Table of contents

  1. 1. What are prepositions?
  2. 2. Types of prepositions
  3. 3. List of prepositions
  4. 3.1 Simple preposition list
  5. 3.2 Compound preposition list
  6. 4. Positions in sentences
  7. 4.1. At the beginning of a prepositional phrase
  8. 4.2. In the middle of a sentence
  9. 4.3. At the end of a sentence
  10. 4.4. Before relative pronouns
  11. 4.5. In phrasal verbs

1. What are prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show relationships between different elements in a sentence, such as nouns or pronouns, to other words to indicate direction, place, time, cause, manner, and possession. In this guide, you will learn all you need to know about prepositions.

2. Types of prepositions

English prepositions with example sentences
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There are different types of prepositions in English, each having their role in sentences. The most common types of prepositions are:

Prepositions of place

describe where something is located.

1. The keys are on the table.

2. The cat is under the bed.

3. I live at 18 Main Street.

Prepositions of time

specify when something happens.

1. The meeting is at 3 p.m.

2. I was born in July.

3. We will leave on Monday.

Prepositions of direction

indicate movement towards a place.

1. She ran into the room.

2. He walked towards the station.

3. They drove through the tunnel.

Prepositions of manner

describe how something is done.

1. He travelled by car.

2. She painted the wall with a brush.

3. They fought like warriors.

Prepositions of cause or purpose

explain why something happens.

1. She was punished for lying.

2. He died of old age.

3. They fled because of the storm.

Prepositions of possession

show ownership or association.

1. This is the house of my dreams.

2. That book belongs to Sarah.

3. He’s a friend of mine.

3. List of prepositions

3.1 Simple preposition list

  1. about
  2. above
  3. across
  4. after
  5. against
  6. along
  7. amid
  8. among
  9. anti
  10. around
  11. as
  12. at
  13. before
  14. behind
  15. below
  16. beneath
  17. beside
  18. besides
  19. between
  20. beyond
  21. but
  22. by
  23. concerning
  24. considering
  25. despite
  26. down
  27. during
  28. except
  29. excluding
  30. following
  31. for
  32. from
  33. in
  34. inside
  35. into
  36. like
  37. minus
  38. near
  39. of
  40. off
  41. on
  42. onto
  43. opposite
  44. outside
  45. over
  46. past
  47. per
  48. plus
  49. regarding
  50. round
  51. save
  52. since
  53. than
  54. through
  55. throughout
  56. till
  57. to
  58. toward
  59. under
  60. underneath
  61. unlike
  62. until
  63. up
  64. upon
  65. versus
  66. via
  67. with
  68. within
  69. without

3.2 Compound preposition list

  1. according to
  2. ahead of
  3. along with
  4. apart from
  5. as for
  6. as per
  7. as to
  8. aside from
  9. because of
  10. by means of
  11. close to
  12. due to
  13. except for
  14. far from
  15. in addition to
  16. in back of
  17. in case of
  18. in front of
  19. in light of
  20. in place of
  21. in regard to
  22. in spite of
  23. instead of
  24. next to
  25. on account of
  26. on behalf of
  27. on top of
  28. out of
  29. owing to
  30. prior to
  31. with regard to

4. Positions in sentences

The positions of prepositions in a sentence is important for clarity in English. A preposition usually shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other elements in a sentence.

4. 1. At the beginning of a prepositional phrase

Most commonly, prepositions come at the start of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and anything that follows it, such as noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

  1. She sat on the chair.
  2. The book is under the table.
First example:

Preposition: on

Prepositional phrase: on the chair

Second example:

Preposition: under

Prepositional phrase: under the table

In both examples, the preposition on and under is placed at the beginning of the prepositional phrase, followed by the object (the chair and the table). This is the most common position for prepositions.

4.2. In the middle of a sentence

Prepositions can appear in the middle of a sentence. They may come between a verb and its object or between two nouns.

  1. He went to the park with his friends.
  2. She put the keys on the desk.

Here, the prepositions to and on link the verb and the location or object.

4.3. At the end of a sentence

In English, prepositions can also appear at the end of a sentence, especially in questions, informal speech, and relative clauses. This is sometimes called a stranded preposition because the preposition is separated from its object.

  1. What are you looking at?
  2. This is the book I was telling you about.

Although ending a sentence with a preposition was once considered incorrect, it is now widely accepted in English, especially in spoken and informal contexts.

4.4. Before relative pronouns

Prepositions can be placed before relative pronouns like which, whom, and whose in formal writing. This form is more formal and is typically used in written English.

  1. The company for which he works is very successful.
  2. The person to whom you spoke is my manager.

In informal speech, these prepositions can move to the end of the clause, as in: "The company he works for is very successful." This is also correct but less formal.

4.5. In phrasal verbs

Prepositions are also part of phrasal verbs, which combine verbs with prepositions to create new meanings. In phrasal verbs, the preposition typically comes immediately after the verb.

  1. She looked after her younger brother.
  2. They ran into an old friend at the store.

Here, looked after and ran into are phrasal verbs where the verb and preposition function as a single unit to convey specific meanings.

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