Preposition

THE PREPOSITION

There is a cow in the field.

He is fond of tea.

The cat jumped of the chair.

In sentence 1, the word in shows the relation between two things - cow and field.

In sentence 2, the word of shows the relation between the attribute expressed by the adjective fond and tea.

In sentence 3, the word off shows the relation between the action expressed by the verb jumped and the chair.

The words in, of, off are here used as Prepositions.

Def.- A Preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else.

[The word Preposition means 'that which is placed before'.] It will be noticed that-

in sentence I, the Preposition joins a Noun to another Noun; in sentence 2, the Preposition joins a Noun to an Adjective; in sentence 3, the Preposition joins a Noun to a Verb.

The Noun or Pronoun which is used with a Preposition is called its Object. It is in the Accusative case and is said to be governed by the Preposition.

Thus, in sentence 1, the noun field is in the Accusative case, governed by the Preposition in.

A Preposition may have two or more objects; as, The road runs over hill and plain.

A Preposition is usually placed before its object, but sometimes it follows it; as,

Here is the watch that you asked for.

That is the boy (whom) I was speaking of.

What are you looking at?

What arc you thinking of?

Which of these chairs did you sit on?

Note 1.- When the object is the Relative Pronoun that, as in sentence 1, the Preposition is always placed at the end.

The Preposition is- often placed at the end when the object is an interrogative pronoun (as in sentences 3, 4 and 5) or a Relative pronoun understood (as in sentence 2).

Note 2.- Sometimes the object is placed first for the sake of emphasis; as, This I insist on. He is known all the world over.

The Prepositions for, from, in, on are often omitted before nouns of place or time;

as,

We did it last week. I cannot walk a yard. Wait a minute.

Kinds of Prepositions

Prepositions may be arranged in the following classes :-At, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, through, till, to, up, with.

Compound Prepositions which are generally formed by prefixing a Preposition (usually a = no or be = by) to a Noun, an Adjective or an Adverb.) About, above, across, along, amidst, among, amongst, around, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without.

Phrase Prepositions (Groups of words used with the force of a single preposition.)

according to -- in accordance with -- in place of agreeably to -- in addition to -- in reference to along with -- in (on) behalf of -- in regard to away from -- in case of -- in spite of because of -- in comparison to -- instead of

by dint of -- in compliance with -- in the event of by means of -- in consequence of -- on account of by reason of -- in course of -- owing to

by virtue of -- in favour of -- with a view to by way of -- in front of -- with an eye to conformably to -- in lieu of -- with reference to for the sake of -- in order to -- with regard to

He succeeded by dint of perseverance and sheer hard work.

In case of need 'phone to No. 32567.

By virtue of the power vested in me, I hereby order, etc.

In consequence of his illness he could not finish the work in time.

Owing to his ill health, he retired from business.

With reference to your letter of date, we regret we cannot allow any further rebate.

In order to avoid litigation, he accepted Rs. 300 in full settlement of his claim for Rs.

450.

In course of time he saw his mistake.

He died fighting on behalf of his country.

On behalf of the staff he read the address.

He persevered in spite of difficulties.

In the event of 'his dying without an issue, his nephew would inherit the whole property.

Instead of talking, prove your worth by doing something.

By reason of his perverse attitude, he estranged his best friends.

He acted according to my instructions.

Why don't you go along with your brother?

In accordance with your instructions, we have remitted the 'amount to your bankers.

There is a big tree in front of his house.

Agreeably to the terms of the settlement, we herewith enclose our cheque for Rs. 1000.

By way of introduction, he made some pertinent remarks.

By means o/rope ladders they scaled the wall.

For the sake of their beliefs, the Puritans emigrated to America.

In course of his researches he met with many difficulties.

He abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son.

He could not attend school because of his father's serious illness.

He accepted the car in lieu of his claim for Rs. 1,25,000.

With a view to an amicable settlement, we offer you without prejudice Rs. 750 in full settlement of all your claims up-to-date.

On account of his negligence the company suffered a heavy loss.

Whatever he does, he does with an eye to the main chance.

