Prepositions (Grade 11 NSC Matric English HL): Revision Notes
Prepositions
What is a preposition?
A preposition acts as a connecting word that links nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. These small but powerful words help us understand how different elements in a sentence relate to each other.
Prepositions indicate various types of relationships within sentences, including:
- Time - when something happens
- Place - where something is
- Direction - movement towards or away from something
- Position - where something is located
- Possession - ownership or belonging
Examples of prepositions in action
Let's look at how prepositions work in sentences:
Prepositions Creating Relationships:
- "The cat is on the chair." (shows position)
- "We arrived after lunch." (shows time)
- "The books belong to Sarah." (shows possession)
Notice how each preposition creates a clear relationship between the different parts of the sentence.
Types of prepositions
Understanding the different types of prepositions will help you use them correctly in your writing. Here are the five main categories:
1. Possession (having)
These prepositions indicate ownership or belonging. They tell us who something belongs to or what is connected to what.
Common prepositions of possession: of, to
Examples:
- "The ending of the movie." (the movie has an ending)
- "The keys to the car." (the keys belong to/operate the car)
2. Time
Time prepositions tell us when something happens. They help us understand the timing of events and actions.
Common prepositions of time: before, after, at, on, in, during, until
Examples:
- "Two days before the weekend." (timing relative to the weekend)
- "The meeting starts at 9 a.m." (specific time)
3. Direction
Direction prepositions show movement towards or away from something. They indicate the path or trajectory of motion.
Common prepositions of direction: towards, into, onto, through, across
Examples:
- "He ran towards the taxi rank." (movement in the direction of)
- "She walked into the room." (movement from outside to inside)
4. Position
Position prepositions describe where something is located in relation to something else. They tell us about spatial relationships.
Common prepositions of position: under, beside, above, below, behind, in front of
Examples:
- "She is under the table." (positioned below the table)
- "The dog sat beside its owner." (positioned next to the owner)
5. Place
Place prepositions identify a specific location. While similar to position, these focus more on the actual location rather than the relationship between objects.
Common prepositions of place: beneath, outside, inside, at, in, on
Position vs Place:
While both describe location, position prepositions focus on spatial relationships between objects (e.g., "beside the owner"), while place prepositions identify specific locations (e.g., "outside the house").
Examples:
- "The shoes beneath the bed." (location under the bed)
- "The children played outside the house." (location - not inside)
Common errors and correct usage
Many students struggle with choosing the right preposition. Here are some typical errors and how to fix them:
Choosing the correct preposition
Some prepositions have similar meanings but are used in different contexts. Let's look at a common mistake:
Common Mistake:
❌ Incorrect: "The guards had to appear before court." ✓ Correct: "The guards had to appear in court."
Why is this important?
- "Before court" means in front of the building (outside)
- "In court" means in the courtroom (inside during proceedings)
The meaning completely changes depending on which preposition you use!
Fixing prepositional errors
Sometimes we accidentally combine prepositions incorrectly or use the wrong form:
Watch Out for "Onto" vs "On to":
❌ Incorrect: "He will go onto attend university." ✓ Correct: "He will go on to attend university."
Explanation: The correct form is "on to" (two separate words) because:
- "On to" indicates progression or continuation to the next stage
- "Onto" (one word) shows movement to a surface (e.g., "jump onto the stage")
Completing sentences with prepositions
In exams, you may need to insert the correct preposition. Always think about the relationship being expressed:
Exam Question Example:
"Research has shown that a diet without meat is associated with a lower risk of disease."
The preposition "with" connects "associated" to "a lower risk" - showing the relationship between the diet and the health outcome.
Exam tips
Strategies for Success:
- Read sentences carefully to understand the relationship being described
- Consider whether you're talking about time, place, direction, position, or possession
- Remember that some prepositions can change the entire meaning of a sentence
- When unsure, say the sentence aloud with different prepositions to hear which sounds correct
- Learn common prepositional phrases (e.g., "in court", "on time", "at school")
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Prepositions are linking words that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence
- Five main types: possession, time, direction, position, and place
- Choose carefully - similar prepositions can have very different meanings (before court vs in court)
- Watch out for common errors like confusing "onto" with "on to"
- Practice makes perfect - the more you use prepositions correctly, the more natural they'll become