1.About: ‘About' shows nearness of some kind. It also means concerning.
2.Across:‘Across' means from one side to the opposite, or on the opposite side of.
3.After: ‘After' denotes some kind of sequence.
4.Against: ‘Against' shows opposition of some kind.
5.Along: ‘Along' means in the same line with.
6.At: ‘At' denotes proximity with actual or intended contact.
7.Before: ‘Before' means in front of. It also denotes priority.
8.Behind: ‘Behind' means at the back of. It is the opposite of ‘before'. It also shows irrelevance.
9.Beside: ‘Beside' means by the side of.
10.Besides: ‘Besides' means in addition to.
11.Beyond: ‘Beyond' means out of, on the farther side of.
12.By: ‘By' shows nearness of some kind. By also denotes agency, manner, and measure.
13.Down: ‘Down' denotes descent.
14.For: ‘For' denotes the following relations: purpose, reason, extent, on behalf of, exchange, in spite of.
15.From: ‘From' denotes source, inference and motive.
16.In: ‘In' denotes rest in the interior of anything.
17.Of: ‘Of' means proceeding from, pertaining to, and belonging to.
18.On or Upon: ‘On or Upon' denotes rest on the upper surface of a thing.
19.Than: ‘Than' denotes comparison or difference.
20.Through: ‘Through' means across the interior of anything.
21.To: ‘To' shows proportion, limit, and effect, in addition to showing motion towards anything.
22.Up: ‘Up' denotes motion to a higher place.
23.With: ‘With' mainly shows association, instrumentally.
Sample Usage
Examples:
1. About:
(a) The bell is about to go.
(b) I was about to go to bed when he called on me.
(c) He told us about his past experience.
2. Across:
(a) He swam across the river.
(b) There is a beautiful orchard across the fields.
3. After:
(a) I shall enter after you.
(b) The policeman ran after the robber.
(c) The younger sister takes after the elder.
4. Against:
(a) He is acting against the orders.
(b) We must be adequately equipped against all foreign aggression.
5. Along:
(a) We went for a stroll along the seashore.
6. At:
(a) The cat rushed at the rat.
(b) We were at the dinner then.
(c) He is at the top of the class.
7. Before:
(a) The culprit was brought before the judge.
(b) Death before dishonor.
8. Behind:
(a) They hid behind the curtain.
(b) The dog ran behind his master.
9. Beside:
(a) His emptied purse was lying behind his dead body.
(b) All this discussion is beside the point.
10. Besides:
(a) Besides these textbooks, I shall need a few reference books.
11. Beyond:
(a) This is beyond my understanding.
(b) Our new college building is beyond the market.
12. By:
(a) Let us sit by the fireplace.
(b) He has given this information by me.
(c) He is senior to me by a year.
13. Down:
(a) Very cautiously we climbed down the hill.
14. For:
(a) Walking is good for health.
(b) He was punished for theft.
(c) I had to walk for two miles to reach your place.
(d) I shall willingly fight for you.
(e) He sold all his belongings for a petty sum.
(f) For all his defects, I love him.
15. From:
(a) I borrowed a few rupees from my cousin.
(b) He committed this murder from jealousy.
16. In:
(a) He is in a cheerful mood.
(b) He spent the whole day of his life in poverty.
17. Of:
(a) He died of heart attack.
(b) He often talks of you.
(c) He is a man of noble character.
(d) The older brother is more intelligent of the two.
18. On or Upon:
(a) I put my books on the table.
(b) He wrote an essay on the food problem in India.
(c) I depend on my father.
19. Than:
(a) It is hotter in Delhi than at Shimla.
(b) None other than a graduate is eligible for this post.
20. Through:
(a) Bore a hole through this board.
(b) He has passed through many difficulties.
(c) I could see through his trick.
(d) All this was done through jealousy.
21. To:
(a) The chances are two to one.
(b) They fought to the last man.
(c) To their disappointment he failed.
22. Up:
(a) We climbed up the mountain.
23. With:
(a) He came back with his whole family.
(b) This stain can be removed with spirit.
(c) He is confined to bed with fever.
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