Conjunction and Preposition: Rules, Types, Examples You Need

Grammar feels like a headache because conjunctions and prepositions sneak into every sentence, waiting to trip you up. One wrong word and your perfectly written sentence crashes harder than your Wi-Fi on exam day. But this blog actually makes sense and breaks down conjunction and preposition like a 12th grader explaining life hacks. After this, you’ll spot them instantly, use them correctly, and never stumble over “because” or “on” again.

Conjunction and Preposition: Two Grammar Tools That Control Sentence Meaning

Conjunction and preposition are the backbone of sentence clarity. These two grammar tools decide whether a sentence sounds clear or confusing. Students often mix them up because they look small but behave very differently. Here is an overview of conjunction and preposition, their purpose and why they matter before we break them down one by one.

Topic	Conjunction	Preposition
Definition	A word that joins words, phrases, or clauses.	A word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word.
Purpose	Connects ideas to make sentences complete.	Shows place, time, direction, or relationship between words.
Common Examples	and, but, or, because, although, if, so	in, on, at, under, between, from, to, during
Types	Coordinating, Subordinating, Correlative	Place, Time, Movement, Direction
Position in Sentence	Between words, phrases, or clauses	Usually comes before a noun or pronoun
Questions Answered	Why? How? Contrast? Condition?	Where? When? Which direction? How?
Common Mistakes	Using wrong conjunctions, repeating “and”, wrong pairings	Confusing prepositions of time/place, guessing without meaning
Quick Tip to Identify	If it joins ideas, then its conjunction	If it shows relation, then its preposition
Example Sentence	She studied hard because she had an exam.	The keys are on the table.

What Is a Conjunction? 

A conjunction is a word that joins parts of a sentence. It connects words, phrases or clauses so that ideas flow clearly.

In simple words, a conjunction acts like a bridge. It brings two ideas together and turns them into one complete thought.

The core function of a conjunction is connection. It does not show time or place. It only joins ideas to make sentences clear and meaningful.

Common conjunctions include and, but, or, because, so, although.

Examples:

• I like maths and science.
  
• She wanted to go, but it was raining.
  
• He studied hard because he had an exam.

Types of Conjunctions Students Must Know for Exams

Conjunctions are not all the same and exams test this difference. Each type of conjunction has a specific job in sentence formation. Knowing these types helps in error spotting and sentence correction. Here are the main types of conjunctions students are expected to understand.

Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions join two equal parts of a sentence. Both parts are equally important.

Common examples include and, but, or, so, yet.

Examples:

• I wanted to go, but I was tired.
  
• You can write with a pen or a pencil.

Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions join a main clause with a dependent clause. One part of the sentence depends on the other.

Common examples include because, although, if, when, while.

Examples:

• I stayed home because I was sick.
  
• If you work hard, you will succeed.

Correlative Conjunctions

These conjunctions work in pairs and join equal parts of a sentence.

Common examples include either or, neither nor, both and.

Examples:

• Either you study or you fail.
  
• Both the teacher and the students agreed.

Also Read: List of Prepositions With Examples in Sentence Formation

Conjunction Example Sentences for Better Understanding

The best way to understand conjunctions is by seeing how they work inside real sentences. Each type of conjunction joins ideas in a different way. The table below shows example sentences for every type of conjunction.

Type of Conjunction	Conjunction Used	Example Sentence
Coordinating	and	She revised the chapter and solved the questions.
Coordinating	but	He wanted to play, but he had homework.
Coordinating	or	You can submit the project today or tomorrow.
Subordinating	because	She scored well because she practiced daily.
Subordinating	although	Although it was late, they continued studying.
Subordinating	when	Call me when the class ends.
Correlative	both and	Both the notes and the lectures helped him.
Correlative	either or	Either you attend the class or you watch the recording.
Correlative	neither nor	Neither the question nor the answer was easy.

What Is a Preposition? 

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. It helps us understand where, when, how, or in what direction something happens.

In simple words, a preposition gives extra information about position, time, or movement.

A preposition always comes before a noun or pronoun. It does not join ideas. It only shows the relationship between words in a sentence.

Common prepositions include in, on, at, under, over, before, after, to, from.

Examples:

• The keys are on the table.
  
• She reached school at 8 am.
  
• The dog ran into the park.
  

Types of Prepositions With Simple Examples

Prepositions are grouped based on the kind of relationship they show. These groups help students choose the correct preposition in exams and writing. Understanding these types removes confusion between similar words. Here are the main types of prepositions with easy examples.

Prepositions of Place

These prepositions tell us where something is located. They answer the question “where?”

Commonly used prepositions of place include in, on, under, behind, between, near.

Examples:

• The bag is under the desk.
  
• The books are on the shelf.
  
• She sat between her friends.

Prepositions of Time

These prepositions tell us when something happens. They answer the question “when?”

Commonly used prepositions of time include at, on, in, before, after, during.

Examples:

• The exam starts at 10 am.
  
• We have a test on Monday.
  
• She studied during the night.

Prepositions of Movement

These prepositions show movement from one place to another. They answer the question “where to?”

