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1.7 Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence. Most prepositions, such as above, below, and behind, usually indicate a location in the physical world, but some prepositions, such as during, after, and until, show location in time.

There are two rules to remember when using prepositions.

  1. To make sentences clear, specific prepositions are needed. Some prepositions are interchangeable, but not always. I want to see you in the office means something very different from I want to see you on the office!
  2. Prepositions are generally followed by nouns or pronouns.  I am seeking someone I can depend on ends with a preposition on, so people who insisted that sentences shouldn’t end with a preposition would be forced to use convoluted and unnatural phrasing. To avoid ending that sentence above with a preposition, you’d have to say, someone I can depend on is whom I am seeking.

(Ginger, n.d.)

In, At, and On

The prepositions in, at, and on are used to indicate both location and time, but they are used in specific ways. Study Table 1.7.1, Table 1.7.2, and Table 1.7.3 to learn when to use each one.

Table 1.7.1: Use of the preposition “in”
Preposition Time Example Place Example
In Year “in 2024” country “in Canada”
month “in August” province “in Ontario”
season “in the summer” city “in London”
time of day (not with night) “in the afternoon”
Table 1.7.2: use of the preposition “on”
Preposition Time Example Place Example
on day “on Monday” surfaces “on the table”
date “on May 23” streets “on 124th Street”
specific days/dates “on Monday the 23rd” modes of transportation “on the bus”
Table 1.7.3: Use of the preposition “at”
Preposition Time Example Place Example
at specific time “at five o’clock” addresses “at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd.”
time of night “at night” location “at the campus store”

Prepositions after Verbs

Prepositions often follow verbs to create expressions with distinct meanings. These expressions are sometimes called prepositional verbs. It is important to remember that these expressions cannot be separated.

Table 1.7.4: Common preposition and verb pairings
Verb + Preposition Meaning Example
agree with To agree with something or somebody “My friend always agrees with me.”
apologize for To express regret for something, to say sorry about something “I apologize for being late.”
apply for To ask for something formally “I will apply for that job.”
believe in To have a firm conviction in something; to believe in the existence of something “I believe in the value of education.”
care about To think that someone or something is important “I care about the health of our oceans.”
hear about To be told about something or someone “I heard about the teachers’ strike.”
look after To watch or protect someone or something “Will you look after my dog while I am away on vacation?”
talk about To discuss something “We will talk about the importance of recycling.”
speak to, speak with To talk to/with someone “I will speak to the teacher about this.”
wait for To await the arrival of someone or something “I will wait for my package to arrive.”

Tip

It is a good idea to memorize these combinations of verbs plus prepositions. Write them down in a notebook along with the definition, and practice using them when you speak.

Prepositions after Adjectives

Similar to prepositions after verbs, prepositions after adjectives create expressions with distinct meanings unique to English. Remember, like prepositional verbs, these expressions also cannot be separated.

Table 1.7.5: Common adjective and preposition pairings
Adjective + Preposition Meaning Example
angry at/angry about To feel or show anger toward (or about) someone or something “I am angry about the oil spill in the ocean.”
confused about To be unable to think with clarity about someone or something “Shawn was confused about the concepts presented at the meeting.”
disappointed in/disappointed with To feel dissatisfaction with someone or something “I was disappointed in my friend for voting for that candidate.”
dressed in To clothe the body “He was dressed in a pin-striped suit.”
happy for To show happiness for someone or something “I was happy for my sister who graduated from college.”
interested in Giving attention to something, expressing interest “I am interested in musical theater.”
jealous of To feel resentful or bitter toward someone or something (because of their status/ possessions, or ability) “I was jealous of her because she always went on vacation.”
thankful for To express thanks for something “I am thankful for my wonderful friends.”
tired of To be disgusted with, have a distaste for “I was tired of driving for hours without end.”
 worried about To express anxiety or worry about something “I am worried about my father’s health.”

Tip

The following adjectives are always followed by the preposition at:

Good – She is really good at chess.

Excellent – Henry is excellent at drawing.

Brilliant – Mary Anne is brilliant at playing the violin.

List of Prepositions

Key Takeaways

  • The prepositions in, at, and on are used to indicate both location and time, but they are used in specific ways.
  • The preposition in is used when expressing the following: year, month, season, time of day (not with night), country, state, and city.
  • The preposition on is used to express day, date, and specific days or dates and surfaces, streets, and transportation modes.
  • The preposition at is used for expressions of time, with night, and with addresses and locations.
  • Prepositions often follow verbs to create expressions with distinct meanings that are unique to English.
  • Prepositions also follow adjectives to create expressions with distinct meanings that are unique to English.

“5.7 Prepositions” from Writing for Success by Saylor Academy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License. —Modifications: Removed Learning Objectives, Exercises, and Writing Application; Added Two Rules section and list of prepositions.

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