THE PREPOSITION
1. Read the following sentences carefully.
     1. There is a cow in the field.
     2. He is fond of tea.
     3. The cat jumped of the chair.

In sentence 1, the word in shows the relation between two things - cow and field.
In sentence 2, the word of shows the relation between the attribute expressed by the
adjective fond and tea.
In sentence 3, the word off shows the relation between the action expressed by the verb
jumped and the chair.

2.The words in, of, off are here used as Prepositions.
Def.- A Preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to show in what relation
the person or thing denoted by it stands in regard to something else.
[The word Preposition means 'that which is placed before'.]
It will be noticed that:

  In sentence I, the Preposition joins a Noun to another Noun;
  In sentence 2, the Preposition joins a Noun to an Adjective;
  In sentence 3, the Preposition joins a Noun to a Verb.

3. The Noun or Pronoun which is used with a Preposition is called its Object. It is in
the Accusative case and is said to be governed by the Preposition.
Thus, in sentence 1, the noun field is in the Accusative case, governed by the Preposition
in.

4. A Preposition may have two or more objects; as,

    The road runs over hill and plain.

5.A Preposition is usually placed before its object, but sometimes it follows it; as,

     1. Here is the watch that you asked for.
     2. That is the boy (whom) I was speaking of.
     3. What are you looking at?
    4. What arc you thinking of?
    5. Which of these chairs did you sit on?

Note 1.- When the object is the Relative Pronoun that, as in sentence 1, the Preposition is
always placed at the end.
The Preposition is- often placed at the end when the object is an interrogative pronoun (as
in sentences 3, 4 and 5) or a Relative pronoun understood (as in sentence 2).
Note 2.- Sometimes the object is placed first for the sake of emphasis; as,
This I insist on. He is known all the world over.

6. The Prepositions for, from, in, on are often omitted before nouns of place or time;
as,
   We did it last week.
   I cannot walk a yard.
   Wait a minute.

Kinds of Prepositions
 Prepositions may be arranged in the following classes :-

1.Simple Prepositions

At, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, through, till, to, up, with.

(2) Compound Prepositions which are generally formed by prefixing a Preposition (usually a = no or be = by) to a Noun, an Adjective or an Adverb.)

About, above, across, along, amidst, among, amongst, around, before, behind, below,
beneath, beside, between, beyond, inside, outside, underneath, within, without.

(3) Phrase Prepositions (Groups of words used with the force of a singe
preposition.)
according to -- in accordance with -- in place of
agreeably to -- in addition to -- in reference to
along with -- in (on) behalf of -- in regard to
away from -- in case of -- in spite of
because of -- in comparison to -- instead of
by dint of -- in compliance with -- in the event of
by means of -- in consequence of -- on account of
by reason of -- in course of -- owing to
by virtue of -- in favour of -- with a view to
by way of -- in front of -- with an eye to
conformably to -- in lieu of -- with reference to
for the sake of -- in order to -- with regard to

Some examples of phrase prepositions

1. He succeeded by dint of perseverance and sheer hard work.
2. In case of need 'phone to No. 32567.
3. By virtue of the power vested in me, I hereby order, etc.
4. In consequence of his illness he could not finish the work in time.
5. Owing to his ill health, he retired from business.
6. With reference to your letter of date, we regret we cannot allow any further rebate.
7. In order to avoid litigation, he accepted Rs. 300 in full settlement of his claim for Rs.
8. In course of time he saw his mistake.
9. He died fighting on behalf of his country.
10. On behalf of the staff he read the address.
11. He persevered in spite of difficulties.
12. In the event of 'his dying without an issue, his nephew would inherit the whole property.
13. Instead of talking, prove your worth by doing something.
14. By reason of his perverse attitude, he estranged his best friends.
15. He acted according to my instructions.
16. Why don't you go along with your brother?
17. In accordance with your instructions, we have remitted the 'amount to your bankers.
18. There is a big tree in front of his house.
19. Agreeably to the terms of the settlement, we herewith enclose our cheque for Rs. 1000.
20. By way of introduction, he made some pertinent remarks.
21. By means of rope ladders they scaled the wall.
22. For the sake of their beliefs, the Puritans emigrated to America.
23. In course of his researches he met with many difficulties.
24. He abdicated the throne in favour of his eldest son.
25. He could not attend school because of his father's serious illness.
26. He accepted the car in lieu of his claim for Rs. 1,25,000.
27. With a view to an amicable settlement, we offer you without prejudice Rs. 750 in full settlement of all your claims up-to-date.
28. On account of his negligence the company suffered a heavy loss.
29. Whatever he does, he does with an eye to the main chance.

