Mastering Prepositions, Conjunctions & Interjections: The Unsung Heroes of English

‍How to Use Important Parts of Speech – Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

Let’s talk about the parts of speech that act like glue and fireworks.

Yes, you read that right. Prepositions and conjunctions? They’re your sentence glue—holding everything together so your thoughts don’t fall apart mid-conversation. And interjections? Well, those are your little explosions of emotion. Pow! Zap! Yay!

This post is your deep dive into how these essential (but often overlooked) words shape your English. Whether you’re writing an email, having a chat, or reading your favorite book, you’re using them constantly—probably without realizing it. Let’s change that.

🧭 Prepositions: Tiny Words, Big Jobs

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another part of the sentence. They often describe direction, time, place, or introduce an object.

The noun/pronoun that follows a preposition is called the object, and together they make a prepositional phrase.

Examples:

The cat hid under the couch.
She walked to the store.
He spoke with confidence.

Each prepositional phrase helps clarify the picture: where, when, how, or why something happened.

There are over 150 prepositions in English—and no, you don’t need to memorize them all (unless your 7th-grade English teacher insists). But the more familiar you are with them, the smoother your English will become.

✨ Common Prepositions (with examples)

Here are just a few (okay, more than a few) of the most useful ones:

At – She’s at the office.
By – The book was written by her.
For – I bought this for you.
From – He traveled from Tokyo.
In – It’s in the drawer.
Into – She walked into the room.
Of – The sound of silence.
On – The keys are on the table.
Over – The plane flew over the mountains.
To – We went to the park.
Under – The dog is under the bed.
With – I came with my sister.

🧠 Try this practice tip:
Look around your room right now and describe where 5 objects are using prepositions. “My phone is on the table. The charger is under the chair.” Boom—you’re thinking like a native.

Conjunctions: Sentence Connectors and Clause Matchmakers

If prepositions are glue, conjunctions are the relationship experts of grammar. They link words, phrases, and clauses.

🔹 Coordinating Conjunctions

These connect elements of equal importance.

FANBOYS is your memory trick:
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Examples:

I wanted coffee, but there was none left.
He can stay home, or he can come with us.

🔹 Subordinating Conjunctions

These connect a dependent clause to an independent one.

Examples:

Because I was tired, I went to bed early.
Although it rained, we played soccer.

These words create complex sentences—and complex sentences make your English sound polished.

🔹 Correlative Conjunctions

These come in pairs.

Examples:

Either you come now or I’ll leave without you.
Not only did she finish early, but also she helped others.

🧠 Try this practice tip:
Take a journal entry or email you’ve written. Circle every conjunction. Could you combine or expand any sentences using one of the three types above?

💥 Interjections: The Fireworks of Language

Interjections are emotional sound bites. They’re short words or phrases that show feeling or reaction.

Examples:

Wow! That was amazing.
Oops! I spilled my coffee.
Huh? I didn’t hear you.

Sometimes they’re full sentences (“Yikes!”), and sometimes they’re sprinkled into longer ones:

Oh, I see what you mean.
Hmm, that’s interesting.

✨ Common Interjections:

Yay! – excitement
Ugh! – disgust
Aha! – discovery
Ouch! – pain
Nope. – refusal
Whoa! – surprise
Phew! – relief
Hmm. – thought

These little expressions give your English personality. Learn them, use them, and your conversations will sound more human and natural.

🧠 Quick Review Table

🛠️ Practice Makes Progress

Here are a few easy ways to reinforce what you’ve learned:

Watch your favorite TV show and write down any prepositions, conjunctions, or interjections you hear.
Try writing a paragraph using at least 5 different prepositions and 3 conjunctions.
Say something using a dramatic interjection (bonus points if you add hand gestures).

📚 Related Reading:

💬 What About You?

Do you have a favorite preposition, conjunction, or interjection? Maybe one you always mix up or love using in conversation?

Tell me in the comments—or write to me directly if you want help mastering the fine details of English grammar. The little words really do make a big difference.

Let’s conquer grammar, one “Wow!” at a time.

‍