Prepositions in a sentence

Prepositions in a sentence

by Alejandra Rivera

​Of

​Expresses the relationship of a part of something to its whole. It is the most used preposition in English.

​

• ​He is a boy of 15.

• ​Some parts of his body were injured.

• ​Most of the guests are gone.

• The plays of Shakespeare will always be classics

​About

Means 'on the sbjecto of' something or 'concerning of' something/someone. It also means 'approximately'.

• I was about to leave.

• ​He cares about his classes.

• ​I have about 30 candies in my bag.

• ​This article is about computers.

​For

For means 'with the object or purpose of'. It indicates a suittin of purpose for something/someone.

• ​I will always be here for you.

• ​I have done it for my benefit.

• ​Cucumber is a good vegetable for making a salad.

• ​Take my gratitude fo your kind hospitality.

​With

Means 'accompanied by something or someone'

• ​I will always be with you

• ​I've brought some candies with me.

• ​He is plaing with his sisters.

• ​It is free with this product.

​By

Means 'as a means of' something of someone. This preposition often comes in a passive sentence. (is a sentence where the subject does not perform the action of the verb).

• ​Do you travel by bus/train/plane/bike?.

• ​He was undone by me.

• ​The letter was written by him.

• ​By the end of the year I'll finish my degree.

​In

In is also used to note a specific occupation or function. Also to indicate a moment in time, you'll see it used to indicate times of the day. Or event to move from a point outside to a point inside

• She works in the Department of Justice.

• I love to journal in the morning.

• the yellow roses will bloom in April

• She moved in with her best friend.​

​On

'On' is used to indicate a position atop a surface. It is also used to indicate more specific days and dates.

• My journal is on the desk.

• ​Steven got a tattoo on his chest.

• ​He left on the morning of May 18.

• ​We look forward to your gifts on Christmas eve.

​At

This is another tricky preposition. It is used when you want to escape specificities and indicate a general location. Alternatively, it's also used to show a condition or something that's happening.

• ​She's pointing her finger at him.

• ​He is looking at the sculpture.

• ​Tony is at work. He works at a mall.

​From

Is generally used to express that something originates from something else, that something comes from somewhere, or some person.

• ​Jack comes from Portland.

From can also be used with the prepositions 'to' and 'until' to mark the beginning and ending point of time of an action or state. Generally, 'from...to' is used with past tenses, while 'from...until' is used when speaking about future actions.

​- I played tennis from two to four in the afternoon yesterday.