English Grammar 38: THE PREPOSITION

CHAPTER 38: THE PREPOSITION

Welcome to Chapter 38! Prepositions might be small words, but they are the glue that holds our sentences together. They tell us where things are, when things happen, and how different ideas relate to one another. Let's explore how to use them correctly.

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1. What is a Preposition?

Clear and Detailed Explanation

Read the following sentences:

1. There is a cow in the field.
2. He is fond of tea.
3. The cat jumped off the chair.

Notice the bold words. What are they doing?

• In sentence 1, in shows the relationship between a noun (cow) and another noun (field).
• In sentence 2, of shows the relationship between an adjective (fond) and a noun (tea).
• In sentence 3, off shows the relationship between a verb (jumped) and a noun (chair).

Definition: A Preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show how that person or thing relates to something else in the sentence. (The word preposition literally means "that which is placed before".)

The Object of a Preposition

The noun or pronoun that comes directly after the preposition is called its Object. Because it is an object, it must be in the objective (or accusative) case. For example, in sentence 1, field is the object governed by the preposition in.

A preposition can also have two or more objects.
Example: The road runs over hill and plain. (Both hill and plain are objects of over).

Common Mistakes & Tips

Mistake: Using a subject pronoun instead of an object pronoun after a preposition (e.g., "This is a secret between you and I.")
Tip: Always use object pronouns (me, him, her, us, them) after prepositions. Correction: "This is a secret between you and me."

Additional Practice Exercise 1

Identify the preposition and its object in the following sentences:

1. The book is on the table.
2. She walked towards the library.

Solutions:

• 1. Preposition: on | Object: table
• 2. Preposition: towards | Object: library

Quick Summary

A preposition connects a noun or pronoun (its object) to another word in the sentence to show direction, location, time, or relationship.

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2. The Position of a Preposition

Clear and Detailed Explanation

As the name suggests, a pre-position is usually placed before its object. However, there are important exceptions where the preposition is pushed to the very end of the sentence.

Important Rules and Exceptions

A preposition is placed at the end of a sentence in the following cases:

• When the object is the relative pronoun "that":
  Example: Here is the watch that you asked for.
• When the object is an interrogative pronoun (who, what, which):
  Examples: What are you looking at? / What are you thinking of? / Which of these chairs did you sit on?
• When the relative pronoun is understood (omitted):
  Example: That is the boy (whom) I was speaking of.
• For the sake of emphasis (rare but stylish):
  Examples: This I insist on. / He is known all the world over.

Omission of Prepositions: The prepositions for, from, in, and on are often completely dropped before nouns of time or place.
Examples: We did it last week. (Not: in last week) / I cannot walk a yard. / Wait a minute.

Additional Practice Exercise 2

Rewrite the following questions to move the preposition to the end:

1. For what are you looking?
2. To whom are you talking?

Solutions:

• 1. What are you looking for?
• 2. Who(m) are you talking to?

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3. Kinds of Prepositions

Clear and Detailed Explanation

Prepositions can be categorized based on how they are built. There are four main types:

1. Simple Prepositions: Short, basic words.
   Examples: at, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, through, till, to, up, with.
2. Compound Prepositions: Usually formed by adding a prefix (like 'a-' meaning no, or 'be-' meaning by) to a noun, adjective, or adverb.
   Examples: about, above, across, along, amidst, among, amongst, around, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without.
3. Phrase Prepositions: Groups of words used as a single preposition.
   Examples: according to, in place of, along with, because of, by means of, in front of, in spite of, instead of, on account of, with reference to.
4. Participial Prepositions: Words ending in "-ing" (present participles) that act like prepositions.
   Examples: barring, concerning, considering, during, notwithstanding, pending, regarding, respecting, touching.

Multiple Solved Examples (Phrase & Participial Prepositions)

• He succeeded by dint of perseverance and sheer hard work.
• Owing to his ill health, he retired from business.
• He died fighting on behalf of his country.
• Instead of talking, prove your worth by doing something.
• Barring accident, the mail will arrive tomorrow. (Barring = except for)
• Notwithstanding the resistance offered by him, he was arrested. (Notwithstanding = in spite of)

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4. Preposition vs. Adverb

Clear and Detailed Explanation

Many words can act as both prepositions and adverbs (e.g., about, before, down, in, on, over). How do you tell the difference?

The Golden Rule: A Preposition must have an object (a noun or pronoun following it). An Adverb does not have an object; it simply modifies the verb.

Adverb (No Object)	Preposition (Has an Object)
Go and run about.	Don't loiter about the street.
I could not come before.	I came the day before yesterday.
Has he come in?	Is he in his room?
The wheel came off.	The driver jumped off the car.

