful dress from her friends.    (source) 

  

8) preposition of purpose  -  

We commonly use the preposition 'for'  to describe purpose. 

• A ruler is used for drawing lines.      (purpose) 

 9) preposition for price - 

We commonly use the preposition 'for' and 'at' to describe price. 

The preposition 'for' is used when the actual sum of money is mentioned. 

• I bought this dress for 400 rs. 

The preposition 'at'  is used when the actual sum of money is not mentioned. 

• She bought a dress at a high price.

(If the weight or measurement follows the price 'at' may be used with actual sum of money.

• I bought the oranges at 50 rupees a kilo. 
• I bought this cloth at 50 rupees a meter. 

10) Appropriate prepositions -

Some adjectives, verbs &  nouns are followed by particular preposition. These prepositions do not follow any rule. 

• Afraid of (adjective + preposition) - 

         He is afraid of dogs.      

• Belong to (verb + preposition) - 

         This book belongs to me. 

• Fond of   ( Adjective + preposition) - 

         He is fond of music.