Prepositions - Beginner Level (A1-A2)

Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

What are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that tell us where, when, or how something happens. They connect a noun or verbs with other words in a sentence. Prepositions help us show the time, place, or direction of something.

Types of Prepositions

There are different kinds of prepositions. Let's look at some of them:

  • Prepositions of Place: These tell us where something is. Examples: in, on, at, under, above, next to, near, behind, between, by.
  • Prepositions of Time: These tell us when something happens. Examples: at, on, in.
  • Prepositions of Direction/Movement: These show movement to a place. Examples: to, into, onto, over.
  • Prepositions of Manner: These show how something is done. Examples: by, with.

What do they do?

Prepositions help to explain where, when, or how something happens. For example:

  • In: We use "in" for large places, like countries, cities, or rooms. And to say that something is in something else.
  • On: We use "on" for surfaces, like tables or walls. And to say that something is on something else.
  • At: We use "at" for specific places or times, like "at the bus stop" or "at 5 o'clock."
  • Under: We use "under" to show that something is being covered by something else.
  • Above: We use "above" to show that something is higher than something else but not touching it.
  • Next to: We use "next to" to show that something is very close to the side of something else.
  • Near: We use "near" to show that something is close to something else.
  • Behind: We use "behind" to show that something is at the back of something else.
  • Between: We use "between" to show that something is in the middle of two things.
  • On: We use "on" as a preposition of time to indicate specific days or dates.
  • In: We use "in" as a preposition of time to say something happens in a period of time, such as seasons, months, or years.
  • To: We use "to" to say something is going from one place to another place.
  • Into: We use "into" to say something is going from outside to inside a place.
  • Onto: We use "onto" to say something is going to the top of something else.
  • Over: We use "over" as a preposition of movement to say that something is going above or higher than something else.
  • By: We use "by" to show the position of something close to something else, or that something is being done by someone.
  • With: We use "with" to show that someone is doing something with someone else.

Types of Prepositions with Examples

There are different types of prepositions. Let's look at some examples of them:

PrepositionTypeExample
inPlaceThe cat is in the box.
onPlaceThe book is on the table.
atPlaceWe are at the park.
underPlaceThe dog is under the chair.
inTimeThe meeting is in the morning.
onTimeWe will meet on Monday.
toDirectionShe is going to the store.
withMannerI am going to the park with my friend.
behindPlaceThe car is behind the house.
abovePlaceThe picture is above the sofa.
nearPlaceThe school is near the park.
byPositionThe chair is by the window.
byMeans/AgentThe song was written by the musician.
betweenPlaceThe ball is between the two chairs.
next toPlaceThe bakery is next to the supermarket.

Practice Questions

Now it's time to practice! Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence.

Progress: 0/15
Score: 0/15

Question 1

The cat sits the table.

Cat on the table

Question 2

The cat is the box.

Cat in a box

Question 3

The kids are the trees.

Kids between trees

Question 4

The kitten is playing the blanket.

Kitten playing under the blanket

Question 5

The boy is skateboarding his friend.

Boy skateboarding with his friend

Question 6

The giraffe is the tree.

Giraffe behind the tree

Question 7

The lion is the zebra.

Lion next to zebra

Question 8

The garbage bin is the tree.

Bin near tree

Question 9

The window is the book.

Window above the book

Question 10

The umbrella is hanging the door.

Umbrella by the door

Question 11

The dog jumps the pool.

Dog jumping into pool

Question 12

We will go camping Saturday.

Camping on Saturday

Question 13

My birthday is June.

Birthday in June

Question 14

The penguin jumps the ice.

Penguin jumping onto ice

Question 15

The rabbit jumps the rock.

Rabbit jumping over rock