Uso Correcto de las Preposiciones en Inglés: Reglas y Ejemplos Prácticos

Prepositions

Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence.

Prepositions of Direction

To refer to a direction, use 'to', '(in)to' and 'on(to)'.

• I went to the study site and distributed the invitations.
• I asked the participants to come in(to) the coffee shop.
• Click on the link and answer the questions.

Prepositions of Time

To refer to one point in time, use the prepositions 'in', 'at', and 'on'. Use 'in' with parts of the day (not specific times), months, years, and seasons.

• Interviewers were most available to meet in the evening.

Use 'at' with the time of the day. Also, use it with noon, night, and midnight.

• The workshop will begin at 8:00 AM.
• On day 1, they will be asked to complete a few follow-up questions at night.

Use 'on' with days.

• I go to the church on Sundays.

To refer to extended time, use 'since', 'for', 'by', 'during', 'from...to', 'from...until' and 'with(in)'.

• He has taught at the selected school since 1980.
• I collected data for 3 weeks.
• I took handwritten notes during interviews.
• I collected data from January to June.
• Teachers at the research site are in school from August until May.
• The changes in training will be implemented within 2 years.

Prepositions of Place and Location

To refer to a place or location, use 'in', 'at', 'on' and 'inside'.

• Potential participants must have worked in the school district for at least 5 years.
• The employees at the business reported dissatisfaction in the amount of clear communication.
• I left the recruitment flyers on the table.
• Recordings will be kept inside a locker filing cabinet.

To refer to an object higher than a point, use 'over' and 'above'. To refer to an object lower than a point, use 'below', 'beneath', 'under' and 'underneath'.

• I placed a sheet of paper over my notes.
• I used the results described above to form common themes.
• In the paragraph below, I highlight participants' responses.
• The interview responses fit under Theme 2.

To refer to an object close to a point, use 'by', 'near', 'next to', 'between', 'among' and 'opposite'.

• I recommend that advertisements for healthy eating be placed by entrances.
• The recruitment sites were located near the city center.
• The participant placed the X next to N/A if the question was not applicable.

Spatial Prepositions

Spatial prepositions are prepositions that talk about the location or change of location of some object.

Many prepositions for static location—such as at, behind, between, beyond, and soon—can also show movement toward a goal when they appear after verbs of motion.

• The dog ran at him.