Barring, concerning, considering, during, notwithstanding, pending, regarding, respecting, touching, and a few similar words which are present participles of verbs, are used absolutely with out any noun or pronoun being attached to them. For all practical purposes, they have become Prepositions, and are sometimes distinguished

as Participial Prepositions.

Barring (= excepting apart from) accident, the mail will arrive tomorrow. Concerning (= about) yesterday's fire, there are many rumours in the bazar. Considering (= taking into account the quality, the price is not high. Ulysses is said to have invented the game of chess during the siege of Troy. Notwithstanding (= in spite of) the resistance offered by him, he was arrested by the police.

Pending further orders. Mr. Desai will act as Headmaster.

Regarding your inquiries regret to say that at present we are not interested in imitation silk.

Respecting the plan you mention, I shall write to you hereafter.

Touching (= with regard to) this matter, 1 have not as yet made up my mind.

Several words are used sometimes as Adverbs and some times as Prepositions A word is a Preposition when it governs a noun or pronoun; it is an Adverb when it does not.

Adverb

Go and run about.

I could not come before.

Has he come in?

The wheel came off.

Let us move on.

His father arrived soon.

Take this parcel over to the post-office.

I have not seen him since.

Preposition

Don't loiter about the street.

I came the day before yesterday.

Is he his room?

The driver jumped off the car.

The book lies on the table.

After a month he returned.

He rules over a vast empire.

I have not slept since yesterday.

Exercise in Grammar

Name the Preposition the following sentences, and tell the word which each governs:-

Little Jack Horner sat in a corner.

Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard.

The lion and the unicorn fought for the crown.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.

Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town.

She sat by the fire, and told me a tale.

Rain, rain, go to Spain, and never come back again.

A fair little girl sat under a tree.

Such a number of rocks came over her head.

John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown.

“Will you walk into parlour?” said the spider to the fly.

Into the street the Piper step.

I can never return with my poor dog Tray.

He worked and sang from moon till night.

They all ran after the farmer’s wife, who cut off their tails with a carving knife.

One day the boy his break fast took, and ate it by a purling brook which through his mother’s orchard ran.

Old John with white hair does laugh away care, sitting under the oak, among the old folk.

They rise with the morning lark, and labour till almost dark.

By the Nine Gods he swore.

Under a spreading chestnut-tree the village smithy stands.

He goes on Sunday to church, and sits among his boys.

I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, from the seas and the streams.

Her arms across her breast she laid.

Mine be a cot beside the hill.

Around my ivied porch shall spring each fragrant flower that drinks the dew.

One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.

I tried to reason him out of his fears.

Exercise in Grammar

Distinguish the Prepositions from Adverbs in the following sentences:-

Come down.

We sailed down the river.

The man walked round the house.

He sat on a stool.

The carriage moved on.

The soldiers passed by.

The man turned round.

We all went in.

He is in the room.

He hid behind the door.

I left him behind.

She sat by the cottage door.

The path leads through the woods.

I have read the book through.

The storm is raging throughout.

We cannot live without water.

Exercise in Composition

Form sentences to illustrate the use of the following words (1) as Prepositions, and (2) as Adverbs:-

Behind, up, by, along, in, about, beyond, under, before, after.

We have seen that the object to a Preposition is a Noun or Pronoun. Sometimes, however, the object to a Preposition is an Adverb of Time or Place as, I will be done by then (= that time).

Since then (= that time) he has not shown his face. Come away from there (= that place).

He must have reached there by now (= this time). How far is it from here (= this place)?

It cannot last for ever.

Sometimes the object to a preposition is an Adverbial Phrase; as, Each article was sold at over a pound.

The noise comes from across the river.

He was not promoted to the rank of a colonel till within a few months of his resignation. I sold my car for under its half cost.

He swore from dawn till far into the night. He did not see her till a few days ago.

I was thinking about how to circumvent him.

A clause can also be the object to a Preposition; as,

Pay careful attention to what I am going to say.

There is no meaning in what you say.

The object to a Preposition, when it is a relative pronoun, is sometimes omitted; as, He is the man 1 was looking for. [Here whom is understood].

