The correct use of preposition

Preposition is a word, placed before a noun or pronoun, to show a relation in which a person or thing stands to something else;
I put my book on the table.
Here, if the word “on” is omitted, there is no relation left between the words “book” and “the table”.
A preposition is usually placed just before the word it governs. But a preposition may also come after the word it governs, notably in questions.
What should I cut the bread with?

Kinds of Prepositions:
(i) Simple Prepositions: Prepositions which are not formed by any method and common to a language are known as “Simple prepositions”. For example, at, out, to, since, by, on, after, via, for, with, over, per, from, through, under, than, in, till, of, up, round, off, past, etc.

(ii) Double Prepositions: Prepositions which contain two words are known as “Double prepositions”. For example, according to, close to, due to, from behind, near to, owing to, from among, next to, as regards, instead of, in spite of, out of, etc.

(iii) Compound prepositions: Prepositions which are formed by prefixing are known as compound prepositions. For example, about, beneath, outside, besides, around, across, beyond, within, towards, despite, above, besides, without, against, until, along, between, abroad, upon, alongside, among, inside, throughout, opposite, etc.

(iv) Phrase preposition: Groups of words which are used as prepositions are known as “Phrase prepositions”. For example, according to, by dint of, by reason of, in accordance with, on behalf of, in favour of, in place of, on account of, in need of, in search of, because of, by means of, in addition to, in case of, in front of, etc.

(v) Participle prepositions: Present participles which are used as prepositions are known as “Participle prepositions”. For example, concerning, considering, during, notwithstanding, pending, regarding, following, including, etc.

Prepositions denoting place or position:

These propositions denote place or position in terms of distance; e.g. near, beside, under, against, after, behind, in front of, between, before, among, above, over, across, etc.

(i) On the table means “in contact with” the surface of the table.
(ii) Over the table means “not in touch with” the table.
(iii) Above the table means “on a shelf” or “little over the table”.
(iv) In the table means “inside the drawer, etc.
(v) Under the table means “on the floor but within an area covered by the table”.
(vi)Against the table means “resting against” or “in touch with “ a part of the table”.
(vii)Beside the table means “near the table but very close to it”.
(viii) By the table means “near but not just beside”.
(ix) Near the table means “at a short distance” from the table.
(x) Between is used only in relation with two persons or things; e.g. The horse stood between two trees.
(xi) Among is used only “in relation with more than two” persons or things; e.g. Rashid wasn’t among the boys.
(xii)Before means “in front of”; e.g. He stood before me.
(xiii) After means “behind”; e.g. I ran after the boy.
(xiv) Across means “stretched from one side to another”; e.g. He walked across the road.
(xv) Through means “not in any specific order” but from one side to another; e.g. I passed through the park.
(xvi) Around means “taking a round in full”; e.g. He ran around the garden.
(xvii) Past means the same as “beyond”; e.g. He ran past me. (b) later than something; e.g. Ten past four.
(xviii) Along means “stretching longitudinally” ; e.g. There were hills all along the way.

Some interesting extensions of prepositions to convey purely abstract ideas are given below:

(i) The battle is on (=means “going on” or “in progress”)
(ii) The match is over (=ended)
(iii) It is above my means (=more than or beyond)
(iv) He refused to work under me. (=as my subordinate)
(v) I sold my car below the price. (=less than)
(vi) His remarks were beneath my notice. (=unworthy of)
(vii) This is between you and I. (=concerned with)
(viii) He is mad after wealth. (=in pursuit of)
(ix) He is down these days. (=depressed)
(x) The deal is through. (=over)
(xi) He is over keen to know. (=too much)

Preposition of time:
Prepositions of time may be of two kinds: Definite or indefinite. Indefinite preposition do not have any time limit. For example, “ago” may be “centuries ago”, “years ago”, or “ages ago”, but definite propositions give an exact idea of time, e.g. since, on, in, for, etc.

Some definite propositions
(a) “In” in the ice, in the middle ages, in the fifth century, in the year, 1920, etc.
(b) “For” for a year, for a month, for a day, for an hour, etc.
(c) “Of” of five years, of recent months, etc.
(d) “At” at Christmas, at noon, at midday, at dinner, etc.
(e) “On” on Sunday, on the 3^rd of May, etc.
(f) “To” to the day, to the hour, to the minute, etc.
(g) “From” from this year, from today, from tomorrow, etc.
(h) “About” about six o’clock, about bed time, etc.
(i) “Since” since last night, since Tuesday, etc.
(j) “Over” over the week-end, over this matter, etc.

To Sum up:
1.      On, at: On is used directly before the name of a road, etc. “at” is used only if the number is given; e.g.
         (i) He has a shop on Tariq road.
         (ii) He lives at 605 Clifton, Karachi.
2.      In/on: The preposition “in” is used with the names of months or with the numbers indicating a year,       
         “on” is used with the exact dates.
         (i) His birthday falls in August.
         (ii) He reached Lahore on 14^th September, 2013.
3.      For, since, from, until, till: “For” is used only to indicate the length of time, “since”, for exactness,
         “from”, “until” and “till” are also used to show some point of time; e.g.
         (i) We stayed there for three weeks.
         (ii) We have been living in Lahore since 1950.
         (iii) I will stay here from Monday till Friday.
4.      In/at: “In” is used usually, for the day time, for night time, “at” is used; e.g.
         i) He studies in the afternoon.
         ii) She does her work at night.

