preposition

[ prep-uh-zish-uhn ]

/ ˌprɛp əˈzɪʃ ən /

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noun Grammar.

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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of preposition

1350–1400; Middle English preposicioun<Latin praepositiōn- (stem of praepositiō) a putting before, a prefix, preposition. See pre-, position

grammar notes for preposition

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM preposition

prep·o·si·tion·al, adjectiveprep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverbnon·prep·o·si·tion·al, adjectivenon·prep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverb

qua·si-prep·o·si·tion·al, adjectivequa·si-prep·o·si·tion·al·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH preposition

preposition , proposition

Words nearby preposition

preponderant, preponderate, prepone, preportion, prepose, preposition, prepositional phrase, prepositional verb, prepositive, prepositor, prepossess

Other definitions for preposition (2 of 2)

preposition²

or pre-po·si·tion

[ pree-puh-zish-uhn ]

/ ˌpri pəˈzɪʃ ən /

verb (used with object)

to position in advance or beforehand: to preposition troops in anticipated trouble spots.

Origin of preposition

First recorded in 1960–65; pre- + position

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT PREPOSITION

What is a preposition?

Prepositions are a category of words that are placed before nouns and pronouns to create phrases that modify nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

A preposition is the first part of a prepositional phrase. The preposition is followed by an object, such as a noun or pronoun, as in outside the house.

Prepositional phrases indicate a relationship between words in a sentence. For example, in I exercised after dinner, after is the preposition in the prepositional phrase after dinner. Together, after and dinner tell you more about (modify) the verb exercised. They tell you when I exercised.

Prepositions and prepositional phrases are used to begin phrases that modify nouns, verbs, and adjectives. While they often follow the words they modify, but they have to, Before supper, I washed my hands. Before is modifying washed, describing when I washed my hands.

Why are prepositions important?

The first records of the word preposition come from around 1350. Preposition combines the prefix pre-, meaning “before,” and the word position, meaning “relative location.” A preposition usually (but not always) comes before a noun or pronoun.

Prepositions are often used for describing relationships of space (on, around, below) or time (before, after). They also describe other relationships, such as purpose (the pencil used for drawing; the pencil I draw with) or connection (Paul traveled with Jane; the person Paul traveled with).

Did you know ... ?

Prepositions are among the most commonly used words in English. In fact, 10 of the 100 most common English words are prepositions: of, in, to, for, with, on, by, out, into, and about.

What are real-life examples of prepositions?

The following table gives some examples of the many words and phrases that are used as prepositions.

Saint Mary’s University

Prepositions are central to grammar and English, if we don’t always enjoy learning about them.

Tripping over prepositions this morning. #amwriting

— David Scriver (@ScriverWrites) August 26, 2020

I can credit a lot of my success in using proper grammar to understanding prepositions.

— abbie (@AbbieAwsm) August 9, 2012

What other words are related to preposition?

Quiz yourself!

Which of the following words is a preposition?

A. students
B. study
C. for
D. tests

How to use preposition in a sentence

Once the FDA authorizes a vaccine, the government plans to “preposition” doses to sites that states have already designated as the places where shots will be given first.
Health officials make their final pleas for holiday caution as coronavirus cases spike|Paulina Firozi, Lena H. Sun, Hannah Knowles|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
Despite the uncertainties over timing of vaccine approval and number of initial doses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking states to be prepared to “preposition” doses in key locations throughout the country.
States say they lack federal funds to distribute coronavirus vaccine as CDC tells them to be ready by Nov. 15|Lena H. Sun|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
AnswerThePublic actively listens to Google’s suggestions API data and offers you prepositions and questions that often appear in conjunction with your keywords.
Proactively building negative keyword lists in Google Ads is now more important than ever|Eliot Shiner|October 21, 2020|Search Engine Land
It is rare that a preposition is the most loaded and meaningful word in a book’s title.
The Human Error Darwin Inspired - Issue 90: Something Green|Aaron Hirsh|September 30, 2020|Nautilus

Thirteen years ago, Google topped Fortune’s annual preposition-ending “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.
The complaints of the entitled workers of Silicon Valley|Adam Lashinsky|September 8, 2020|Fortune
When I shut off the radio, the last word I hear must be a noun—not a verb, or adjective, or preposition.
A.J. Jacobs: How I Write|Noah Charney|May 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In this text that would require heardes without the preposition: comp.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes|Various
And there never warn't any preposition, or, ruther, there was so many we couldn't begin to manage 'em!
East Angels|Constance Fenimore Woolson
My positive is a preposition, and my comparative is to esteem.
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, September 1878, No. 11|Various
At this conscienceless split to the infinitive and misplacing of the preposition, Miss Carew arose trembling perceptibly.
The Shape of Fear|Elia W. Peattie
In the progress of language, these words would be contracted into on, which we denominate a preposition.
Dissertation on the English Language|Noah Webster, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for preposition

preposition

/ (ˌprɛpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

a word or group of words used before a noun or pronoun to relate it grammatically or semantically to some other constituent of a sentenceAbbreviation: prep

Derived forms of preposition

prepositional, adjectiveprepositionally, adverb

Word Origin for preposition

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

usage for preposition

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for preposition

preposition

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.