Rules for Prepositions in English Grammar with Examples

Preposition rules: A preposition is an integral topic in English grammar. It is a crucial section in government and other competitive exams. English may seem easy. However, sometimes people remain unable to solve preposition questions. The basic rule taught in the CBSE primary and secondary classes is an integral section of competitive exams. Let’s learn the preposition rules and usage with the help of some examples.

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Table of Content

What is a Preposition?

Use of Prepositions with Examples

Rule 1- Prepositions must have an object

Rule 2- Preposition means place before

Rule 3- The Pronoun following the Preposition should be an object form

Rule 4- Prepositions form

Rule 5- Never get confused between the preposition 'to' and the infinitive 'to'.

Rule 6- Verb cannot be in the form of an object for a preposition

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What is a Preposition?

6 simple and easy-to-learn preposition rules can help you ace this section of English grammar. English is not only an important part of the school curriculum but holds significance in competitive exams.  

The following are the most important preposition rules- 

• Rule 1- Prepositions must have an object
• Rule 2- Preposition means place before
• Rule 3- The Pronoun following the Preposition should be an object form
• Rule 4- Prepositions form
• Rule 5- Never get confused between the preposition 'to' and the infinitive 'to'.
• Rule 6- Verb cannot be in the form of an object for a preposition

Use of Prepositions with Examples

Instances are an excellent way to understand the real meaning of the concept. It assists in understanding the uses, types, and differences. Below is a thorough description of preposition rules with Examples-
 

Rule 1: The Preposition must have an object.

Prepositions must have an object. The preposition is only an adverb without an object. A preposition always has an object. On the other hand, an adverb never has an object. Let’s understand the Preposition rules with the help of some instances-

She is in the Drawing room.
(Preposition “in” has an object in the Drawing room)

Please come in.
(It is an adverb because “in” has no object)

There was a chair before me.
(Preposition “before” has to object me)

Rohan had never observed it before.
(Adverb “before” has no object)

They will meet after lunch.
(Preposition”after” has an object “lunch”)

Aditya called soon after.
(Adverb “after” has no object)


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Rule 2: Preposition means place before

This is one of the Preposition rules that say that a preposition comes before its object. However, it does not happen always. A preposition appears before a noun or a pronoun. Let’s understand this preposition rule with the help of some instances-

He keeps the things in the box. 
(“In” has an object box, and is placed before “box”)

You cannot conclude a sentence with a preposition, and it is a very famous myth of English grammar. However, the truth is you can frame a sentence with a preposition.  

For example:
Who did you talk to? 
(Preposition “to” related to the pronoun “who”)
 

Rule 3: The Pronoun used after the Preposition should be in the form of an object 

This is one of the Preposition rules that says that the noun or pronoun following a preposition creates a prepositional object. If a pronoun follows a preposition, it should be in the form of an object, such as her, them, or me. It shouldn’t be in the form of a subject, such as she, I, they, etc.

Let’s have a look at the following examples-

• The present is from Sohan and Rohan
• The mystery is between Aditya and Aarav

Rule 4: Preposition form

Prepositions usually have no forms. Most of them are one word only. However, some prepositions consist of two to three words; they are called complex prepositions. 

Let’s understand this concept with the help of some examples-

• One-word prepositions such as before, on, and into.
• Complex Prepositions such as accord.

Rule 5: Never get confused between the preposition 'to' and the infinitive 'to'.

According to Preposition rules, 'To' is employed as a preposition, such as like to me, to Australia, and as an infinitive as well, such as to eat, to play, to walk. 
Don’t get confused between these two things. Let’s make this concept clear with the help of some examples.

To as a Preposition

• I am used to sketching
• I am willing to meet you (Don’t use see you)

To as an Infinitive Participle

• I used to live in London
• They love to dance

Rule 6: Verb cannot be in the form of an object for a preposition 

This is called the Golden Rule of Preposition. You may have seen words that seem like verbs followed by the preposition 'to'. However, a verb can never be in the form of a verb for a preposition. It seems confusing, right?

Let’s have a look at the examples to understand this concept. 

• I like to sing
• These guitars are for singing

In the above-mentioned example, sing and singing are not verbs. 

In the first example, 'to sing' is a section of the infinitive, and it takes place when a verb is employed as a noun, adjective, or adverb. 
In this case, according to preposition rules, to sing is not an action, which is being carried out, but what a person prefers to do.

In the second example, singing is a gerund, which is a noun. However, it is formed from a verb. Here singing is the thing with which the guitars are associated. No one in this example is actually singing.