Preposition
1. Definition of a Preposition
A preposition is a word that
shows the relationship between a noun or a pronoun (the object of the
preposition) and another word in the sentence (usually a verb, adjective, or
another noun).
The
Prepositional Formula:
Preposition + Modifier(s) +
Noun/Pronoun (Object)
Example: The cat is under the table.
- Preposition: under
- Object: table
- Relationship: Where the cat is
2. Types of Prepositions (Based on Structure)
Before we look at uses, it is
helpful to know how prepositions are built:
|
Type |
Definition |
Examples |
|
Simple |
Single-word prepositions. |
at, by, for, from, in, of, on, to,
with |
|
Double |
Two simple prepositions joined
together. |
into, upon, onto, within, without |
|
Compound |
Prepositions formed by adding a
prefix (like a- or be-) to a noun/adjective. |
across, among, around, beneath,
beside, between |
|
Phrasal (Complex) |
A group of words (2 or 3) that act
as a single preposition. |
according to, because of, in front
of, in spite of, next to, on behalf of |
3. Types of Prepositions (Based on Function) &
Detailed Uses
This is the most practical way to
classify them. Here are the five main functional types:
A. Prepositions of Time
These answer the question "When?"
|
Preposition |
Use
Case |
Examples |
|
At |
Used for specific times (clock
time) and holidays (without "day"). |
I wake up at 6:00 AM. |
|
On |
Used for days and dates. |
The meeting is on Monday. |
|
In |
Used for months, years, seasons,
centuries, and general times of day. |
She was born in May. |
|
For |
Used for a duration (length of
time). |
I have lived here for ten
years. |
|
Since |
Used for a starting point (from a
specific past time until now). |
I have lived here since
2015. |
|
By |
Used to indicate a deadline (not
later than). |
Please submit the report by
Friday. |
|
Until/Till |
Used to show how long an action
continues up to a certain point. |
You have to stay here until
I return. |
|
During |
Used to say when something happens
within a specific event or period. |
He fell asleep during the
movie. |
B. Prepositions of Place (Position)
These answer the question "Where?"
in relation to a fixed point.
|
Preposition |
Use
Case |
Examples |
|
At |
Used for a specific point or
location (often with addresses or events). |
I am waiting at the bus
stop. |
|
In |
Used for an enclosed space (room,
city, country) or a physical boundary. |
The milk is in the fridge. |
|
On |
Used for a surface (horizontal or
vertical). |
The book is on the desk. |
|
Above / Over |
Higher than something (Over often
implies movement or covering). |
The plane flew above the
clouds. |
|
Below / Under |
Lower than something (Under often
implies directly beneath/covered). |
The temperature is below
zero. |
|
Between |
In the middle of two distinct
things. |
The bank is between the
school and the hospital. |
|
Among |
In the middle of a group (three or
more things). |
She is the tallest among
her friends. |
|
In front of / Behind |
Ahead of or at the back of
something. |
The car is parked in front of
the house. |
|
Next to / Beside |
Very close to; at the side of. |
Please sit beside me. |
|
Opposite |
Facing something/someone. |
The pharmacy is opposite
the library. |
C. Prepositions of Direction (Movement)
These answer the question "Where
to?" or describe the path of movement.
|
Preposition |
Use
Case |
Examples |
|
To |
Used to indicate movement toward a
specific destination. |
I am going to the park. |
|
Into |
Used for movement from outside to
inside an enclosed space. |
He walked into the room. |
|
Onto |
Used for movement from one place
to a surface. |
The cat jumped onto the
roof. |
|
Towards |
Used for movement in the general
direction of something (not necessarily reaching it). |
The dog ran towards the
gate. |
|
Through |
Used for movement from one side to
the other (inside a tunnel, crowd). |
The train went through the
tunnel. |
|
Across |
Used for movement from one side to
the other (on a surface). |
We swam across the river. |
|
Along |
Used for movement following the
length of something. |
We walked along the beach. |
|
From |
Used to indicate the starting
point of movement. |
I traveled from Paris to
London. |
D. Prepositions of Manner, Instrument, and Agency
These answer "How?"
or "By whom/what?"
|
Preposition |
Use
Case |
Examples |
|
By |
Used to indicate the agent/doer
(in passive voice) or the means of transport. |
The book was written by
Hemingway. |
|
With |
Used to indicate the
instrument/tool used, or the manner of doing something. |
I cut the bread with a
knife. |
|
Like |
Used to indicate similarity in
manner. |
He runs like a cheetah. |
|
As |
Used to indicate a role, job, or
function (different from "like"). |
I work as a teacher. (That
is my actual job.) |
E. Prepositions of Cause, Reason, and Purpose
These answer "Why?"
|
Preposition |
Use
Case |
Examples |
|
Because of |
Used to give the reason for
something (followed by a noun). |
The game was canceled because
of the rain. |
|
Due to |
Similar to "because of,"
but technically modifies a noun (often used with "is/was"). |
The flight delay was due to
mechanical issues. |
|
For |
Used to express a purpose or a
reason. |
I bought flowers for my
mother. (Purpose) |
|
Out of |
Used to express a motive (often
emotional). |
I helped him out of pity. |
4. Critical Rules to Remember
Rule
1: Prepositions Always Have an Object
If the word doesn't have an object,
it is likely an adverb.
