Mastering Preposition for IELTS

When learning English, prepositions often feel small and unimportant, but they are actually essential for expressing precise meaning. Prepositions are words like in, on, at, by, for, with, about, under, over, between, and they show relationships between different parts of a sentence—whether it’s time, place, direction, or cause.

In the IELTS exam, using prepositions correctly can make a huge difference in your Writing and Speaking scores. Even native speakers sometimes make mistakes with them, so focusing on prepositions is a smart strategy for anyone aiming for Band 9.

Why Prepositions Are Important in IELTS

1. Clarity and Accuracy
   In Writing and Speaking, prepositions help you express ideas clearly. For example:
   • Correct: She is good at speaking English.
   • Incorrect: She is good in speaking English.
     The missing preposition “at” makes the sentence sound incomplete. Small mistakes like this can lower your grammar score.
2. Understanding Reading and Listening
   Prepositions often indicate relationships in texts and conversations. For instance, in Reading, a sentence like “The meeting will take place in the main hall” shows exactly where something happens. In Listening, confusing “in” and “on” can lead to wrong answers.
3. Fluency and Natural Speech
   Using prepositions correctly makes your English sound natural. Native-like fluency is a key part of Band 9 Speaking. Saying “I am interested in science” instead of “I am interested science” is a simple change that improves your score immediately.

How to Use Prepositions Correctly

Prepositions are usually categorized by their use. Here’s how they work in IELTS contexts:

1. Prepositions of Time

These prepositions indicate when something happens:

• At → specific time: The exam starts at 9 a.m.
• On → days and dates: The workshop is on Monday.
• In → months, years, long periods: She was born in July 1995.

2. Prepositions of Place

These prepositions show where something is:

• At → exact point: I am at the station.
• In → enclosed space: He lives in London.
• On → surface: The keys are on the table.

3. Prepositions of Movement

These indicate motion or direction:

• To → general direction: She is going to the library.
• Into → entering an enclosed space: He walked into the room.
• Onto → moving onto a surface: The cat jumped onto the roof.

4. Prepositions in Idiomatic Expressions

Many verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions:

• Interested in learning
• Good at speaking
• Responsible for the project
• Different from other cities

Knowing these fixed combinations is crucial for IELTS. Misusing them can make your language sound unnatural.

Band 9 Examples in IELTS

Let’s see how prepositions are used in Band 9-level responses:

1. Writing Task 1 (Academic Report)
   Correct: The number of students enrolled in online courses increased by 20% between 2018 and 2020.
   Incorrect: The number of students enrolled online courses increased 20% between 2018 and 2020.
2. Writing Task 2 (Essay)
   Correct: Many people are concerned about climate change and its long-term effects.
   Incorrect: Many people are concerned climate change and its long-term effects.
3. Speaking Part 2 (Cue Card)
   Correct: I moved to Canada in 2020 for higher studies.
   Incorrect: I moved Canada 2020 for higher studies.

Notice how the correct prepositions make sentences clear, precise, and natural—all qualities examiners look for in Band 9 responses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mixing up in / on / at
   Correct: I live in Canada, on Maple Street, at number 15.
2. Using “different than” instead of “different from”
   Correct: My experience is different from yours.
3. Omitting prepositions after adjectives or verbs
   Correct: She is good at math.
   Incorrect: She is good math.

Practice Questions

Try filling in the blanks with the correct preposition:

1. The IELTS exam will start ___ 9 a.m. sharp.
2. I have been interested ___ learning English since childhood.
3. She moved ___ London last year.
4. The book is lying ___ the table.
5. He is responsible ___ organizing the event.
6. Many people are worried ___ climate change.
7. I will meet you ___ Monday.
8. The cat jumped ___ the roof.
9. This painting is different ___ that one.
10. They have been working ___ this project for months.

Answers: 1. at | 2. in | 3. to | 4. on | 5. for | 6. about | 7. on | 8. onto | 9. from | 10. on