A preposition is a word governing, and usually coming in front of, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element, as in: She left before breakfast. What did you come for? (For what did you come?)

 

There is one very simple rule about prepositions. And, unlike most rules, this rule has no exceptions.

Rule
A preposition is followed by a "noun". It is never followed by a verb.

 

By "noun" we include:

• noun (dog, money, love)

• proper noun (name) (Bangkok, Mary)

• pronoun (you, him, us)

• noun group (my first job)

• gerund (swimming)

A preposition cannot be followed by a verb. If we want to follow a preposition by a verb, we must use the "-ing" form which is really a gerund or verb in noun form.

 

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place describe the position of a person or thing in relation to another person or thing.

Look at this picture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepositions of Time: at, in, on

We use:

• at for a PRECISE TIME

• in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS

• on for DAYS and DATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the use of the preposition of time at in the following standard expressions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the use of the prepositions of time in and on in these common expressions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we say last, next, every, this we do not also use at, in, on.

• I went to London last June. (not in last June)

• He's coming back next Tuesday. (not on next Tuesday)

• I go home every Easter. (not at every Easter)

• We'll call you this evening. (not in this evening)