Prepositions are the unsung heroes of language—tiny words that pack a massive punch. They tell us where, when, and how things happen, transforming vague ideas into vivid pictures. But misuse them, and your sentence crumbles! In this guide, you’ll unlock the secrets of common prepositions (like beside, among) and master prepositional phrases to write with confidence.
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What Exactly Is a Preposition?
Prepositions connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence, revealing relationships like:
Location: The cat slept beside the fireplace.
Time: We’ll meet after lunch.
Direction: She walked toward the mountains.
Manner: He solved the puzzle with ease.
The Power Players: 20 Common Prepositions You Can’t Ignore
Memorize these frequently used prepositions to avoid grammar pitfalls:
> In, on, at, by, for, from, to, with, about, between, under, over, behind, beside, among, during, since, through, against, without.
Spotlight: Beside vs. Besides & Among vs. Between
Beside = Next to (physical proximity):
"Plant the roses beside the fence."
Besides = In addition to (abstract inclusion):
"Besides roses, we planted tulips."
Among = Within a group (3+ items):
"She felt at ease among friends."
Between = Relating to two distinct items:
"Share the cookies between you and Sam."
What Is a Prepositional Phrase? (The Real Game-Changer!)
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with its object (a noun/pronoun). Together, they act as an adjective or adverb:
Adjective phrase (describes a noun):
"The book on the shelf is dusty."
(Which book? The one on the shelf.)
Adverb phrase (describes a verb/adjective):
"They danced with joy."
(How did they dance? With joy.)
✅ Real-Life Examples:
1. "The café among the skyscrapers feels cozy."
(Locates the café within a group of buildings.)
2. "She found courage during the storm."
(Specifies when courage appeared.)
3 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
1. Dangling Prepositions:
❌ "Where’s the pen I wrote with?"
✅ "Where’s the pen with which I wrote?" (Formal)
✅ "Where’s the pen I wrote with?" (Acceptable in speech).
2. Redundancy:
❌ "She met up with him." → ✅ "She met him."
3. Confusing In, On, At for Time:
In = Months/years/seasons ( in July, in 2025 )
On = Days/dates ( on Tuesday, on May 5th )
At = Precise times ( at 9 PM, at dawn )
Practice Makes Perfect! Try These Exercises:
1. Identify the prepositional phrase:
"The dog buried its bone under the oak tree."
(Answer: under the oak tree )
2. Fix the error:
❌ "Divide the pizza between the three children."
✅ "Divide the pizza among the three children."
Final Tip: Read Aloud!
If a sentence feels clunky, check your prepositions. Ask:
Does this phrase clarify where, when, or how?
Could I remove/replace a preposition to sound more natural?
Now it’s your turn! Share a sentence using beside or among in the comments—let’s see those prepositional phrases shine!
