Types of Prepositions 

The following is a list of common types of prepositions in English:

Prepositions of time, place, direction and movement, and possession and association are discussed in separate lessons. This lesson will focus on other types of prepositions.

Comparison involves looking at the qualities, characteristics, and features of two or more things, people, ideas, or concepts to determine how they are related. To compare entities using prepositions, we introduce the item being compared, followed by the preposition, and finally, introduce the reference of comparison. Prepositions commonly used for comparison include:

One way of comparing two things is to talk about their similarities. When talking about similarities, we focus on aspects of the two entities that are alike. Here too, we first introduce the entity that is similar to another, followed by the preposition, and finally introduce the reference of similarity, i.e. the thing the subject is similar to. Prepositions commonly used to indicate similarity include:

On some other occasions, when we compare two things, we want to highlight how they are unlike each other. To talk about differences using prepositions, we need to introduce the reference of difference using a preposition such as:

Contrast involves highlighting a particular outcome that is different from what was expected based on existing information. In sentences that express a contrast using prepositions, the preposition introduces the fact that gave rise to a particular expectation and is in contrast with the actual outcome. Common prepositions used to show contrast include:

Every object is designed or used with a specific purpose or usage in mind, whether it is to perform a practical task or provide aesthetic value. Prepositions of purpose show what an item is used for or what function it serves. These prepositions appear between a noun and its purpose or use. A common preposition used to indicate purpose is 'for'. Take a look at the examples:

Intention involves having a plan or goal in mind and making a decision to do something in order to achieve that goal. It involves a conscious decision to act in a particular way. Intentions are closely related to purposes. Prepositions of intention appear before the stated intention and connect it to an action or entity. They include:

Manner indicates 'how' an action is done or how something happens. It is typically added to sentences to provide more details and further describe the action or event. Prepositions of manner appear after verbs and are followed by a noun to form a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverb of manner. Common prepositions of manner include:

Prepositions of instrument introduce the tool or device that is used to perform a particular task or function. These prepositions appear after the action and are followed by the noun that signifies the instrument used to perform the action. Common prepositions used to indicate instrument include:

Medium refers to the method or path through which a specific task is facilitated or enabled. It can denote the channel through which particular information is communicated or a specific method used to perform a task. In English, the following prepositions appear before a noun and form a prepositional phrase that serves as an adverb, modifying a verb by indicating the means of communication or accomplishment of the action:

Agency is concerned with the person/people or thing(s) that performed the action. The agent typically appears in the subject position in active sentences to indicate the doer of the action of the verb. However, when we have a sentence in the passive voice, the subject is removed from the sentence. In such sentences, the agent can be introduced at the end of the sentence using the preposition 'by'. Take a look at the examples:

Prepositions can also be used to indicate the source or the point at which something came into existence. Origin can refer to the starting point of a person, object, idea, or event. Prepositions of origin appear between a noun and its source or origin. They include:

Prepositions can also indicate the material that something is made of. In this usage, they connect a noun that denotes the particular object to the noun that denotes the material or substance it is made of. Prepositions commonly used in this context include the following:

We can also use prepositions to indicate the topic of a statement. Topic is the central idea or subject matter that is being discussed or communicated. To introduce the topic using prepositions, we follow the noun that denotes the entity whose topic is being discussed by a suitable preposition and then introduce the topic. Common prepositions used for this purpose include:

Inclusion involves the act of allowing something or someone in a particular group, activity, or situation. It can be signified using a preposition. In this case, the preposition connects the group or activity to the entity that is included. Common prepositions used to indicate inclusion are as follows:

Exclusion is the opposite of inclusion and refers to the act of preventing someone or something from participating or being included in a particular group or activity. To indicate exclusion using prepositions, we first introduce the group or activity and then use a preposition followed by the entity that is excluded from the group. Common prepositions used to indicate exclusion include the following:

