1. Simple or Compound prepositions

Prepositions are classified as simple or compound.

Simple prepositions are single word prepositions - across, after, at, before, between, by, during, from, in, into, of, on, to, through, under, with and without are all single word prepositions.

• The newspaper is on the chair.
• The cat is under the table.

Compound prepositions are more than one word - in between and because of - are prepositions made up of two words - in front of, on behalf of are prepositions made up of three words.

• My office is in between the bank and the post office.
• .
• My car is in front of my flat.

2. Prepositions of movement

Prepositions can be used to show movement. For example: to, through, across.

We use to to show movement with the aim of a specific destination.

• I moved to Paris in 1999.
• He went to the cinema at 3 pm.

We use through to show movement from one side of an enclosed space to the other side.

• The train went through the tunnel.
• He walked quickly through the door.

We use across to show movement from one side of a surface or line to another.

• She swam across the lake.
• He walked across the road.

3. Prepositions of Place

Prepositions can be used to show where something is located.

We use at to show a specific place or position.

• I live at 36 Palace Road.
• I am waiting at the bus stop.

We use on to show position on a horizontal or vertical surface.

• There is a lot snow on the roof.
• The dog is sitting on the chair.

We also use on to show a position on streets, roads, etc.

• I used to live on Palace Road.
• There is a petrol station on the corner of the street.

We use in to show that something is enclosed or surrounded.

• She is in a taxi.
• The cat is in the garden.

We also use in to show position within land-areas (towns, counties, states, countries, and continents).

• I used to live in Nottingham.
• I live in America.

• They ran after the thief.
• I found my handbag among my luggage.
• The student was sitting at her table.
• My flat is behind the supermarket.
• The plates are in the cupboard.
• My car is parked in front of the supermarket.
• The post office is by / next to / besides the bank.
• The picture is hanging on the wall.
• The notice is above the door.
• I put the tablecloth over the table.
• The temperature was below zero degrees.
• The boy was sitting under a tree.

4. Prepositions of time

Prepositions can be used to show when something happens. (time, day, date, month, year, morning, afternoon, evening,night, season)

Prepositions of time - at, on, in.

• I go to work at 8.00 every day. (time)
• I’ll see you on Tuesday. (day)
• I have an exam on the 21st. (date)
• My birthday is in December. (month)
• I was born in 1965. (year)
• I get up in the morning. (morning)
• I have a meeting in the afternoon (afternoon)
• I go home in the evening after work. (evening)
• I go to bed at night. (night)
• It usually snows in the winter. (season)