What is Preposition and its kinds?

Definition: A preposition is a word used to show the way in which other words are connected. It is used to express basic relationships between words. You can express the relationships of time and place by the use of a preposition. As for example,

·         I can see you on Friday/ in October/at 7 pm/for an hour, etc.

·         I'll meet you at university/in Delhi/college campus, etc.

Beside the relationship of time and place you can use prepositions to express many other different kinds of relationships, such as

·         Means-- She came by train/on foot/in a motor-car, etc.

·         Manner--She spoke with a smile/in a sweet tone.

·         Reaction--I was shocked at his sudden death/by his cruel joke.

·         Reason-I did it for country/ out of duty/ because of countrymen.

A preposition is, then, a link in the chain of sentence. It ties a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence.

·         Write your address in the notebook.

·         There is rat under the bed.

·         This piece of chalk is for you.

·         This letter is from him.

Preposition can be used in a sentence to show space, or time, or direction, or agency, or association, etc.; as for example.

·         A few books have been placed on the desk. (Showing space)

·         He arrived before lunch. (Showing time)

·         I walk to town/towards the farm. (Showing direction)

·         It was done by the night watchmen with a knife. (Showing agency.)

·         He left without hope. (Showing association)

The use of different prepositions in a sentence lives us different shades of meaning. As for example.

·         Meera danced for Govinda. (=for the sake of Govinda)

·         Meera danced with Govinda. (=they danced together)

·         Meera danced after Govinda. (=after Govinda had finished dancing)

·         Meera danced behind Govinda. (= with Govinda in the front)

A particular preposition can often be used to express different shades of meaning, such as__

He will meet you after 2 o' clock.                                     (Later than)

Put the direct object after the verb.                                  (Next in order to, following)

It is painting after Picasso.                                                 (In the style of)

The Police can run after the thief.                                    (In pursuit of, in search of)

She enquired after your health.                                        (Regarding)

A son take after his father.                                                                (Resembles)

After all my care it was broken.                                        (In spite of)

Shut the door after you when you leave the room.       (Behind)

Sometimes the same word takes different prepositions to express various life situations. Take for example the word 'die' and 'divide'.

·         He died of cancer. He died from the loss of blood.

·         He died through neglect. He died in a train accident. Com

·         He died by his own hand. He died for his country.

·         Divide this mango in half. Divide this mango into four parts.

·         Divide forty by eight. Divide these apples between the two children.

·         Let me divide the property among my four sons.

·         Look at these, too.

Alive in every nerve; alive to every noble impulse: alive with fervor, hope, and resolve through all his being.

Alliance with neighboring people, against the common enemy; for affiance and defense; alliance of, between, or among nations.

Agree in opinion with the speaker, to the terms proposed; persons agree on or upon a statement of Principles, rules, etc.; we must agree among ourselves.

A particular preposition can often be used to express more than one kind of relationship. For example we can use by/on of relationship of

Time—by next month;                      —on the appointed hour;

Place—by the window;                      —on the tree top;

Means—by working overtime;         —on a bicycle.

Kinds of Prepositions

There are six different kinds of prepositions. They are as follows:

1.       Simple of preposition: at, by, in, through, over, under, etc.

He is at home. The tree was cut down by me. She has passed through many troubles. The sun shines over the earth. This road in under repair.

2.       Double Preposition: out of, from within, from among, from under, etc.

Why were you driven out of the house? A voice came from within my heart. He was selected from among fifty candidates. We saw a poisonous snake emerging from under the water.

3.       Compound Prepositions: across, along, above, about, before, behind, beyond, beside, without, etc.

His house is across the river. We walked along the river’s bank. A sword is hanging above his head. She is about to be married. The train starts before six o’ clock. The bus is behind its time. Her hut is beyond the hills. He is standing beside me. I have come without any clothes.

4.       Phrase prepositions: on account of, in course of, on the point of, on the brink of, with an eye to, with reference to, etc.

His scheme failed on account of the failure of the crops. He happened, in course of conversation, to reveal this secret. The patient is on the point of death. Our country is on the brink of a serious disaster. We are working hard with an eye to the future. Have anything to say with reference to this question?

5.       Participial preposition: concerning, considering, regarding, during, pending, etc.

Let’s talk with the chairman concerning this matter. Considering his age, he should be given light punishment. We will go home during the puja holidays. Have you anything to say regarding his appointment to this post? Pending confirmation by the authorities concerned, the proposed meeting cannot be held.

6.       Disguised preposition: that is, weakened forms of the prepositions on or of:

They went out a hunting (=on hunting). It is 10 o’clock (=of the clock) He has gone a finishing (=on finishing)