Table of contents
- 1. What are prepositions?
- 2. Types of prepositions
- 3. List of prepositions
- 4. Positions of prepositions in a sentence
- 4. 1. Placing prepositions at the beginning of a prepositional phrase
- 4.2. Placing prepositions in the middle of a sentence
- 4.3. Placing prepositions at the end of a sentence
- 4.4. Placing prepositions before relative pronouns
- 4.5. Prepositions in phrasal verbs
- 5. Summary
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
There are different types of prepositions in English, each having their role in sentences. The most common types of prepositions are:
- Prepositions of place, which describe where something is located.
- Prepositions of time, which specify when something happens. Many students find the following prepositions confusing, you can learn more about them by clicking the link below:
- Prepositions of direction, indicating movement towards a place.
- Prepositions of manner, describing how something is done. It can be subdivided into the following categories:
- Prepositions of method
- Preposition of instrument or device
- Preposition of agency
- Preposition of similarity
- Preposition of connection
- Prepositions of cause or purpose, which explain why something happens.
- Prepositions of possession, showing ownership or association.
3. List of prepositions
3.1 Simple preposition list
- about
- above
- across
- after
- against
- along
- amid
- among
- anti
- around
- as
- at
- before
- behind
- below
- beneath
- beside
- besides
- between
- beyond
- but
- by
- concerning
- considering
- despite
- down
- during
- except
- excluding
- following
- for
- from
- in
- inside
- into
- like
- minus
- near
- of
- off
- on
- onto
- opposite
- outside
- over
- past
- per
- plus
- regarding
- round
- save
- since
- than
- through
- throughout
- till
- to
- toward
- under
- underneath
- unlike
- until
- up
- upon
- versus
- via
- with
- within
- without
3.2 Compound preposition list
- according to
- ahead of
- along with
- apart from
- as for
- as per
- as to
- aside from
- because of
- by means of
- close to
- due to
- except for
- far from
- in addition to
- in back of
- in case of
- in front of
- in light of
- in place of
- in regard to
- in spite of
- instead of
- next to
- on account of
- on behalf of
- on top of
- out of
- owing to
- prior to
- with regard to
4. Positions of prepositions in a sentence
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. Placing prepositions 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.
- She sat on the chair.
- 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. Placing prepositions in the middle of a sentence
Prepositions often appear in the middle of a sentence. They may come between a verb and its object or between two nouns.
- He went to the park with his friends.
- She put the keys on the desk.
Here, the prepositions to and on link the verb and the location or object.
4.3. Placing prepositions 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.
- What are you looking at?
- 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. Placing prepositions before relative pronouns
Prepositions often come before relative pronouns like which, whom, and whose in formal writing. This form is more formal and is typically used in written English.
- The company for which he works is very successful.
- 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. Prepositions 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.
- She looked after her younger brother.
- 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.
5. Summary
To sum up, prepositions can appear in different positions in a sentence:
- At the beginning of a prepositional phrase – introducing the object of the preposition,
- In the middle of a sentence – linking nouns or verbs to show relationships,
- At the end of a sentence – often in questions, relative clauses, or informal language,
- Before relative pronouns – common in formal writing,
- In phrasal verbs – forming part of the verb to create unique meanings.