Grammar · Prepositions
The little words that show where and when
A preposition is a small but important word that shows the link between a noun and the rest of the sentence — usually where something is (place), when it happens (time), or its direction. In Stage 1 you will spot prepositions, choose the right one, and tell them apart from adverbs. Learn each below.
1 What a preposition does
A preposition shows the link between a noun and the rest of the sentence — usually where, when or how something is.
The cat sat on the mat. · We left after lunch. · She came with a friend. ✓
Test: "the cat went ___ the box" — in, on, under, over, behind all fit. Those are prepositions.
2 Prepositions of PLACE (where)
They tell you where something is or goes.
Positionin, on, under, above, below, between, beside
Directionto, into, towards, across, through, onto
The ball rolled under the car and across the road. ✓
3 Prepositions of TIME (when)
They tell you when something happens.
on Monday · in July · at noon · before dinner · during the film · until ten ✓
Clue: at (a time), on (a day), in (a month/year) — at 3pm, on Tuesday, in May.
4 A preposition is followed by a noun
A preposition almost always has a noun (or pronoun) just after it — this is its 'object'.
under the table · with her · before the match. ✓
The preposition + its noun make a prepositional phrase (e.g. "on the hill").
Watch out Same word, different job
Some words can be a preposition OR an adverb. If a noun follows, it's a preposition; if not, it's an adverb.
She went outside. (adverb — no noun after) vs She went outside the gate. (preposition — 'gate' follows) ✓
The 30-second method
How to handle any preposition question fast
- Spotting one? Look for a small linking word (in, on, under, with, before) followed by a noun.
- Place or time? Ask 'where?' (place) or 'when?' (time).
- at / on / in for time: at a time, on a day, in a month or year.
- Check a noun follows — if not, it may be an adverb instead.
- Prepositional phrase = preposition + the noun after it (on the hill).
10 worked examples
Read the question, then the answer with the rule that solves it.
1. Which is the preposition? — The kite flew above the trees.
above — it shows position (Rule 2).
2. What does 'before' show? — Wash your hands before dinner.
Time — when something happens (Rule 3).
3. Which fits? — We arrived ___ Monday.
on — use 'on' with a day (Rule 3).
4. Which fits? — The party is ___ 4 o'clock.
at — use 'at' with a clock time (Rule 3).
5. Which fits? — My birthday is ___ June.
in — use 'in' with a month (Rule 3).
6. Preposition of direction? — She ran ___ the room.
into — it shows direction (Rule 2).
7. What follows the preposition? — under the bridge.
the bridge — the noun is the preposition's object (Rule 4).
8. Preposition or adverb? — He sat down.
Adverb — no noun follows (Watch out).
9. Preposition or adverb? — He walked down the hill.
Preposition — 'the hill' follows (Watch out).
10. Find the prepositional phrase: The book on the shelf is mine.
on the shelf — preposition + noun (Rule 4).