How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English: 100 Examples, Tips & FAQs

Introduction to How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English

Mastering how to use prepositions correctly in English is essential for speaking and writing fluently. Prepositions link words, show relationships, and provide clarity in communication. Students and competitive exam aspirants often struggle with prepositions, but with the right examples and practice, it becomes easier to use them accurately.

What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They indicate direction, place, time, cause, manner, or means. Examples include in, on, at, by, under, over, with, for, from, to, about.

100 Examples of How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English (With Meanings)

1. Prepositions of Place (Position / Location)

1. The book is on the table. (position)
2. She lives in Hyderabad. (location)
3. The cat is under the chair. (below)
4. There is a shop near my house. (close to)
5. He sat between his friends. (in the middle)
6. The school is beside the hospital. (next to)
7. There is a picture above the sofa. (higher than)
8. The bus stop is opposite the temple. (facing)
9. The kids are playing outside the house. (not inside)
10. He is standing at the gate. (specific position)

2. Prepositions of Time

11. The meeting starts at 10 AM. (specific time)
12. He was born on Monday. (specific day)
13. We visited Ooty in December. (month)
14. She has been waiting since morning. (starting point)
15. He will return after lunch. (later)
16. I will finish this work before 6 PM. (earlier)
17. She stayed there for two weeks. (duration)
18. He worked here till/until last year. (up to a time)
19. They got married during the summer. (in the course of)
20. She called me by evening. (not later than)

3. Prepositions of Direction / Movement

21. She went to the park. (towards)
22. The boy jumped into the pool. (movement inside)
23. The train is coming from Chennai. (origin)
24. He walked towards the station. (direction)
25. The bird flew over the house. (above)
26. The child ran across the road. (one side to another)
27. The thief climbed onto the roof. (movement on top)
28. He passed through the tunnel. (from one end to another)
29. The plane flew along the coastline. (parallel direction)
30. She went into the kitchen. (movement inside)

4. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, Purpose

31. He was punished for his mistake. (reason)
32. She succeeded because of hard work. (cause)
33. The match was cancelled due to rain. (reason)
34. He apologized for being late. (reason)
35. She failed through carelessness. (cause)
36. The patient died of fever. (reason)
37. He lost the game because of nervousness. (cause)
38. The school closed for holidays. (purpose)
39. The building collapsed from poor construction. (cause)
40. He was absent owing to illness. (reason)

5. Prepositions of Manner, Instrument, Means

41. He solved the problem by using logic. (method)
42. The letter was sent by post. (means)
43. She came with her friend. (accompanied)
44. He paid the fee by cheque. (means)
45. The speech was delivered with confidence. (manner)
46. The thief broke the lock with a hammer. (instrument)
47. He travelled by train. (means of transport)
48. They communicated through email. (means)
49. She won the game by chance. (manner)
50. The soldier fought with courage. (manner)

6. Prepositions with Verbs (Verb + Preposition)

51. She is interested in music.
52. He depends on his parents.
53. We applied for the job.
54. They agreed to the proposal.
55. He complained about the service.
56. She believes in honesty.
57. He suffers from asthma.
58. They listened to the teacher.
59. He congratulated me on my success.
60. She smiled at the child.

7. Prepositions with Adjectives (Adjective + Preposition)

61. She is good at dancing.
62. He is afraid of snakes.
63. They are proud of their culture.
64. She is fond of sweets.
65. He is jealous of his rival.
66. The teacher is angry with the students.
67. She is different from her sister.
68. He is capable of solving the problem.
69. She is famous for her singing.
70. He is responsible for the mistake.

8. Prepositions with Nouns (Noun + Preposition)

71. A man of courage.
72. The key to success.
73. A reason for delay.
74. A demand for justice.
75. The cause of fire.
76. An interest in music.
77. An effect on health.
78. A reply to the question.
79. A solution to the problem.
80. A book on history.

9. Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions

81. At a loss (confused).
82. In trouble (facing difficulty).
83. On time (punctual).
84. At least (minimum).
85. By mistake (accidentally).
86. In fact (actually).
87. At present (currently).
88. On purpose (intentionally).
89. In advance (beforehand).
90. By chance (accidentally).

10. Mixed Uses & Everyday Sentences

91. He is sitting in front of the TV. (position)
92. There is a park behind my house. (location)
93. She distributed sweets among children. (shared with many)
94. The bridge is over the river. (above)
95. The ball rolled under the car. (beneath)
96. He jumped off the wall. (down from)
97. She stayed awake throughout the night. (entire period)
98. He has been studying since 5 o’clock. (starting point)
99. They will stay here until tomorrow. (till a time)
100. The car is parked next to the shop. (beside)

Important Tips on How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English

• Prepositions are always followed by a noun/pronoun, not a verb (e.g., She is good at singing, not good at sing).
• Never end a sentence with a preposition in formal English (though common in spoken language).
• Use correct pairs (e.g., angry with a person, angry at a situation).
• In exams, spotting errors in preposition usage is common (e.g., He is married with her (Incorrect) → He is married to her. (Correct)
• Memorize common collocations (e.g., interested in, depend on, capable of).

FAQs on How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English

1. Why are prepositions difficult to learn?

Prepositions don’t follow strict grammar rules and vary by usage, making memorization and practice essential.

2. How can I improve my preposition usage quickly?

Read English newspapers, practice example sentences, and revise common verb-preposition combinations.

3. Do competitive exams test prepositions?

Yes. Exams like SSC, Banking, UPSC, and GRE frequently ask error-spotting and sentence-completion questions involving prepositions.

Conclusion on How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English

Learning how to use prepositions correctly in English requires practice and attention to detail. With 100 examples, practical tips, and FAQs, students and competitive exam aspirants can confidently improve their grammar and accuracy.

Disclaimer on How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English

This article is for educational purposes only. Rules of usage may vary slightly depending on region (British vs. American English). Students should follow the preposition rules relevant to their exams or study material.

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