Commonly used prepositions of movement include to, into, across, through, out of.

Examples:

• He walked into the classroom.
  
• The cat jumped onto the table.
  
• She ran across the road.

Prepositions of Direction

These prepositions show the direction of movement. They explain which way something moves.

Commonly used prepositions of direction include towards, from, up, down, along.

Examples:

• He ran towards the bus stop.
  
• The ball rolled down the hill.
  
• She walked along the path.

Also Read: 5+ Prepositions of Place Exercises

Preposition Example Sentences Students Often Confuse

Many students lose marks because they choose the wrong preposition. These mistakes usually happen because some prepositions look similar or are used differently in English than in daily speech. Here are some example sentences.

Type of Preposition	Common Confusion	Correct Example Sentence
Place	in / on	The notice is written on the board.
Place	between / among	She stood among the crowd.
Time	in / on	The test is on Friday.
Time	at / in	He wakes up at 6 am.
Time	since / for	She has lived here for five years.
Movement	to / into	He jumped into the pool.
Movement	onto / on	The cat climbed onto the roof.
Direction	towards / to	They moved towards the exit slowly.

What Is the Difference Between Conjunction and Preposition?

Students often confuse conjunctions and prepositions because both are small words and appear in similar sentences. The key difference lies in what they do. A conjunction joins ideas, while a preposition shows a relationship between words. 

Point of Comparison	Conjunction	Preposition
Main function	Joins words, phrases, or clauses	Shows the relationship between words
What it connects	Ideas or clauses	A noun or pronoun with another word
Role in sentence	Connects thoughts	Gives extra information
Position	Between clauses or words	Before a noun or pronoun
Answers which question	Why, when, contrast	Where, when, how, direction
Common examples	and, but, because, although	in, on, at, under, between
Example sentence	I stayed home because it was raining.	The bag is under the table.

How to Identify Conjunction and Preposition in a Sentence?

Identifying conjunctions and prepositions becomes easy when you focus on what the word is doing in the sentence. Do not guess the word. Check its role.

Step 1: Find the small linking word

First, locate the word that connects or gives extra information, such as and, because, in, on, after.

Step 2: Check what comes after the word

• If the word is followed by a noun or pronoun, it is usually a preposition.
  
• If the word is followed by a subject and verb, it is usually a conjunction.

Step 3: Ask one simple question

Ask yourself this question:

Is the word joining two ideas or showing a relationship?

Examples:

• “I stayed home because I was tired.” Here, because joins two ideas. It is a conjunction.
• “I stayed home because of the rain.” Here, because of shows the reason and comes before a noun. It is a preposition phrase.
• “The book is on the table.” Here, on shows position. It is a preposition.

Also Read: 9 Basic Rules in Grammar to Improve Your English

Conjunction and Preposition Practice Exercise With Answers

Here are three types of exercises, each with unique questions and answers. Solve them carefully and check your answers to strengthen your understanding.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct conjunction or preposition.

1. I stayed home ___ it was raining.
   
2. She is good ___ mathematics.
   
3. You can take tea ___ coffee.
   
4. We will start the game ___ everyone arrives.
   
5. The cat jumped ___ the wall.
   
6. He was late ___ he missed the bus.
   
7. Place the books ___ the shelf.
   
8. I will call you ___ I reach home.
   
9. The children played outside ___ the rain stopped.
   
10. The gift is ___ the table.

Answers:

1. because
   
2. at
   
3. or
   
4. when
   
5. over
   
6. because
   
7. on
   
8. when
   
9. after
   
10. on

Exercise 2: Identify the Word

Instruction: Identify whether the underlined word is a conjunction or a preposition.

1. I like apples and oranges.
   
2. He arrived late because of the traffic.
   
3. The dog ran into the garden.
   
4. She smiled but did not speak.
   
5. The painting is on the wall.
   
6. Although he was tired, he finished his homework.
   
7. We walked through the park.
   
8. I will join you after the meeting.
   
9. He will study hard so he can pass.
   
10. The shop is near the bank.

Answers:

1. Conjunction
   
2. Preposition
   
3. Preposition
   
4. Conjunction
   
5. Preposition
   
6. Conjunction
   
7. Preposition
   
8. Preposition
   
9. Conjunction
   
10. Preposition

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistake

Instruction: Each sentence has a wrong preposition or conjunction. Rewrite it correctly.

1. I stayed home because of it was raining.
   
2. She is good in English.
   
3. He wants to play, but he is tired.
   
4. The keys are in the table.
   
5. I will call you when you reach home.
   
6. We can go neither or stay here.
   
7. She went to school at Monday.
   
8. He ran towards to the park.
   
9. They studied hard although they were tired.
   
10. The cat jumped on the wall.

Answers:

1. I stayed home because it was raining.
   
2. She is good at English.
   
3. He wants to play, but he is tired.
   
4. The keys are on the table.
   
5. I will call you when you reach home.
   
6. We can go neither nor stay here.
   
7. She went to school on Monday.
   
8. He ran towards the park.
   
9. They studied hard, although they were tired.
   
10. The cat jumped onto the wall.

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