English prepositions—those “green monsters” that intimidate so many of us when learning the language. How and when should we use them? These are some of the most common questions English learners ask. Regardless of your level or experience, prepositions in English can be tricky. That’s mainly because we’re not always 100% sure when or how to use them correctly.
But don’t worry—today, through Talkao’s English lessons, we’re going to tackle these “little monsters” and show you they’re not so scary after all. Once you understand the correct usage of English prepositions, you’ll realize they’re actually quite simple. Plus, we’ll walk you through practical exercises that show how useful they really are for improving your English fluency.
Even better, you’ll see how prepositions are essential tools in everyday conversation. Far from being just a grammar rule, they’re key elements for expressing ideas clearly and naturally in English.
To make things even easier, we’ll show you how AI-based predictive translation can be a powerful tool when learning English prepositions. Talkao’s voice and text recognition features help you not only translate, but also understand the context and usage of each preposition.
What are prepositions in English? Understanding their grammatical function
If you’re learning English, chances are you’ve already come across these small yet powerful words. Small in size, yes—but essential for connecting ideas and giving meaning to your sentences. We’re talking about prepositions. Although they’re often underestimated due to their length, prepositions play a crucial role in both grammar structure and everyday comprehension.
In the first lesson of Talkao’s English course, you’ll discover exactly what prepositions in English are, how they function, and how to use them correctly in daily conversation. You’ll learn that mastering prepositions can make a big difference in your fluency and, more importantly, in your ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
But before we dive into usage, let’s start from the beginning…
What are English prepositions?
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other elements in a sentence. These relationships can express place, time, direction, cause, manner, and more.
In English, the most common types of prepositions relate to place, time, and movement—the latter being a unique category that’s not always emphasized in other languages. Another key point: English prepositions are invariable, meaning they don’t change form and are always followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
Here are some of the most commonly used prepositions in English:
- of
- in
- on
- at
- to
- from
- with
- about
- for
Although these are frequently used in daily sentences, they’re not the only prepositions—nor necessarily the most important. With Talkao’s language recognition technology, you’ll learn that every preposition matters, and with AI-powered predictive translation, you’ll also learn how to use them properly.

Why are prepositions so important in English grammar?
If you’re committed to learning English in a structured, effective way, certain grammar elements deserve special attention—and prepositions are one of them. As we’ve mentioned, they are essential for building grammatically correct and natural-sounding sentences.
From a grammatical standpoint, prepositions are invariable words that introduce a prepositional complement—that is, a group of words that clarifies or completes the meaning of another part of the sentence, usually a verb, adjective, or noun.
Put simply, the main function of prepositions is to connect words in a sentence and define clear semantic relationships between them. Speaking without prepositions would sound a bit like “Tarzan talk”—not exactly the goal for anyone learning English!
Before we look at how to use them correctly, let’s see a few examples of common mistakes caused by missing prepositions.
Sentences without prepositions: What do they sound like?
Sometimes the best way to learn is by looking at common mistakes. Let’s take a look at how the absence of prepositions can completely change the meaning of a sentence—and how to fix it.
Common mistakes and corrections:
- Incorrect: I’m thinking this problem.
- Correct: I’m thinking about this problem. “About” introduces the reflection and connects the verb to its object.
- Incorrect: She is good history.
- Correct: She is good at history. “At” shows the subject’s skill in a particular area.
- Incorrect: They arrived the airport 8 p.m.
- Correct: They arrived at the airport at 8 p.m. We need prepositions to indicate both place and time.
- Incorrect: We are waiting you.
- Correct: We are waiting for you. A literal translation from Spanish like this doesn’t work in English. The preposition “for” indicates who is being waited for.
These examples lead us to one clear conclusion: prepositions matter—a lot. And with Talkao’s AI translation and speech recognition tools, learning to use them properly becomes easier than ever.
What is the function of a preposition in a sentence?
As we’ve already seen, English prepositions—just like in many other languages—play a crucial role. At this point, it’s clear that their main function is to connect. Prepositions are used to link words within a sentence and clearly establish semantic relationships between grammatical structures.
That part is fairly straightforward. But now you might be wondering: Do prepositions serve any other purpose in a sentence?
Yes, they do. In fact, English prepositions go beyond grammar. By their very nature, prepositions complete sentences by adding essential meaning.
In other words, prepositions allow us to expand the meaning of a sentence by adding complements related to place, time, or action (movement). Additionally, a preposition helps to refine or clarify the meaning of another part of the sentence. Because they are invariable—that is, they don’t change based on tense—they are vital in both spoken and written English. They give a sentence its full context and clarity.
Let’s explore how they are constructed so you can understand their function even better.
How to use a preposition in an English sentence
As the natural connectors of grammatical structures, prepositions in English play a key role. By using them correctly in a sentence, you can expand its meaning, add precision, and create logical connections between ideas. Therefore, there is a standard grammatical structure to follow.
Generally, English prepositions follow this basic rule:
Preposition + Prepositional Complement
The complement is usually a noun, a pronoun, or a gerund (a verb in its -ing form). Let’s look at a few examples:
- I am sitting in the car.
