English Prepositions: Types, Rules, and Practice

Prepositions - at, in, on - Test

English Prepositions: A Comprehensive Guide

What are Prepositions?

A preposition is an unchangeable part of speech that shows the relationship between a noun, pronoun, or gerund with other words in a sentence. In English, prepositions are always placed before the words they relate to.

For example:

  • The book is on the table (shows location on a surface)
  • She lives in London (shows location within a city)

Main Types of Prepositions

1. Prepositions of Place:

  • in – used for enclosed spaces (in the room, in a box)
  • on – used for surfaces (on the table, on the wall)
  • at – used for specific points (at the door, at the station)
  • under – used for lower position (under the bed, under the sky)
  • above – used for higher position (above the clouds, above sea level)
  • between – used for position in relation to two objects (between the trees)

2. Prepositions of Time:

  • in
    • used with months: in January
    • used with seasons: in summer
    • used with years: in 2024
  • on
    • used with days of the week: on Monday
    • used with dates: on May 5th
  • at
    • used with clock times: at 5 o’clock
    • used with specific times: at noon, at midnight

3. Prepositions of Direction:

  • to – indicating movement toward (go to school)
  • from – indicating origin/starting point (from home)
  • into – movement to the inside (go into the house)
  • out of – movement from inside to outside (get out of the car)

Important Rules for Using Prepositions

1. Fixed Verb + Preposition Combinations:

  • look at (to direct your eyes toward something)
  • listen to (to pay attention to sound)
  • wait for (to stay until something happens)
  • depend on (to need something/someone for support)

2. Adjective + Preposition Combinations:

  • good at (skilled in a particular activity)
  • afraid of (feeling fear about something)
  • interested in (wanting to know about something)
  • ready for (prepared for something)

3. Noun + Preposition Combinations:

  • reason for (explanation of something)
  • solution to (answer to a problem)
  • interest in (curiosity about something)

Common Mistakes in Preposition Usage

  1. ❌ I arrived to home → ✅ I arrived at home (We arrive at specific destinations)
  2. ❌ We waited since 2 hours → ✅ We waited for 2 hours (For is used with duration)
  3. ❌ He is good in mathematics → ✅ He is good at mathematics (Skills use at)

Test Your Knowledge – Preposition Quiz

Test your understanding of prepositions. Pay special attention to:

  • Correct usage of place prepositions
  • Appropriate time prepositions
  • Fixed prepositional phrases

Our government pays great attention ___ the education ___ the youth.

___ summer holidays many boys and girls like to go ___ the country ___ their teachers.

The girl saw a beautiful garden ___ the end of the corridor with red flowers ___ it.

At night when there are no clouds ___ the sky you can see many stars.

He is very good ___ maths.

He’s got a very good head ___ his shoulders.

I asked him ___ help.

Father was very angry ___ his son: “You’ll be punished according ___ the seriousness ___ your guilt.

An electric lamp hangs from the centre ___ the ceiling ___ the table.

Everybody wanted to come here ___ time.

It is very warm. I am going to take ___ my scarf.

There is something very attractive ___ him.

What is there ___ the ground floor ___ your school?

They will be fighting ___ political reforms.

It’s better to wait for five minutes before crossing the street than stay ___ a month at the hospital.

The famous explorer left ___ the North ___ the fifth of March.

They put ___ illuminations ___ front of all buildings.

In England the cars go ___ the left side.

___ general everything was all right. They thought they were walking ___ the direction ___ the village when they lost the way.

I know that he is a noisy boy, but ___ the same time I can’t be angry ___ him.

Practical Tips for Memorization

  1. 📝 Create your own sentences with each new preposition
  2. 🗣️ Learn prepositions within fixed phrases
  3. 🎯 Notice prepositions while reading English texts
  4. ✍️ Record new “verb + preposition” combinations

Essential Combinations to Remember

1. Time:

  • at night (during nighttime)
  • in the morning (during morning hours)
  • on time (not late)

2. Place:

  • at home (at one’s residence)
  • in the city (within city limits)
  • on the street (along the road)

3. Direction:

  • go to work (movement toward workplace)
  • come from school (movement from origin)
  • walk across the street (movement from one side to another)

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