Last reviewed 30 Sept 2026 · 10 min read
What a preposition does
A preposition shows the relation between a noun or pronoun (its object) and another word in the sentence — a relation of time, place, direction, cause, means or possession.
The book is on the table. (place) He arrived after lunch. (time) She travelled by train. (means)
A preposition is followed by a noun, a pronoun in the object case, or a gerund: for him (not for he), after finishing, interested in learning. It is never followed by an infinitive "to" in that role: ✗ He is fond to sing → ✓ fond of singing.
Prepositions of time
| Preposition | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | a precise time; festivals; night | at 5 o'clock, at noon, at midnight, at night, at Diwali |
| on | days and dates; a specific day | on Monday, on 15 August, on the morning of the 5th |
| in | months, years, seasons, centuries, parts of the day | in June, in 2026, in summer, in the morning, in the evening |
| by | not later than a time | Submit the form by Friday. |
| till / until | up to a time (continuing) | He waited till six. |
| since | from a point in the past to now (perfect tenses) | since 2020, since Monday |
| for | a period | for five years, for two hours |
| during | within a period, throughout an event | during the war, during the exam |
| within | before the end of a period | within a week |
| after / before | later / earlier than | after lunch, before noon |
| from ... to | start and end | from Monday to Friday |
| ago (adverb) | counted back from now | three years ago |
- at = a point (a clock time, a place point).
- on = a surface, a day or date.
- in = an enclosed space or a longer period (month, year, season).
By vs till: By gives the deadline (something happens once before it); till gives how long something continues. I will finish by 5 (the finishing happens at or before 5). I will work till 5 (the working continues until 5).
Since vs for: I have lived here since 2015 / for eleven years. Do not use since with a period or for with a point.
Prepositions of place and position
- at — a point or a place seen as a point: at the door, at the station, at home, at school, at the crossing.
- in — inside an area or space: in the room, in Delhi, in India, in a car, in the box.
- on — a surface or line: on the wall, on the road, on the floor, on the bus/train/plane.
- over / above — higher than: the bridge over the river; the fan above the bed. Over also means covering or crossing; above is simply higher and not in contact.
- under / below / beneath — lower than; under implies covering or contact/right below; below is a lower level; beneath is formal.
- between — two persons or things: between the two towers.
- among — more than two, a group: among the students. Divide the sweets among the children.
- beside = at the side of: beside the road; besides = in addition to: besides English, he knows Hindi.
- by / near / next to — close to.
- behind, in front of, opposite, across, along, around, through, inside, outside, within, beyond.
- Against — in opposition or touching a support: lean against the wall; fight against injustice.
In vs at with place names: He lives in Delhi (a large area); the train stops at Delhi (a point on the route). He is at the bank (visiting), in the bank (inside).
Prepositions of direction and movement
- to — movement toward a destination: go to Mumbai, return to school.
- into — movement to the inside: jump into the water; in = position inside.
- onto / on to — movement to a surface.
- towards — in the direction of, without necessarily arriving.
- from, out of, off, away from.
- across, along, through, over, past, round/around, up, down.
- for — destination with leave/depart: leave for Pune; to with go/come/return.
Reach is a transitive verb: ✗ reached to Delhi → ✓ reached Delhi (or arrived at a station / in a city).