We all get confused when we think about prepositions. This lesson will help you to understand the difference between prepositions and adverbs.

A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns or phrases to other words within a sentence.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb and it is usually used for places, time, circumstance, manner, cause and so on.

IMPORTANT: The most important thing we have to remember is that a preposition requires an object, while an adverb does not.

There are several words that are either prepositions or adverbs:

about

I am thinking about you all the time. (preposition)

I am about to leave school. (adverb)

across

We drove across the road. (preposition)

She came across to meet me. (adverb)

around

When I was young, I was cycling around the village every morning. (preposition)

This laptop costs around $200. (adverb)

before

I have to drink a glass of water before breakfast. (preposition)

I was very sick a day before! (adverb)

beyond

There are many houses beyond the river (preposition)

I am confident about the company’s income for the current year and beyond. (adverb)

We spent a few days in New York. (preposition)

Please come in! I was waiting for you so long! (adverb)

inside

I heard a noise inside the room. (preposition)

Go inside and lock the door while I am outside. (adverb)

near

I live near the school. (preposition)

Is there a hospital near here? (adverb)

opposite

They are in the building opposite the National Museum. (preposition)

The ones who live opposite are very noisy. (adverb)

outside

The teacher sent him outside the classroom. (preposition)

I went outside for a walk. (adverb)

past

I walked past several post offices on my way home. (preposition)

I have dinner at half past six. (adverb)

round

We were sitting round the table. (preposition)

She turned round and went home. (adverb)

through

The rain poured through the roof. (preposition)

She opened the door and went through. (adverb)

under

I found your phone under the bed. (preposition)

She is selling mobile phones for $50 and under! (adverb)

The cat climbs up the fridge. (preposition)

Keep your head up all the time. (adverb)

within

People who live within the city eat more junk food than people who live outside the city. (preposition)

The organization in this company must change from within. (adverb)

Dacă vrei să afli mai multe despre prepoziții, poți achiziționa cursul nostru de Elementary English, care are și subtitrare în română: