Prepositions are a part of speech used to show a relation of a noun or noun equivalent (the object of the preposition.) to some other word in the sentences. Below are 10 English grammar rules for prepositions that will clear most of your confusions. Have also given examples and sentences to support the understanding.
1. All, of
Do not use of after all, unless the next word is a pronoun.
All the men belong to the rotary club.
All of us belong to the rotary club.
All of us boys belong to the Lake View hostel.
2. Among, between
Among always implies more than two; between literally imp;ies two. Between however, is now often used for 3 or more items, when each is regarded individually.
The teachers distributed the paint among the students. (More than 2)
Distribute these clothes among the workers. (More than 2)
The commission is divided evenly between the two partners. (only two persons)
What is the difference between a thief and a robber? (only two attributes)
However, between maybe used for more than 2 persons or things in order to bring each person or thing into the relation expressed.
The difference between the three girls was so slight that they might have been triplets.
While packing glass tumblers, be sure to place paper between them.
The three children had but Rs 10 between them.
3. At,In
Both at and in are used in reference to places. Mostly, in is used for larger places and at for smaller places.
He lives at Chandni chowk in Delhi
I live in Chandigarh and work at DAV College.
4. In, into, in to
In implies the position within and into implies motion without to within. In to is a two word phrase in which in is an adverb.
The correspondence is in the file.
He walked into my office.
Mr. Sharma came in to see me.
5. Beside, besides
Besides means in addition to; beside means by the side of.
Besides, we need your support in this venture.
Besides being fined, he was also jailed.
I sat beside the girl I was supposed to marry. It was unnerving!
I live beside the temple.
6. On, upon, up on
Both on and upon are interchangeable, although upon is a little more formal and emphatic. In the two word phrase up on, on is an adverb.
Please place the book on the table.
His statements were based upon the scientific data.
It will be necessary to step up on the school.
7. Some words like senior, junior, prefer, prior, superior, inferior, preferable, etc. are followed by to and not than.
He is senior to me in service.
Health is more preferable to wealth.
This phone is inferior to that phone.
8. Certain words are used in gerund (first form of a verb followed by -ing) along with prepositions.
For e.g. abstain, confident, fond, insist, keen, persist, prohibit, refrain, succeed etc.
I prohibited him from parking his car near the entrance.
She is confident of speaking English within six months.
One should abstain from drinking and smoking.
He worked and succeeded in securing a good percentile in the entrance exam.
9. Certain words are used in gerund without a preposition if followed by the first form of a verb.
For e.g. avoid, enjoy, help, dislike, stop, remember etc.
He enjoys wasting time on his smartphone.
Stop fooling yourself.
I dislike the smell of hookah.
Many people avoid drinking before their superiors.
10. Certain words are followed by different prepositions in different contexts.
For e.g.
I agree with Mr. X
I agree to your proposal.