Prepositions are perhaps the most used words in English, despite them being only 150 in number. The reason why prepositions are frequently used is that they perform the function of describing a relationship between a noun and a pronoun and the other words in a sentence. Prepositions are useful when communication involves place, time, and direction. They are also useful when relating to objects. This is the second of two High English quizzes which will help to familiarise you with the correct use of prepositions.
Prepositions help to provide more information to the reader. For instance, we may want to know where a certain action takes place. We may want to know the time when the action takes place. We may also want to know by whom the action is performed. Sometimes, we are interested in why an action has taken place. Yet other times we may just want some general information like the direction something moves or the position of objects. Prepositions help to provide all of these.
As mentioned earlier, there are around 150 prepositions. Some of the most often used prepositions include AT, ON, IN, AROUND, INTO, BY, BEHIND, AFTER, ACROSS, BEHIND, TO, THROUGH, UP, AROUND, UNDERNEATH, OPPOSITE, AGAINST, DOWN, BELOW, UNDER, AFTER, BESIDE and ABOVE. Besides these prepositions, other prepositions are used that are not common and comprise more than one word. For instance, CLOSE TO, ON BEHALF OF, SAVE FOR, WITH REFERENCE TO and PRIOR TO.
Since the number of prepositions are limited, some of the prepositions can be used to describe more than one kind of action. For example, ‘by’ is a versatile preposition. It can be used in relation to measurements - ‘My son is taller than your son BY 3 inches.’
It can be used in reference to time - ‘She has to be at the movie BY 3 PM.’
It can be used in relation to place - ‘The Metro in New-Delhi passes BY historic monuments such as the Qutab Minar.’
Similarly, many prepositions perform the function of providing information in a variety of situations, whether related to place, time, direction or objects Take the quiz that follows and learn the nuances of prepositions.