- My mother was talking with him.
- Mike talked about learning English next summer.
In each of these examples, the preposition serves as a bridge that smoothly connects ideas to form a coherent and logical sentence. But more importantly, prepositions help us express specific meanings. Without them, our sentences would sound vague, unclear, or grammatically incorrect. We’d lose essential details like time, place, or action.
And that leads us to the next step in mastering English prepositions: Understanding the most common types of prepositions and their specific functions.
Types of prepositions in English
Prepositions in English can be classified into different types depending on the semantic relationship they express. While there are many categories, let’s focus on the most common types. To help you understand and internalize them, we’ll include clear examples for each case.
Prepositions of place
Place prepositions indicate the position of a person or object in relation to another. They are essential for giving precise information in everyday conversations. If you’re using language recognition technology like Talkao’s AI-powered predictive translation, you’ll often encounter prepositions such as:
- in
- on
- under
- next to
- behind
- between
These prepositions help form accurate and natural-sounding sentences when describing location or position.
Prepositions of time
Time prepositions allow us to place events or actions at specific points or within time frames. The most commonly used ones include:
- at
- on
- in
- since
- for
- by
Quick tip to avoid confusion:
Use “in” for months, years, and parts of the day, “on” for specific days, and
“at” for exact times.
Let’s see how the meaning changes with just a different preposition:
- I go to the gym in the morning.
- I go to the gym on Mondays.
- I go to the gym at 6:00 a.m.
Prepositions of direction or movement
Although not exclusive to English, movement prepositions have specific uses in the language. They show the direction in which someone or something is moving. Common examples include:
- to
- into
- onto
- across
- along
These are useful when describing motion, routes, or changes in position.
Prepositions of cause, reason, or purpose
We use these prepositions to explain the reason or purpose behind an action or event. Some of the most frequent are:
- because of
- due to
- for
They help bring clarity when expressing why something happens.
Prepositions of agent or means
These are commonly used in English to indicate who performs an action or the means through which something happens. Examples include:
- by
- with
They are often found in passive constructions or when describing tools and methods.
Yes, we get it—when you see them listed like this, prepositions can seem a bit confusing. But don’t worry! With Talkao’s English classes, you’ll learn to use them naturally and effortlessly—no need for endless memorization. Thanks to AI-powered predictive translation, you’ll pick them up in real-life, everyday contexts. Next, let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when using English prepositions—and how to fix them.
Common mistakes when using English prepositions
When we rely on language recognition technology, we often forget about the proper use of prepositions. We hand over the entire translation process to an app and stop paying attention to the structure of each sentence. However, if there’s one thing all English teachers agree on, it’s the importance of understanding the grammatical roots of the language.
In other words, if you learn the basic principles of English, speaking and writing becomes much easier over time. Let’s take a look at why so many people make mistakes with English prepositions.
Why do we use prepositions incorrectly in English?
Mastering prepositions in English is, without a doubt, one of the most frustrating parts of learning the language. And while it’s certainly challenging, understanding them is essential to your progress.
Even though you have AI-powered predictive translation apps at your fingertips, it’s crucial to grasp the grammatical foundation. This is the key to building sentences and truly understanding any language.
Here are some common mistakes English learners often make:
Translating prepositions literally
It doesn’t matter if your native language is Spanish, Japanese, or any other—prepositions don’t always have a direct translation. That’s why literal translation doesn’t work. You must learn their meaning and use in context.
Don’t translate. Learn how they work naturally in English.
Using the wrong preposition with certain verbs
A single verb can take different prepositions depending on the context. Sometimes, two or more prepositions of the same type may appear in one sentence:
- I go to the gym on Fridays at 5 o’clock.
Each preposition adds specific information—when, where, or how the action occurs.
Not recognizing fixed expressions (Collocations)
There are expressions in English that only work with certain prepositions. These are called collocations, and learning them is essential for sounding natural. Here are a few examples:
- Look into – To investigate something
- Get over – To recover from something
- Take care of – To care for someone or something
- Be careful of – To be cautious with something

How to practice prepositions when learning English
In many classes, you’ll hear that the only way to learn prepositions is through memorization. But in Talkao’s podcasts, you’ll discover that learning English is not about memorizing rules, but about understanding the language logically and naturally.
With AI-powered predictive translation, you’ll learn to use prepositions in the right context—just like native speakers do. It’s one of your best allies for learning English effectively.
Here’s how you can practice prepositions efficiently:
- Study common verb + preposition combinations
- Read regularly in English, identify prepositions, and analyze their function
- Listen to English content and focus on contextual use
- Write your own sentences using the prepositions you’ve learned
- Do interactive grammar exercises and review your mistakes
Don’t be afraid of prepositions in English!
Prepositions are powerful grammatical tools with real-life practical use. Mastering them will help you speak more fluently and sound more natural in conversations. Little by little, you’ll get closer to speaking like a native.
Subscribe to Talkao’s YouTube Channel and take advantage of its AI translation tools to make your English learning journey smoother, smarter, and more intuitive.