Prepositions: Mastering Their Use for Class 10

Prepositions are essential building blocks of English sentences, indicating relationships between words and providing crucial context. Understanding prepositions is vital for Class 10 students as they form the basis of clear and accurate communication, both in writing and speaking. This article provides a comprehensive guide to prepositions, covering their definition, types, usage rules, and common mistakes. It includes numerous examples and practice exercises to help students master this important grammatical concept, leading to improved sentence construction and overall language proficiency.

Whether you are a student looking to improve your grades, a teacher seeking effective teaching resources, or simply someone interested in refining your English skills, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to confidently use prepositions.

Table of Contents

1. Definition of Prepositions
2. Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases
3. Types and Categories of Prepositions
   • Prepositions of Time
   • Prepositions of Place
   • Prepositions of Movement
   • Other Types of Prepositions
4. Examples of Prepositions
5. Usage Rules for Prepositions
   • Prepositions with Nouns
   • Prepositions with Verbs
   • Prepositions with Adjectives
6. Common Mistakes with Prepositions
7. Practice Exercises
8. Advanced Topics in Prepositions
   • Double Prepositions
   • Participle Prepositions
   • Phrasal Prepositions
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
10. Conclusion

Definition of Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to other words in a sentence. It typically indicates the relationship of the noun or pronoun to a place, time, direction, or other abstract relationship. Prepositions are crucial for creating clear and meaningful sentences, as they provide context and specify the connection between different elements. Without prepositions, sentences would lack crucial details and be difficult to understand.

Prepositions often come before the noun or pronoun they govern, hence the name “pre-position.” However, this isn’t always the case, especially in questions or relative clauses. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition. Together, the preposition and its object form a prepositional phrase. These phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs, modifying other words in the sentence.

For example, in the sentence “The book is on the table,” the word “on” is a preposition. It connects the noun “book” to the noun “table” and indicates the location of the book. The prepositional phrase “on the table” acts as an adverb, modifying the verb “is” by telling us where the book is located.

Structural Breakdown of Prepositional Phrases

Understanding the structure of prepositional phrases is key to using prepositions correctly. A prepositional phrase consists of two main parts: the preposition and its object. The object of the preposition is typically a noun or pronoun, but it can also be a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) or a noun clause.

The basic structure of a prepositional phrase is:

Preposition + (Optional Modifiers) + Object of the Preposition

Let’s break down this structure with some examples:

• At the store: “at” is the preposition, and “the store” is the object of the preposition.
• In the big, red box: “in” is the preposition, “the” and “big, red” are modifiers, and “box” is the object of the preposition.
• Before leaving: “before” is the preposition, and “leaving” (a gerund) is the object of the preposition.
• According to what she said: “according to” is the preposition, and “what she said” (a noun clause) is the object of the preposition.

Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs. When they modify a noun or pronoun, they act as adjectives. When they modify a verb, adjective, or adverb, they act as adverbs.

Examples of prepositional phrases acting as adjectives:

• The girl with the blue eyes is my sister. (“with the blue eyes” modifies “girl”)
• The house on the hill is very old. (“on the hill” modifies “house”)

Examples of prepositional phrases acting as adverbs:

• He walked to the park. (“to the park” modifies “walked”)
• She is good at playing the piano. (“at playing the piano” modifies “good”)

Types and Categories of Prepositions

Prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. The most common categories are prepositions of time, place, and movement, but there are also prepositions that express other relationships, such as cause, purpose, and manner.

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time indicate when something happens, happened, or will happen. The most common prepositions of time are at, on, and in, but there are many others, such as before, after, during, until, and since.

• At is used for specific times: at 3 o’clock, at noon, at midnight, at the weekend (in British English)
• On is used for days and dates: on Monday, on July 4th, on my birthday
• In is used for longer periods of time, such as months, years, seasons, and centuries: in January, in 2023, in the summer, in the 21st century

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place indicate where something is located. Some common prepositions of place include at, on, in, above, below, under, near, beside, between, and behind.