Incorrect: She walked past. (Adverb)
Correct: She walked past the store. (Preposition with object)
Rule
2: Avoid Ending a Sentence with a Preposition in Formal Writing
Casual: Who did you go with?
Formal: With whom did you go?
Rule
3: Prepositions Precede Pronouns
If the object is a pronoun, it must
be in the objective case (me, him, her, us, them).
Correct: Give it to me. (Not to I)
Correct: The gift is for her. (Not for she)
Rule
4: Prepositions vs. Phrasal Verbs
Be careful! In phrasal verbs (e.g., give
up, look after), the word looks like a preposition but is actually part of
the verb. A true preposition will always have an object.
Phrasal Verb: She gave up smoking. (Up is part of the
verb.)
True Preposition: She walked up the hill. (Up connects to the
object hill.)
Summary Chart for Quick Reference
|
Function |
Most Common Prepositions |
Example |
|
Time |
at, on, in, since, for, by, until |
The shop closes at 9 PM. |
|
Place |
at, in, on, under, between, among |
The keys are on the
counter. |
|
Direction |
to, into, onto, through, across,
from |
She jumped into the pool. |
|
Manner/Instrument |
by, with, like, as |
He opened the door with his
key. |
|
Cause/Purpose |
because of, due to, for, out of |
He lost his job due to
budget cuts. |
ATI TEAS 7 – Prepositions Practice Questions (1–25)
Multiple Choice Questions with
Answers and Reasons
1.
The nurse arrived ___ the hospital at 7:00 a.m.
A. on
B. at
C. into
D. from
✅ Answer: B. at
Reason: We use at for a specific place or point.
2.
The patient was admitted ___ Monday morning.
A. in
B. at
C. on
D. by
✅ Answer: C. on
Reason: On is used with days and dates.
3.
The medicine should be taken ___ meals.
A. between
B. among
C. beside
D. beneath
✅ Answer: A. between
Reason: The medicine is taken in the interval separating meals.
4.
The doctor walked ___ the examination room.
A. into
B. on
C. above
D. beside
✅ Answer: A. into
Reason: Into shows movement from outside to inside.
5.
The patient has been waiting ___ 9 a.m.
A. for
B. since
C. during
D. by
✅ Answer: B. since
Reason: Since indicates a starting point in time.
6.
The chart is hanging ___ the wall.
A. in
B. at
C. on
D. among
✅ Answer: C. on
Reason: Objects attached to a surface are on the wall.
7.
The nurse stood ___ the physician and the patient.
A. among
B. between
C. beside
D. over
✅ Answer: B. between
Reason: Between is used for two people or things.
8.
The ambulance drove ___ the bridge.
A. across
B. into
C. beside
D. among
✅ Answer: A. across
Reason: Across means from one side to the other.
9.
The surgeon operated ___ great care.
A. by
B. with
C. from
D. into
✅ Answer: B. with
Reason: With expresses manner or method.
10.
The patient recovered quickly ___ the treatment.
A. because of
B. among
C. beside
D. beneath
✅ Answer: A. because of
Reason: It expresses the reason for recovery.
11.
The laboratory is located ___ the second floor.
A. at
B. on
C. in
D. by
✅ Answer: B. on
Reason: Floors of buildings take on.
12.
The patient traveled ___ Kathmandu to Pokhara.
A. from
B. among
C. under
D. beside
✅ Answer: A. from
Reason: From indicates the starting point.
13.
The child hid ___ the bed.
A. among
B. over
C. under
D. onto
✅ Answer: C. under
Reason: Under means directly below.
14.
The nurse worked ___ twelve hours.
A. since
B. by
C. for
D. until
✅ Answer: C. for
Reason: For expresses duration.
15.
The patient entered the clinic ___ a wheelchair.
A. in
B. on
C. at
D. over
✅ Answer: A. in
Reason: People travel in wheelchairs, cars, and taxis.
16.
The doctor will return ___ noon.
A. by
B. among
C. beside
D. across
✅ Answer: A. by
Reason: By means not later than noon.
17.
The students sat ___ the instructor.
A. opposite
B. during
C. from
D. into
✅ Answer: A. opposite
Reason: Opposite means facing.
18.
The patient walked ___ the hallway.
A. along
B. among
C. above
D. beneath
✅ Answer: A. along
Reason: Along means following the length of something.
19.
The nurse communicated ___ email.
A. by
B. with
C. among
D. over
✅ Answer: A. by
Reason: Means of communication use by.
20.
The patient remained in recovery ___ midnight.
A. among
B. until
C. beneath
D. beside
✅ Answer: B. until
Reason: Until indicates up to a specific time.
