Understanding Prepositions

1. What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show relationships between nouns, pronouns, or phrases and the rest of the sentence. They often describe location, direction, time, position, cause, method, or relationship.

Common Prepositions

at
in
on
to
from
with
about
over
under
between
during
before
after

Prepositions are small, but they carry huge meaning.

2. What Prepositions Do

Prepositions help readers understand:

A. Where something is (Location)

at the store
in the room
on the table

B. Where something is going (Direction)

to the stadium
toward the exit
into the app

C. When something happens (Time)

before the update
during the game
after the announcement

D. How things relate (Relationship)

according to the report
compared with last year
based on user feedback

E. How something is done (Method)

by email
with confidence
through research

Prepositions create structure and clarity in every sentence.

3. Types of Prepositions

Here’s a clean breakdown your contributors can grasp instantly.

Type	Purpose	Examples
Prepositions of Place	Show location	in, on, at, under, between
Prepositions of Time	Show when	before, after, during, since
Prepositions of Direction	Show movement	to, toward, into, through
Prepositions of Agent/Instrument	Show who/what performs an action	by, with
Prepositions of Cause/Purpose	Show reason	for, because of
Prepositions of Comparison	Show contrast	like, unlike, than
Prepositions of Relationship	Show connection	about, regarding, concerning

4. Why Prepositions Matter in Writing

Prepositions are essential for clarity, accuracy, and professionalism.

A. They Prevent Confusion

Compare:

The player spoke to the coach.
The player spoke with the coach.

Different prepositions = different meanings.

B. They Improve SEO

Google rewards:

Clear relationships
Clean sentence structure
Accurate phrasing

Example:

“How to fix errors in Windows 11”

is different from

“How to fix errors on Windows 11.”

C. They Support Professional Tone

Prepositions help writers avoid vague or sloppy phrasing.

Weak: The issue happened the game.

Strong: The issue happened during the game.

D. They Improve Flow

Prepositions connect ideas smoothly, making writing easier to read.

5. Rules Writers Should Memorize

A. Never End a Sentence With an Unnecessary Preposition

Acceptable in casual writing, but avoid in professional articles.

Weak: Where is the report at

Strong: Where is the report

B. Use the Right Preposition for the Context

interested in
similar to
different from

Writers often mix these up.

C. Avoid Redundant Prepositions

Weak: Inside of the box

Strong: Inside the box

Weak: Outside of the stadium

Strong: Outside the stadium

D. Keep Prepositional Phrases Clear and Close to What They Modify

Bad: The coach discussed the strategy with the players during the press conference that was new.

(What was new?)

Good: During the press conference, the coach discussed the new strategy with the players.

E. Don’t Overload Sentences With Prepositional Phrases

Too many = clutter.

Weak: The update for the app on the platform in the store from the developer…

Strong: The developer released a new app update on the platform.

6. Examples in Real Article Writing

Before (Weak)

The issue happened the update.

After (Strong)

The issue happened during the update.

Another Example

Before:

The team walked the tunnel.

After:

The team walked through the tunnel.

The preposition clarifies the action.

One More Example