How to Use Preposition?

A preposition should be placed as near the word it governs as possible; as—

Raj called my place at early in the morning. (Incorrect)

Raj called at my place early in the morning. (Correct)

2.       Generally a preposition comes before its object and it should be placed at the end of sentence. In this connection some of the noted grammarians have this to say:

‘You must never use a preposition to end a sentence up with’ is an old joke, and introduces a superstition that dies hard. True, the very word preposition (placed in front of) suggests that the proper place for preposition is in front of noun or noun equivalent it governs. And indeed that is the place for it if it’s being there does not upset naturalness of diction or idiom.

              GH VALLINS: AN ABC OF ENGLISH USAGE

Sometime the preposition is best placed before the word it governs, sometime at the end of sentence or clause.

          FT WOOD: CURRENT ENGLISH USAGE

                In such a situation the writer must use his discretion and sense of style. It must be borne in mind that a preposition comes at the end of the clause of a sentence in the following cases:

(A)                 Preposition are frequently placed at0 the end in question beginning with what, who, where, whom, etc.

What is he looking at?

Whom did you go with?

Whom did you give it to?

Where has he come from?

(B)                Prepositions are placed at the end of passive structures; as---

He loves being talked about.

He has already been operated on.

(C)                Preposition often come at the end of clauses having infinitive structure; as—

I have no pen to write with.

It is lovely place to live in.

(D)                A preposition must come at the end of the clause or sentences when it governs a relative pronoun that is: (i) not expressed (ii) represented by or that; as--

                       This is room I slept in.

                       There is the museum (that) I told you about.

                      This is the play (that) I am fond of.

(E)                A Preposition comes at the end of a contact clause. It is necessary when the preposition in felt to be more intimately connected with some verbs or other words or phrases in the clause than with the relative itself; as-

There is one more help which she cannot do without.                                          (Ruskin)

They love in return, which I cannot do without.                                                    (HAZLITT)

(F)                Sometimes the object is placed first and the preposition last for the sake of emphasis; as-

He is famous all the world over.

He is busy all the year round.

3.       Some prepositions are always placed before a relative     pronoun: beside, beyond, as to, except, during, opposite, round, outside, considering, concerning; as_

                It is the point round which the story revolves.

                It is the place beyond which we cannot go.

                He lives in a house opposite which stands an old temple.

                His papers seemed to be everywhere except where they ought to be.

4.       A preposition is generally placed before whose:

Under whose brim the gaudy sun would peep.                                              Shakespeare

Woman round whose waist she had seen his arm.                                    GALSWORTHY

5.       Up and down generally placed first (before a relative pronoun) except sometimes in short clause; as- There was a short cross-way, up which one saw the iron foundry.       DH LAWERENCE

6.       Than is generally placed first, (before a relative pronoun) except sometimes in short clause; as-

As old as woman’s guile than which nothing human can be older.           WJ LOCKS

Mr. Toots—than whom there were a few better fellows in the world.       DICKENS

7.       In a more formal style a preposition is placed before a question word; as-

                To whom is this letter addressed?

                By whom is the Prime Minister chosen?

8.       Phrase of time like morning, afternoon and evening are preceded by the preposition in whereas dawn, daybreak, noon, midday, and midnight are preceded by the preposition at; as-

The sun is the hottest at midday. He returns late at night.

I met him in the evening. He sleeps in the afternoon.

Caution

(A)             It is better to avoid using the same preposition with two words unless it is appropriate to each of them; as-

He is neither interested in nor fond of cricket.

He has no knowledge of and no interest in music.

He is angry with and indifferent to me.

I am pleased and satisfied with your progress.

(B)              It is wrong to use the infinitive with certain words which require a preposition followed by a gerund. Some of these words are: assist, confident, except, fond, hinder, insist, intent, persist, prevent, prohibit, and refrain.

1.       What prevented you to attend the meeting? (Incorrect)

What prevented you from attending the meeting?

2.        He insists to go to New York. (Incorrect)

 He insists on going to New York. (Correct)

3.        He is confident win this match, (Incorrect)

 He is confident of winning this match. (Correct)

4.        He assisted me to do this work. (Incorrect)

 He assisted me in doing this work. (Correct)