Definition of Prepositions:
Prepositions are words that indicate the relationship between a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition) and another word in the sentence (usually a noun or verb). They show the direction, location, or time of something in relation to something else.
Types of Prepositions:
1. Simple Prepositions:
- One-word prepositions: at, by, for, from, in, into, of, on, over, through, under, up, with
- Two-word prepositions (phrasal prepositions): alongside, around, according to, as for, because of, but for, by means of, despite, except for
2. Compound Prepositions:
These are formed by combining two or more prepositions, such as:
- upon = on + up
- within = in + within
- outside of = out + of
3. Complex Prepositions:
These are created by combining a preposition with another part of speech, such as:
- for the sake of
- in spite of
- in front of
4. Verbal Prepositions:
These are derived from verbs and have prepositional functions, such as:
- regarding
- concerning
- touching
5. Relative Prepositions:
As = like, such as
But = except
6. Temporal Prepositions:
- Before
- After
- By
- During
- For
- Since
- Until
7. Spatial Prepositions:
- Above
- Below
- Beside
- Between
- In
- On
- Outside
- Under
8. Directional Prepositions:
- Across
- Around
- Down
- From
- Into
- Off
- Through
- Up