Prepositions

MPU3022 English
Language Proficiency

PREPOSITIONS

Grammar

- Azriy - Noraqimee
- Aniq - Usman
- Fadhil - Shahid

WHAT

?are pre:positions

A preposition is a word or group of words used
before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show

a relationship in space or time or a logical
relationship between two or more people, places

or things.

> connecting words / bridge words
> they show relationship

Directions WHEN TO USE Location

5 Situations:

Time

Place Spatial
Relationships

01

Directions

To refer to a direction, use the prepositions "to," "in,"
"into," "on," and "onto.“

Example: Usman drove to the mosque.

- Preposition: to
- Precedes the noun: mosque
- Shows the relationship between: Usman & the mosque

02

Time

To refer to one point in time, use the prepositions "in,"
"at," and "on.“

Example: Fadhil was born in 2002.

- Preposition: in
- Precedes the noun: 2002
- Shows the relationship between: Fadhil & 2002

03

Location

To refer to a location, use the prepositions "in" (an area or volume),
"at" (a point), and "on" (a surface).

Example: Shahid lives in the capital of Selangor.

- Preposition: in
- Precedes the noun: capital of Selangor
- Shows the relationship between: Shahid & the capital of Selangor

04

Places

To refer to a place, use the prepositions "in" (the point
itself), "at" (the general vicinity), "on" (the surface), and

"inside" (something contained).
Example: Aniq left his sandwich at the hostel.

- Preposition: at
- Precedes the noun: hostel
- Shows the relationship between: Aniq & the hostel

05

Spatial Relationships

To refer to a spatial relationship, use the prepositions "above,"
"across," "against," "ahead of," "behind," "below,“ "between,"
"from," "in front of," "inside,“ “under”, "near,“ etc.
Example: Qimee is hiding under the blanket.

- Preposition: under
- Precedes the noun: blanket
- Shows the relationship between: Qimee & the blanket

COMMON EXAMPLES

PREPOSITION NOUN / PRONOUN SENTENCE

in August Malaysia achieved its independence in August.

at night He normally goes to sleep at night.

since 2019 The Covid-19 Pandemic started since 2019.

beneath the car Somebody planted a bomb beneath the car.

toward the campus Walk toward the campus and then turn right.

by luck Success is gained through hard work not by luck.

among us Nobody plays “Among Us” among us better than
pak man.

COULD YOU
END a SENTENCE WITH a PREPOSITION ?

YES

Do you know that it is acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition?

Since the purpose of writing is to clearly communicate your ideas, it is
acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition if the alternative would
create confusion or is too overly formal.

Examples like theese ones:

1. I would like to know where she comes from. > I would like to know
from where she comes.

2. I like the people I am working with. > I like the people with whom I am
working.

* However, in academic writing, you may decide that it is worth
revising your sentences to avoid ending with a preposition in order to
maintain a more formal scholarly voice.

SOURCE & REFERENCES

● Cambridge Online Dictionary, Grammar > Prepositions and particles > Prepositions
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/prepositions

● Walden University, https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/prepositions
● Youtube, Prepositions, English Grammar, Periwinkle,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVo6N4vMPfI