Key facts

  • Use between for a definite two-sided relation or a clearly named set; use among for distribution inside an indefinite group.
  • Use since with a starting point of time and for with a period of time.
  • Use in for position inside a place and into for movement from outside to inside.
  • Use on for contact or scheduled days/dates; use upon for movement onto a surface in formal action contexts.
  • Use despite without of; use in spite of as the full three-word phrase.

Key Points at a Glance

  1. 1

    Use between for a definite two-sided relation or a clearly named set; use among for distribution inside an indefinite group.

  2. 2

    Use since with a starting point of time and for with a period of time.

  3. 3

    Use in for position inside a place and into for movement from outside to inside.

  4. 4

    Use on for contact or scheduled days/dates; use upon for movement onto a surface in formal action contexts.

  5. 5

    Use despite without of; use in spite of as the full three-word phrase.

  6. 6

    Learn fixed collocations such as depend on, comply with, prefer to, accused of, and interested in.

RAS Mains study hubView study packs

Concept & Rules

Prepositions show relation: time, place, direction, cause, agency, manner, and fixed relation after many verbs, adjectives, and nouns. In RAS Mains Part A, the safest method is to read the whole sentence and choose the preposition forced by the meaning and the standard collocation.

  • Use between for a definite two-sided relation or a clearly named set; use among for distribution inside an indefinite group.
  • Use since with a starting point of time and for with a period of time.
  • Use in for position inside a place and into for movement from outside to inside.
  • Use on for contact or scheduled days/dates; use upon for movement onto a surface in formal action contexts.
  • Use despite without of; use in spite of as the full three-word phrase.
  • Learn fixed collocations such as depend on, comply with, prefer to, accused of, and interested in.

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PredictedPredicted Questions

Use these prompts to test answer structure before moving to practice.

11MRewrite choosing the appropriate preposition to form a meaningful sentence: The meeting will be held between / among 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.1 marks · 50 words

Model Answer

The meeting will be held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

~50 words · 1 marks