Have you ever spent way too much time staring at a sentence, wondering whether it’s interested in or interested on? Or maybe you’ve written increase of instead of increase in and later realized it didn’t quite sound right? Prepositions can be tricky little words! They might be small, but they have a big impact on how natural and grammatically correct your writing sounds.
For IELTS Writing, getting prepositions right is like adding the perfect spice to a dish—just the right amount makes everything flow smoothly, but one wrong move, and suddenly, your sentence is confusing. The problem? Prepositions don’t always follow logic! English doesn’t say depend of or married with, even if that’s how it works in some other languages. And let’s be honest—sometimes, learning prepositions feels like trying to predict the weather in April: totally unpredictable!
But here’s the good news: you CAN master them! With the right strategies, a little patience, and a sense of humor (because, trust me, English will surprise you), you’ll start using prepositions correctly and confidently. In this guide, we’ll break things down in a way that actually makes sense—no confusing jargon, just simple explanations, common mistakes to avoid, and tips that will make prepositions your best friend (or at least, a friendly acquaintance).
"Mistakes are proof that you are trying." — Jennifer Lim
What is a Preposition?
A preposition is a small but powerful word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another element in a sentence. Prepositions typically indicate location, direction, time, and manner, helping us understand where something is happening, when it's happening, and how it’s happening.
The Role of Prepositions
Prepositions serve to connect different parts of a sentence, giving us context about place, time, or direction. They provide clarity and detail, helping readers or listeners understand exactly when, where, or how an action is taking place.
For example:
She is sitting on the chair.
(The preposition on tells us where she is sitting.)
He will arrive at 6 PM.
(The preposition at gives us the specific time of arrival.)
The book is under the table.
(The preposition under tells us the location of the book in relation to the table.)
In essence, prepositions act like glue that holds parts of a sentence together by establishing relationships between objects and actions. Without prepositions, our sentences would be incomplete or unclear, as we wouldn’t know when, where, or how something is happening
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time help indicate when something happens. The most commonly used ones include in, on, at, since, for, ago, before, and more. Here’s how to use them correctly:
- In – Used for longer periods like months, years, centuries, and parts of the day.
- I was born in July.
- We moved to New York in 2015.
- She studies best in the morning.
- On – Used for specific days and dates.
- I have an exam on Monday.
- Her birthday is on December 25th.
- We met on New Year’s Eve.
- At – Used for precise times and specific points of the day.
- The train leaves at 7:30 AM.
- Let’s meet at midnight.
- He was born at the weekend. (British English, though American English prefers "on the weekend.")
- Since – Refers to a starting point in the past.
- I have lived here since 2010.
- She has been working since morning.
- For – Refers to a duration of time.
- I have lived here for ten years.
- She studied for three hours.
- Ago – Refers to a specific time in the past.
- I moved to London five years ago.
- They left an hour ago.
- Before – Refers to an earlier time than a certain point.
- Finish your work before noon.
- I had breakfast before going to work.
Prepositions of Place
Prepositions of place describe where something is located in relation to another object. Here’s how they work:
- In – Used when something is enclosed inside a space.
- The books are in the bag.
- She lives in New York.
- The kids are playing in the park.
- On – Used when something is on a surface.
- The phone is on the table.
- There’s a painting on the wall.
- He wrote his name on the paper.
- At – Used for specific points or locations.
- She is at the bus stop.
- We met at the airport.
- I will see you at school.
- Beside – Means next to something.
- He sat beside me.
- The bank is beside the grocery store.
- Under – Means below something.
- The cat is under the table.
- The keys are under the couch.
- Below – Lower than something but not necessarily directly under it.
- The temperature is below zero.
- Your name is below mine on the list.
- Above – Higher than something.
- The clock is above the door.
- The clouds are above the mountains.
Other Common Prepositions
- By – Indicates proximity, method, or an agent in passive sentences.
- She is sitting by the window. (Near)
- We traveled by car. (Method)
- The book was written by J.K. Rowling. (Agent)
- About – Refers to a topic or subject.
- We talked about our plans.
- This book is about history.
- Off – Indicates separation or movement away.
- She jumped off the table.
- Take your shoes off before entering.
- With – Indicates association or inclusion.
- She came with her brother.
- I wrote the letter with a pen.
