Definition and Types of Preposition | Parts of Speech

The word preposition means ‘that which is placed before’. Let us look at the definition of prepositions and types of prepositions.

What Are Prepositions? 

Prepositions are the words that we put before nouns or pronouns. These denote in what relation the person or thing indicated by it exists, in relation to something else. Look at the examples below.

• The child jumped off the bed.
• There is a bee in the jar.
• Hani is fond of cheesecakes.

In the first example, the word ‘off ‘is showing the relation between the action denoted by the verb jumped, and the noun chair. In the second example, the word ‘in’ is showing the relation between the bee and the jar. In the third example, the word ‘of’ is showing the relation between the quality denoted by the adjective fond and the noun cheesecake. Hence the words off, in and of are prepositions.

Types of Prepositions Depending On Structure

 There are six main types of preposition: simple prepositions, double prepositions, compound prepositions, phrasal prepositions, participle prepositions and detached prepositions..

Simple Prepositions

Simple prepositions are used to denote a relation between nouns or pronouns. These can even be used to join different parts of sentences and clauses. Simple prepositions are one word prepositions. These are also called single prepositions. Common words used that come under the category of simple prepositions are in, out, on, up, at, for, from, by, of, off, through, till, etc.

Examples of Simple Prepositions in sentences:

• Keep your phones in your pockets.
• Staring at people is not considered a good gesture.

In the above two examples, both prepositions consist of one simple word and hence are single or simple prepositions.

Double Prepositions

Double prepositions are made by putting together two single prepositions. That is why they are called double prepositions. Common words used as double prepositions are onto, into, throughout, up till, up to, within, without, upon, etc.

Examples of double prepositions in sentences:

• Complete this essay within two hours.
• I am going to turn this scrap into a masterpiece.

In the first example, the preposition within is made by combining two single prepositions with and in. In the second example, the preposition into is formed by putting together two simple prepositions in and two. These are hence double prepositions.

Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are usually formed by prefixing a preposition to nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. They are different from double prepositions because they are not formed by two single prepositions. Common words, which come under the category of compound prepositions, are above, about, across, along, before, behind, beside, inside, outside, etc.

Examples of compound prepositions in sentences:

• He was going about his business.
• The person beside Ali is my brother.

In the first example, the prefix ‘a’ is added to a root word ‘bout’ to make a preposition. In the second example, the prefix be is added to the root word side to make a preposition. Thus, these words are Compound Prepositions.

Phrasal Prepositions

Phrasal prepositions are groups of words or phrases that join the noun or pronoun in a sentence, to the remainder of the sentence. These groups of words express a single idea by coming together as a unit. Words that come under the category of phrasal prepositions are in addition to, by means of, in spite of, according to, owing to, in favour of, etc.

Examples of phrasal prepositions in sentences:

• He couldn’t pass the test, owing to his lack of knowledge of English grammar.
• She made it to the other side of the world, in spite of all the difficulties.

In the first example, the group of words ‘owing to’ is joining the two sentences with each other and is a phrase. Likewise, the group of words ‘in spite of’ is also a phrase and is working as a preposition. Hence, these are phrasal prepositions.

Participle Prepositions

Participle prepositions, indicating from their name, are the present participle forms of verbs. These are used without any noun or pronoun attached with them. The words that are distinguished as participle prepositions are concerning, considering, barring, notwithstanding, touching, pending, during, etc.

Examples of participle prepositions in sentences:

• Notwithstanding his efforts, he was still fired from the job.
• Touching this matter, I do not have much information.

In the above examples, both the verbs notwithstanding and touching are in present participle, which is apparent from the ‘ing’ at the end of both words. These words are therefore participle prepositions. 

Disguised Prepositions

Disguised prepositions are those prepositions which are not used in the sentences directly, but are disguised. Their shorter forms are used. The examples of gisguised prepositions are ‘a’ and ‘o’.

‘a’ is the shortened form of the preposition ‘on’ and ‘o’ is the shortened form of the preposition ‘of’.

Examples of disguised prepositions in sentences:

• The ceremony will be held at 5 o’clock.
• We all went to a party.

In the first example, instead of saying ‘5 of the clock’, we have used disguised form of the preposition of. In the second example, instead of saying ‘went on partying’, we have used abbreviation of the preposition on and disguised the preposition as ‘a’. Hence, these are disguised prepositions.

Detached Prepositions

A preposition is called a detached preposition when it does not come before its object. It is detached from its object. When the object of a preposition is an interrogative pronoun or a relative pronoun, the preposition comes at the end of the sentence.

Look at the following examples for further understanding.

She is the woman whom I was talking about.

Here are the books that you asked for.

Which of the houses were you working in?

In the first two examples, we can see that because of relative pronouns whom and that, the prepositions about and for are being detached from their objects. In the third example, the interrogative pronoun ‘which’ is detaching the preposition ‘in’ from its object. Hence, these are all detached prepositions.

Types of Prepositions Depending on Function

Prepositions are also categorized depending on their function instead of their structure.  Here are the main types of prepositions.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate when something happens.

• At: Used for precise times.

Example: The meeting starts at 10 AM.

• On: Used for days and dates.

Example: She was born on September 12.

• In: Used for longer periods like months, years, centuries, and long periods.

Example: He will graduate in 2025.

Prepositions of Place

These prepositions indicate the position or location of something.

• At: Used for specific places.

Example: She is waiting at the bus stop.

• In: Used for enclosed spaces.

Example: There is a cat in the box.

• On: Used for surfaces.

Example: The book is on the table.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions show the direction in which something moves.

• To: Indicates movement toward a specific place.

Example: She is going to the market.

• Into: Indicates movement from outside to a point inside.

Example: He jumped into the pool.

• Onto: Indicates movement toward a surface.

Example: The cat jumped onto the counter.

Prepositions of Manner

These prepositions indicate the manner in which something is done.

• By: Indicates the means or method.

Example: She traveled by train.

• With: Indicates the instrument or tool used.

Example: He wrote the letter with a pen.

Prepositions of Agent or Instrument

These prepositions indicate the agent performing an action or the instrument used.

• By: Indicates the doer of the action.

Example: The book was written by J.K. Rowling.

• With: Indicates the instrument used.

Example: The door was opened with a key.

Prepositions of Cause, Reason, or Purpose

These prepositions indicate the reason for or purpose of an action.

• For: Indicates the purpose of an action.

Example: She is studying for the exam.

• Because of: Indicates the reason for something.

Example: The game was canceled because of the rain.

Prepositions of Possession

These prepositions show ownership or belonging.

• Of: Indicates belonging or possession.

Example: The pages of the book were torn.

Prepositions of Measure

These prepositions indicate the measurement of something.

• By: Indicates dimensions or amount.

Example: The room is ten feet by twelve feet.

Participle Prepositions

These are participles (verbs used as adjectives) that function as prepositions.

• Concerning: Indicates a topic or subject.

Example: I read an article concerning the environment.

• During: Indicates the time something happens.

Example: She was quiet during the meeting.