SPI English · Grammar
Prepositions of time, place and fixed pairs
A preposition is a small word such as in, on, at, for or since that links a noun to the rest of the sentence and shows time, place or a fixed relation.
Why this matters
Eleven questions in the bank, 10 EASY and 1 MODERATE. Each is a single blank with four prepositions, and the right one is set either by a rule of time or place or by the word just before the blank (decide on, jealous of).
Concept 1 of 3: Prepositions of time: since, for, by, in, on, at
Since points to the moment something began; for measures how long it lasted. By sets a deadline. In, on and at go from big stretches of time down to exact moments.
Definition
- Since + a point of time (since Monday, since 2015, since morning), usually with the present perfect.
- For + a length of time (for two days, for an hour, for 24 hours).
- By + a time means not later than that time: 'Finish it by noon.'
- In for months, years and parts of the day; on for days and dates; at for clock times.
- Fixed time phrases: at last (finally), in time (early enough), on time (exactly at the set time).
| Preposition | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| since | a starting point | She has worked here since 2018. |
| for | a length of time | We stayed there for a week. |
| by | a deadline | Send the form by Friday. |
| in | month, year, part of the day | in May, in 2010, in the evening |
| on | day or date | on Sunday, on 5 June |
| at | clock time, night | at 7 o'clock, at night |
| at last | finally, after a long wait | At last the rain stopped. |
Since answers 'from when?'; for answers 'how long?'.
Practice this conceptself-check · 5 quick reps
The same idea in a practice question:
Practice questionEasy
Example 1 · Grammar · Prepositions
He has been absent ____ Monday.
Using 'from' with the present perfect
'I have lived here from 2015' is wrong. With has or have + past participle, a starting point takes since: 'since 2015'.
Using 'since' with a length of time
'Since two hours' is wrong. A length of time takes for: 'for two hours'. Since needs a starting point.
Concept 2 of 3: Prepositions of place and movement
Picture the space. A point is at, a surface or a line is on, an enclosed space is in. When something moves, ask whether it follows a line (along), passes inside (through) or goes over the top (across, above).
Definition
- At a point: at the gate, at the bus stop.
- On a surface or a line such as a road, a river or a coast: on the wall, on the beach road, on the river.
- In an enclosed space: in the room, in the city.
- Along = following the length of something: along the river bank.
- Through = from one end of an enclosed space to the other: through the tunnel, through the forest.
- Above = higher than, without touching: from directly above.
| Preposition | Picture | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | a point | Meet me at the gate. |
| on | a surface or a line | The hotel is on the main street. |
| in | an enclosed space | The keys are in the drawer. |
| along | following a line | We walked along the river bank. |
| through | inside, end to end | The train went through a long tunnel. |
| across | from one side to the other | She swam across the lake. |
| above | higher, not touching | The kite flew above the trees. |
Practice this conceptself-check · 5 quick reps
The same idea in a practice question:
Practice questionEasy
Example 2 · Grammar · Prepositions
Govind was running ____ the road.
Using 'through' for an open line
Through is for enclosed spaces such as a tunnel or a forest. To follow a street or a river, use along.
Using 'in' for a place on a line or an edge
A shop or hotel beside a road or the sea front is on it: 'on the sea front', 'on the highway'.
Concept 3 of 3: Words that always take the same preposition
Many verbs and adjectives come with their own preposition, and no rule decides it: you learn the pair as one unit, like a spelling.
Definition
- The preposition belongs to the word before the blank, so read that word first.
- The preposition goes after the word it belongs to: 'laugh at him', not 'at laugh him'.
- Learn the pairs below as single units.
| Word | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| decide | on (choose) | We decided on the blue car. |
| interested | in | Are you interested in chess? |
| jealous | of | He is jealous of his cousin. |
| afraid | of | The child is afraid of the dark. |
| laugh | at | Do not laugh at others' mistakes. |
| good | at | Meera is good at maths. |
| depend | on | We depend on rain for our crops. |
| proud | of | Parents are proud of their children. |
| angry | with a person, at a thing | He was angry with his son. |
If two prepositions sound right, the word just before the blank decides.
Practice this conceptself-check · 5 quick reps
The same idea in a practice question:
Practice questionEasy
Example 3 · Grammar · Prepositions
He is interested ____ history.
Writing 'jealous on' or 'jealous about'
The fixed pair is jealous of: 'jealous of her success'. The same goes for afraid of and proud of.
Writing 'angry on someone'
You are angry with a person and angry at a thing or a situation. 'Angry on' is never correct.
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (3)
Prepositions of time: since, for, by, in, on, at7 rows
| Preposition | Used with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| since | a starting point | She has worked here since 2018. |
| for | a length of time | We stayed there for a week. |
| by | a deadline | Send the form by Friday. |
| in | month, year, part of the day | in May, in 2010, in the evening |
| on | day or date | on Sunday, on 5 June |
| at | clock time, night | at 7 o'clock, at night |
| at last | finally, after a long wait | At last the rain stopped. |
Since answers 'from when?'; for answers 'how long?'.
Prepositions of place and movement7 rows
| Preposition | Picture | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | a point | Meet me at the gate. |
| on | a surface or a line | The hotel is on the main street. |
| in | an enclosed space | The keys are in the drawer. |
| along | following a line | We walked along the river bank. |
| through | inside, end to end | The train went through a long tunnel. |
| across | from one side to the other | She swam across the lake. |
| above | higher, not touching | The kite flew above the trees. |
Words that always take the same preposition9 rows
| Word | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| decide | on (choose) | We decided on the blue car. |
| interested | in | Are you interested in chess? |
| jealous | of | He is jealous of his cousin. |
| afraid | of | The child is afraid of the dark. |
| laugh | at | Do not laugh at others' mistakes. |
| good | at | Meera is good at maths. |
| depend | on | We depend on rain for our crops. |
| proud | of | Parents are proud of their children. |
| angry | with a person, at a thing | He was angry with his son. |
If two prepositions sound right, the word just before the blank decides.
Watch out for (6)
- Using 'from' with the present perfect→ Prepositions of time: since, for, by, in, on, at
- Using 'since' with a length of time→ Prepositions of time: since, for, by, in, on, at
- Using 'through' for an open line→ Prepositions of place and movement
- Using 'in' for a place on a line or an edge→ Prepositions of place and movement
- Writing 'jealous on' or 'jealous about'→ Words that always take the same preposition
- Writing 'angry on someone'→ Words that always take the same preposition
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