PREPOSITIONS

I 've analysed several mock and real CAT papers, i 've seen that in terms of grammar, prepositions seem to be one of the most favourite area of Questions Setters. So guys here is some dope on Prepositions. Since i 've collated most of the importants points, you guys could definitely seal this forte after going through this post carefully.

A preposition may be defined as connecting word showing therelation of a noun or a noun substitute to some other word in thesentence (the squirrel in the tree; the preposition in shows therelationship between the squirrel and the tree.).Over ninety percent of preposition usage involves these nine prepositions: with at by to in for from of on

Prepositions cause problems because sometimes they can be usedinterchangeably (He sat on the chair: He sat in the chair), becauseprepositions are often combined with verbs to create phrasal verbs(to look after someone; to look down on someone), and because asingle preposition can be used to express several different ideas(He is tall for his age; I swam for an hour).

The most efficient method of study is to familiarize yourselfwith prepositions and prepositional phrases through practice andmemorization. This is particularly helpful for the bilingualstudent, who often seems to find preposition usage one of the mostdifficult parts of the English language.
Uses of Common Prepositions

Prepositions are used to express a number of relationships,including time, location, manner, means, quantity, purpose, andstate or condition. The following outline demonstrates the uses of common prepositions.

A. TIME

about: about noon (approximately)

at: at five o'clock at last (finally)

after: after the game after lunch after three

by: by midnight (no later than)

for: for an hour (duration)

of: a quarter of three (15minutes before)

in: in the morning in the fall in April in 1987 in six months (at the end of)

B. PLACE OR DIRECTION

around: She walked around the car.

at: They are at home.
down: They lived down the hall.

C. MEANS OR AGENT

by: He was hit by a ball. She came by train. He did it by hard work.

in: He takes pleasure in it.

on: They live on bread and water.

D. MANNER

by: By doing it yourself, you save time

in: He left in confusion The room was in a turmoil. You can do it in a day

on: I swear it on my word of honor

F. QUANTITY OR MEASURE

for: We drove for twenty miles We bought it for ten cents.

by: We bought them by the kilo.

G. PURPOSE

for: He bought it for an emergency. She went to the city for sightseeing.

He loved her for her thoughtfulness.

Uses of Prepositions after Certain Verbs
account for

agree on (something)

agree with (someone)

apologize to

apply for

approve of

argue with (someone)

ask for

believe in

belong to

blame (someone) for (something) blame (something) on (someone)

borrow from

call on (upon)

care for

compliment (someone) on

come from

consent to

consist of

convince (someone) of (something)

decide on (upon)

depend on (upon)

get rid of

hear about hear from hear of

insist on (upon)

invite (someone)

Uses of Prepositions with Certain Adjectives and in Idiomatic Expressions
according to

accustomed to

angry about (something)

capable of

composed of

content with

dependent on (upon)

different from (than)

disappointed in

due to

followed by

fond of

have respect for

in accordance with

to laugh at

So guys , let us try to cage this demon of prepositions :)

ALL THE BEST!!!!