preposition

Q: What is an example of a preposition?

The most common prepositions are at , by , for , from , in , of , on , to , and with . Other common prepositions are about , above , across , after , against , along , among , around , because of , before , behind , below , beneath , beside , between , close to , down , during , except , inside , instead of , into , like , near , off , on top of , onto , out of , outside , over , past , since , through , toward , under , until , up , upon , within , without .

noun

prep·o·si·tion ˌpre-pə-ˈzi-shən

: a function word that typically combines with a noun phrase to form a phrase which usually expresses a modification or predication

prepositional

ˌpre-pə-ˈzish-nəl

ˌpre-pə-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

prepositionally adverb

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you end a sentence with a preposition?

There is nothing wrong with ending a sentence in a preposition like to, with, for, or at. English speakers have been doing so since the days of Old English. The people who claim that a terminal preposition is wrong are clinging to an idea born in the 17th century and largely abandoned by grammar and usage experts in the early 20th.

What exactly is a preposition?

A preposition is a word—and almost always a very small, very common word—that shows direction (to in "a letter to you"), location (at in "at the door"), or time (by in "by noon"), or that introduces an object (of in "a basket of apples"). Prepositions are typically followed by an object, which can be a noun (noon), a noun phrase (the door), or a pronoun (you).

What is an example of a preposition?

The most common prepositions are at, by, for, from, in, of, on, to, and with. Other common prepositions are about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, because of, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, close to, down, during, except, inside, instead of, into, like, near, off, on top of, onto, out of, outside, over, past, since, through, toward, under, until, up, upon, within, without.

Examples of preposition in a Sentence

The preposition “on” in “The keys are on the table” shows location. The preposition “in” in “The movie starts in one hour” shows time.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The prepositions, combined in this way, can be spatial or temporal or, for lack of a better word, interpersonal. —Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 Eastman’s book, with its focus on simple words such as colors and prepositions, is perfectly suited to this approach. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English preposicioun, from Anglo-French preposicion, from Latin praeposition-, praepositio, from praeponere to put in front, from prae- pre- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of preposition was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

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Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (cache/cachet/cash) of questions about commonly confused words.

What is a preposition?

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Preposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preposition. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

preposition

noun

prep·o·si·tion ˌprep-ə-ˈzish-ən

: a word or group of words that combines with a noun or pronoun to form a phrase that usually acts as an adverb, adjective, or noun

"with" in "the house with the red door" is a preposition

prepositional

-ˈzish-nəl

-ən-ᵊl

adjective

Last Updated: 18 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

preposition

noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Examples of preposition in a Sentence

Word History