Archive for January, 2011

Relations shown by prepositions

January 24th, 2011 in English Grammar

Prepositions show various kinds of relations. The chief among them are given below.

Place

Important place prepositions are: in, at, on, across, among, behind, under, below, above, over etc.

The boy ran across the road.
She stood behind the door.
I met him at the club.
The cat is under the bed.
She sat among the children.

    Time

    Important time prepositions are: at, before, till, until, for, since, after, in

    We started in the morning.
    The meeting is at 10 o’clock.
    We must return before sunset.
    We will wait till tomorrow.
    He stayed for a month.
    It has been raining since morning.

      Method and manner

      Prepositions: by and with

      He killed the spider with a stone.
      He killed the spider by hitting it.
      The letter came by post.
      They fought with courage.

        Reason and purpose

        Prepositions: with, of, for

        She trembled with anger.
        He died of malaria.
        Exercise is good for health.
        They struggled for freedom.

          Possession

          Important prepositions indicating possession are: of, with and by.

          Delhi is the capital of India.
          I saw a boy with red hair.
          He is a man of character.
          He came by a lot of money.

            Direction and Motion

            Important prepositions indicating direction and motion are: into, on to, up, round and towards.

            He fell into the well.
            He walked towards the market.
            He climbed up the tree.
            The earth moves round the sun.