Analysis of English Prepositions based on Cognitive Linguistics

Based on the theory of cognitive linguistics, this paper conducts an in-depth analysis of the polysemy of English prepositions. Through the prototype theory, image schema and metaphorical mechanism, it reveals the cognitive process of the meaning expansion of English prepositions in different contexts. The research shows that the spatial prototype meaning of English prepositions is the foundation of their multiple meanings, and it extends to abstract domains such as time, quantity and state through the metaphorical mechanism. Image schema provides an intuitive framework for the construction and understanding of preposition meanings. These theories offer a new perspective for English preposition teaching, which helps improve learners’ ability to understand and master the polysemy of prepositions and further promotes the all-round development of language ability and cognitive ability.