Preposition

Preposition is a word that shows relation between noun or pronoun and the other words in sentence.

e.g. in, on, at, to, with, under, above, into, by, of etc

Preposition is always used before a noun or pronoun and shows the relation of the noun or pronoun to the other words in sentence. The following examples will help in better understanding.
Example.
Subject + Verb
Preposition
Noun
The cat was sleeping
on
table
He lives
in
Paris
She looked
at
Stranger.
He will come
in
January.
Wedding ceremony will be held
on
20th December.
I was waiting
for
you
Someone is knocking
at
The door.
She came
by
bus.

Prepositions show many relations (for different nouns) in sentence. On the basis of relation they show, preposition may be divided into following categories.

Preposition for time e.g. in, on, at, etc.
Preposition for place e.g. in, on, at, etc
Preposition for direction e.g. to, towards, into, through etc.
Preposition for agent e.g. by
Preposition for device, instrument or machines. e.g. on, by, with, etc.
Prepositions used after verbs to make prepositional verb. e.g. look at, look after, laugh at

Types of Preposition

The types of preposition are as follows:
1. Preposition for Time
2. Preposition for Place
3. Preposition for Direction
4. Preposition for Agent
5. Preposition for Instrument
6. Prepositional PhraseTypes of Preposition

The types of preposition are as follows:
1. Preposition for Time
2. Preposition for Place
3. Preposition for Direction
4. Preposition for Agent
5. Preposition for Instrument
6. Prepositional Phrase

Prepositions for Time. (in, on, at)
Prepositions used for time of different natures are in, on at etc.

Preposition
Time Nature
In
1. Month or Year.
e.g. in January, in 1985
2. Particular time of day or month or year
e.g. in morning, in evening, in first week of January, in summer, in winter
3. Century or specific time in past etc
e.g. in 21st century, in stone age, in past, in future, in present
On
1. Day
e.g. on Monday
2. Date
e.g. on 5th of March, March 5
3. Particular day
e.g. on Independence Day, on my birthday,
At
1. Time of clock
e.g. at 5 O’clock, at 7:30 PM
2. Short and precise time
e.g. at noon, at sunset, at lunch time, at bed time, at the moment, at the same time
Examples.
He was born in 1945.
She will go to New York on 25th of March.
The concert will begin at 7 O’clock.
He gets up early in the morning.
We enjoyed a lot in the summer.
The president will deliver speech to public on Independence Day.
She received a lot gifts on her birthday.
Where were you at the lunchtime?
I will call you at 12 A.M

Preposition for Place. (in, on, at)
Prepositions “in, on or at” are usually used for different places.
“In” is usually used for place which have some boundary (boundary may physical or virtual).
“On” is used for surface
“At” is used for specific place.
Preposition
Place Nature
In
Place having some boundary (physical or virtual boundary)
Examples.
In hall
In school
In a building
In a box
In a car
In library
In garden
In America
In room
In cupboard
On
Surface of something.
Examples.
On a table
On blackboard
On a page
On the wall
On the roof
On a map
At
Specific Place.
Examples.
At the entrance
At the bottom of glass
At front of the chair
At bus stop
At the edge of roof
Examples
She lives in New York.
Students study in library.
The wedding ceremony will be held in the hall.
There are some books on the table.
The teacher wrote a sentence on blackboard.
He was flying kite on the roof.
Her parents were waiting for her at the entrance of school
There was a huge gathering at bus stop.
His house is at the end of street.

Preposition for Direction.
(to, toward, through, into)
Prepositions like to, towards, through, into are used to describe the direction. Following examples will help in better understanding.
Examples.
She went to the library.
He jumped into the river.
He ran away when he felt that someone was coming toward him.

Preposition for Agent. (by)
Preposition for agent is used for a thing which is cause of another thing in the sentence. Such prepositions are by, with etc. Following examples will help in better understanding.
Examples.
This book is written by Shakespeare.
The work was completed by him.
The room was decorated by her.
The tub is filled with water.

Preposition for device, instrument or machine.
Different preposition are used by different devices, instruments or machines. e.g. by, with, on etc. Following examples will help in better understanding.
Examples.
She comes by bus daily.
He opened the lock with key.