What is a preposition?

A preposition is defined as a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence. This relationship often involves direction, position, time, or manner. For example, in the phrase "The book is on the table," the preposition "on" indicates the spatial relationship between the book and the table. By connecting nouns to other parts of the sentence, prepositions help to clarify meaning and provide additional context.

The other options describe different parts of speech. The second option refers to verbs, which denote actions or states of being. The third option describes pronouns, which are used to replace nouns and avoid repetition. The last option mistakenly characterizes adverbs; while adverbs can indicate time, they do not specifically define prepositions or their function. Thus, the first option accurately captures the essence of what a preposition does.