Prepositions show various kinds of relations. The most important among them are the following:
Place
- She ran across the street.
- The boy fell among the thorns.
- We were at the foot of the hill.
- The thief was hiding behind the cupboard.
Time
- I have a meeting in the afternoon.
- You must return before sunset.
- Wait till tomorrow.
- We waited for hours.
Method and manner
- The letter came by post.
- He cut the cake with a knife.
- They fought with courage.
- They succeeded by hard work.
Reason and Purpose
- She died of malaria.
- He trembled with anger.
- Smoking is injurious to health.
Possession
- He is a man of principles.
- Mumbai is the financial capital of India.
- I saw a boy with red hair.
Direction and Motion
- He fell into the well.
- He climbed up the tree.
- She walked towards the market.
- The moon moves around the earth.
Objects of prepositions
The object of a preposition may be a noun, a pronoun, a gerund, an infinitive or a noun clause.
- The house was built near a river. (Noun)
- She was talking to him. (Pronoun)
- We were prevented from entering the house. (Gerund)
- What would you like to do besides watch a movie? (Infinitive)
- I am content with what I have. (Noun clause)