5.      Of: Preposition “of” is used for indicating possession or condition; e.g.
         i) The legs of this table are strong.
         ii) I want a pound of butter.
6.      With, by: “With” relates to the instrument employed for doing anything while “by” for the person
         doing it; e.g.
         i) These notes were written by me with a pen.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions.

1.      You can use my knife to cut it _________
2.      The stream ran ______ a little cave.
3.      He spoke _______ me ______ his hands ______ his pockets.
4.      I walked _____ one end of the street ______ the other.
5.      You can reach the station _______ bus ______ ten minutes.
6.      Please come _____ me ______ dinner tonight.
7.      Do you want to speak _____ me _____ anything?
8.      Wait _____ me ______ the bus stop.
9.      I’ll call _____ you some other time.
10.    I bought this cap ______ fifty rupees.
11.    Do you always get up ______ 6 O’clock _____ the morning.
12.    Wait ____ me _____ the bus stop.
13.    My friend has just rung _____ to ask me to go _____ a walk.
14.    He is short ______ money these days.
15.    She has been _____ Japan ______ 2008.
16.    Wait ______ me till I come back.
17.    We started ______ six ______ the morning.
18.    He has lived _______ Lahore _______ many years.
19.    The crow flew _____ search ______ water _____ one place ____ another.
20.    He has been living in Karachi _____ the last five years.
21.    He was robbed _____ his mobile _____ the robbers.
22.    He was accused _____ theft.
23.    He isn’t afraid _____ death.
24.    I agreed ______ his proposal.
25.    I agree ____ you.
26.    He is interested ______ stories.
27.    Is he qualified _____ this post.
28.    I enquired ______ my servant.
29.    I inquired ______ the servant if his master _____ home.
30.    I am obliged ______ him _____ his kindness.
31.    His father died _____ cholera.
32.    Early rising is good _____ health.
33.    God will provide us ______ our wants.
34.    Peace and prosperity result _____ a life of purity.
35.    You had the advantage ____ me.
36.    I have not seen him ______ five days.
37.    He has only one servant to attend _____ him.
38.    I confide my plans ____ you.
39.    The prison begged the judge ______ mercy.
40.    I must apologize _____ you.
41.    I don’t know _____ any remedy _____ his disease.
42.    I have applied ______ the principal ______ leave.
43.    He longs ______ a car.
44.    The water runs _____ the bridge.
45.    I work _____ sun rise _____ sun set ____ rupees two thousand for a day.
46.    The express train is due _____ 4:00 p.m.
47.    The child has been missing _____ yesterday.
48.    He has been playing _____ more than two hours.
49.    The procession must reach its destination ______ sunset.
50.    What are laughing ______?
51.    The examination started ______ Sunday.
52.    He was very proud _____ his wealth.
53.    I was driving _____ a narrow street.
54.    She is not interested ______ music.
55.    What is he so angry ______?
56.    Where have you been ______ I saw you last?
57.    He was leaning _____ the post.
58.    Several friends dropped ______ tea.
59.    The train passed _____ a tunnel.
60.    The train ran _____ a tunnel.
61.    I saw him _____ the party.
62.    This book is very different _____ mine.
63.    Success depends ______ hard work.
64.    He does not want to quarrel ______ his friends.
65.    She burst ______ tears.
66.    The child has been missing ______ yesterday.
67.    He has been playing ______ more than two hours.
68.    I took no notice _______ him.
69.    An old friendship excited _____  the two families.
70.    The Express train is due ______ 9:00 p.m.
71.    Everybody admired him ______ his ability and good manners.       
72.    He was a true patriot and his duty _____ his country came before everything.
73.    How can you blame me _____ what I have not done?
74.    I prefer a ballpoint pen _____ a pencil.
75.    I am going to Lahore _____ train.
76.    The policeman fired ______ the thief.
77.    The soldiers were ordered to fall _____
78.    You can count ______ my friendship.
79.    We are ______ war ______ them.
80.    You had no part _____ the plot against the king.
81.    You must account ______ your own actions.
82.    The workman broke ______ the house an hour ago.
83.    I handed ______ the food when all the guests were seated.
84.    The enemy blew ______ the bridge when they had crossed it.
85.    John finally became reconciled ______ his friends.
86.    Flowers are liked in every society ______ their beauty and colour.
87.    The first duty of the students is ______ themselves.
88.    He was sorry ______ his past conduct and promised to make amends ______ is follies.
89.    I don’t approve _____ this plan.
90.    We must look _____ and after.
91.    I have applied ______ this post.
92.    He is interested _____ buying my car.
93.    He has not replied _____ my letters.
94.    He is angry _____ my behaviour.
95.    He dived _____ the river.
96.    Why are angry ______ me?
97.    The shepherd looks _____ his flock.
98.    All the people broke _____ a loud laughter.
99.    This road is ______ repair.
100.  Peshawar is famous _______ its pottery.
101.  He took me _____ the hand.
102. I am hard ______ these days.