Exercise in Grammar 
Name the Preposition the following sentences, and tell the word which each governs:-

1. Little Jack Horner sat in a corner.
2. Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard.
3. The lion and the unicorn fought for the crown.
4. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
5. Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town.
6. She sat by the fire, and told me a tale.
7. Rain, rain, go to Spain, and never come back again.
8. A fair little girl sat under a tree.
9. Such a number of rocks came over her head.
10. John Gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown.
11. “Will you walk into parlour?” said the spider to the fly.
12. Into the street the Piper step.
13. I can never return with my poor dog Tray.
14. He worked and sang from moon till night.
15. They all ran after the farmer’s wife, who cut off their tails with a carving knife.
16. One day the boy his break fast took, and ate it by a purling brook which through his
mother’s orchard ran.
17. Old John with white hair does laugh away care, sitting under the oak, among the old
folk.
18. They rise with the morning lark, and labour till almost dark.
19. By the Nine Gods he swore.
20. Under a spreading chestnut-tree the village smithy stands.
21. He goes on Sunday to church, and sits among his boys.
22. I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers, from the seas and the streams.
23. Her arms across her breast she laid.
24. Mine be a cot beside the hill.
25. Around my ivied porch shall spring each fragrant flower that drinks the dew.
26. One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.
27. I tried to reason him out of his fears.

Exercise in Grammar 

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
1. The Nizam subscribed a handsome sum --- the Flood Relief Fund.
2. His friends condoled --- him --- his bereavement.
3. He quarrelled --- me --- a trifle.
4. He readily complied --- my request.
5. He dispensed --- the services of his dishonest clerk.
6. He yielded --- superior force.
7. He despaired --- success.
8. He supplies the poor --- clothing.
9. His friends disagreed --- him on that point.
10. He acceded --- my request,
11. He abstains --- liquor.
12. He was found guilty --- manslaughter.
13. He is incapable --- doing good work.
14. He is married --- my cousin.
15. He is sensible --- your kindness,
16. He is true --- his king.
17. He is involved --- difficulties.
18. The auditor is entitled --- his remuneration.
19. I prefer tea --- coffee.
20. I don't concur --- you --- that opinion.
21. There is no exception --- this rule.
22. 1 am obliged --- you --- your kindness.
23. I am not envious --- his success.
24. I am convinced --- the necessity of prudence.
25. We should rely --- our own efforts.
26. I inquired --- the servant if his master was at home.
27. I purposely refrained --- saying more.
28. I insisted --- going.
29. I exchanged --- him my calculator --- a camera.
30. I assented --- his proposal.
31. I am not satisfied --- your explanation.
32. You must conform --- the regulations.
33. He did not profit --- experience.
34. We should all aim --- excellence.
35. Alcohol is injurious --- health.
Page 141
37. The stories in that book are full --- interest.
38. Don't associate --- disreputable people.
39. Do not indulge --- strong language.
40. He is grateful --- his master --- many favours.
41. He is dependent --- his parents.
42. He is abstemious --- eating and drinking.
43. He is prompt --- carrying out orders.
44. He is vain --- his attainments.
45. He is deficient --- common sense. .
46. He is vexed --- me.
47. He is indifferent --- his own interest.
48. He is proficient --- mathematics.
49. He is not ashamed --- his neighbours.
50. He is devoid --- sense.
51. He is suspicious --- all his neighbours.
52. He has a passion --- arguing.
53. Recently there has been a reduction --- the price of milk.
54. He proved false --- his friend.
55. A square may be equivalent --- a triangle.
56. The avaricious man is greedy --- gain.
57. He is very different --- his brother.
58. The head-dress of the Cossacks is similar --- that of the ancient Persians.
59. He was born --- humble parents in Nasik.
60. His views do not accord --- mine.