- Without – Means lacking something.
- I can’t live without music.
- He left without saying goodbye.
- As – Used to indicate a role or function.
- She works as a teacher.
- He was chosen as the leader.
- For – Indicates purpose or duration.
- This gift is for you.
- I studied for three hours.
- Per – Means “for each” or “according to.”
- The speed limit is 60 miles per hour.
- They charge $10 per person.
Important Prepositions to Remember
Prepositions of Time
At → at 5 PM, at midnight, at the weekend
On → on Monday, on my birthday, on July 4th
In → in the morning, in August, in 2025
Since → since 2010, since last year
For → for two hours, for a long time
Prepositions of Place
At → at the bus stop, at the door
On → on the table, on the wall
In → in the room, in New York
Beside → beside the river
Under → under the bed
Above → above the clouds
Miscellaneous
By → Written by Shakespeare. (Agent)
About → A book about history. (Topic)
Off → Take your shoes off. (Separation)
With → She is good with numbers. (Association)
Without → I can’t live without music. (Lack)
As → She works as a teacher. (Role)
Per → The speed limit is 60 miles per hour. (Rate)
What is an Appropriate Preposition?
An appropriate preposition is the correct preposition that fits naturally with a specific word or phrase in a sentence. In English, certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns are always followed by specific prepositions, and using the wrong one can change the meaning of a sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.
For example:
She is interested in music. (Correct)
She is interested on music. (Incorrect)
He is good at math. (Correct)
He is good in math. (Incorrect)
Why Are Appropriate Prepositions Important?
They ensure grammatical accuracy.
He depends on his parents. (Not "depends of")
They prevent confusion and misunderstanding.
She is angry with him. (She is upset at him.)
She is angry about the situation. (She is upset about something in general.)
Common Examples of Appropriate Prepositions
| Verb + Preposition | Adjective + Preposition | Noun + Preposition |
|---|---|---|
| Listen to music | Interested in science | A reason for the delay |
| Depend on someone | Afraid of the dark | An increase in prices |
| Apologize for a mistake | Good at writing | A solution to the problem |
| Believe in yourself | Different from others | A need for improvement |
Important Appropriate Prepositions to Remember
Verb + Preposition Combinations
Some verbs are always followed by specific prepositions. Using the wrong preposition can make your sentence grammatically incorrect.
Agree with → I agree with your point.
Apologize for → She apologized for being late.
Apply for → He applied for a scholarship.
Believe in → She believes in hard work.
Depend on → We depend on technology daily.
Look forward to → I look forward to meeting you.
Succeed in → He succeeded in passing the exam.
Think about → I’m thinking about my future.
Worry about → She is worried about her results.
Adjective + Preposition Combinations
Certain adjectives always go with specific prepositions, and using the wrong one can change the meaning or make the sentence incorrect.
Afraid of → She is afraid of spiders.
Angry with (a person) → He is angry with his friend.
Angry about (a situation) → He is angry about the delay.
Capable of → She is capable of handling pressure.
Famous for → Paris is famous for its Eiffel Tower.
Good at → He is good at mathematics.
Interested in → She is interested in photography.
Proud of → He is proud of his achievements.
Noun + Preposition Combinations
Certain nouns are always followed by specific prepositions.
Advantage of → There are many advantages of online learning.
Cause of → The cause of the problem is unknown.
Increase in → There was an increase in fuel prices.
Need for → There is a need for more research.
Solution to → We need a solution to this issue.
Reason for → The reason for the delay was bad weather.
Tips to Remember Prepositions
Prepositions can be tricky because there are no strict rules, but with the right strategies, you can master them. Here are some effective tips to help you remember prepositions and use them correctly in IELTS Writing and Speaking.
1. Learn Prepositions in Phrases, Not Alone
Prepositions don’t always follow strict logic, so instead of memorizing them as individual words, learn prepositional phrases.
Examples:
Interested in photography (Not interested on photography)
Good at English (Not good in English)
Apologize for being late (Not apologize about being late)
2. Visualize and Connect with Real-Life Situations
Link prepositions to real-world images or scenarios to make them easier to remember.
Example:
The book is on the table. (Imagine the book resting on a surface.)
The keys are under the pillow. (Picture them beneath the pillow.)
I was born in July. (Think of July as a container holding all the days.)
