22.7: Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence. Most prepositions such as above, below, and behind usually indicate a location in the physical world, but some prepositions such as during, after, and until show location in time.

In, At, and On

The prepositions in, at, and on are used to indicate both location and time, but they are used in specific ways.

In

Preposition	Time	Example	Place	Example
in	year	in 1945	country	in Zimbabwe
in	month	in August	state	in California
in	season	in the summer	city	in Chicago
in	time of day (not with night)	in the afternoon	Automobile	in the car

On

Preposition	Time	Example	Place	Example
on	day	on Monday	surfaces	on the table
on	date	on May 3	streets	on 124th street
on	specific days/dates	on Monday	modes of transportation (not an automobile)	on the bus on the train

At

Preposition	Time	Example	Place	Example
at	time	at five o'clock	addresses	at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
at	at	at night	location	at Rooney's

Prepositions after Verbs

Prepositions often follow verbs to create expressions with distinct meanings. These expressions are sometimes called prepositional verbs. It is important to remember that these expressions cannot be separated.

Verb + Preposition	Meaning	Example
agree with	to agree with something or someone	My husband always agrees with me
apologize for	to express regret for something to say sorry about something	I apologize for being late.
apply for	to ask for something formally	I will apply for that job.
believe in	to have a firm conviction i something; to believe in the existence of something	I believe in educating the world’s women.
care about	to think that someone or someone is important	I care about the health of our oceans.
hear about	to be told about something or someone	I heard about the teachers’ strike.
look after	to watch of to protect something or someone	Will you look after my dog while I am on vacation?
talk about	to discuss something	We will talk about the importance of recycling.
speak to, with	to talk to/with someone	I will speak to his teacher tomorrow
wait for	to await the arrival of something or someone	I will wait for my package to arrive

Pro-Tip: Verbs and Prepositions It is a good idea to memorize the combinations of verbs plus prepositions above. Write them down in a notebook along with the definition and practice using them when you speak.

Prepositions after Adjectives

Similar to prepositions after verbs, prepositions after adjectives create expressions with distinct meanings unique to English. Remember, like prepositional verbs, these expressions also cannot be separated.

adjective + preposition	meaning	example
angry at, about	to feel or show anger toward (or about) someone or something	I am angry about the oil spill in the ocean.
confused about	to be unable to think with clarity about someone or something	Shawn was confused about the concepts presented at the meeting.
disappointed in, with	to feel dissatisfaction with someone or something	I was disappointed in my husband because he voted for that candidate.
dressed in	to clothe the body	He was dressed in a pinstriped suit.
happy for	to show happiness for someone or something	I was happy for my sister who graduated from college.
interesting in	giving attention to something, expressing interest	I am interested in musical theater.
I am interested in musical theater.	to feel resentful or bitter toward someone or something (because of their status, possessions, or ability)	I was jealous of her because she always went on vacation
thankful for	to express thanks for something	I am thankful for my wonderful friends.
tired of	to be disgusted with, have a distaste for	I was tired of driving for hours without end.
worried about	to express anxiety or worry about something	I am worried about my father’s health.

Pro-Tip: Adjectives that Follow That The following adjectives are always followed by the preposition at: Good Example: She is really good at chess. Excellent Example: Henry is excellent at drawing. Brilliant Example: Mary Anne is brilliant at playing the violin.