• IELTS

Mastering Prepositions for IELTS Success

5567 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Aug 31,2023 03:06 PM IST

Prepositions are used in almost every sentence and are considered a complex topic in English grammar. It shows the relationship between the words in the sentence as well as the word that is the object of a preposition. Read the blog to learn some important prepositions for IELTS and their uses.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the popular English proficiency tests accepted by most colleges, universities, and other authorities worldwide. Grammar, especially the use of prepositions in IELTS, plays a vital role in assessing an individual’s language ability.

Prepositions can be used to show location, direction, time, purpose, and relationship. Some common prepositions include in, on, at, to, for, of, with, by, from, and about. It is important to use prepositions correctly in order to communicate effectively in IELTS.

Introduction to Prepositions

Prepositions are words that showcase the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. Prepositions usually come before nouns or pronouns, but they can also come before verbs or adjectives.

Here are some examples of prepositions:

• in

• on

• at

• to

• from

• of

• with

• by

• for

• about

Prepositions can be used to show:

• Direction: The preposition "to" can be used to show direction.

• Time: The preposition "at" can be used to show time.

• Place: The preposition "in" can be used to show place.

• Relationship: The preposition "of" can be used to show a relationship.

Prepositions are complex but an important part of grammar for IELTS exam.

Prepositions and adverbs

Prepositions and adverbs have no difference in their forms but in their uses: a preposition has an object, but an adverb does not.

• Prepositions show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence.

• Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or entire sentences. They typically answer the questions "how," "when," "where," "why," or "to what extent."

Guidelines for Using Prepositions in IELTS

Prepositions for Position

Vertical position: above, after, below, beneath, down, on, on top of, over, under, underneath, up. The prepositions above and over are often interchangeable, as are the prepositions below and under. However, there are some specific cases where one preposition is preferred over the other.

• Over is used to indicate horizontal movement, and under is used to indicate a quantity that is less than another quantity.

• Prepositions like above or below are used to talk about level or rank.

• Beneath is usually used in idiomatic phrases.

Horizontal position: against, along, alongside, around, at, beside, between, by, in, near, next to, on, on the left or right of

• At is used to indicate a point in space.

• On indicates a surface or a line.

• In is used to indicate something that surrounds it.

Facing relationships: across, after, before, behind, facing, in front of, opposite, over

• The prepositions in front of and behind are often used to describe the spatial relationship between two things that are on a line and facing the same way. These prepositions can also be used in a metaphorical sense.

• The prepositions before and after can also be used to describe the position of two things on a line, but they have a slightly different meaning. The preposition before is used to indicate that something is in front of something else but not necessarily facing the same way.

• The prepositions opposite, facing, across, and over all have the meaning of "on the other side of."

• The difference between opposite and facing is that the items on the "line" are not facing in the same direction, as in the diagram above, but are facing each other.

Prepositions for Movements and Directions

• Vertical movement: down (to), off, on, onto, over, up (to).

• Passing movement: across, along, down, over, past, through, up.

• Movement in one direction—around, at, away from, down, down to, from, into and onto, out of, to, towards, up.

Prepositions for Time

• Point in time—at, in, on.

• Before or after: after, before, by, past.

• Duration: as from/of, between, during, for, from...till/until/up to, in, inside, since, through (out), until/till, up to, within.

Other meanings

• Reason: because of, due to, for, from, out of, owing to, through

• Means: by, by means of, in, via, with

• Purpose: for, towards

• Comparison: Against, as, besides, between, contrary to, than, un (like)

• Inclusion and Exclusion: Among, as well as, besides, between, beyond, inside, instead of, out of, outside, under, within, and without

• Exception: Apart from, barring, but for, except (for), save

• Contrast: Despite, for all, in spite of

• Material: from, of, out of, with

Guidelines to keep in mind while using prepositions for IELTS

Word Groups: The first guidelines to follow for the use of IELTS prepositions are to use them with word groups. The prepositional word groups are:

Verb word groups

When a verb is followed by a sentence, it is usually accompanied by a specific preposition that is always used with that particular verb.

