SEBA Class 10 Preposition Guide: Key Rules & Examples
This guide is based on an analysis of the most frequently asked preposition questions in the SEBA HSLC (Class 10) Examination.
Part 1: Prepositions of Time (AT, ON, IN)
This is the most fundamental rule.
* AT (Precise Time – The smallest point)
* Used for exact clock times: at 5 PM, at 10:30 AM.
* Used for specific parts of the day: at night, at noon, at midnight, at dawn.
* Used for festival periods: at Bihu, at Christmas.
* Example: He will arrive at 6 o’clock.
* Example: We sleep at night.
* ON (Days & Dates – More general)
* Used for specific days: on Sunday, on Monday.
* Used for specific dates: on 15th August, on your birthday.
* Used for a day + part of day: on Sunday morning, on Friday evening.
* Example: He was born on a Monday.
* Example: We celebrate Independence Day on 15th August.
* IN (Longer Periods – The largest container)
* Used for parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening.
* Used for months: in April, in September.
* Used for years: in 2024, in 1947.
* Used for seasons: in summer, in winter.
* Used for a period of time: in an hour, in two weeks.
* Example: I study in the morning.
* Example: India became free in 1947.
Part 2: Prepositions of Place (AT, ON, IN)
This follows a similar logic: from a specific point to a large area.
* AT (Specific Point or Location)
* Used for a specific address: at 15, G.S. Road.
* Used for specific locations: at the bus stop, at the station, at the corner.
* Used for places of activity: at home, at work, at school, at a party.
* Example: I am waiting at the bus stop.
* Example: He is at home now.
* ON (Surface)
* Used for something on a flat surface: on the table, on the floor, on the wall.
* Used for streets: on G.S. Road.
* Used for floors of a building: on the second floor.
* Example: The book is on the table.
* Example: The picture is on the wall.
* IN (Enclosed Space or Large Area)
* Used for inside an enclosed space: in the room, in the box, in a car.
* Used for cities, states, countries: in Guwahati, in Assam, in India.
* Used for general areas: in the park, in the sky.
* Example: The student is in the classroom.
* Example: He lives in London.
Part 3: Prepositions of Movement & Direction
* TO: Indicates destination.
* Example: He is going to school.
* INTO: Indicates movement inside something.
* Example: The boy jumped into the river.
* ONTO: Indicates movement on top of something.
* Example: The cat jumped onto the roof.
* FROM: Indicates the point of origin.
* Example: He came from Guwahati.
* ACROSS: From one side to the other.
* Example: They swam across the river.
* THROUGH: Movement in one side and out the other.
* Example: The train went through the tunnel.
* OVER: Above or on top of (without touching, or covering).
* Example: The plane flew over the clouds.
* Example: Put a blanket over the baby.
* UNDER: Below.
* Example: The cat is under the table.
Part 4: Prepositions of Instrument (BY, WITH)
* BY (The Agent/Doer – usually a person)
* Used in passive voice to show who did the action.
* Example: The Ramayana was written by Valmiki.
* Example: The window was broken by the boy.
* WITH (The Instrument/Tool)
* Used to show the tool used to perform the action.
* Example: He cut the apple with a knife.
* Example: I write with a pen.
Part 5: Appropriate Prepositions (Fixed List)
This is the most important section for your exam. These words are almost always followed by the same preposition. (This list provides over 80 high-frequency examples).
A
39. accused of: He was accused of theft.
40. accustomed to: I am accustomed to hard work.
41. afraid of: The child is afraid of the dark.
42. agree with (a person): I agree with you.
43. agree to (a proposal): He agreed to my plan.
44. aim at: The hunter aimed at the bird.
45. angry with (a person): The teacher was angry with him.
46. angry at (a thing): He was angry at my behaviour.
47. anxious about (a result): He is anxious about his exam results.
48. apply for (a post): I will apply for the job.
49. ashamed of: He is now ashamed of his conduct.
50. aware of: I am aware of the situation.
B
51. believe in: We believe in God.
52. belong to: This book belongs to me.
