Preposition Chart in English: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Prepositions with Tables, Pictures, and Examples

Aug 28, 2025

By Ibrahim M

Preposition Chart in English: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Prepositions with Tables, Pictures, and Examples

Understanding prepositions can be one of the most frustrating parts of learning English. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a teacher building lesson plans, or a parent helping your child with homework, mastering prepositions is essential—and often confusing. That’s why a preposition chart in English is more than just a learning tool—it’s a necessity.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how prepositions work, present a variety of charts of prepositions in English, and offer printable resources, visual aids, and comparison tables to help you or your students grasp this foundational element of English grammar. Whether you want to make a chart of preposition yourself or simply download one, this article provides everything you need in one place.

What Is a Preposition Chart in English?

A preposition chart in English is a structured visual or tabular tool that categorizes prepositions based on their usage—such as time, place, direction, cause, and manner. Instead of memorizing endless lists, learners can use these charts to quickly identify the correct preposition to use in context.

These charts are especially valuable because prepositions often don’t follow logical rules. For instance, we say “at night” but “in the morning.” A preposition uses chart makes these patterns easier to understand and remember.

Why You Need a Preposition Chart in English

Prepositions are everywhere in English—whether you're reading, writing, speaking, or listening. But their meanings can be subtle, and incorrect usage can confuse your message.

Here’s how a chart of English prepositions can help:

Clarifies Confusing Rules: Visual separation of preposition types makes them easier to remember.
Supports All Learning Styles: Tables, visuals, and printable worksheets support visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
Saves Time: Quick references during writing, editing, or teaching sessions.
Boosts Accuracy: Fewer grammar errors when writing essays, emails, and assignments.

Types of Prepositions Explained

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions are used to indicate time relationships.

Preposition	Usage Example	Explanation
In	In July, in 2020	Used for months, years
On	On Monday, on Dec 1	Used for specific days and dates
At	At 6 PM, at sunrise	Used for specific times
Since	Since 2015	From a point in the past until now
For	For 2 hours	Indicates duration

Example Sentence:
We will meet at 5 PM on Monday in July.

Prepositions of Place

Use this prepositions of place chart to understand spatial relationships.

Preposition	Usage Example	Explanation
In	In the room	Inside a space
On	On the table	Resting on a surface
At	At the door	Specific point or location
Under	Under the chair	Lower than something else
Next to	Next to the car	Beside something

Example Sentence:
The book is on the desk next to the lamp under the shelf.

Prepositions of Direction or Movement

These prepositions indicate motion or change in location.

Preposition	Usage Example	Explanation
To	Go to the market	Movement toward a place
Into	Walk into the room	Entering a space
Onto	Jump onto the bed	Moving to the top of a surface
From	Come from the school	Origin of movement
Out of	Go out of the house	Exiting a space

Preposition Table English: Organized for Quick Reference

Below is a comprehensive preposition table (English) summarizing prepositions by category.

Type	Common Prepositions	Typical Usage
Time	In, On, At, Since, For, By, During	Indicating time, date, or duration
Place	In, On, At, Under, Over, Beside, Next to	Showing position or location
Direction/Movement	To, Into, Onto, From, Out of, Toward	Showing movement or direction
Cause/Reason	Because of, Due to, For	Explaining reasons or causes
Manner/Instrument	By, With, Like, As	Explaining the way or method something happens

This English preposition chart is ideal for learners looking for a practical tool they can refer to while writing or speaking.

Make a Chart on Prepositions: DIY for Classrooms and Homeschooling

Creating your own chart of prepositions in English can be a rewarding activity, especially for teachers or parents. Here’s how to make one:

Step-by-Step Guide

Choose Preposition Categories: Time, place, direction, etc.
Select Visuals: Use icons or real-life images to show relationships.
Include Examples: Simple, real-life sentences.
Use Color Coding: Each category should have a distinct color.
Add an Interactive Element: Use fill-in-the-blank exercises or matching games.

Result: A fully personalized preposition picture chart that reinforces learning through both text and imagery.

Preposition Picture Chart: Visual Learning for Children and Beginners

Visual learners often benefit from picture-based tools. A preposition picture chart uses images (like a cat and a box) to illustrate spatial prepositions.

Example Image Scenarios:

The cat is on the box.
The cat is in the box.
The cat is under the box.
The cat is next to the box.
The cat is between the two boxes.

These visual cues are especially helpful for:

ESL learners
Early education
Children aged 5–10
Special education classrooms

Comparison: Chart vs. Table vs. Picture

Feature	Preposition Table English	Preposition Picture Chart	Traditional Chart of English
Best For	Teens, Adults	Young learners, ESL	All ages
Learning Style	Logical/analytical	Visual/creative	General/mixed
Usage	Grammar, writing	Vocabulary, speaking	Review, practice
Customization	Medium	High	High
Memory Retention	Moderate	Very High	High

Using all three in tandem creates a balanced and comprehensive approach to preposition mastery.

Preposition Chart Printable: Downloadable Resources for Teachers & Learners

Want a preposition chart printable that’s classroom-ready?

At 123PublishingHouse.com, we offer a free PDF that includes:

Preposition table (English)
Picture-based chart
Fill-in-the-blank worksheet
Categorized usage list

Use Cases:

Classroom wall posters
Homework assignments
Exam revision
Daily writing reference

Visit: Prepositions - English Educational Board

Real-World Usage Examples by Category

Prepositions of Time:

We arrived at 7 PM.
She has lived here since 2010.
The party is on Saturday.

Prepositions of Place:

The keys are in the drawer.
He sat on the bench.
They met at the bus stop.

Prepositions of Direction:

She walked to the park.
He jumped into the pool.
They came from the museum.

These real-world examples help reinforce the rules and improve retention.

FAQs: Common Google Searches Answered

What is the easiest way to learn prepositions?

Using a preposition chart in English that includes examples and visuals helps simplify learning. Focus on one category (e.g., time) at a time and practice with short sentences.

How do I make a chart of prepositions for kids?

Use pictures (like animals or objects), simple vocabulary, and bright colors. A preposition picture chart is ideal for this purpose and can be made using poster board or printable templates.

What’s the difference between “in,” “on,” and “at”?

These are commonly confused:

In is used for enclosed spaces or longer periods (in a room, in July)
On is used for surfaces or specific days (on the table, on Monday)
At is used for specific points or exact times (at the door, at 3 PM)

Are prepositions hard to master?

Prepositions can be tricky due to exceptions, but consistent use of charts, tables, and visual aids can dramatically ease the process.

Where can I find a chart on English prepositions?

Right here at 123PublishingHouse.com. We provide a downloadable preposition chart printable that’s ready to use for teaching or self-study.

Final Thoughts: Why a Preposition Chart in English Should Be Part of Every Learner’s Toolkit

Prepositions are often overlooked, yet they carry critical meaning in every English sentence. From pinpointing time and place to expressing cause and movement, the right preposition makes all the difference.

By using a well-structured preposition chart in English, learners not only improve their grammar but also become more confident speakers and writers. Whether you prefer a preposition table, a preposition picture chart, or a comprehensive printable resource, the key is to make it part of your daily learning routine.