Prepositions play a large part in the structure of the English language and, although “prepositions” seems an easy topic at first glance, it causes much difficulty to the ESL/EFL learners. I find this topic extremely difficult (maybe I should say confusing) because there is no logical reason why one preposition is right in a certain context while another is wrong. Take a look at the examples below:

Examples:
Get on the bike (exactly like a book is on the table, you are on the bike, basically you sit on the bike)
Get on the bus (this one doesn`t make sense for me at all, I am more likely to say Get in the bus, because I consider it a closed space, inside of the bus. Get on the bus makes me believe I have to go somewhere on the top of the bus.

Note:
Use on for public transport and in for private transport.

Definition of prepositions

Prepositions are words used with nouns/pronouns to show the relation in which they stand in regard to another word/words in a sentence. Prepositions can be single words or a group of words, and one of their main functions is to make a phrase with the help of the noun or pronoun that follows. Basically, prepositions link nouns, pronouns or phrases to other words in a sentence.

Position of prepositions in sentence

Prepositions are usually placed in front of the noun/pronoun they relate to. Prepositions can be found in questions and in relative and interrogative clauses as well.

Example:
This is my friend I was telling you about.

List of prepositions

This is a list of prepositions that are the most commonly used and their usage. There are many other prepositions in the English language.

At

Preposition at is used with an exact point of time (at 2 o`clock, at that time etc). It can also be used with periods of time, not necessarily so easily defined, such as festivities and weekend (at Christmas/Easter, at the weekend). It also has a third function to denote place, in the meaning near /close to, somewhere within or near this area (at the office, at the bus stops, at home).

On

Preposition on is used with more general points of time than at, usually with days and dates (on Wednesday, on June 16^th, on Saturday afternoon, on his birthday). Preposition on creates big confusion among Vietnamese learners.
It is also used as a place preposition, giving the meaning touching a surface of something but not inside – partially or otherwise – the surface itself (on the wall/floor/ceiling).

In

Preposition in is used with months, seasons, years, decades and longer periods of time in general, and parts of the day (in winter, in 1995, in December, in the morning). Preposition in is also used to show the total length of time taken for the completion of some activity

Example:
An airplane will get you from Vietnam to Romania in 12 hours

Preposition in is also use to state how long the period is for the action to take place

Example:
We have to be ready in 3 minutes.

Preposition in is used for places as well (in Vietnam, in Saigon etc) and for closed spaces such as (in the box, in the classroom, in the bag etc).
Preposition in is also used with clothes with the meaning wearing (A girl in a red dress)

By

Preposition by is used to show the latest time at which an action can be finished or was finished.

Note:
The action should be done before, or – at the latest – at the time indicated by the time expression after by, not after it.

Example:
I have to save $1000 by December.

For

Preposition for is used with periods of time and it shows how long an action lasts.

Example:
I have lived in Vietnam for 3 years).

It can also be used to show that the action is done on behalf of someone else (1), when you are buying a present (2), or to explain the function of something (3).

Example:
(1) I have done the shopping for you.
(2) I found a nice present for my mother.
(3) This is used for copying samples.

During

Preposition during is used to express an idea that a situation persists throughout the whole of a specific period of time (1), when an event took place within a specified period of time (2), or – contrary to the above definition – when the action took place some time within the time period in question, not the whole period(3).

Example:
(1) I work during the day, I can meet you only in the evening.
(2) I have learned Vietnamese during my time in Vietnam.
(3) I`ll visit you during the holidays.

From

Preposition from gives/shows the starting point of an action and is almost always found with to, until or till.

Example:
I have English class from 2 o`clock to 4 o`clock.

Note:
Don`t confuse from and since. Since is used with a moment of time in past and with an action that continues to the moment of speaking.
Naturally, from is also a place preposition, indicating movement away from the place after it (Example: I`ve just come back from London).

For

Preposition for is used for direction only when the verb indicates the beginning of a movement

Example:
I left for Vietnam.

Some other uses of for:

