How to Use Prepositions Correctly in English (Hindi Guide)
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Introduction
Many Hindi speakers struggle with prepositions because:
✔ Prepositions do not always translate directly from Hindi to English.
✔ The same preposition has different meanings in different sentences.
✔ English preposition rules are different from Hindi grammar.
🎯 Example of a Common Mistake:
❌ Wrong: "I am waiting since two hours."
✅ Correct: "I have been waiting for two hours."
🎯 Solution:
This guide will explain prepositions clearly and help you avoid common mistakes when translating from English into Hindi.
1. What Are Prepositions? (संबंध सूचक अव्यय क्या हैं?)
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun and another word in the sentence.
✔ Types of Prepositions:
- Prepositions of Place (स्थान) – in, on, at, under
- Prepositions of Time (समय) – before, after, during
- Prepositions of Direction (दिशा) – to, from, into
- Prepositions of Manner (तरीका) – by, with, like
2. Prepositions of Place (स्थान के लिए प्रयुक्त अव्यय)
A) In, On, At – What’s the Difference?
| Preposition | Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In | Inside a space | I am in the room. (मैं कमरे में हूँ।) |
| On | On a surface | The book is on the table. (किताब मेज पर है।) |
| At | A specific location | She is at the park. (वह पार्क में है।) |
🎯 Common Mistake:
❌ Wrong: "I am at the car."
✅ Correct: "I am in the car."
🎯 Tip:
- Use "in" for closed spaces (rooms, cars, buildings).
- Use "on" for surfaces (tables, walls, floors).
3. Prepositions of Time (समय के लिए प्रयुक्त अव्यय)
A) Difference Between "On," "In," and "At" for Time
| Preposition | Used For | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| In | Months, Years, Long periods | I was born in 2000. (मैं 2000 में पैदा हुआ था।) |
| On | Specific Days & Dates | My birthday is on Monday. (मेरा जन्मदिन सोमवार को है।) |
| At | Exact Time | The train arrives at 5 PM. (ट्रेन 5 बजे आती है।) |
🎯 Common Mistake:
❌ Wrong: "I was born on 2000."
✅ Correct: "I was born in 2000."
🎯 Tip:
- Use "in" for months & years (e.g., in 1995, in January).
- Use "on" for specific days (e.g., on Monday, on 15th August).
- Use "at" for specific times (e.g., at 5 PM, at midnight).
4. Prepositions of Direction (दिशा के लिए प्रयुक्त अव्यय)
✔ Prepositions that Show Movement:
| Preposition | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| To | Moving towards a place | I am going to school. (मैं स्कूल जा रहा हूँ।) |
| From | Moving away from a place | She is coming from Delhi. (वह दिल्ली से आ रही है।) |
| Into | Going inside something | He walked into the room. (वह कमरे में चला गया।) |
| Onto | Moving on top of something | The cat jumped onto the table. (बिल्ली मेज पर कूद गई।) |
🎯 Common Mistake:
❌ Wrong: "I am going in the school."
✅ Correct: "I am going to school."
🎯 Tip:
- Use "to" for movement towards a place.
- Use "into" for movement inside a place.
5. Common Mistakes in Using Prepositions (और आम गलतियाँ)
| Common Mistake | Wrong Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong use of "since" instead of "for" | I am living here since 5 years. | I have been living here for 5 years. |
| Wrong use of "at" instead of "in" | She is at the car. | She is in the car. |
| Wrong use of "on" instead of "in" | I was born on 1998. | I was born in 1998. |
🎯 Tip:
- "Since" is used for a point in time (since 2000, since Monday).
- "For" is used for a duration (for 5 years, for two hours).
6. Practice Exercises to Master Prepositions
✅ Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.
1️⃣ I will meet you ___ Monday. (on / at / in)
2️⃣ She is coming ___ Delhi. (to / from / in)
3️⃣ I was born ___ 1995. (in / on / at)
4️⃣ The book is ___ the table. (on / in / at)
📌 Answers:
1️⃣ On Monday.
2️⃣ From Delhi.
3️⃣ In 1995.
4️⃣ On the table.
✅ Exercise 2: Translate these Hindi sentences into English using correct prepositions.
1️⃣ मैं दिल्ली से आ रहा हूँ।
2️⃣ ट्रेन सुबह 9 बजे आएगी।
3️⃣ वह कमरे में चला गया।
📌 Answers:
1️⃣ I am coming from Delhi.
2️⃣ The train will arrive at 9 AM.
3️⃣ He walked into the room.
Conclusion
Prepositions are important for correct English sentences. By practicing daily and avoiding common mistakes, Hindi speakers can use prepositions correctly and improve fluency.
✅ Key Takeaways:
✔ Learn "in," "on," and "at" for time and place.
✔ Understand "to" and "from" for movement.
✔ Avoid common mistakes with "since" and "for."
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