• At is used for specific locations: at the door, at the bus stop, at school
• On is used for surfaces: on the table, on the wall, on the floor
• In is used for enclosed spaces: in the box, in the room, in the garden

Prepositions of Movement

Prepositions of movement indicate how something or someone moves from one place to another. Some common prepositions of movement include to, from, through, across, along, up, down, and into.

• To indicates direction: He went to the store.
• From indicates origin: She came from Italy.
• Through indicates passage: They walked through the forest.

Other Types of Prepositions

Besides time, place, and movement, prepositions can also express other relationships, such as:

• Cause: due to, because of, owing to
• Purpose: for
• Manner: by, with
• Possession: of
• Relationship: with, to

Examples of Prepositions

To further illustrate the use of prepositions, let’s look at several examples categorized by their type. These examples will help you understand how prepositions function in different contexts and how they contribute to the overall meaning of a sentence.

The following tables provide a comprehensive overview of prepositions with various examples. Study these examples carefully to enhance your understanding.

Table 1: Prepositions of Time

This table provides examples of how prepositions of time are used in sentences. Understanding the nuances of ‘at’, ‘on’, and ‘in’ is crucial for accurate communication.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	The meeting will start at 9 AM.
On	The concert is on Friday.
In	I was born in 1995.
Before	Please submit your assignment before the deadline.
After	We will go for a walk after dinner.
During	I felt sleepy during the lecture.
Until	Wait here until I return.
Since	I have been studying English since last year.
For	They have lived here for five years.
By	The report needs to be finished by tomorrow.
From…to	The museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Past	It’s ten minutes past three.
To	It’s twenty minutes to six.
Around	I’ll be there around 7 PM.
Throughout	It rained throughout the night.
Over	I will think it over the weekend.
Within	The package will arrive within three days.
Between	The meeting is scheduled between Monday and Wednesday.
Up to	Up to now, everything is on track.
As of	As of today, the project is complete.

Table 2: Prepositions of Place

This table provides examples of how prepositions of place are used in sentences. Mastering these prepositions is essential for describing locations accurately.

Preposition	Example Sentence
At	She is waiting at the entrance.
On	The book is on the shelf.
In	The keys are in the drawer.
Above	The picture is hanging above the sofa.
Below	The temperature is below freezing.
Under	The cat is sleeping under the table.
Near	The bank is near the post office.
Beside	She sat beside him during the movie.
Between	The house is located between two trees.
Behind	The car is parked behind the building.
In front of	The park is in front of the school.
Next to	The library is next to the museum.
Opposite	The cafe is opposite the theater.
Around	There are shops around the corner.
Among	She felt lost among the crowd.
Over	He jumped over the fence.
Through	The train went through the tunnel.
Across	They walked across the street.
Along	We strolled along the beach.
Towards	She walked towards the light.

Table 3: Prepositions of Movement

This table illustrates how prepositions of movement are used in sentences. Understanding the direction and path of movement is essential for clear communication.

Preposition	Example Sentence
To	They are going to Paris.
From	He came from London.
Through	The river flows through the valley.
Across	The bridge stretches across the river.
Along	They drove along the coast.
Up	He climbed up the mountain.
Down	She walked down the stairs.
Into	He jumped into the pool.
Out of	She took the book out of the bag.
Towards	They ran towards the finish line.
Away from	The bird flew away from the cage.
Around	The earth rotates around the sun.
Over	The plane flew over the city.
Under	The submarine went under the water.
Past	He drove past the house.
By	She walked by the river.
Off	He fell off the ladder.
Onto	The cat jumped onto the roof.
Against	The ladder was leaning against the wall.
Toward	They were walking toward the forest.

Table 4: Other Prepositions and Their Uses

This table provides examples of various other prepositions that express different relationships, such as cause, purpose, and manner. Understanding these prepositions will enhance your ability to express complex ideas.