These are the good rules lo live by. [Here which is understood.]

Exercise in Composition

Fill blanks with suitable Prepositions:-

The dog ran --- the road.

The river flows --- the bridge.

The work was done --- haste.

He is afraid --- the dog.

I am fond --- music.

He goes --- Sunday --- church.

He died --- his country.

The steam-engine was invented --- James Watt.

The burglar jumped --- the compound wall.

The village was destroyed --- fire.

What is that --- me?

It cannot be done --- offence.

He spoke --- me --- Urdu.

They live --- the same roof.

I have not seen him --- Wednesday last.

I have known him --- a long time.

The moon does not shine --- its own light.

This is a matter --- little importance.

I am tired --- walking.

He has not yet recovered --- his illness.

I shall do it --- pleasure.

God is good, --- me.

I will sit --- my desk to do my lesson.

I am sorry --- what I have done.

O God! Keep me --- sin.

I bought it --- fifteen rupees.

He broke the jug --- a hundred pieces.

It has been raining --- yesterday.

I have been working hard --- arithmetic.

We suffered --- your neglect.

The exercise was written --- me --- a Camlin pen.

“Will you walk --- my parlour?” said the spider --- the fly.

It is ten o'clock. --- my watch.

There is nothing new --- the sun.

Do not cry --- spilt milk.

You, boys, must settle it --- yourselves.

The public are cautioned --- pickpockets.

They drove --- Mumbai --- Pune.

Prepositions are very commonly used in composition with verbs, to form new verbs. Sometimes they are prefixed; as,

Outbid, overcome, overflow, overlook, undergo, undertake, uphold, withdraw, withhold, withstand.

More frequently Prepositions follow the verbs and remain separate; as,

Boast of, laugh at, look for, send for.

He boasted of his accomplishments.

He looked for his watch everywhere.

Please send for Rama.

Everyone laughed at him.

Relations expressed by Prepositions

The following are some of the most common relations indicated by Prepositions:-

(1) Place; as,

Went about the world; ran across the road; leaned against a wall; fell among thieves; quarrelled among themselves; at death's door; athwart the deck; stood before the door; stood behind the curtain; lies below the surface; sat beside me; plies between Mumbai and Alibag; stand by me rain comes from the clouds; in the sky; fell into a ditch; lies near his heart; Kolkata is on the Hooghly; the cliff hangs over the sea; tour round the world; marched through the town; came to the end of the road; put pen to paper; travelled towards Nasik; lay under the table; climbed up the ladder; lies upon the table; within the house; stood without the gate.

(2)Time; as,

After his death; at an early date.; arrived before me,; behind time; by three o'clock; during the whole day; for many years; from 1st April; in the afternoon; sat watching far on into the night; lived under the' Moghuls; on Monday; pending his return; since yesterday .; lasted through the night; throughout the year; wait till to-morrow; ten minutes to twelve; towards evening; until his arrival; rise with the sun; within a month.

(3) Agency, instrumentality; as,

Sell goods at auction; sent the parcel by post; was stunned by a blow; was destroyed by fire; heard this through a friend; cut it with a knife.

(4) Manner; as,

Dying by inches; fought with courage; worked with earnestness, won with ease.

(5) Cause, reason, purpose; as,

Laboured for the good of humanity; died of fever; the very place for a picnic; did it/or our good; suffers from gout; died from fatigue; does it from perversity; retreated through fear of an ambush; concealed it through shame; lost his purse through negligence; shivers with fever; took medicine for cold.

(6) Possession; as,

There was no money on him; the mosque of Omar; a man of means; the boy with red hair.

(7) Measure, standard, rate, value; as,

He charges interest at nine per cent. Stories like these must be taken at what they are worth. Cloth is sold by the yard. I am taller than you by two inches. It was one by the tower-clock.

(8) Contrast, concession; as,

After (in spite of, notwithstanding) every effort, one may fail. For one enemy he has a hundred friends. For (in spite of) all his wealth he is not content. With (in spite of) all his faults I admire him.

