preposition

¹

[ prep-uh-zish-uhn ]

noun

, Grammar.

1. any member of a class of words found in many languages that are used before nouns, pronouns, or other substantives to form phrases functioning as modifiers of verbs, nouns, or adjectives, and that typically express a spatial, temporal, or other relationship, as in, on, by, to, since.

preposition

²

or pre-po·si·tion

[ pree-puh-zish-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to position in advance or beforehand:

   to preposition troops in anticipated trouble spots.

preposition

/ ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. a word or group of words used before a noun or pronoun to relate it grammatically or semantically to some other constituent of a sentence prep

preposition

1. A part of speech that indicates the relationship, often spatial, of one word to another. For example, “She paused at the gate”; “This tomato is ripe for picking”; and “They talked the matter over head to head.” Some common prepositions are at , by , for , from , in , into , on , to , and with .

Usage

The practice of ending a sentence with a preposition ( Venice is a place I should like to go to ) was formerly regarded as incorrect, but is now acceptable and is the preferred form in many contexts

Grammar Note

The often heard but misleading “rule” that a sentence should not end with a preposition is transferred from Latin, where it is an accurate description of practice. But English grammar is different from Latin grammar, and the rule does not fit English. In speech, the final preposition is normal and idiomatic, especially in questions: What are we waiting for? Where did he come from? You didn't tell me which floor you worked on. In writing, the problem of placing the preposition arises most when a sentence ends with a relative clause in which the relative pronoun ( that; whom; which; whomever; whichever; whomsoever ) is the object of a preposition. In edited writing, especially more formal writing, when a pronoun other than that introduces a final relative clause, the preposition usually precedes its object: He abandoned the project to which he had devoted his whole life. I finally telephoned the representative with whom I had been corresponding. If the pronoun is that, which cannot be preceded by a preposition, or if the pronoun is omitted, then the preposition must occur at the end: The librarian found the books that the child had scribbled in. There is the woman he spoke of.

Derived Forms

• ˌprepoˈsitional, adjective
• ˌprepoˈsitionally, adverb

Other Words From

• prepo·sition·al adjective
• prepo·sition·al·ly adverb
• nonprep·o·sition·al adjective
• nonprep·o·sition·al·ly adverb
• quasi-prepo·sition·al adjective
• quasi-prepo·sition·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of preposition¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English preposicioun, from Latin praepositiōn-, stem of praepositiō “a putting before, a prefix, preposition”; pre-, position

Origin of preposition²

First recorded in 1960–65; pre- + position

Word History and Origins

Origin of preposition¹

C14: from Latin praepositiō a putting before, from pōnere to place

Example Sentences

When I shut off the radio, the last word I hear must be a noun—not a verb, or adjective, or preposition.

From The Daily Beast

In this text that would require heardes without the preposition: comp.

From Project Gutenberg

And there never warn't any preposition, or, ruther, there was so many we couldn't begin to manage 'em!

From Project Gutenberg

My positive is a preposition, and my comparative is to esteem.

From Project Gutenberg

At this conscienceless split to the infinitive and misplacing of the preposition, Miss Carew arose trembling perceptibly.

From Project Gutenberg

In the progress of language, these words would be contracted into on, which we denominate a preposition.

From Project Gutenberg