Prepositions can be a tricky part of English grammar—but once your child understands a few key rules and sees real-life examples, they become much more manageable. This guide breaks down everything about prepositions with clear explanations, practice assignments, answer keys, and most importantly, how PlanetSpark’s Communication Course for Kids can help your child learn prepositions confidently and correctly. Let's dive in!
What Are Prepositions?
Definition:
A preposition is a word that links a noun (or pronoun) to another part of the sentence, indicating relationships of time, place, direction, or manner.
Examples:
-
Hard work is the key to success.
-
Suraj has no sympathy for street dogs.
-
He is proud of his daughter.
-
We sat on the floor.
In each case, the prepositions (“to,” “for,” “of,” “on”) give essential meaning to these sentences, clarifying how things relate to each other.
PlanetSpark Tip:
We emphasize realistic usage—students learn prepositions in stories, dialogues, and real conversational contexts, not just isolated rules. Learn more with a free trial class!
Why Prepositions Matter in Class 8
By Class 8, students should confidently use prepositions in more complex sentence structures. Understanding prepositions correctly:
-
Enhances writing clarity
-
Improves rail syntax and paragraph flow
-
Boosts speaking confidence
-
Helps in exam success, especially in error correction and comprehension passages
At PlanetSpark, we reinforce preposition usage through speech, debate, essays, and writing prompts—ensuring children aren’t just memorizing, but applying language in meaningful situations. Register for a trial class to know more.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions fall into two main categories:
3.1 Simple Prepositions
Single-word prepositions, such as:
in, on, at, from, to, for, with, without, between, during, among, above, below, into, through, around
Example:
-
The students walked through the corridor.
3.2 Compound Prepositions
Phrases of two or more words acting together as a single preposition:
out of, due to, because of, in front of, by means of, apart from, according to
Example:
-
She arrived out of breath.
Common Preposition Mistakes
Even mature learners make small preposition errors. Here are frequent slip-ups and their corrections:
| Incorrect Sentence | Corrected Version |
|---|---|
| Ben took revenge from me. | Ben took revenge on me. |
| Open your book on page 65. | Open your book at page 65. |
| It is 7.30 on my watch. | It is 7.30 by my watch. |
| I was invited in the party. | I was invited to the party. |
| Send this parcel on Monica’s address. | Send this parcel to Monica’s address. |
Learn more about PlanetSpark and their teaching methods with a free trial class here!
Key Preposition Rules with Examples
Here are the most important prepositions your child needs to know—explained clearly and memorably:
5.1 Since vs From vs For
-
Since: Indicates a starting point (only with perfect tenses)
She has been studying English since morning. -
From: Indicates the origin or starting point (works with multiple tenses)
The train departs from Delhi at 6 PM. -
For: Indicates duration
He has lived here for three years.
5.2 At vs In
-
At: Specific point or place
She is at the library. -
In: Inside an area or enclosed space
He lives in Mumbai.
5.3 In vs Into
-
In: Rest or position
The book is in the bag. -
Into: Motion toward the inside
She jumped into the pool.
5.4 On vs Upon
-
On: Positioned above and touching
The cat is on the roof. -
Upon: Formal version of “on,” often in literary usage
He leapt upon the challenge.
5.5 Beside vs Besides
-
Beside: Next to
The pencil is beside the notebook. -
Besides: In addition to
Besides English, she speaks Hindi.
5.6 Between vs Among
-
Between: Used when choosing/checking between two things
Choose between tea and coffee. -
Among: Three or more
Distribute the candies among the students.
Avoid Unnecessary Prepositions
Some words sound better without a preposition—here are common examples:
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| I fear from my father. | I fear my father. |
| I accompanied with my sister. | I accompanied my sister. |
| Officials regretted at the delay. | Officials regretted the delay. |
| We have ordered for some food. | We have ordered some food. |
| Arjun often picks up a fight. | Arjun often picks a fight. |
| Ask from the cook. | Ask the cook. |
To understand how PlanetSpark provides learners with a solid understanding of prepositions for a Class 8 student, register for a free trial class now!
Practice Makes Perfect! Downloadable Preposition Assignments
Fill in the Blanks
-
Come and sit ________ me.
-
________ rice she had curry.
-
The frog jumped ________ the river.
-
He married ________ wealth.
-
I hesitate ________ trust him.
-
Cloth is sold ________ metre.
-
The Gateway ________ India is a tourist attraction ________ Mumbai.
-
Seema leaves ________ school ________ 8 a.m.
-
My grandfather was born ________ a small village ________ Tamil Nadu.
