The other primary use for prepositions, in addition to “position,” is time. Prepositions show the relationship of one item to another as related to time—after, before, during, etc. This is where our second Preposition-Check Sentence comes into play:
The girl prayed ____________________ the service.
Obviously, there are not fifty to seventy prepositions that fit neatly into this check sentence, simply because there are not fifty to seventy time prepositions like there are position prepositions. However, for those more challenging “time” prepositions, this check sentence comes in handy.
“Test” this “Preposition-Check Sentence” with the time prepositions (plus some others that fit just because they fit) given below. Some of them might be a stretch to fit in, but for the most part, I think you will find this helpful for the “less than obvious” prepositions.
The girl prayed ________________ the services.
About
According to
After
Amid
Amidst
Among
amongst
Along with
Apart from
Around
At
Away from
Because
Before
Behind
Between
By means of
Close to
Concerning
Considering
Despite
Due to
During
Following
In between
In regards to
In accordance with
In lieu of
In coordination with
In connection with
Involving
Including
On account of
On behalf of
Out of
Over
Prior to
Pursuant to
Regardless of
Until
Via
With regards
With regard to
With respect to
Within
Through
Throughout
Until
