Prepositions for Class 8

Table of Content

What are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun (or a pronoun) and other words in a sentence. They often indicate location, direction, time or relationships between different elements in a sentence.

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Types of Prepositions

There are various kinds of prepositions:

1. Simple Prepositions

These are the prepositions that consist of only one word. They help indicate location, time, direction and other relationships between elements in a sentence.

Prepositions	Usage
above	Above the towering cliffs, a solitary eagle soared majestically against the backdrop of the vivid sunset.
across	The determined explorer ventured across treacherous terrain and vast deserts.
after	The aspiring astronauts will explore the uncharted depths of outer space after completing their rigorous training program.
against	Sussan decided to speak out against the controversial policy during the class discussion.
along	Along the winding, cobblestone streets of the historic city, one can discern the intricate tapestry of cultural amalgamation.
among	Among the myriad challenges, mitigating climate change, and fostering global economic stability stand out as pivotal imperatives for sustainable development.
around	Innovative solutions are emerging as countries work collaboratively around the globe.
at	Mary was surprised to find herself excelling at the challenging mathematics problems.
before	She meticulously conducted a series of experiments before the scientist could unveil the groundbreaking discovery.
behind	Behind the historical events, lies a rich narrative of cultural evolution.
below	The explorers persevered, venturing into the treacherous terrain below the towering peaks.

2. Compound Prepositions

These are the prepositions which consist of two or more than two words. They may be written like one word or more than one separate word.

Compound Prepositions	Usage
in front of	The ancient artefact was carefully displayed in front of the illuminated exhibit.
on top of	Finally, he found a cosy spot on top of the highest building, enjoying a panoramic view of the cityscape below.
by means of	The scientist successfully conducted the intricate experiment by means of a cutting-edge apparatus.
in addition to	Students earn praise from teachers for their diverse talents in addition to their outstanding academic achievements.
on account of	The cancellation of the outdoor event was on account of the inclement weather.
in spite of	In spite of the torrential rain and relentless thunderstorms, those people forged ahead through the dense to reach the elusive ancient temple.
with regard to	The scientific community has conducted extensive research with regard to the intricate interplay of genetic factors and environmental influences.
on behalf of	Jack decided to organise a charity event on behalf of his school.
by virtue of	The success of the experiment was achieved by virtue of planning and unwavering dedication.
in lieu of	The school decided to implement a digital learning platform in lieu of traditional textbooks.

3. Double Prepositions

These are the prepositions formed by combining two simple prepositions.

Usage	Explanation
The leopard jumped over onto the tree.	double preposition: over + onto
That wild rabbit darted through into the mysterious passage.	double preposition: through + into
The detective examined the evidence, placing each item up against the wall to recreate the sequence of events.	double preposition: up + against
The adventurous explorer ran across beyond the field.	double preposition: across + beyond
The truth lies within.	double preposition: with + in
We strolled around past the old church.	double preposition: around + past
The ship sailed beneath through the arch.	double preposition: beneath + through
The hikers trekked up over the mountain.	double preposition: up + over
The intricate problems without a thorough understanding, can’t be solved.	Double preposition: with + out
They descended from onto the rooftop.	Double preposition: from + onto

4. Participle Prepositions

These are the prepositions where words ending with ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’, also act as prepositions.

Participle Prepositions	Usage
following	Following their agreement, the boss decided to raise the salary.
considering	Considering her tough time, she's up and about in no time and doing just fine.
regarding	I'm looking into your matter, regarding the talk we had earlier.
given	Given her age, she is a fantastic yoga instructor.
including	Shelly has a diverse range of interests, including astronomy, literature, and robotics.
notwithstanding	Notwithstanding the persistent challenges posed by the global economic downturn, the innovative spirit of entrepreneurs remains unwavering.

5. Prepositional Phrases

These are the prepositions that include an object, as well as the object's modifier.

Prepositional Phrases	Usage
in the middle	The girl in the middle is the best dancer of all.
across town	The grocery store across town has a great produce selection.
near the lake	The park near the lake has an off-leash dog area.
behind the	Behind the school is a library where you can find all kinds of books.
after the	After the movie is the perfect time to get dinner.
during the	During the flight is a good time to catch up on work.
behind my	I like to go grocery shopping at the Whole Foods behind my house.

Click Here to Read About: Prepositions for Class 9

List of Prepositions

1. At, In, On

→ “At” is used to refer to a particular point of time.
→ “In” is used to refer to a period.
→ “on” denotes dates or days.

In the quaint little village, nestled on the edge of the lush forest, a mysterious treasure was hidden at the bottom of an ancient well.

2. Above, Over, On

→ “Above” is used when there isn’t any contact between the objects or things.
→ “Over” can be used when there is a possibility of contact between two surfaces.
→ “On” implies actual contact between two surfaces or things.

The mysterious ancient artefact was carefully placed on the ornate pedestal above the intricately carved map, over which a delicate, glowing light hovered, revealing hidden symbols and secrets.

3. By, With

→ “By” is generally used to refer to the doer. It is also used to connote not later than, alone, using.
→ “With” denotes instruments and in the company of.

The intricate piece of art was created by the renowned artist with meticulous attention to detail and textures inspired by nature.

4. Upon

→ While on and upon can be used interchangeably, upon is usually used for things at rest and upon is used for things in motion.

The success of the scientific experiment hinged upon the meticulous calibration of the instruments and skilled researchers.

5. After, Behind

→ These are generally used to indicate time and position or place.

After finishing her challenging race, Taylor quickly dashed behind the school building to catch her breath.

6. Before, Within

→ “Within” refers to no later than.
→ “Before” is used to suggest a particular point of time or a particular day.

Before embarking on the challenging journey of mastering advanced mathematics, students need to review and consolidate their foundational knowledge within basic arithmetic and algebraic concepts.

7. Since, For, From

→ “Since” is used to indicate duration from a particular point in time.
→ “For” is used to imply a period of time.
→ “From” is also used to denote a point or a span of time but it can be preceded by a verb.

Since embarking on his scientific journey, the dedicated researcher has, for decades, drawn inspiration from the great minds of the past.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to change the meaning of a sentence using prepositions?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to change the meaning of a sentence through prepositions. Moreover, It's important to select the appropriate preposition to convey the intended relationship between words in a sentence.

2. What do you understand by prepositional phrases?

Answer: A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object (usually a noun or pronoun), and any modifiers. It functions as an adjectival or adverbial phrase.

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