Preposition: Complete Advanced Grammar Theory for UPSC & PSC Exams

This is a complete and advanced-level theory of Prepositions designed for UPSC, State PSC, CDS, CAPF, and other high-level competitive exams.

1️⃣ Definition of Preposition

A Preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word in a sentence.

It indicates:

Place → in, on, at
Time → since, during, until
Direction → to, into, towards
Cause/Reason → because of, due to
Instrument/Means → by, with

Examples:

The book is on the table.
She arrived after the meeting.
He traveled by train.

2️⃣ Types of Prepositions (Advanced Classification)

(A) Prepositions of Place / Position

at, on, in, above, below, between, among, behind, under

✔ The files are in the cabinet.
✔ The picture is above the sofa.

UPSC Tip: “At” for point, “In” for enclosed space, “On” for surface.

(B) Prepositions of Time

at, on, in, since, for, during, by, until

✔ The meeting starts at 10 a.m.
✔ He was born in 1990.
✔ I have lived here since 2015.
✔ She waited for two hours.

Common Error:
❌ I was born at 1990.
✔ I was born in 1990.

(C) Prepositions of Direction / Movement

to, into, onto, towards, from, out of, off

✔ He went to Delhi.
✔ She jumped into the river.

(D) Prepositions of Cause / Reason

because of, due to, owing to, thanks to

✔ The match was canceled due to rain.
✔ He succeeded thanks to his hard work.

(E) Prepositions of Instrument / Means / Agent

by, with, via

✔ The letter was sent by post.
✔ She cut the paper with scissors.

(F) Prepositions of Comparison / Concession / Purpose

like, as, than, despite, in spite of, for, for the sake of

✔ He is taller than his brother.
✔ She succeeded despite many obstacles.
✔ They worked hard for the benefit of all.

3️⃣ Preposition + Object

Prepositions are always followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.

✔ She is good at singing.
✔ I am interested in literature.
✔ He apologized for being late.

UPSC Tip: Never follow preposition directly with verb base form; use gerund.

❌ He is good at sing.
✔ He is good at singing.

4️⃣ Preposition Usage with Verbs (Very Important)

Some verbs require specific prepositions (common UPSC test):

depend on
insist on
approve of
believe in
look after
take care of
object to

✔ I depend on my team.
✔ He insisted on attending the meeting.

5️⃣ Preposition Usage with Adjectives / Nouns

Adjective + Preposition
✔ He is afraid of snakes.
✔ She is interested in politics.
✔ They are capable of doing it.
Noun + Preposition
✔ He has a fear of failure.
✔ There is a need for improvement.

6️⃣ Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions (UPSC Favorite)

at the risk of
on behalf of
in charge of
in spite of
in accordance with
in addition to

✔ He spoke on behalf of the committee.
✔ In addition to the report, he submitted data.

7️⃣ Common Errors in Prepositions

Error	Correct	Note
He depends of his friends.	depends on	Correct preposition
She is good in painting.	good at	adjective + preposition
He is married with a teacher.	married to	correct phrase
I am waiting since 2 PM.	waiting since 2 PM	correct tense + preposition
He congratulated me of success.	congratulated me on success	correct verb + prep

8️⃣ Prepositions with Two Objects / Complex Structure

Preposition + Object + Modifier
✔ She is interested in the history of India.
Preposition + Clause (rare in UPSC)
✔ They succeeded because of the fact that they worked hard.

9️⃣ Preposition in Passive Constructions

Often in passive, preposition moves with object.
✔ Active → We depend on him.
✔ Passive → He is depended on by us.

🔟 Preposition in Advanced Sentence Structures

Preposition at the end (formal/informal distinction)

Formal: The report on which he commented was accurate.
Informal: The report he commented on was accurate.

Avoid redundancy

❌ He is capable of being able to do it.
✔ He is capable of doing it.

1️⃣1️⃣ Preposition in UPSC Comprehension / Error Detection

UPSC frequently tests:

Correct choice of preposition in idiomatic phrases
Logical preposition for verb/adjective/noun
Advanced structures with clauses