Exercise 65 (Solved)

Distinguish the Prepositions from Adverbs in the following sentences:

1. Come down. (Adverb - no object)
2. We sailed down the river. (Preposition - object: river)
3. The man walked round the house. (Preposition - object: house)
4. He sat on a stool. (Preposition - object: stool)
5. The carriage moved on. (Adverb - no object)
6. The soldiers passed by. (Adverb - no object)
7. The man turned round. (Adverb - no object)
8. We all went in. (Adverb - no object)
9. He is in the room. (Preposition - object: room)
10. He hid behind the door. (Preposition - object: door)
11. I left him behind. (Adverb - no object)
12. She sat by the cottage door. (Preposition - object: door)
13. The path leads through the woods. (Preposition - object: woods)
14. I have read the book through. (Adverb - no object)
15. The storm is raging throughout. (Adverb - no object)
16. We cannot live without water. (Preposition - object: water)

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5. What Can Serve as an Object to a Preposition?

Clear and Detailed Explanation

We know nouns and pronouns act as objects. But English is flexible. Sometimes, other parts of speech can act as the object of a preposition!

• An Adverb of Time or Place:
  Examples: I will be done by then. / Come away from there. / How far is it from here?
• An Adverbial Phrase:
  Examples: The noise comes from across the river. / I sold my car for under its half cost. / He did not see her till a few days ago.
• A Clause:
  Examples: Pay careful attention to what I am going to say. / There is no meaning in what you say.

Exercise 64 (Solved & Condensed)

Identify the Preposition and the word it governs (its object):

• Little Jack Horner sat in a corner.
• Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard.
• The lion fought for the crown.
• Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
• Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town.
• She sat by the fire.
• John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown.
• They rise with the morning lark, and labour till almost dark.
• I tried to reason him out of his fears.

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6. Relations Expressed by Prepositions

Prepositions can express many different types of relationships. Here are the most common ones with examples:

• (1) Place: ran across the road; fell among thieves; at death's door; Kolkata is on the Hooghly; lies under the table.
• (2) Time: after his death; by three o'clock; during the day; till tomorrow.
• (3) Agency / Instrumentality: sent by post; destroyed by fire; cut it with a knife.
• (4) Manner: fought with courage; won with ease.
• (5) Cause, Reason, Purpose: died of fever; suffered from gout; place for a picnic.
• (6) Possession: a man of means; the boy with red hair.
• (7) Measure, Standard, Value: interest at nine per cent; taller by two inches.
• (8) Contrast, Concession: For (in spite of) all his wealth he is not content. With all his faults I admire him.
• (9) Inference, Source, Origin: a quotation from Milton; skill comes from practice.

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7. Special Prepositions and Confusing Pairs

Clear and Detailed Explanation

Some prepositions are very easy to confuse. Pay close attention to these rules!

1. In vs. At (Places): Use in for larger areas (cities, countries). Use at for a specific point or small location.
   Example: We stayed in Mumbai. / Our plane stopped at Mumbai on the way to Iran (airport point).
2. At (Events/Workplaces): Use at for group activities and shops.
   Example: Did you see Shobha at the party? / I saw him at the baker's.
3. In vs. At (Addresses): Use in for the street name, but at if you have the exact house number.
   Example: He lives in Church Street. / He lives at 45 Church Street.
4. On (Surface): Use on when something rests on a surface.
   Example: Put this picture on the wall.
5. Till vs. To: Till is used for time. To is used for place.
   Example: He slept till eight o'clock. / He walked to the end of the street.
6. With vs. By: With is used for the instrument (the tool). By is used for the agent (the person doing it).
   Example: He was stabbed by a lunatic with a dagger.
7. Since (Time): Used before a specific point in time, paired with perfect tenses.
   Example: I have been ill since Monday.
8. In vs. Within (Time): In means at the end of a period. Within means before the period ends.
   Example: I shall return in an hour. (After 1 hour). / I shall return within an hour. (Before 1 hour is up).
9. Beside vs. Besides: Beside means "next to". Besides means "in addition to".
   Example: He sat beside me. / Besides his children, his nephews were present.

Common Mistakes & Tips

Mistake: "He sat besides me."
Tip: Remove the 's'. Beside = physically next to. Besides = also/in addition to.

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8. Prepositions with Forms of Transport

We use by + noun for general means of transport (no articles like 'a' or 'the').
Examples: We travelled by train. Go by air.

If we are referring to a specific vehicle with an article or pronoun (my, the, a), we change the preposition:

• Use on for specific bicycles, buses, trains, ships, or planes.
  Example: Suresh went there on my bike. / I'll go on the 7.30 bus.
• Use in for a specific car, taxi, van, or ambulance.
  Example: We travelled in Mr. Joshi's car.
• Walking is ALWAYS on foot (never "by foot").

