Prepping Up with Prepositions!
Do you find yourself at loss for words when trying to tell a story? Perhaps it’s because you could not clearly describe what you meant to paint a clearer picture. The secret is to know your prepositions so you can successfully translate your sentences into more understandable statements.
Here’s a visual interpretation of all the prepositions you need to know, which you may also use as a nifty cheat sheet.
In Front Of
This can be considered as your point of basis. Whatever or whoever is in front will determine who’s on the right, on the left, etc.
Ex: The blue bird is sitting IN FRONT OF the radio.
In The Corner
This indicates the farthest part of the room — that spot where two walls meet.
Ex: The umbrella is IN THE CORNER of the room.
Out Of
Used when the subject is located outside of the room.
Ex: The green bird was pushed OUT OF the cardboard box.
Among
When the subject is surrounded by more than two people or objects, the word “among” best describes the subject’s circumstance.
Ex: The green bird is lying AMONG a bunch of marbles.
Around
This is used when the subject is the one surrounding another object or person.
Ex:The marbles are spread AROUND the box.
Between
The subject is in “between” when in the middle of two objects or persons.
Ex: The table is placed BETWEEN the umbrella and the box.
On The Left/Right
“On the” are the right words to add before a “right” or “left” when the subject is located at either direction.
Ex: The umbrella is ON THE RIGHT side of the table.
Behind
When a subject is “behind,” it means that the subject is located at the back of another object or person.
Ex: The brown bird is hiding BEHIND the umbrella.
Far From
The subject is considered far when located at a lengthy distance from another object or person.
Ex: Because the umbrella is on the other side of the room, it’s FAR FROM the pair of boots.
Opposite
“Opposite” does not only mean “antonym.” When used as a preposition for location, it means the subject is on the other side of an object or person.
Ex: The boots and the umbrella are on the OPPOSITE sides of the room.
At
“At” is used when describing the subject by location.
Ex: The black bird can be found AT the top of this page!
By
Also means “beside” when the subject is located right next to another object or person.
Ex: The radio is BY the pair of boots.
Nearby
Not to be confused with “by” or “beside,” and actually means the subject is closely located from another object or person.
Ex: The radio is NEARBY the cardboard box.
In & Into
“In” is for when the subject is located inside a certain location, while “into” is the action of putting the subject inside.
Ex: The yellow bird is IN the right boot because it hopped INTO it.
Over
Used when the subject is described to be above another object.
Ex: The orange bird is flying OVER the table.
Under
The opposite of “over,” and used when the subject is beneath another object.
Ex: The red bird is hiding UNDER the table.
On
“On” gives a clearer picture that the subject is on top of another object.
Ex: The vase is ON the table.
Off
Usually followed with “from,” “off” is used when the subject is removed from another object.
Ex: The orange bird flew OFF from the table.
