Prepositional Phrases List and Examples
Preposition Definition
A preposition is a word that tells you how words are related in a sentence. It could often follow a verb, but it does not always. The example of the frog and a log can tell you a lot of them, but those are only one of two categories of prepositions.
In fact, there are two types of prepositions: ones that tell about the place and ones that tell about time and time order.
Each of these prepositions, when they come after the right verb, changes the relationship of the two nouns that would complete that sentence.
List of Common Prepositions
Prepositions of Place
| On | Under |
| Below | From |
| In | Beside |
| Next to | Between |
| To | At |
| With | Behind |
| Up over | Into |
| For | Except |
| Concerning | Despite |
| Along | Against |
| Unlike | Because of |
| Beyond |
Prepositions of Time
| After | Before |
| Since | Until |
| From | During |
| In | On |
| Beyond | At |
Use of AT IN ON in English Grammar (Time)
A preposition is a word that connects a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other parts of sentences.
In the early stages of learning English, you should just try to identify a preposition when you’re reading or listening in English and recognize how it is used.
- to the supermarket
- at the dinner table
- on the sofa
A preposition is used to show direction, location, time, or to introduce an object.
Some more examples are listed below!
| AT | IN | ON |
| at 6 o’clock | in the evening | On a bicycle |
| at Christmas | In a flash | On a list |
| at noon | In a heap | On a pension |
| at night | In a hurry | On a ship |
| at the weekend | In a lather | On a train |
| at dinner | In a minute | On approval |
| at the moment | In a pile | on balance |
| At a stand | In abeyance | On business |
| At all events | In action | On holiday |
| At any cost | In advance | On my birthday |
| At worst | In theory | On time |
| At work | In time | On vacation |
| At will | In touch | on watch |
IN
Use ‘IN’ when talking about enclosed places.
- We spent all morning IN the playground.
Prepositional Phrase Examples with IN
- The plane will take off in a minute.
- The law was/were out in force at the demonstration.
- They were given food and shelter in exchange for work.
- Pictures should be in focus, with realistic colours and well composed groups.
- The police were much in evidence at today’s demonstration.
- My view of the stage was blocked by the big hat of the woman sitting in front of me.
Browse More Prepositional Phrase List with IN
ON
ON the playground and ON the field are both correct
- I found this watch on the playground.
Prepositional Phrase Examples with ON
- I looked my slimmest ever on my wedding day and thoroughly enjoyed my holiday.
- The prisoners have now been on the run for three days.
- Tonight’s programme focuses on the way that homelessness affects the young.
- Someone on the radio was gabbling away in a foreign language.
- A few bidders inflated the prices on purpose.
- The passengers on a plane arriving from Istanbul were set on by the pickets at Tegel airport yesterday.
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AT
AT means something like ‘very near’ or ‘next to’
- Let’s meet AT the playground.
Prepositional Phrase Examples with AT
- At the risk of showing my ignorance, how exactly does the Internet work?
- The bank had offered to sponsor him at university.
- At breakfast next morning my two grandsons were clamouring to go swimming.
- The technique is at best ineffective and at worst dangerous.
- Everyone at the table raised their glasses in salute.
- I do not have the money and I am not willing to go into debt at this point in time.
Browse More Prepositional Phrases with AT
