Prepositions for Class 9

What are Prepositions?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. It indicates the location, direction, time, or manner of an action. These are words that are generally used before a noun or a pronoun usually to determine its relation to the rest of the sentence.

Confusing Pairs of Prepositions

1. Between and Among

→ Between is used to refer to when something is in the middle of two things or two groups of things.
→ Among is used when talking about people or things that are not distinct and are viewed as a group.

Examples:

→ The intricate negotiations unfolded between the government representatives and the indigenous leaders.
→ The symbiotic relationships among various species unfold in the lush rainforest, showcasing a delicate balance.

2. Among and Amongst

Among and amongst are prepositions which mean ‘surrounded by somebody/something; in the middle of somebody/something’. Both among and amongst mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably. However, among is acceptable in both British English and American English in formal contexts, whereas amongst is used mostly in British English.

Examples:

→ The spirited debate among scholars regarding the implications of artificial intelligence on society showcased a wide spectrum of opinions.
→ The old library was a treasure trove of knowledge, with rare manuscripts hidden amongst dusty shelves.

3. Beside and Beside

→ Beside means by the side of.
→ Besides means in addition to or apart from.

Examples:

→ Beside the ancient ruins, the archaeologists discovered a hidden chamber.
→ Besides studying for the upcoming exam, Jack also managed to complete her research paper.

4. Across and Through

→ Across means on the other side of something, or from one side to the other of something which has sides or limits such as a city, road or river
→ Through indicates movement from one side or point to the other, passing within or among things.

Examples:

→ The adventurous explorer journeyed across the treacherous mountain range, navigating through narrow passes.
→ The detective meticulously sifted through the voluminous stack of old case files to solve the decades-old mystery.

5. On, Upon and Over

→ On is used when one thing is in contact with the other.
→ Upon is used to refer to motion.
→ Over is used to refer to something at a higher position than something else, sometimes involving movement from one side to another.

Examples:

→ The success of the business relies heavily on the effective implementation of the new marketing strategy.
→ Upon receiving the news of her promotion, she immediately expressed her gratitude to the entire team.
→ The bridge was constructed over several months, spanning the river and connecting the two neighbourhoods.

6. On time and In time

On time means exactly on time and in time means before time.

Examples:

→ Shelly managed to arrive on time for the critical job interview, showcasing her commitment and punctuality.
→ The diligent students submitted their research papers well in time for the professor's review.

7. Before and In front of

Before means earlier than (in time), whereas in front of means at or near the front part of (something).

Examples:

→ Selena completed her homework before the deadline, ensuring she had ample time for revision.
→ The confident speaker stood in front of the attentive audience, delivering a compelling speech on environmental conservation.

8. At, In and On

All these prepositions are called location prepositions.

Example: At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, the revellers gathered in the lively city square, wrapped in warm coats, eagerly awaiting the spectacular fireworks display.

9. Despite and In spite of

Despite and in spite of both means the same but we cannot use ‘of’ with ‘despite’

Examples:

→ Despite facing a torrential downpour during the marathon, Emily persevered and crossed the finish line with a triumphant smile on her face.
→ In spite of encountering numerous obstacles in her scientific research, Dr Rodriguez's dedication led to a groundbreaking discovery.

10. Die of and Die from

→ “Die of” is used to refer to ‘to the death because of a disease.
→ “Die from” is used to refer to ‘to die because of a reason.

Examples:

→ The patient ultimately died of complications arising from a rare genetic disorder.
→ The detective concluded that the victim didn't die from a random act of violence but rather from a meticulously planned poisoning scheme.

List of Some Common Prepositions