21.
The supplies were stored ___ the cabinet.
A. in
B. on
C. beside
D. above
✅ Answer: A. in
Reason: Cabinets are enclosed spaces.
22.
The child ran ___ his mother.
A. towards
B. under
C. among
D. beside
✅ Answer: A. towards
Reason: Shows movement in the direction of someone.
23.
The presentation was given ___ the chief physician.
A. with
B. by
C. among
D. beside
✅ Answer: B. by
Reason: By identifies the performer of the action.
24.
The nurse found the patient ___ a group of visitors.
A. between
B. among
C. opposite
D. onto
✅ Answer: B. among
Reason: Among is used with three or more people.
25.
The surgery was delayed ___ equipment problems.
A. because of
B. under
C. among
D. opposite
✅ Answer: A. because of
Reason: It explains the cause of the delay.
26.
The patient was transferred ___ the intensive care unit.
A. to
B. at
C. in
D. on
✅ Answer: A. to
Reason: To indicates movement toward a destination.
27.
The nurse placed the thermometer ___ the tray.
A. into
B. onto
C. among
D. beneath
✅ Answer: B. onto
Reason: Onto indicates movement to a surface.
28.
The child slept peacefully ___ the movie.
A. during
B. since
C. for
D. by
✅ Answer: A. during
Reason: During refers to an event or period of time.
29.
The laboratory technician worked ___ a scientist.
A. like
B. as
C. with
D. by
✅ Answer: B. as
Reason: As indicates an actual role or profession.
30.
The patient moved ___ the crowd in the waiting room.
A. through
B. beside
C. among
D. opposite
✅ Answer: A. through
Reason: Through means moving from one side to another within
something.
31.
The emergency room is located ___ the pharmacy.
A. opposite
B. during
C. among
D. over
✅ Answer: A. opposite
Reason: Opposite means directly facing.
32.
The patient sat ___ his wife and daughter.
A. among
B. beside
C. between
D. above
✅ Answer: C. between
Reason: Between is used for two people or things.
33.
The report was completed ___ Friday afternoon.
A. since
B. by
C. for
D. during
✅ Answer: B. by
Reason: By indicates a deadline.
34.
The patient remained calm ___ the emergency.
A. during
B. until
C. from
D. into
✅ Answer: A. during
Reason: During is used with events and periods.
35.
The surgeon stood ___ the operating table.
A. above
B. among
C. beneath
D. opposite
✅ Answer: A. above
Reason: Above means at a higher level than something.
36.
The patient has been taking medication ___ six months.
A. since
B. for
C. during
D. by
✅ Answer: B. for
Reason: For expresses a period or duration.
37.
The nurse walked ___ the patient's room and checked the equipment.
A. into
B. onto
C. among
D. beside
✅ Answer: A. into
Reason: Into indicates movement inside a place.
38.
The patient sat ___ the window.
A. beside
B. beneath
C. across
D. among
✅ Answer: A. beside
Reason: Beside means next to.
39.
The doctor arrived ___ time for surgery.
A. at
B. on
C. in
D. from
✅ Answer: C. in
Reason: The expression is in time, meaning not late.
40.
The ambulance stopped ___ the hospital entrance.
A. at
B. on
C. in
D. through
✅ Answer: A. at
Reason: At is used for a specific location.
41.
The patient was praised ___ following the treatment plan.
A. due to
B. for
C. because of
D. out of
✅ Answer: B. for
Reason: For is used to show the reason for praise.
42.
The child acted ___ curiosity.
A. for
B. because of
C. out of
D. among
✅ Answer: C. out of
Reason: Out of expresses motive.
43.
The nurse stood ___ the patient during the examination.
A. beside
B. under
C. onto
D. through
✅ Answer: A. beside
Reason: Beside means next to someone.
44.
The helicopter flew ___ the hospital building.
A. over
B. among
C. beneath
D. beside
✅ Answer: A. over
Reason: Over means above and often implies movement.
45.
The doctor came ___ the conclusion after reviewing the results.
A. among
B. to
C. beneath
D. over
✅ Answer: B. to
Reason: The correct expression is come to a conclusion.
46.
The nurse walked ___ the corridor toward the emergency room.
A. along
B. under
C. among
D. between
✅ Answer: A. along
Reason: Along means following the length of something.
47.
The patient waited ___ the doctor arrived.
A. during
B. until
C. since
D. among
✅ Answer: B. until
Reason: Until shows that an action continued up to a point in time.
48.
The symptoms improved ___ proper treatment.
A. because of
B. among
C. opposite
D. under
✅ Answer: A. because of
Reason: It explains the cause of improvement.
49.
The nurse moved the patient ___ the bed.
A. onto
B. into
C. beneath
D. among
✅ Answer: A. onto
Reason: The patient is moved to the surface of the bed.
50.
The patient walked ___ the bridge on the way home.
A. across
B. beside
C. under
D. among
✅ Answer: A. across
Reason: Across means from one side of a surface to the
other.
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