53. beware of: Beware of pickpockets.
54. blessed with: He is blessed with good health.
55. blind in (an eye): He is blind in one eye.
56. blind to (a fault): A mother is blind to her son’s faults.
57. boast of: One should not boast of one’s wealth.
C
58. care for (to look after): She cares for her old mother.
59. complain against (a person): He complained against his friend.
60. complain about (a thing): He complained about the food.
61. congratulate on: I congratulated him on his success.
62. consist of: This book consists of five chapters.
63. cure for (a remedy): There is no cure for this disease.
64. cured of (a disease): He was cured of his illness.
D
65. deal in (business): His father deals in rice.
66. deal with (a person/matter): I know how to deal with him.
67. depend on: We depend on our parents.
68. deprive of: He was deprived of his rights.
69. die of (a disease): He died of cancer.
70. die from (a cause): He died from overwork.
71. different from: This pen is different from that.
72. disappointed with: I am disappointed with your result.
E
73. eligible for: He is eligible for the post.
74. excel in: She excels in dancing.
F
75. faithful to: The dog is faithful to its master.
76. famous for: Assam is famous for its tea.
77. fond of: Children are fond of sweets.
78. feed on: The cow feeds on grass.
79. full of: The glass is full of water.
G
80. good at: He is good at English.
81. grateful to (a person): I am grateful to you for your help.
82. grateful for (a thing): I am grateful for your kindness.
83. guilty of: He was found guilty of murder.
H
84. hope for: Let us hope for the best.
85. hard of (hearing): My grandfather is hard of hearing.
I
86. insist on: He insisted on my going there.
87. inferior to: This cloth is inferior to that.
88. invite to: He invited me to the party.
J
89. jealous of: He is jealous of his brother’s success.
90. junior to: He is junior to me by two years.
K
91. key to: Hard work is the key to success.
92. kind to: We should be kind to animals.
93. known to: He is known to me.
L
94. laugh at: Do not laugh at the poor.
95. listen to: Listen to what your teacher says.
96. loyal to: We should be loyal to our country.
P
97. pleased with: I am pleased with your work.
98. popular with: He is popular with his friends.
99. prefer to: I prefer tea to coffee. (Very common)
100. pray to: We should pray to God daily.
101. prevent from: He was prevented from going.
102. proud of: I am proud of my country.
103. prohibit from: He was prohibited from entering.
Q
104. quarrel with (a person): Do not quarrel with your friends.
105. quarrel over (a thing): They quarrelled over a piece of land.
R
106. rely on: You can rely on me.
107. remind of: This reminds me of an old story.
108. responsible for: He is responsible for this.
S
109. satisfied with: I am satisfied with your answer.
110. search for: He is searching for his lost book.
111. senior to: He is senior to me.
112. similar to: Your shirt is similar to mine.
113. succeed in: He succeeded in his mission.
114. superior to: This brand is superior to that one.
115. sure of: I am sure of success.
T
116. tired of: The man is tired of this work.
117. true to: He is true to his word.
118. trust in: We should trust in God.
W
119. wait for: I am waiting for the bus.
120. worthy of: He is worthy of praise.
Part 6: Confusing Pairs (Common Mistakes)
* SINCE vs. FOR
* SINCE: Used for a point in time (the start).
* Example: He has been ill since Monday.
* FOR: Used for a period of time (the duration).
* Example: He has been ill for three days.
* BETWEEN vs. AMONG
* BETWEEN: Used for two persons or things.
* Example: Divide the mangoes between the two brothers.
* AMONG: Used for more than two.
* Example: Divide the mangoes among all the students.
* BESIDE vs. BESIDES
* BESIDE: Means ‘at the side of’ or ‘next to’.
* Example: He sat beside me.
* BESIDES: Means ‘in addition to’.
* Example: Besides being a singer, he is also a dancer.
* IN vs. INTO
* IN: Shows position (at rest).
* Example: The fish is in the pond.
* INTO: Shows movement or change.
* Example: The fish jumped into the pond.