Relations shown by prepositions
Prepositions show various kinds of relations. The most important among them are the
following:
Place
She ran across the street.
The boy fell among the thorns.
We were at the foot of the hill.
The thief was hiding behind the cupboard.
Time
I have a meeting in the afternoon.
You must return before sunset.
Wait till tomorrow.
We waited for hours.
Method and manner
The letter came by post.
He cut the cake with a knife.
They fought with courage.
They succeeded by hard work.
Reason and Purpose
She died of malaria.
He trembled with anger.
Smoking is injurious to health.
Possession
He is a man of principles.
Mumbai is the financial capital of India.
I saw a boy with red hair.
Direction and Motion
He fell into the well.
He climbed up the tree.
She walked towards the market.
The moon moves around the earth.
Objects of prepositions
The object of a preposition may be a noun, a pronoun, a gerund, an infinitive or a noun
clause.
The house was built near a river. (Noun)
She was talking to him. (Pronoun)
We were prevented from entering the house. (Gerund)
What would you like to do besides watch a movie? (Infinitive)
I am content with what I have. (Noun clause)