Thousands of years ago, fish were caught in nets and traps.
Is the word (in) a preposition?
yes.
Yes, the word "in" in the sentence "fish were caught in nets and traps" is a preposition. It describes the relationship between the action of catching the fish and the nets and traps. The preposition "in" indicates that the fish were caught inside or within the nets and traps.
To determine if a word is a preposition, you can consider its function in the sentence and its relationship to other words. In this case, "in" is followed by the noun phrase "nets and traps," indicating the location or place where the action of catching occurred. Prepositions often express relationships of time, location, direction, or manner between different parts of a sentence or clause.
If you come across a word and are unsure if it's a preposition, you can consult a dictionary or grammar resource to confirm its classification and usage. Additionally, studying the common prepositions and their functions can help you identify them more easily in sentences.