What is a preposition?

            A preposition is a word that begins a prepositional phrase which then ends with a noun or pronoun, also called the object of the preposition.  The whole prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or adverb in a sentence. 

            That’s a mouthful!  Are there shorter definitions?  You betcha, but who wants an incomplete definition?  Start by reviewing—or memorizing—this list of prepositions.   (Visit “Preposition Practice Prior to the Presentation” at www.englishwithmrsenglish.com or the related YouTube channel and then go to “What are Prepositions and What Good are They?”)

  • aboard
  • about
  • above
  • across
  • after
  • against
  • along
  • amid
  • among
  • around
  • as*
  • at
  • atop
  • before
  • behind
  • below
  • beneath
  • beside
  • between
  • beyond
  • but*
  • by
  • concerning
  • despite
  • down
  • during
  • except
  • for*
  • from
  • in*
  • inside*
  • into
  • like
  • near
  • of
  • off*
  • on
  • onto
  • out*
  • outside*
  • over
  • past*
  • regarding
  • since*
  • through
  • throughout
  • to*
  • toward
  • under
  • underneath
  • unlike
  • until
  • up
  • upon
  • with
  • within
  • without

            Exceptions happen everywhere!  Even in prepositions?  Of course.  One exception is a multi-word preposition.  Basically, sometimes a group of words will function as one preposition.

  • according to
  • ahead of
  • along with
  • away from
  • because of
  • by way of
  • due to
  • except for
  • in addition to
  • in back of
  • in case of
  • in front of
  • in spite of
  • instead of
  • out of
  • up to
  • with the exception of

            A second exception is that some words (*) on the preposition list can be used in other ways, such as a one-word adverb (e.g., outside), infinitive (to), conjunction (but), subordinating conjunction (e.g., since), or even a noun (past).  So how do you know if a word is functioning as a preposition in the sentence or another part of speech?

            Look back at the definition:  which then ends with a noun or pronoun, also called the object of the preposition.    A word functioning as a preposition in a sentence will be followed by a noun or pronoun which is called the object of the preposition.  Visit www.englishwithmrsenglish.com or the English with Mrs. English YouTube channel for a post entitled “What are Prepositions and What Good are They?” for an explanation.

            If you don’t know what nouns and pronouns are, then you will need to keep following English with Mrs. English, but for now, let’s quickly look at a couple of examples of prepositional phrases.

inside the house

under the house

on the house

            All of the above are prepositional phrases.  Each starts with a preposition (inside, under, on, or behind), and each is followed by a noun that goes with the preposition.  They work as a team.  Everything in between the preposition and its object is also part of the prepositional phrase.  This whole unit, e.g., under the house, will work in a sentence as an adjective or an adverb.  Learn more about adjectives and adverbs in other lessons.  Now look at these examples:

John is inside (one-word adverb)

He loves to swim. (infinitive)

I will go, but he will stay. (coordinating conjunction)

Since Latisha moved to town, she no longer needs a four-wheel-drive truck. (subordinating conjunction)

            In the above sentences, the bold print words are on the preposition list but are not functioning as prepositions.   True, two of them are followed by a noun or pronoun—but is followed by he and since is followed by Latisha.  However, he and Latisha are not tied to but and since in a way that they can—by themselves—tell more about something else in the sentence by working as an adjective or adverb. 

            Notice that the exceptions are in sentences.  A prepositional phrase can be identified even if it is not in a sentence.  When not in a prepositional phrase, these other words need to be in a sentence to truly know what function (or job) each is performing.

            Exception 3:  In rare instances, a different single word or group of words will perform as a preposition.  What then?  After you are able to recognize and use the prepositions here, you will be able to use the same skills to identify the rare exceptions, so don’t sweat it.

            Do you find this confusing?  Don’t worry about it.  Your responsibility right now is to recognize the words on this list when you see them.  That’s it.  Go ahead and download a copy of this information by clicking here.

            Keep following English with Mrs. English (and sign up for the email newsletter).  As you go through the lessons, you will continue to get bite-sized pieces of what you need to know and be able to do. 

Don’t let prepositions intimidate you.

You are the language master,

and they are merely your pawns.