Exercise in Composition 

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-

1. Temperance and employment are conducive --- health.
2. A policeman rescued the child --- danger.
3. Dogs have antipathy --- cats.
4. He promised not to do anything repugnant --- the wishes of his parents.
5. He is not the man to allow any one to encroach --- his rights.
6. Some of the members of the Assembly complained --- increased military expenditure.
7. Even the enemies admit that he is endowed --- rare talents.
8. He inspires respect --- his friends.
9. Our path is beset --- difficulties.
10. He was not able to give a satisfactory explanation --- his absence.
11. His illness is a mere pretext --- his absence.
12. He has been very much indulgent --- his children.
13. This discussion is hardly relevant --- the subject
14. Contentment is essential --- happiness.
15. Early rising is beneficial --- health.
16. He is not likely to do anything detrimental --- our interests.
17. His benefactions must redound --- his credit.
18. Only graduates are eligible --- the post.
19. He is capable as a leader, but intolerant --- opposition.
20. Boys over sixteen are debarred --- competing.
21. Father Damien consecrated his life --- ameliorating the lot of lepers.
22. That rule is not applicable --- your case.
23. A public man should be tolerant --- criticism.
24. He is willing to make a concession --- the demands of his employees.
25. I often find him absorbed --- thought.
26. The accommodation is adequate --- our needs.
27. The hotel is adjacent --- the station.
28. The authorship of the book is wrongly ascribed --- him.
29. Never do anything that is not compatible --- public safety.
30. His father often connives --- his follies.
31. Some public men are very sensitive --- criticism.
32. He is addicted --- gambling.
33. You need not be afraid --- being late.
34. Death is preferable --- disgrace.
35. Cats are tenacious --- life.
36. It is not true that the study of science tends --- atheism.
37. Some films are an incitement --- crime.
38. He was angry --- me, because he thought my remark was aimed --- him.
39. The climate of Rangoon does not agree --- him.
40. His plans are adverse --- my interests.
41. The question of unemployment bristles --- difficulties.
42. Although he was bred --- the law, he became a successful journalist.
43. Generally, the rich are more covetous --- money than the poor.
44. He is still smarting --- rebuke.
45. He scoffed --- the idea of revolution.
46. He has reverted --- his former post.
47. The battle resulted --- a victory for the Allies.
48. He restored the article --- its rightful owner.
49. The whole theory rests --- no firmer foundation than mere conjecture.
50. The ultimate decision rests --- the board of directors.
51. Only when persuasions failed the police resorted --- force.
52. Superstitious fears preyed --- his mind and made him miserable.
53. He piques himself --- his artistic taste.
54. They now jeered --- him whom they had once acclaimed as their hero.
55. His followers now began to intrigue --- his adversary.
56. She interceded --- her husband on behalf of the people,
57. It is not easy to infer --- his account the real state of affairs.
58. He died without imparting --- anyone the secret of his process.
59. His statement was tantamount --- a confession.
60. The facts point --- a different explanation.
61. His friends prevailed --- him to withdraw his resignation.
62. Few boys are not amenable --- discipline.

Exercise in Composition 

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
1. Silkworms feed --- mulberry trees.
2. Pavlova excels --- dancing.
3. The wild boar abounds --- some parts of Europe.
4. He has no special liking --- mathematics.
5. Asoka is worthy --- remembrance.
6. The godown is infested --- rats.
7. There is no exception --- this rule.
8. Nothing conduces --- happiness so much as contentment.
9. Alcohol is injurious --- health.
10. Oil is good --- burns.
11. Invalids are not capable --- continued exertion.
12. The British Parliament is composed --- two Houses.
13. Do no confide your secrets --- every one.
14. He is abstemious --- his habits.
15. He is ignorant --- what he pretends to know.
18. Birbal is celebrated --- his witty sayings.
19. The avaricious man is greedy --- gain.
20. The Atlantic separates Europe --- America.
21. Adam assigned --- every creature a name peculiar --- its nature.
22. Temperance and employment are conducive --- health.
23. A brave boy rescued the child --- danger.
24. Industry is the key --- success.
25. The customs were searching --- drugs at the airport.
26. Elizabeth knew how to inspire her soldiers --- hope.
27. Long indulgence --- vice impaired his once robust constitution,
28. Early rising is beneficial --- health.
29. We should live in a style suited --- our condition.
30. Examinations act as an incentive --- diligence.
31. Hard work and perseverance are indispensable --- success in life.
32. He is too miserly to part --- his money.
33. He is a clever man, but unfortunately diffident --- his powers.
34. Suddenly we were enveloped --- dense fog.
35. Many aspire --- greatness, but few attained.
36. His income is not adequate --- his wants.
37. The soil of Pune is favourable --- roses,
38. I am sick --- the whole business.
39. A car will he a great convenience --- a busy man like him.
40. Whoever acts contrary --- nature does not go unpunished.
41. The accident resulted --- the death of five people.
42. These derelict houses are reproach --- the city.
43. The Germans were called baby-killers and their methods of warfare stigmatized
as a reproach --- civilization.
44. The mule was partially relieved --- the load,
45. America has raised a tariff wall to protect home industries --- foreign competition.
46. The facts point --- a different conclusion.
47. Your wish is tantamount --- a command.
48. This state is committed --- the policy of total prohibition.
49. One is sure --- what one sees.
50. He is indifferent alike --- praise and blame.