(9) Inference, motive, source, or origin; as,

From what I know of him, I hesitate to trust him. The knights were brave

from gallantry of sprit. He did it from gratitude. Light emanates from the sun. From labour health, from health contentment springs. This is a quotation from Milton. His skill comes from practice.

Note:- It will be see?& that the same Preposition, according to the way m which it is used, would have its place under several heads:

Exercise in Grammar

Explain the force of the Preposition in:-

I will do it for all you may say.

This work is beyond his capacity.

I would do anything before that.

After this I wash my hands of you.

It is cool for May.

She made grand preparations against his coming

It was all through you that we failed.

He was left for dead on the field

AH that they did was piety to this.

The lifeboat made straight for the sinking ship.

I shall do my duty by him.

He married for money.

A man is a man for all that.

Nothing will come of nothing.

With all his faults I still like him.

 The following Prepositions require special notice:-

We can use in or at with the names of cities, towns or villages. In most cases in is used. We use in when we are talking about a place as an area; we use at when we see it as a point.

We stayed in Mumbai for five days.

Our plane stopped on Mumbai on the way to Iran. (Mumbai = Mumbai airport) How long have you lived in this village?

(2) We use at to talk about group activities and shops/workplaces.

Did you see Shobha at the party?

There weren't many people at the meeting.

I saw him at the baker’s.

We use in with the names of streets and at when we give the house-number. He lives in Church Street.

He lives at 45 Church Street.

We use on when we think of a place as a surface. The dog is lying on the floor.

Put this picture on the wall.

Till is used of time and to is used of place; as He slept till eight o’clock.

He walked to the end of the street.

(6)With often denotes the instrument and by the agent; as, He killed two birds with one shot.

He was stabbed by a lunatic with a dagger.

Since is used before a noun or phrase denoting some point of time, and is preceded by a verb in the perfect tenses; as,

I have eaten nothing since yesterday. He has been ill since Monday last

I have not been smoking since last week.

In before a noun denoting a period of time, means at the end of; within means before the end of; as,

I shall return in an hour. I shall return within an hour.

Beside means at (or by) the side of while besides means in addition to; as,

Beside the ungathered rice he lay.

Besides his children, there were present his nephews and nieces.

Besides being fined, he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

Be careful not to use beside for besides.

Exercise in Composition

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-

He lives --- Hyderabad. He lives --- 48 Tilak Street.

He started --- six --- the morning.

He hanged himself --- a piece of cloth.

The portrait was painted --- a famous artist who flourished --- the Sixteenth century.

I must start --- dawn to reach the station in time.

I hope to reach the station --- an hour at the outside.

The child has been missing --- yesterday.

The caravan must reach its destination --- sunset.

The mail train is due --- 3 P.M.

He travelled thirty kilometers --- two hours.

He rushed --- room, panting for breath.

He does not leave his house --- 9 o'clock.

The Express departs --- 3 P.M. --- Delhi.

Human sacrifices were practiced --- the Nagas.

I received his message --- eight o'clock --- the morning.

--- last month I have seen him but once.

--- rice they had curry.

The fever has taken a turn for the better --- yesterday.

He has spent his life --- Kolkata.

I saw him felling a big tree -- a hatcher.

Come and sit --- me.

Nobody --- you knows the truth.

While I was --- Delhi he was --- Mumbai.

He was killed --- the robber --- a hatchet.

We shall stay three months --- America.

--- Rustom and Sohrab, there were three other boys present.

--- a Ford he has a Fiat car.

Prepositions with forms of transport

We use by + noun when we talk about means of transport. We do not use the or a/an before the noun.

We travelled by train, (not: by the/a train)

We say by bicycle, by car/taxi/bus/train, by boat/ ship/plane, by air/sea.

We do not use by when the reference is to a specific bicycle, car, train, etc.

Suresh went there on my bike, (not: by my bike)

We travelled in Mr. Joshi's car. (not: by Mr. Joshi's car)

They came in a taxi.

I'll go on the 7.30 bus.

We use on to mean a specific bicycle, bus, train, ship or plane, and in to mean a specific

car, taxi, van, lorry or ambulance.

We say on foot (not by foot).

He goes to the office on foot. (= He walks lo the office.).