Prepositions are one of the parts of English that is most difficult for Spanish speakers to learn because direct translation is often impossible. Prepositions can be translated differently depending on the situation or context. Therefore, it is advisable to memorize the different variations and uses depending on whether we are talking about prepositions of place, movement, or time. We will see that many of the prepositions are repeated in the different sections.
In
Meaning: in, inside, within
Use (Place)
It is used to indicate both enclosed spaces and open spaces. We use it to indicate that something is inside a thing, in a closed place, or inside something physically. However, as we see in the examples, it is also used to indicate that someone is in a geographic location.
- I live in Brighton.
- The cat is in the box.
- I found your address in the phone book.
- My parents arrive in France on Monday.
Use (Time)
It is used with months, years, times of day, and periods of time.
- We went to Mexico in May.
- I always run in the mornings.
- I will see him in a week.
- She was born in 1976.
At
Meaning: in, to, at, near, touching
Use (Place)
It is used in front of buildings such as houses, airports, universities, for events such as meetings, parties, concerts, sports, etc., before "top", "bottom", "the end of" and behind "arrive" when referring to places that are not cities or countries.
- He is at home.
- I always visit my sister at work.
- We eat at the table.
- She will see him at the theatre.
- Her name is at the bottom of the page.
- When did you arrive at the airport?
Use (Time)
It is used before the hour and for holidays.
- He runs every morning at 6.
- I will see them at Christmas.
On
Meaning: on, above, touching
Use (Place)
It is placed before names of places with a base like tables, floors, etc., when referring to parts of a room like the ceiling or the wall, and to indicate that someone is inside public transportation or on a floor of a building.
- The pen is on the table.
- They have a photograph of Paris on the wall.
- I am on the bus.
- Her apartment is on the second floor.
Use (Time)
It is used with days of the week, dates, and holidays.
- They went to Mexico on the first of May.
- He runs on Mondays and Fridays.
- I will see Luis on his birthday.
English Prepositions of Time
On
- Days of the week
- Dates
- Special days
In
- Months/seasons
- Time of day
- Year
- Centuries
At
- Clock times
- Festivals
- End of a period of time
- For night
- For weekend
Since
- Marking the beginning of a period of time
For
- Over a certain period of time
Ago
- A certain time in the past
Before
- Earlier than a certain point of time
Past
- Over a certain period of time
Till/Until
- Up to a certain time
- In the sense of at the latest
To
- A certain point of time
- Telling the time
By
- At the latest
- Up to a certain time
English Prepositions of Place
In
- Room, building, street, town, country
- Book, paper, etc.
At
- Car, taxi
- Events
- Table
On
- Television, radio
- Ground, lower than something else
By, Next to, Beside
- Next to, by an object
- For table
Under
- Being on a surface
- Certain side (left, right)
Below
- Ground, lower than (or covered by) something else
Over
- Across
- A certain side (left, right)
- On the ground, lower than something else
Above
- Over a certain period of time
Across
- Through
Through
- A place with a river
To
- Into
- Towards
- Onto
- From