Preposition	Meaning	Example Sentence
Of	Possession, belonging	The color of the car is red.
For	Purpose, reason	This gift is for you.
With	Accompaniment, instrument	She went to the party with her friends.
By	Method, agent	The letter was sent by mail.
About	Subject, topic	The book is about history.
From	Source, origin	He received a letter from his brother.
Due to	Cause	The game was canceled due to rain.
Because of	Cause	He was late because of the traffic.
According to	Source of information	According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
In spite of	Despite	In spite of the rain, they went for a walk.
Instead of	Replacement	I had tea instead of coffee.
On behalf of	Representation	He spoke on behalf of the team.
With regard to	Concerning	With regard to your request, we will review it.
In addition to	Besides	In addition to English, she speaks Spanish.
As well as	Also	He plays the guitar as well as the piano.
By means of	Using	They communicated by means of sign language.
On account of	Because of	The event was postponed on account of the storm.
In case of	If	In case of fire, use the emergency exit.
With respect to	Regarding	With respect to your proposal, we find it acceptable.
For the sake of	For the benefit of	He worked hard for the sake of his family.

Usage Rules for Prepositions

Using prepositions correctly can be challenging because their usage often depends on context and idiomatic expressions. However, there are some general rules that can help you avoid common mistakes. These rules relate to how prepositions interact with nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

Prepositions with Nouns

Certain nouns commonly occur with specific prepositions. For example, we say “the reason for” something, “an example of” something, and “an interest in” something. Learning these common combinations can significantly improve your accuracy.

Examples:

• The reason for his absence is unknown.
• This is an example of good writing.
• She has an interest in history.

Prepositions with Verbs

Many verbs are followed by specific prepositions to create phrasal verbs or to express particular meanings. These combinations can be tricky because the preposition changes the meaning of the verb. Some common examples include “look at,” “listen to,” “agree with,” and “depend on.”

Examples:

• Please look at the picture.
• Listen to the music.
• I agree with you.
• It depends on the weather.

Prepositions with Adjectives

Like nouns and verbs, adjectives also often combine with specific prepositions. These combinations are essential for expressing relationships and qualities. Some common examples include “good at,” “interested in,” “afraid of,” and “dependent on.”

Examples:

• She is good at playing the piano.
• He is interested in science.
• They are afraid of spiders.
• The project is dependent on funding.

Common Mistakes with Prepositions

Prepositions can be tricky, and even advanced learners make mistakes. Here are some common errors and how to correct them.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.	“Agree” doesn’t need “am” before it.
He is good in math.	He is good at math.	The correct preposition is “at” when referring to skills.
She is afraid from spiders.	She is afraid of spiders.	The correct preposition is “of” after “afraid.”
I depend of my parents.	I depend on my parents.	The correct preposition is “on” after “depend.”
We talked about the problem.	We talked about the problem. OR We discussed the problem.	“Discuss” does not require a preposition.
He entered in the room.	He entered the room.	“Enter” does not require a preposition.
Meet to me at the park.	Meet me at the park.	“Meet” does not require “to” before the object pronoun.
The book is on the table.	The book is on the table.	Correct Usage.
I arrived to the airport.	I arrived at the airport.	Use “at” for specific locations.
She is waiting for you since two hours.	She has been waiting for you for two hours.	Use “for” with a period of time and the present perfect continuous tense.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of prepositions with these practice exercises. Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence. Answers are provided at the end of the exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition (at, on, in).

Question	Answer
1. The meeting will be held ____ 3 PM.	at
2. I was born ____ May.	in
3. The party is ____ Saturday.	on
4. She lives ____ London.	in
5. He is waiting ____ the bus stop.	at
6. The book is ____ the table.	on
7. They arrived ____ the airport.	at
8. We will go for a walk ____ the evening.	in
9. The concert is ____ July 15th.	on
10. He is ____ school.	at

Exercise 2: Choose the correct preposition from the options given (to, from, with, by).

Question	Answer
1. She is traveling ____ Paris. (to, from, with, by)	to
2. He received a letter ____ his friend. (to, from, with, by)	from
3. I went to the store ____ my sister. (to, from, with, by)	with
4. The cake was made ____ my mother. (to, from, with, by)	by
5. They walked ____ the park. (to, from, with, by)	to
6. He came ____ Italy. (to, from, with, by)	from
7. She wrote the essay ____ a pen. (to, from, with, by)	with
8. The house was built ____ the workers. (to, from, with, by)	by
9. I am going ____ the cinema. (to, from, with, by)	to
10. The gift is ____ her. (to, from, with, by)	from