Adjective word groups

Students can use Adjectives in the IELTS exam to describe nouns such as people, places, or things. Adjectives are usually combined with prepositions to connect two nouns or pronouns in a sentence.

Situations: It is important for a candidate to remember the use of prepositions with regard to:

• Time

• Place

• Movement

Preposition Phrases

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. It modifies a noun or pronoun in the sentence.

Prepositional phrases can be used to show location, direction, purpose, or relationship. Prepositional phrases can also be used as useful idioms, such as "by the way" and "in the end."

Here are some examples of prepositional phrases:

• In the box

• To the store

• At 10am

• For my coffee

• Of the family

• By the way

• In the end,

Prepositional phrases can be used in a variety of ways to add meaning to applicants sentences. By understanding how to use prepositional phrases correctly, the candidate can ace the IELTS writing task as well as in IELTS speaking.

Additional Tips for Using Prepositions in IELTS

• Candidates must use the right preposition for the meaning they want to convey. For example, they can use the preposition "in" to show that something is inside something else and the preposition "on" to show that something is on top of something else.

• Pay attention to the context of the sentence. The preposition can change depending on the other words in the sentence.

• Consult a dictionary or grammar guide if the candidate is unsure of how to use a preposition. There are many resources available to help one learn the correct usage of prepositions.

Conclusion

Prepositions are of utmost importance in grammar and communication, particularly in the context of IELTS. Acquiring a strong grasp on the use of IELTS prepositions is essential for enhancing both writing and speaking abilities, ultimately leading to better performance in the IELTS examination.

Also read: Mastering Grammar for IELTS : Rules and Guide to follow

FAQ

What are some of the common prepositions used in IELTS writing?

Some common prepositions used in IELTS writing are: in, on, at, to, for, with, by, from, etc.

What are the common mistakes made while using prepositions in IELTS?

Misusing prepositions is a common mistake that leads to confusion and errors in meaning.

Why is grammar important in IELTS?

Grammar is the basis of effective communication. Unsuitable grammar can affect the meaning and clarity of the message.

Are prepositions considered words in IELTS writing?

All words, including small grammar words, are considered when counting the word limit in IELTS writing.

Can prepositions have verbs?

Some multi-word verbs consist of a verb and a preposition and are known as prepositional verbs.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

University of Essex - Colchester Campus

England, UK • 600 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 17000-21000 / year

Drake University

Iowa, USA • 88 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 50000-52000 / year

Navitas Group - Griffith College - Brisbane City Campus

Queensland, Australia • 253 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 33500-41000 / year

Governors State University

Illinois, USA • 71 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 15000-16000 / year

University of Bath

England, UK • 283 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 19000-25000 / year

Global University Systems (GUS) - University of Europe for Applied Sciences - Iserlohn Campus

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany • 19 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 12700-12700 / year

Accadis University of Applied Sciences

Hesse, Germany • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 0-0 / year

Shorelight Group - University of Dayton

Ohio, USA • 128 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 44000-48000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

The International Education Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, France

New Delhi • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

University Visits - Murdoch University

Study in Dubai • University Visit

Chandigarh • 02:30PM

In-Person Event

Navitas - UK, Canada, Australia

Study in Canada, UK, Australia • University Visit

Bangalore • 12:00PM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online

- Live Classes

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

Top scholarships for Indian students to study in the Canada

Beginning the journey of higher education, many bright minds from India set their sights on Canada—a land of academic promise and cultural diversity...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 12:50 PM IST • Scholarships

MBA Finance in Australia: Universities, Eligibility, Scholarships and Job Opportunities

MBA in Finance in Australia is a 1.5 to 2-year long program offered at multiple institutes across the states of Australia. The program takes the stude...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 12:46 PM IST • Australia

