A preposition: 
   is a part of speech (often called a function word) 
   that is used to show the relationship between one noun or noun equivalent 
   (which is the object of the preposition)...to another noun in the sentence.

The prepositional phrase can behave like an adjective or an adverb.

Example 1:  The telephone is in the hall.   
In this statement, the preposition in shows the relationship of its object hall to the subject (the telephone).  
The prepositional phrase acts as an adjective in modifying telephone.

Example 2:  The telephone is ringing off the wall.  In this statement, the preposition off shows the relationship of its object wall to the subject (telephone) by modifying the verb. Here the  prepositional phrase acts as an adverb.

Prepositions can define spatial relationships as well as direction, location, time, and place.  They can also be used simply to introduce objects.  The resources at the bottom of the page provide essential details about these functions.   Although there are perhaps 150 prepositions, they represent less than one tenth of one percent of
the English language.  (There are around 250,000 English words... more words than in any other language.)
Despite the fact that prepositions represent such a small portion of the English vocabulary, they are some
of the most commonly used words in the language.                 
English Vocabulary: English Prepositions List:
              http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm
The following are the most commonly used prepositions:   (This is not a complete list)
About As Beyond Except Near Outside Than Underneath
Above At But For Next Over Through Unlike
Across Before By From Of Past Throughout Until
After Behind Concerning In Off Plus Till Unto
Against Below Considering In front of On Regarding To Up
Along Beside Despite Inside Onto Respecting Together with Upon
Among Besides Down Into Opposite Round Toward With
Around Between During Like Out Since Under Without

Some useful links:  Information about Prepositions

While the above information is essential and writing is the best practice
for learning to use these critical words, the following four sections will be most helpful.
 
1.  Prepositions of Direction Read  this new Owl Page
      online, then Download the old one, it is a better
      explanation    
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/esl/PDFs/eslprep.pdf		 All about prepositions and Tests
2.  Prepositions of Spacial Relationship
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/esl/PDFs/eslprep3.pdf 		Preposition Quiz # 1
3.  Prepositions of Location
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/esl/PDFs/eslprep2.pdf 		Preposition Quiz # 2
4.  of Time, of Place and to Introduce Objects
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/esl/PDFs/eslprep4.pdf 		Preposition Quiz # 3
More info more exercises
Quiz: Prepositions - At / In
A harder quiz:http://www.better-english.com/grammar/prepositions.htm

 
Preposition Quiz 3

 

 

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  1. English PREPOSITIONS Resources

    Everything available from HER on the topic of English prepositions
    www.homeeducationresources.com/topics/EnglPrep.htm

The Preposition  http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/preposition.htm