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

Question	Answer
1. The cat jumped ____ the table.	onto
2. The book fell ____ the floor.	off
3. They are walking ____ the beach.	along
4. The plane flew ____ the city.	over
5. The river flows ____ the valley.	through
6. He climbed ____ the ladder.	up
7. She walked ____ the stairs.	down
8. The car is parked ____ the garage.	in
9. The picture is hanging ____ the wall.	on
10. The temperature is ____ zero.	below

Advanced Topics in Prepositions

For advanced learners, understanding more complex aspects of prepositions can further enhance their language skills. These include double prepositions, participle prepositions and phrasal prepositions.

Double Prepositions

Double prepositions are combinations of two prepositions used together to convey a more precise meaning. Common examples include “out of,” “on to,” “up to,” and “from within.”

Examples:

• He took the book out of the bag.
• The cat jumped onto the roof.
• It’s up to you to decide.
• The sound came from within the house.

Participle Prepositions

Participle prepositions are words that originate as participles (verb forms ending in -ing or -ed) but function as prepositions. Common examples include “considering,” “including,” “regarding,” and “excluding.”

Examples:

• Considering the circumstances, he did well.
• The price is $10, including tax.
• Regarding your request, we will review it.
• Excluding weekends, the project will take five days.

Phrasal Prepositions

Phrasal prepositions are multi-word expressions that function as single prepositions. They often consist of a preposition combined with other words, such as “in front of,” “because of,” “in spite of,” and “according to.”

Examples:

• The park is in front of the school.
• The game was canceled because of the rain.
• In spite of the difficulties, they succeeded.
• According to the news, it will snow tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about prepositions to help clarify any remaining doubts.

1. What is the difference between “in,” “on,” and “at” for time?

   In is used for general times (months, years, seasons), on is used for specific days and dates, and at is used for specific times or points in time. For example, “in January,” “on Monday,” and “at 3 PM.”

2. How do I know which preposition to use with a particular verb?

   Unfortunately, there’s no easy rule. Many verb + preposition combinations are idiomatic and must be learned through exposure and practice. Consulting a dictionary or grammar guide can be helpful.

3. Can a sentence end with a preposition?

   Yes, it is grammatically acceptable, although some traditional grammarians used to discourage it. Sentences that end with prepositions often sound more natural and less awkward than their rephrased alternatives. For example, “What are you looking at?” is perfectly acceptable.

4. What is the object of a preposition?

   The object of a preposition is the noun, pronoun, gerund, or noun clause that the preposition governs. It typically follows the preposition and completes the prepositional phrase. For example, in “on the table,” “the table” is the object of the preposition “on.”

5. What is a prepositional phrase?

   A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object, along with any modifiers. It functions as either an adjective or an adverb, modifying other words in the sentence. For example, “in the garden” is a prepositional phrase that can modify a noun (e.g., “the flowers in the garden”) or a verb (e.g., “they played in the garden”).

6. Are there any prepositions that can also be adverbs?

   Yes, some words can function as both prepositions and adverbs, depending on their use in a sentence. For instance, “around,” “over,” and “under” can be used as both. When they act as prepositions, they have an object; when they act as adverbs, they don’t. For example, “The cat is around the corner” (“around” is a preposition) versus “The cat is around” (“around” is an adverb).

7. How can I improve my use of prepositions?

   Practice is key. Read widely to see how prepositions are used in context, and pay attention to common combinations. Do exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from teachers or native speakers.

8. What are some resources for learning more about prepositions?

   Many online grammar websites, textbooks, and language learning apps offer lessons and exercises on prepositions. Consulting a comprehensive English dictionary can also provide information on the usage of specific prepositions.

Conclusion

Mastering prepositions is crucial for effective communication in English. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of prepositions, covering their definition, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced topics. By understanding these concepts and practicing regularly, Class 10 students can significantly improve their language skills and achieve greater confidence in their writing and speaking.

Remember to focus on learning common prepositional phrases, paying attention to context, and practicing regularly. With dedication and effort, you can master the use of prepositions and enhance your overall command of the English language. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Consistent effort will lead to improvement and mastery.