easy
In “The keys are under the book,” under is a preposition of place.
What does Preposition mean?
A preposition is a word or word group such as in, before, because of, or with that shows how ideas are related.
Dictionary definition
A preposition is a function word or fixed group of words that begins a prepositional phrase and connects its complement to another part of a sentence. Prepositions commonly express place, time, direction, cause, possession, means, or another relationship; examples include in, before, toward, because of, of, and with.
Example sentences
Preposition in a sentence
medium
The preposition after links the meeting to a later time in “We talked after lunch.”
medium
In “a message from Maya,” the preposition from connects the message with its source.
hard
The preposition by can express several relationships, including place, deadline, method, and who performed an action.
hard
Ending the question “Who did you speak with?” with a preposition is natural and grammatical in standard English.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Preposition
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does a preposition usually do?
Prepositions connect a complement to another part of a sentence and express relationships such as place, time, or direction.
Practice 2
Which word is the preposition in “The puppy slept beside the chair” ?
Beside begins the phrase beside the chair and shows the puppy's location.
Practice 3
Choose the preposition that best completes the sentence: We must finish the project ____ Friday.
By shows the deadline relationship between finishing and Friday.
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Preposition
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Sounds like
prep · uh · zish · un · strongest beat: zish
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordPreposition.
Partnoun.
MeaningPreposition means A preposition is a word or word group such as in, before, because of, or with that shows how ideas are related.
ExampleExample: In “The keys are under the book,” under is a preposition of place.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- prep · uh · zish · un
- Strongest beat
- zish
- Ending
- un
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on zish.
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Synonyms
Words like Preposition
relationship wordA useful beginner description because a preposition connects ideas by expressing a relationship.
adpositionA broader technical term for a relationship word placed before or after its complement; an English preposition normally comes before.
Antonym review
Does Preposition have an opposite?
Preposition has no direct antonym. Noun, verb, conjunction, and adverb are different or sometimes overlapping word classes, not opposites.
Synonym practice
Want to practice preposition synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The word under is a preposition in the sentence," then compare close word choices. Practice preposition synonyms.
Word family
Preposition word family
Base word
preposition
noun
prepositions
More than one preposition.
adjective
prepositional
Related to a preposition or functioning as a prepositional phrase.
adverb
prepositionally
In the manner or function of a preposition; mainly a technical grammar term.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Preposition
Hint for students
Find a small word or multiword unit that begins a phrase and shows how its complement relates to another idea.
Common mix-up
A preposition does more than show location, and it is not always followed by a single noun. Its complement may be a noun phrase, pronoun, -ing form, or other unit. It is also acceptable to end many English sentences with a preposition.
Try it in class or at home
Sort prepositional phrases into place, time, direction, source, means, and possession. Then move each phrase within a sentence where possible and explain whether the relationship stays clear.
Teacher prompt
Compare “The cat is under the table,” “We left after lunch,” and “a gift from Noor.” What relationship does each preposition express, and what is its complement?
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