GMAT vs GRE : Key differences between the tests

The pursuit of a master's degree is an exciting journey, but this path comes with many other difficult choices to be made. One of those choices is sel...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 12:40 PM IST • Education

Facts to Know Before Studying in Australia

When you decide to pursue your studies in Australia, there are so many things that you should know before actually moving to the country. Kn...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 12:19 PM IST • Australia

Countries to study MBA abroad in 2024 : Eligibility, Fees, Exams for Indian Students

For ambitious Indian students, an MBA abroad isn't just a degree, it's a way to a global career. MBA is a popular course in the modern world as it ope...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 12:16 PM IST • Study Abroad

Bachelor's Degrees in the UK- Universities, Courses, Eligibility, and Admission Process

Higher education in the UK is sought after not only by residents of the UK but people around the world. In the UK, the first degree is a bachelor’s ...

Updated on • Apr 28,2025 11:49 AM IST • study in the UK

A Guide to calculating CGPA to percentage to study abroad

Assessing one’s academic performance is essential for determining the future course of action. One of the primary reasons to measure this performanc...

Updated on • Apr 26,2025 03:47 PM IST • Study Abroad

SAT Exam 2025: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, and Preparation Tips

Are you dreaming of studying at the top universities in the USA? If yes, then you should definitely know about one important exam, which is the SAT. I...

Updated on • Apr 25,2025 10:39 AM IST • Education

Ireland Student Visa Process 2025 | Step-by-Step Guide & Requirements

Wondering why to study in Ireland?. We will give you numerous reasons to head in that direction. Apart from being one of the most preferred study dest...

Updated on • Apr 19,2025 03:30 PM IST • Ireland

ACT vs. SAT: Which One to Choose?

Many colleges and universities require students to submit scores from the SAT or ACT- both recognized standardized exams as part of the admission proc...

Updated on • Apr 14,2025 01:46 PM IST • Study Abroad

Five Types of IELTS Essays

Love giving opinions? Welcome to IELTS writing task 2. In this task, you get different types of essays, one of which is an opinion essay. There are fi...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 05:53 PM IST • IELTS

Backlog Certificate: A Complete Guide

What is a backlog?In an academic context, a "backlog" refers to a course or subject that a student did not pass on their first attempt during their re...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 01:47 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Apr 09,2025 05:37 PM IST • PTE

Master's in Computer Science in the USA

Silicon Valley in the United States of America has been the global mecca of technology and invention. Every significant technological advancement has ...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 05:59 PM IST • USA

MBA is one of the most sought-after courses worldwide and consistently tops the list of preferred study abroad courses for Indian students. Now, wheth...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 04:47 PM IST • Study Abroad

Describe Your Hometown IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic

The IELTS Speaking part 1 topic ‘Describe your Hometown’ is one of the most often asked and easiest topics to answer in an IELTS test. In this top...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 05:50 PM IST • IELTS

How to Get a Job in USA in 2025

USA is not just a great destination for studying abroad, but also for pursuing a full-time job. That’s why the internet is filled with queries like ...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 03:19 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Apr 01,2025 05:31 PM IST • Study Abroad

Student Life in Ireland in 2025

“World-Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes”. The tagline highlights the ideal balance of a high-quality education and a tremendous, hospitable cu...

Updated on • Mar 29,2025 05:50 PM IST • Ireland

Top Public Universities in Germany

It’s a notion that studying abroad is expensive, but there is one country that is breaking this notion. Germany, also known as the land of ideas, of...

Updated on • Mar 26,2025 04:33 PM IST • Germany

Mastering Prepositions for IELTS Success

Table of Contents

Introduction to Prepositions

Prepositions and adverbs

Guidelines for Using Prepositions in IELTS

Prepositions for Position

Prepositions for Movements and Directions

Prepositions for Time

Other meanings

Guidelines to keep in mind while using prepositions for IELTS

Verb word groups

Adjective word groups

Preposition Phrases

Additional Tips for Using Prepositions in IELTS

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online