Struggling with prepositions like “in,” “on,” or “at”? Master how to use prepositions correctly with this guide packed with 100 real-life examples, exam tips, and FAQs. Whether you’re a student prepping for SSC exams or a professional polishing your English, these rules will boost your grammar game instantly. Dive in for clarity.
Introduction: How to Use Prepositions Correctly
Prepositions can trip up even advanced learners, but knowing how to use prepositions correctly unlocks fluent English. From “in the morning” to “interested in,” these small words show relationships between time, place, and actions. This guide delivers 100 examples, tips for exams like SSC and competitive tests, and strategies to avoid common errors.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words, indicating direction, time, location, or manner. Common ones: in, on, at, to, for, with, by, from.
100 Examples of How to Use Prepositions Correctly
Grouped by category for easy learning. Each shows correct usage in a sentence.
Time Prepositions (20 examples):
- At 5 PM.
- On Monday.
- In July.
- For two hours.
- During the meeting.
- By tomorrow.
- Until Friday.
- Since 2020.
- Before lunch.
- After school.
- In the morning.
- On time.
- At night.
- For a week.
- By next year.
- From 9 to 5.
- In summer.
- On weekends.
- At midnight.
- During holidays.
Place/Location Prepositions (20 examples):
21. In the room.
22. On the table.
23. At the door.
24. Under the bed.
25. Above the clouds.
26. Between the trees.
27. Among friends.
28. Behind the house.
29. In front of the car.
30. Next to the park.
31. Across the street.
32. Through the tunnel.
33. Over the bridge.
34. Around the corner.
35. Inside the box.
36. Outside the school.
37. On top of the mountain.
38. At the station.
39. In the city.
40. On the floor.
Direction/Movement Prepositions (20 examples):
41. To the market.
42. From home.
43. Into the room.
44. Out of the house.
45. Toward the light.
46. Away from danger.
47. Up the stairs.
48. Down the hill.
49. Along the river.
50. Across the field.
51. Through the gate.
52. Over the wall.
53. Under the fence.
54. Around the block.
55. Past the shop.
56. Beyond the horizon.
57. Against the wind.
58. Onto the shelf.
59. Off the bus.
60. Via email.
Other Common Prepositions (40 examples):
61. Of the book.
62. With a spoon.
63. For you.
64. By car.
65. About the news.
66. Without sugar.
67. Like a bird.
68. As a teacher.
69. According to rules.
70. Despite the rain.
71. Including taxes.
72. Except Monday.
73. Instead of tea.
74. Because of delay.
75. Interested in music.
76. Afraid of spiders.
77. Good at math.
78. Angry with him.
79. Married to her.
80. Similar to this.
81. Different from that.
82. Responsible for tasks.
83. Depend on rain.
84. Arrive at airport.
85. Wait for bus.
86. Talk about plans.
87. Believe in dreams.
88. Pay by card.
89. Divide into groups.
90. Fill with water.
91. Cover in paint.
92. Think of ideas.
93. Dream about future.
94. Complain about noise.
95. Apologize for mistake.
96. Vote for candidate.
97. Care about family.
98. Laugh at joke.
99. Stare at stars.
100. Succeed in efforts.
Important Tips: How to Use Prepositions Correctly for Exams
These tips target Telangana SSC, competitive exams like banking/SSC, and grammar tests:
- Memorize Collocations: Fixed phrases like “depend on,” “interested in,” or “arrive at” are frequent in exams—practice 20 daily.
- Time Rules: Use “at” for clock times/exact moments, “on” for days/dates, “in” for months/years/periods.
- Place Rules: “At” for points (e.g., at home), “in” for enclosed spaces, “on” for surfaces.
- Avoid Literal Translations: Hindi/Telugu speakers often misuse “discuss about” (correct: discuss something)—focus on English idioms.
- Practice Fill-in-Blanks: Exams love “She is good ___ English” (at). Use apps like Duolingo for drills.
- Common Errors: Wrong: “in the weekend” → Correct: “on the weekend.” Revise with quizzes.
FAQs on How to Use Prepositions Correctly
1. What is the difference between “in,” “on,” and “at” when talking about time?
“In” for longer periods (in 2026), “on” for days (on Monday), “at” for exact times (at 10 AM). This distinction appears often in SSC exams.
2. How can I remember preposition rules for competitive exams?
Group by category (time/place) and flashcards. Practice sentences like “Meet me at the station on Friday in July.”
3. Is “discuss about” correct?
No—say “discuss the topic.” Prepositions like “about” are redundant here; check verb-prep pairs.
Conclusion on How to Use Prepositions Correctly
Mastering how to use prepositions correctly transforms your English from basic to precise, especially for exams and professional writing. Practice these 100 examples daily, apply the tips, and watch your scores soar. Keep refining grammar is a skill that pays off!
Also Read: Master Irregular Verbs in English: 100 Examples + Tips for Exams
How to Use Pronouns Correctly in English: 100 Examples & Expert Tips
