What is a preposition?
A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, often about place, time or direction. Examples include in, on, at, under, before and with.
Prepositions usually come before a noun or pronoun, forming a prepositional phrase, such as under the table, after lunch or with my friends. They tell us where something is, when something happens or how things relate. In The book is on the desk, on shows the relationship between the book and the desk.
Common prepositions include about, above, across, after, against, among, around, at, before, behind, below, between, by, during, for, from, in, into, near, of, off, on, over, through, to, toward, under, until, up and with. Some are made of several words, like in front of and because of.
The old ending rule
Some people were taught never to end a sentence with a preposition, as in Who are you talking to? Most modern grammar experts say this rule is a myth borrowed from Latin. Rewriting such sentences can sound awkward, as in To whom are you talking?
Did You Know?
Prepositions are among the hardest parts of English for learners, because their use often follows idiom rather than logic, such as on the bus but in the car.