Prepositions - SSC CGL | Courage Library

1. What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word placed before a noun/pronoun to show relation with another word in the sentence.

Example: He sat on the chair. She is good at English.

2. Types of Prepositions (Exam Focus)

Type	Description	Examples
Simple Prepositions	Basic single-word prepositions	in, on, at, by, for, with, from, of
Compound Prepositions	Formed by combining words	inside, outside, within, without, upon
Phrasal Prepositions	Groups of words functioning as prepositions	according to, instead of, in spite of, because of
Prepositional Phrases	Longer prepositional expressions	by means of, with reference to, in accordance with

3. Fixed Prepositions (SSC Favourites)

Some verbs/adjectives always take a fixed preposition.

Word	Fixed Preposition	Example
Accuse	of	He was accused of theft
Believe	in	I believe in hard work
Complain	of/about	He complained of headache
Deal	with	This book deals with grammar
Differ	from	This pen differs from that one
Fond	of	She is fond of music
Interested	in	He is interested in sports
Good/Bad	at	She is good at maths
Responsible	for	Parents are responsible for their children

SSC often asks to identify the wrong preposition.

4. Phrasal Prepositions

According to – According to his opinion, she is right

In spite of – He came in spite of his illness

Because of – He failed because of his laziness

Owing to – The match was cancelled owing to rain

Due to – The train was late due to fog

5. Idiomatic Usage of Prepositions

In bed (not on bed) → She is in bed

By bus/train/plane (not with bus) → He came by bus

On foot (not by foot) → He goes to school on foot

Married to (not married with) → She is married to a doctor

Different from (not different than) → This is different from that

Angry with a person / Angry at a thing → He is angry with me. He is angry at the delay

Prevent from → The rain prevented me from going

6. Common SSC Errors

Error 1: Wrong fixed preposition

She is good in English

She is good at English

Error 2: Unnecessary preposition

Where are you going to?

Where are you going?

Error 3: Preposition missing

He is senior me

He is senior to me

Error 4: Confusion in idioms

He went by foot

He went on foot

7. SSC CGL Previous Year Questions

Q1. He is addicted ___ gambling.

Options: (a) on (b) at (c) with (d) to

Answer: (d) to

Q2. This book is different ___ that.

Options: (a) from (b) than (c) with (d) to

Answer: (a) from

Q3. He is married ___ a teacher.

Options: (a) with (b) by (c) to (d) in

Answer: (c) to

8. Quick Recap

Prepositions show relation → place, time, cause, manner
Remember fixed prepositions (good at, fond of, interested in)
Idioms & phrases with prepositions are SSC favourites (angry with, married to, on foot)
Be careful of extra/missing prepositions

9. Practice Questions

(Attempt yourself – answers hidden below)

Q1. He is proud ___ his success.

Q2. She prevented me ___ going there.

Q3. He is senior ___ me by two years.

Q4. The train arrived late ___ fog.

Q5. I don't agree ___ you in this matter.

Click for Answers

1. of

2. from

3. to

4. due to / owing to

5. with

Prepositions for SSC CGL