What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
preposition
Example
The book is on the table. [on: preposition]
Example
She walked through the park. [through: preposition]
particle
Example
He looked up the word in the dictionary. [up: particle]
Example
She turned off the lights. [off: particle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prepositions are more commonly used than particles in everyday language. Prepositions are an essential part of English grammar and are used in almost every sentence, while particles are used less frequently and are often found in phrasal verbs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between preposition and particle?
Prepositions are typically associated with a formal tone and are used in academic writing, while particles are more informal and are commonly used in spoken English.