Exercise in Composition 

Fill in the blanks with appropriate Prepositions:-
1. No doubt he has achieved much, but I cannot give him credit --- all that he boasts ---.
2. The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance --- human achievement.
3. He is indebted --- his friend --- a large sum.
4. What Dr. Arnold mainly aimed ---, was to promote the self-development of the young
minds committed --- his charge.
5. He was so much enamoured --- her that he forgot his duties --- his children.
6. It is difficult to agree --- those critics who ascribe the work of Shakespeare --- Bacon.
7. In his autobiography he refers --- his abhorrence --- animal diet.
8. He conversed --- us --- subjects --- varied interest.
9. The accident happened --- him --- a late hour and --- an out-of-the-way place.
10. A cashier is liable to, render account --- the money received --- him.
11. The soldiers --- the front were provided --- provisions to last them a year.
12. We are accountable --- God --- our action.
13. Let us vie --- one another --- doing good.
14. His thirst --- knowledge left him no leisure --- anything else.
15. The rich and the poor alike nobly responded --- the call --- further funds.
16. For those who suffer --- nerves the remedy lies --- perfect rest.
17. A slave lies --- the necessity --- obeying his master's orders.
18. The heir --- the throne was free --- physical or moral taint.
19. He impressed --- them that sorcery was vital --- their success.
20. Methylated spirit is spirit of wine made undrinkable by mixing it --- methyl to exempt
it --- duty.
21. To love our country, to be interested --- its concerns, is natural --- all men.
22. He complained --- his weak eyes and lamented the necessity --- spectacles.
23. Samudragupta was known --- his skill --- music and song; he was equally proficient --
- the allied art of poetry.
24. It is the grasping of power combined --- the thirst --- fame which constitutes
ambition.
25. It would be well for us to admire what is worthy --- admiration in such a people,
rather than to carp --- their errors.
26. The common fallacy is that intimacy dispenses --- the necessity of politeness. The
truth is just the opposite --- this.
27. The title Master was originally prefixed --- the name of a person of rank or learning;
it is now restricted --- boys.
28. This ticket will entitle you --- a free seat at the concert.
29. History, as well as daily experience, furnishes instances of men endowed --- the
strongest capacity --- business and affairs, who have all their lives crouched under slavery
to the grossest superstition.
30. He has no liking --- cards, and lately he has taken a dislike-outdoor exercise.
31. At first they refused to acquience --- the terms, but finally yielded --- the logic of
facts.
32. The hippopotamus feeds chiefly --- aquatic plants, but also seeks its food on
land and is sometimes destructive --- cultivated crops.
33. Learning is knowledge especially as acquired --- study; it is frequently contrasted ---
knowledge or wisdom gained --- experience.
34. At the eleventh hour he retired --- the contest, leaving the field open --- his opponent.
35. Coriolanus, with all his greatness, was entirely devoid --- all sympathy --- the people.
36. From this time he became habitually depressed and moody and addicted --- the
frequent use --- alcohol.
37. The first acts of the new administration were characterized rather --- vigour than ---
judgement.
38. They were statesmen accustomed --- the management --- great affairs.
39. Measure yourself --- your equals; and learn --- frequent competition the place which
nature has allotted --- you.
40. Contrary --- my instructions, he went --- his depth and would certainly have met --- a
fatal mishap but for the timely help rendered --- him.
                                                                                                                             Good luck dears !