noun

preposition

prep-uh-ZISH-uhn

Preposition (noun) means a word such as in, on, at, to, from, with or by that links a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence, usually showing place, time, direction or relationship. Example: “In "the keys are on the table", "on" is a preposition.”

noun

A word such as in, on, at, to, from, with or by that links a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence, usually showing place, time, direction or relationship.

"In "the keys are on the table", "on" is a preposition."

"Learners often struggle with English prepositions because their use is idiomatic."

How to Use Preposition

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small linking word like in, on or with that shows how things relate to each other.

When to use it

Neutral grammatical term.

Memory tip

Prepositions rarely translate one-to-one between languages: learn them inside whole phrases such as "interested in" or "good at".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

preposition vs proposition preposition vs conjunction

Common pairings

preposition of place preposition of time prepositional phrase end a sentence with a preposition

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

In "the keys are on the table", "on" is a _____.

Etymology

From Latin praepositio "a placing before", from praeponere "to put in front", from prae- "before" + ponere "to place".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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function word

Rhymes for preposition

region billion ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you end a sentence with a preposition?

Yes. The idea that you cannot was borrowed from Latin grammar and has never matched real English usage. "What are you looking at?" is perfectly correct, and rewriting it to avoid the final preposition usually sounds stilted.

What is the difference between a preposition and a proposition?

A preposition is a grammatical word like "under" or "between". A proposition is a proposal, an offer, or in logic a statement that is either true or false. They are unrelated apart from a shared Latin prefix.

What are the most common prepositions?

Of, in, to, for, with, on, at, from, by, about and as make up the bulk of prepositions used in everyday English.