• With the object or purpose of (Example: To run for exercise.)
• Intended to belong to, or be used in connection with (Example: equipment for the army; a closet for dishes.)
• Suiting the purposes or needs of (Example: medicine for the aged.)
• In order to obtain, gain, or acquire (Example: a suit for alimony; to work for wages.)
• Used to express a wish, as of something to be experienced or obtained (Example: O, for a cold drink!)
• Sensitive or responsive to (Example: an eye for beauty.)
• Desirous of (Example: a longing for something; a taste for fancy clothes.)
• In consideration or payment of; in return for (Example: three for a dollar; to be thanked for one`s efforts.)
• Appropriate or adapted to (Example:a subject for speculation; clothes for winter.)
• With regard or respect to (Example: pressed for time; too warm for April.)
• During the continuance of (Example: for a long time.)
• In favor of; on the side of (Example: to be for honest government.)
• In place of; instead of (Example: a substitute for butter.)
• In the interest of; on behalf of (Example: to act for a client.)
• In exchange for; as an offset to (Example: blow for blow; money for goods.)
• In punishment of (Example: payment for the crime.)
• In honor of (Example: to give a dinner for a person.)
• With the purpose of reaching (Example: to start for London.)
• Contributive to (Example: for the advantage of everybody.)
• In order to save (Example: to flee for one`s life.)
• In order to become (Example: to train recruits for soldiers.)
• In assignment or attribution to (Example: an appointment for the afternoon; That`s for you to decide.)
• Such as to allow of or to require (Example: too many for separate mention.) such as results in (Example: his reason for going.)
• As affecting the interests or circumstances of (Example: bad for one`s health.)
• In proportion or with reference to (Example: He is tall for his age.)
• In the character of; as being (Example: to know a thing for a fact.)
• By reason of; because of (Example: to shout for joy; a city famed for its beauty.)
• In spite of (Example: He`s a decent guy for all that.)
• To the extent or amount of (Example: to walk for a mile.)
• Used to introduce a subject in an infinitive phrase (Example: It`s time for me to go.)
• Used to indicate the number of successes out of a specified number of attempts (Example: The batter was two for four in the game.)

Towards

Preposition towards or toward in American English – carries the meaning in the general direction of something/somebody. (Example: They went towards the exit but were stopped by a security guard.)

To

Preposition to is generally used for movement in the direction of and reaching the destination desired (Example: They run to the exit but were stopped by a security guard.)

Under

Preposition under is a place preposition. It can be a stationary place preposition (Example: The cat is under the table ) or indicate movement (Example: They ran under the bridge and hid in the ruins behind it). Also, compare: under/underneath, below, beneath.

Over vs. Above

Over means vertically above and above means higher than.

Above (adverb)

• On high; overhead (Example: the clouds above.)
• In heaven; heavenward.
• Upstairs (Example: a table in the dining room above.)
• To a degree that is over zero (Example: 15° above.)
• In or to a higher place.
• In an earlier part of a given text (Example: “The problems cited above have led to a number of suggestions for reform” – Wharton Magazine.)
• In or to a higher rank or position (Example: the ranks of major and above.)

Above (preposition)

• Over or higher than (Example: a cool spring above the timberline.)
• Superior to in rank, position, or number; greater than (Example: put principles above expediency.)
• Beyond the level or reach of (Example: a shot that was heard above the music.)
• In preference to.
• Too honorable to bend to (Example: I am above petty intrigue.)
• More than (Example: Somewhat above normal temperature.)
• Upstream of (Example: A dam positioned ten miles above the town.)
• North of (Example: Minnesota is above Iowa.)

Above (noun)

• An earlier part of a given text (Example: Refer to the above for that information.)
• The person or persons already referred to in a text (Example: The above hereby affix their signatures.)

Above (adjective)

• Appearing earlier in the same text (Example: flaws in the above interpretation.)

Above

(Idiom)

• Above all (Examples: Over and above all other factors or considerations), (Example: Above all, tell the truth.)

Below vs. Under (under = vertically bellow; below = lower than)

Below

It is preferred when one thing is not directly under another.
Example:
When the sun sets, it sinks below the horizon.

Below is used in measurements of temperature and height, and in other cases where we think of a vertical scale.
Examples:
The temperature is 10 degrees below zero.
The Dead Sea is below sea level.
She is below average in intelligence.
The ankle is below the knee.

Under

Use under when something is covered or hidden by what is directly over it.
Examples:
I think the cat is under the bed.
The whole village was under water.
The ankle is under the knee. (not directly under it).

We usually use under, not below, to mean less than or younger than.
Examples:
There were under fifty people at the meeting.
You cannot see this film if you are under 18.

With

Preposition with is used with anything which is carried (Example: A man with an umbrella). Preposition with can also be used for diseases/deformities (Example: A girl with a limp), and with qualities of character (Example: A man with common sense). Please note the use of with in I am going to cinema with my mother.

Other uses for with:

• Against (Example: He picked a fight with the class bully.)
• In the company of; alongside, along side of; close to; near to (Example: He went with his friends.)
• In addition to; as an accessory to (Example: She owns a motorcycle with a sidecar.)
• Used to indicate simultaneous happening, or immediate succession or consequence (Example: “With a bolt of fright he remembered that there was no bathroom in the Hobhouse Room. He leapt along the corridor in a panic, stopping by the long-case clock at the end where he flattened himself against the wall” – 1994, Stephen Fry, The Hippopotamus, Chapter 2.)
• In support of (Example: We are with you all the way.)
• As an instrument; by means of (Example: Cut with a knife.)