3. Use Mnemonics for Preposition Categories
Mnemonics are memory aids that can help you recall prepositions.
Prepositions of Time (AT, ON, IN):
"AT is for points, ON is for days, IN is for longer stays!"
At 6 PM, at midnight, at the weekend
On Monday, on July 4th, on my birthday
In 2025, in the morning, in summer
Prepositions of Place (AT, ON, IN):
"AT a point, ON a surface, IN an enclosed space!"
At the door, at the bus stop (specific location)
On the table, on the wall (touching a surface)
In the room, in New York (inside an enclosed space)
4. Identify and Correct Common Mistakes
Many IELTS test-takers make similar errors. Recognizing these can help you avoid them.
Common Errors & Corrections:
❌ I am married with John.
✅ I am married to John.
❌ She is good in math.
✅ She is good at math.
❌ She depends of her parents.
✅ She depends on her parents.
Practical Practice Questions
Section 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentences.
She is interested ___ learning new languages.
He apologized ___ arriving late to the meeting.
We are looking forward ___ our trip next month.
The keys are ___ the table.
He has been working here ___ five years.
The book was written ___ a famous author.
She is afraid ___ spiders.
They arrived ___ the airport on time.
He is good ___ mathematics.
The teacher explained the topic ___ detail.
Section 2: Correct the Mistakes
The following sentences have preposition errors. Rewrite them with the correct prepositions.
I am married with a wonderful person.
He is interested on learning French.
We discussed about the new project in the meeting.
She is good in playing the piano.
I will meet you on next Monday.
They arrived to the station early.
He depends of his parents for financial support.
She is afraid from the dark.
The book consists on five chapters.
She is proud for her achievements.
Section 3: Choose the Correct Preposition
Select the correct preposition from the options given in brackets.
He was born (in / on / at) 1995.
The meeting starts (at / on / in) 10 AM.
I have been waiting for you (since / for / from) two hours.
We met (in / at / on) the park.
The picture is hanging (in / on / at) the wall.
They traveled (by / with / on) train to New York.
The teacher was annoyed (at / with / about) the students for not completing their homework.
She is suffering (from / with / in) a bad cold.
The movie will be released (at / in / on) December.
The bridge was built (with / by / from) skilled engineers.
Section 4: Preposition-Based Writing Task
Write a short paragraph (4-5 sentences) using at least five prepositions correctly.
Example:
"Yesterday, I went to the park with my friends. We sat on a bench under a big tree. The weather was perfect for a picnic. After that, we walked through the garden and took pictures."
Answer Key
Section 1: Fill in the Blanks (Answers)
She is interested in learning new languages.
He apologized for arriving late to the meeting.
We are looking forward to our trip next month.
The keys are on the table.
He has been working here for five years.
The book was written by a famous author.
She is afraid of spiders.
They arrived at the airport on time.
He is good at mathematics.
The teacher explained the topic in detail.
Section 2: Correct the Mistakes (Answers)
I am married to a wonderful person.
He is interested in learning French.
We discussed the new project in the meeting. (No preposition needed)
She is good at playing the piano.
I will meet you next Monday. (No preposition needed)
They arrived at the station early.
He depends on his parents for financial support.
She is afraid of the dark.
The book consists of five chapters.
She is proud of her achievements.
Section 3: Choose the Correct Preposition (Answers)
He was born in 1995.
The meeting starts at 10 AM.
I have been waiting for you for two hours.
We met at the park.
The picture is hanging on the wall.
They travelled by train to New York.
The teacher was annoyed with the students for not completing their homework.
She is suffering from a bad cold.
The movie will be released in December.
The bridge was built by skilled engineers.
Let’s be real—prepositions can be annoying, but so is traffic, and we’ve all learned to deal with it. The trick is to practice, notice patterns, and laugh at the occasional weirdness of English instead of stressing over it. If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’ve taken a huge step toward making prepositions work for you, not against you.
The key is consistency—keep reading, keep writing, and pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right every time; even fluent speakers mess up now and then! The difference is that you’re actively improving, and that’s what matters.
So, next time you’re stuck wondering whether it’s good at or good in, just smile and remember: even native speakers Google grammar rules sometimes. You’ve got this! ????
"The expert in anything was once a beginner." — Helen Hayes