A cause is something that produces an effect or result. It is a direct or indirect factor that makes something happen, such as an event, action, or circumstance. Various prepositions can be used to indicate the cause of an event. They follow the verb and form a prepositional phrase that serves as an adverb expressing the cause of the action of the verb. Common prepositions used to introduce the cause of an event include the following:

A reason is an explanation for why something happened. It is the underlying justification or motivation for an action or event. It is different from cause in that the cause is what leads to the effect, while the reason is the explanation for why the effect occurred. Prepositions that indicate the reason, follow an action or state and introduce its reason. Common prepositions used to indicate reason include:

Consumption refers to the act of ingesting or using a particular substance for sustenance, pleasure, or medicinal purposes. It involves the process of taking in nutrients, fluids, and chemical substances. The preposition 'on' is commonly used to introduce the particular substance that is consumed. For example:

The responsibility of an action is with the person who had a role to play in its fulfillment. Responsibility can refer to the person who is to blame for something or the person who is in charge in a particular situation. This concept can be expressed using prepositions. To do so, the preposition introduces the person responsible or in charge. Common prepositions used for this purpose include the following:

Company and presence refer to the state of being together or at hand, including people who are together or objects that are used or taken together, as well as objects that are within people's reach. This concept can be expressed using prepositions that connect the two nouns together, including the following:

Separating two items involves causing them to move or be apart from one another. Some prepositions can denote separation by connecting two nouns that are caused to be apart or are removed from one another. For example:

Absence is the opposite of company and presence and refers to the lack or non-existence of a person or thing. It is commonly expressed using the preposition 'without' which introduces the item or person who is absent in a particular situation. For example:

Support refers to the act of providing help, assistance, or encouragement to someone or something. It involves offering aid, resources, or emotional backing to promote the success or well-being of another person or cause. To show support using prepositions, we follow the verb with a preposition that introduces the supported person or idea. These prepositions include:

Opposition, contrary to support, refers to the act of resisting or standing against something or someone. It can refer to a wide range of contexts, from political and social issues to personal or interpersonal relationships and competitions. To indicate opposition using prepositions, we introduce the opposing and the opposed nouns and connect them using the preposition such as:

A target is a person or thing toward whom an action or state is directed. The target is identified based on the intention or goal of the actor. It can be a person, place, thing, or concept, and can be targeted through a range of actions. We can identify targets using prepositions. These prepositions appear after the action or state and are followed by the target of the action. Common prepositions used for this purpose include:

An example is a specific instance or illustration of a general concept or idea. It is a tangible or concrete representation that helps to clarify or demonstrate a particular point or principle. We can use certain prepositions to provide examples for our ideas. These prepositions appear after the general concept and introduce the examples. Common prepositions used to introduce examples include the following:

Stereotypes are expectations, assumptions, or generalizations about a group based on certain characteristics or traits. To show that a particular quality is assumed about or expected of an entity, we can use certain prepositions. These prepositions connect a noun to another noun that implies a certain assumption or stereotype. Common prepositions used for this purpose include:

Attribution refers to the act of assigning a particular quality or trait to a particular person. It involves perceiving or assuming that a particular quality or feature is associated with a person or thing. Prepositions that can be used to indicate attributions connect the entity to whom the particular quality is attributed to the attribution itself. These prepositions include the following:

Preference refers to a person's liking or favoring of one thing over another. Preferences can indicate the priorities and opinions of individuals. Prepositions that are commonly used to indicate preferences follow the preferred entity and are followed by the rejected entity. These prepositions include the following:

A boundary is a factor that limits or defines the scope of actions or behaviors. It is a line or limit that separates one area or concept from another. Prepositions can be used to refer to these boundaries. In this usage, they appear between the subject and the limiting factor and indicate whether the subject belongs inside the boundary or outside it. Common prepositions used for this purpose include:

Amount refers to the quantity or total of something, usually measured by a numerical value. It is the total or aggregate value of a particular item or set of items. Amounts can take many forms, such as an amount of money, an amount of time, or an amount of a particular substance or material. Prepositions can introduce the amount or quantity of a noun. For example:

Approximate prepositions can be used similarly to the prepositions of amount to indicate that the amount is not precise or exact, but is estimated. These prepositions include:

A level indicates the point at which something starts or ends. It indicates the thresholds above or below which are excluded. Prepositions that indicate a specific level follow the verb and introduce the threshold that is not surpassed. These prepositions include:

A range refers to the extent or scope of something, typically in terms of a measurable quantity or value. It is the distance or spread between the minimum and maximum values of a particular scale or measure. Ranges can take many forms, such as a range of temperatures, a range of prices, or a range of colors. Prepositions can indicate a range by introducing the limits of the range. For example:

A parameter indicates a criterion according to which something is organized, done, or measured. It is a factor or variable that defines or limits the scope or behavior of a particular system, process, or situation. Prepositions can be used to indicate the parameter of an activity by introducing the factor or criteria that is the parameter of the activity. For example:

Mathematical functions are commonly expressed by prepositions in speech and writing. From addition and subtraction to multiplication and division, prepositions appear between numbers or units of measurement and indicate their relation to each other in the particular equation. Mathematical prepositions include:

Some prepositions can be used to indicate addition, but not necessarily in the context of mathematical functions. In this case, the prepositions appear between nouns to show that one is added to the other. Prepositions that can indicate addition include:

Exchange refers to the act of giving or receiving something as compensation for something else. Exchanges can take many forms, such as a commercial exchange where money is traded for goods or services, or bartering in which goods and services are directly exchanged for each other without the involvement of money. Prepositions can indicate such exchanges by marking the cost or the exchanged item in return for which something is obtained. Such prepositions include:

Substitution refers to the act of replacing one element, object, or concept with another. We can use prepositions to talk about substituting one thing with another. To do this, we first introduce the substitute or replacement, followed by the preposition, and then mention the thing that is substituted or replaced. Prepositions commonly used for this purpose include:

Representation refers to the act of standing in for or acting as a substitute for another person, group, or thing. Representations can involve human interactions, where a person represents another, such as legal or political representation. They can also involve objects, such as when a symbol or image represents a particular idea or concept or when an abbreviation stands for a phrase. Certain prepositions can be used to introduce the represented party in sentences, for example:

We can also use prepositions to indicate the state of a particular entity. State refers to the current condition, situation, or circumstance of a particular entity, such as a person, organization, or system. In this case, the preposition introduces the particular state or circumstance of the noun. Prepositions commonly used for this purpose include:

Rank refers to a position or status within a particular hierarchy or system. It is a measure of relative importance or authority, and is often based on factors such as seniority, skill, or performance. Prepositions such as the following can indicate superiority or inferiority of a person relative to others within such hierarchy:

Change involves a process of transformation or modification of a particular entity, such as a person, object, or situation. Certain verbs are used to indicate change and transformation, and they are often followed by prepositions that introduce the result of that change. These prepositions provide additional information about the nature or outcome of the transformation that occurred and include the following:

Condition refers to a requirement or prerequisite that must be fulfilled or satisfied in order for a particular event or action to occur. Conditions are mostly expressed using conjunctions, but there are some prepositions that can be used in this context. These prepositions mark the condition in the sentence and include:

Sequence refers to the particular order or arrangement of things or events. Prepositions are commonly used to show the sequence of events or their chronological order. These prepositions appear between two events and show their temporal relation relative to one another. Examples of prepositions of sequence include:

Alignment refers to the arrangement or positioning of different elements or components in relation to each other in a way that the different parts of a system or organization work together cohesively and effectively. To indicate alignment using prepositions, they must be followed by the parameter or criteria with which other elements are aligned. Prepositions commonly used for this purpose include:

A reference is a source of information that is used to support or verify a particular statement, fact, or argument. They can be used to provide evidence or support for a particular claim or to provide additional information or context for a particular topic or issue. Prepositions can be used to indicate the reference of a statement. In this case, they mark the reference in the sentence and refer a statement to its source or context. These prepositions include:

The following table summarizes the different types of prepositions.