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Exercise 67 & 69 (Mega Practice - Solved)

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:

1. The dog ran across the road.
2. The river flows under the bridge.
3. I am fond of music.
4. He died for his country.
5. The steam-engine was invented by James Watt.
6. The village was destroyed by fire.
7. He spoke to me in Urdu.
8. They live under the same roof.
9. I have known him for a long time.
10. The moon does not shine by its own light.
11. He has not yet recovered from his illness.
12. I will sit at my desk to do my lesson.
13. I am sorry for what I have done.
14. I bought it for fifteen rupees.
15. It has been raining since yesterday.
16. The exercise was written by me with a Camlin pen. (By = agent, with = instrument)
17. It is ten o'clock by my watch.
18. There is nothing new under the sun.
19. Do not cry over spilt milk.
20. You boys must settle it among yourselves.
21. They drove from Mumbai to Pune.
22. He lives in Hyderabad. He lives at 48 Tilak Street.
23. The portrait was painted by a famous artist who flourished in the Sixteenth century.
24. I hope to reach the station within an hour at the outside.
25. Besides Rustom and Sohrab, there were three other boys present. (In addition to)

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Chapter Assessment: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. The cat is hiding _______ the bed.
   A) above
   B) under
   C) between
   D) through
   Answer: B. Explanation: "Under" shows the correct physical relationship of hiding beneath a surface.
2. I have been waiting here _______ 3 o'clock.
   A) for
   B) from
   C) since
   D) in
   Answer: C. Explanation: "Since" is used with a specific starting point in time.
3. He wrote the letter _______ a fountain pen.
   A) by
   B) in
   C) with
   D) from
   Answer: C. Explanation: "With" is used to show the instrument or tool used.
4. Which sentence ends with a preposition correctly?
   A) What are you talking about?
   B) About what are you talking about?
   C) Where are you going to?
   D) Whom did you go with to?
   Answer: A. Explanation: When using an interrogative pronoun like "What", the preposition naturally falls at the end.
5. We will meet _______ Sunday _______ 5 PM.
   A) in, at
   B) on, at
   C) at, on
   D) on, in
   Answer: B. Explanation: We use "on" for days of the week and "at" for specific clock times.
6. He distributed the sweets _______ the two brothers.
   A) among
   B) amidst
   C) between
   D) along
   Answer: C. Explanation: "Between" is used for two people or things. "Among" is for more than two.
7. She succeeded _______ hard work.
   A) by dint of
   B) in lieu of
   C) instead of
   D) according to
   Answer: A. Explanation: "By dint of" is a phrase preposition meaning "by means of" or "because of".
8. I go to school _______ foot.
   A) by
   B) on
   C) in
   D) with
   Answer: B. Explanation: The correct idiom for walking is "on foot", never "by foot".
9. They travelled to Paris _______ plane.
   A) by
   B) on
   C) in
   D) with
   Answer: A. Explanation: We use "by" + noun for general means of transport without an article.
10. He sat _______ me during the movie.
    A) besides
    B) beside
    C) among
    D) in front
    Answer: B. Explanation: "Beside" means next to. "Besides" means in addition to.
11. Identify the participial preposition: _______ the rain, the match continued.
    A) During
    B) Notwithstanding
    C) Concerning
    D) All of the above
    Answer: D. Explanation: During, notwithstanding, and concerning are all present participles used as prepositions.
12. He is known all the world _______.
    A) across
    B) around
    C) over
    D) through
    Answer: C. Explanation: "Over" is placed at the end here for the sake of emphasis.
13. I will return the book _______ a week. (Before the week ends)
    A) in
    B) after
    C) within
    D) till
    Answer: C. Explanation: "Within" means before the end of a specific time period.
14. He lives _______ 45 Baker Street.
    A) in
    B) on
    C) at
    D) by
    Answer: C. Explanation: Use "at" when referring to an exact address/house number.
15. The thief jumped _______ the wall.
    A) over
    B) above
    C) in
    D) on
    Answer: A. Explanation: "Over" indicates movement across and higher than an object.
16. We travelled _______ Mr. Sharma's car.
    A) by
    B) in
    C) on
    D) with
    Answer: B. Explanation: We use "in" for specific cars or taxis (indicated by "Mr. Sharma's").
17. She is fond _______ reading novels.
    A) for
    B) to
    C) of
    D) in
    Answer: C. Explanation: The adjective "fond" is always followed by the preposition "of".
18. In the sentence "Come in," the word "in" is a/an:
    A) Preposition
    B) Adverb
    C) Adjective
    D) Noun
    Answer: B. Explanation: It is an adverb because it does not have an object following it.
19. He died _______ fever.
    A) of
    B) from
    C) by
    D) with
    Answer: A. Explanation: We use "died of" when referring to a specific disease as the direct cause.
20. I cannot agree _______ you on this matter.
    A) to
    B) with
    C) on
    D) for
    Answer: B. Explanation: We "agree with" a person.

English Grammar 37: POSITION OF ADVERBS

English Grammar 36: FORMATION OF ADVEBS

English Grammar 34: THE ADVERB

English Grammar 33: CONJUGATION OF THE VERB LOVE