-
Ranjan has been absent ________ school ________ last week.
Make Sentences With:
a) Among
b) Upon
c) Above
d) Through
e) Within
Rewrite Correctly:
-
I work in night.
-
I go to school at the morning.
-
He will be in hostel since two years.
-
There is no cure of diabetes.
-
There was no oil on the lamp.
-
He was selected captain with his teammates.
-
The yoghurt is delicious beside being healthy.
-
I am writing through a pen.
lanetSpark Value Add:
Submit practice answers through our portal and get instant tutor feedback, corrections, and 1:1 guidance!
Practice Answer Key
Fill in the Blanks
-
by
-
With
-
into
-
for
-
to
-
by
-
of, in
-
for, at
-
in, in
-
from, since
Sentence Examples
a) Among – Jay is the best bowler among us.
b) Upon – The box was placed upon the table.
c) Above – Your grades are above average.
d) Through – We walked through a dense forest.
e) Within – I’ll finish the book within two days.
Corrected Sentences
-
I work at night.
-
I go to school in the morning.
-
He has lived in the hostel for two years.
-
There is no cure for diabetes.
-
There was no oil in the lamp.
-
He was selected captain by his teammates.
-
The yoghurt is delicious besides being healthy.
-
I am writing with a pen.
Why PlanetSpark Helps Your Child Excel in Grammar
Here’s what makes our English Grammar Course for Class 8+ exceptional:
-
Guided Practice Through Real Usage
Grammar isn’t just rules—it’s used in writing, speaking, debates, and presentations. -
1:1 Coaching
Every student gets personalized attention and detailed feedback. -
Customized Curriculum
Tailored to your child’s current skill level, including grammar, vocabulary, and speaking fluency. -
Interactive Learning Environment
Through quizzes, games, dialogues, and storytelling, grammar learning becomes engaging. -
Frequent Progress Reports
Detailed updates show how your child is improving over time. -
Motivational Gamified Learning
Points, badges, and awards to keep them excited and engaged. -
Community of Learners
Join writing clubs, speaking challenges, and debates to use grammar actively.
You can experience the difference in how PlanetSpark guides your child to teach prepositions with a free trial class. Register now!
How to Get Started with Prepositions on PlanetSpark
-
Book a Free Demo Class
Experience our dynamic live session firsthand. -
Initial Assessment
We evaluate your child’s strengths and areas for improvement. -
Customized Learning Plan
We set a roadmap focusing on prepositions and related topics. -
Live Sessions
1:1 coaching through grammar rules, real usage, and writing practice. -
Ongoing Support
Homework, corrections, quizzes, and progress tracking. -
Parent Feedback & Reports
Understand strengths, improvements, and upcoming focus areas.
Sample Lesson Flow: Prepositions Week
| Day | Focus | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preposition Overview | Intro, examples, simple sentences |
| 2 | Prepositions of Time | Worksheets, story time usage |
| 3 | Prepositions of Place/Direction | Spatial maps, games like “Where’s the toy?” |
| 4 | Preposition Pairs | Interactive quizzes (at/in, during/through) |
| 5 | Compound Prepositions | Story creation with phrases like “in front of” |
| 6 | Error Correction | Incorrect sentences and peer review |
| 7 | Review & Assessment | Spoken sentences, short paragraph writing, quiz |
Final Thoughts: Prepositions = Precision + Expression
Prepositions are small but mighty—they bring precision to a sentence. With regular practice and clear guidance, kids can master them easily.
At PlanetSpark, we don’t just teach grammar—we help your child speak and write with clarity and confidence. Your investment today empowers their communication for life. Register
FAQs About Prepositions
Q1. How do I remember prepositions easily?
Review common ones in context through stories and sentences. Try writing short dialogues and underlining prepositions.
PlanetSpark Tip: We use flashcards, quizzes, and real conversations in class to help kids reinforce preposition use.
Try a demo class, explore interactive learning with us!
Q2. Can a sentence end with a preposition?
Yes, modern English accepts it.
Examples:
-
That’s the book I asked for.
-
Who are you talking to?
We coach students to use both formal and conversational styles.
Q3. Can a sentence start with a preposition?
Definitely!
-
On what day are they coming?
-
In which book did you read that?
Q4. Are two prepositions used together allowed?
You can’t stack two simple ones. However, compound prepositions like out of, by means of, in favor of are valid.
Q5. How to spot compound prepositions?
Look for multi-word phrases with a single meaning—like "according to" or "apart from"—used before noun phrases.