Grammar prepositions

Understanding Prepositions: Where is it?

Hello, Super Students! Today, we're going to learn about special words called Prepositions. Think of them as little helper words that tell us the location of something. They answer the question "Where?". For example, is the book on the table or under the table? Is the bird in the cage or above the cage? These helpful words like 'on', 'under', 'in', and 'above' are prepositions. Let's look at some examples to become grammar superstars!

Using "at" for a Specific Point

We can use the word "at" to talk about a specific point or place. Look at the sentences below and then try to make your own!

A man is standing at the bus stop.

I am waiting at the park.

A stranger is standing at the door.

She is standing at the school gate.

There is a house sparrow at the window.

A crow was sitting at the doorstep.

Write your name at the top of the page.

Write your number at the right corner of the page.

Sign at the end of the page.

Write your address at the left corner of the page.

There is a car at the end of the street.

The bus is waiting at the signal.

More Prepositions of Place

Here are a few more prepositions that tell us where something is. See the examples and write your own!

The river is below the bridge.

The water is below our knee level.

There are clouds above the hills.

The sun shines above our heads.

The road is under the bridge.

The cat is under the table.

A man is standing by the bus.

He is standing by me.

The road stretches in front of and behind the bus.

I live behind the post office.

Prepositions of Movement

Let's see how prepositions show movement. Try to make your own sentences using a "man" and a "subway" instead of a "train" and "tunnel".

The train is going towards the tunnel.

The bus is moving towards the east.

The train is going into the tunnel.

He jumped into the swimming pool.

The train is going through the tunnel.

I have gone through this book.

The train is going along the tracks.

We walked along the river bank.

The train is moving away from the station.

Don't go away from me.

The train is coming out of the tunnel.

He is out of station now.

Let's Practice!

Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions from the choices.

1. Where is the ball?
The ball is _____ the table. [on, in, into]
Answer: The ball is on the table.

2. Where is the cat?
The cat is _____ the table. [above, in, under]
Answer: The cat is under the table.

3. Where is the pen?
The pen is _____ the pencil. [between, in, beside]
Answer: The pen is beside the pencil.

Let's Use the Word Box!

Fill in the blanks to make meaningful sentences using a word from the box.

Between, under, in, on, among

1. The girl is standing _________ two pillars.
Answer: The girl is standing between two pillars.

2. There is a pencil _________ the table.
Answer: There is a pencil on the table.

3. She placed the dishes _____ the table.
Answer: She placed the dishes on the table.

4. Water flowed _______ the bridge.
Answer: Water flowed under the bridge.

5. The cat sat ______ the table.
Answer: The cat sat under the table.

Visualizing Prepositions

Even without pictures, we can imagine these examples!

In relation to a line (like a road):

Along the road: Imagine cars moving in a line down the street.

Across the road: Picture yourself waiting for the green light to walk to the other side.

Beside the road: Think of the trees or shops that are next to the road.

In relation to a surface (like a table):

Above the desk: A light hanging from the ceiling is above the desk.

On the chair: Your school bag might be sitting on the chair.

Under the table: Maybe your cat is hiding under the table!

Prepositions and Time

Prepositions can also tell us "When?".

• Before/After: Come before or after 8 o’clock.
• At: Used for a specific time. (e.g., I’ll meet you at 8 o’clock. The show starts at 6 p.m.)
• By: Means 'not later than'. (e.g., You must finish the work by 5 p.m.)
• During: For a period of time. (e.g., I learned to swim during the summer vacation.)
• For: How long something continues. (e.g., I walk for two hours every day.)
• In: Used for months, seasons, or a period of time. (e.g., We met in June. I'll call you back in five minutes.)
• On: Used for days and dates. (e.g., We will meet again on Friday.)
• Until: Marks the end of a period. (e.g., We waited until 12 o'clock.)

Final Exercise: Find the Preposition!

Read the sentences below and find the preposition word.

1. There is a car at the end of the street.

2. The bridge is across the river.

3. The bus runs along the lakeside.

4. He sat near the window.

5. A man is standing by the side of the bus.

6. The road stretches along the bus route.

7. The train is going up to the tunnel.

8. The girl is standing between two pillars.

9. She placed the dishes on the table.

10. Water flowed under the bridge.

11. The cat sat on the table.

12. Come at 8 o’ clock.

Difficult Words & Simple Meanings

• Examine - To look at something very carefully.
• Stranger - Someone you do not know.
• Sparrow - A small brown and grey bird.
• Stretches - To spread out over a long area.
• Relation - How two things are connected.
• Dimension - A way of measuring something (like length or width).
• Surface - The top or outside part of something.
• Beyond - On the other side of something.
• Pillars - Tall, strong posts used to hold up a building.
• Dishes - Plates, bowls, and cups.
• Flowed - To move smoothly, like water in a river.
• Vacation - A time when you do not go to school or work; a holiday.
• Interval - A short pause or break in time.
• Throughout - From the beginning to the end.