Prepositions

Nouns often exist in a time and a place. To show how such nouns relate to this position in time, we have a special kind of word called a preposition.

Multiple Choice

Prepositions shows a noun's relationship in ________

• time

• place

• time & place

• as taken or single

Basically, prepositions show where things exist though: direction, time, place, and space.

Common ​Prepositions of Time

To refer to one point in time, use the prepositions "in," "at," and "on."

Use "in" with parts of the day (not specific times), months, years, and seasons.

He reads in the evening.

I go to work at 8:00.

He does laundry on Wednesdays.​

I have lived in Minneapolis since 2005.

​He works part time during the summer.

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Common ​Prepositions of Place

To refer to a place, use the prepositions "in" (the point itself), "at" (the general vicinity), "on" (the surface), and "inside" (something contained).

He left his phone on the bed.

Place the pen inside the drawer.

The plates were on the shelf above the cups.

Basements are dug below ground.

There is a deer between the two trees.

There is a purple flower among the weeds.

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Common ​Prepositions of Location

To refer to a location, use the prepositions "in" (an area or volume), "at" (a point), and "on" (a surface).

They live in the country. (an area)

She will find him at the library. (a point)

There is a lot of dirt on the window. (a surface)

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Common ​Prepositions of Spatial Relationships

To refer to a spatial relationship, use the prepositions "above," "across," "among," "around," "behind," "below," "beside," "between," "from," "in front of," "inside," "near," "off," "out of," "through," "toward," "under," and "within."

​The post office is across the street from the grocery store.

We will stop at many attractions along the way.

The kids are hiding behind the tree.

Multiple Choice

Which word is the preposition?

It is time for a walk.

• time

• for

• a

• walk

Multiple Choice

Which word is the preposition?

Tiao put the book underneath the couch.

• put

• book

• underneath

• couch

Some prepositions are made up of more than one word.

Example: I am texting in response to your text.

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

For science class, Bianca and I are completing lab work with each other.

• for

• are

• with

• for & with

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Before the due date, we must glue diagrams inside our notebooks.

• Before

• the

• before & inside

• inside

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

We must arrange a table of contents in the beginning of the book.

• of

• arrange

• of, in, & of

• in the beginning of

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Please put the dog inside the house.

• please

• put

• inside

• dog / house

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Jenna ran alongside her best friend.

• ran

• alongside

• best

• friend

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Denny was hungry for pizza, but he forgot his money at home.

• was hungry

• for

• forgot

• for, at

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Martin played in the snow around his house.

• played, in

• in, around

• the snow

• his house

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Oliver went to the park and played during lunch.

• went to

• park, played

• to, during

• during, lunch

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Many of the parents bounced crying babies on their laps.

• Many of

• parents, bounced

• of, on

• their laps

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Hannah hung posters around the school with tape.

• hung

• hung, around

• around, school

• around, with

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Blaine arranged the flowers in the vases for her mother.

• arranged the

• flowers in

• in, vases

• in, for

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Angelo got into the car and drove his sister to practice.

• got into

• into, to

• into, car

• drove, to

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

Our test is on Wednesday, and Ian has not opened his book yet.

• on

• and

• has not

• yet

Multiple Choice

Which word(s) are the prepositions in this sentence?

The cat had kittens beneath our porch.

• had

• kitten

• beneath

• our porch