Prepositions: usesWe commonly use prepositions to show a relationship in space or time or a logical relationship between two or more people, places or things. Prepositions are most commonly followed by a noun phrase or pronoun (underlined):

The last time I saw him he was walking down the road.

I’ll meet you in the cafe opposite the cinema.

It was difficult to sleep during the flight.

It was the worst storm since the 1980s.

Give that to me.

There are over 100 prepositions in English. The most common single-word prepositions are:

about

beside

near

to

above

between

of

towards

across

beyond

off

under

after

by

on

underneath

against

despite

onto

unlike

along

down

opposite

until

among

during

out

up

around

except

outside

upon

as

for

over

via

at

from

past

with

before

in

round

within

behind

inside

since

without

below

into

than

beneath

like

through

Although most prepositions are single words, some pairs and groups of words operate like single prepositions:

They were unable to attend because of the bad weather in Ireland.

Jack’ll be playing in the team in place of me.

In addition to getting a large fine, both brothers were put in prison for three months.

I always get nervous when I have to speak in front of an audience.

We estimate that there’ll be up to 10,000 people at the concert.

The most common prepositions that consist of groups of words are:

ahead of

except for

instead of

owing to

apart from

in addition to

near to

such as

as for

in front of

on account of

thanks to

as well as

in place of

on top of

up to

because of

in spite of

out of

due to

inside of

outside of

Prepositions or conjunctions?Some words which are prepositions also function as conjunctions. When we use a preposition that is followed by a clause, it is functioning as a conjunction; when we use a preposition that is followed by a noun phrase, it stays as a preposition. Among the most common are after, as, before, since, until:

After I’d met him last night, I texted his sister at once. (conjunction)

After the meeting last night, I texted his sister at once. (preposition)

We’ll just have to wait until they decide what to do. (conjunction)

Okay, we’ll wait here until six o’clock. (preposition)

Prepositions or adverbs?Several words which are prepositions also belong to the word class of adverbs. These include: about, across, around, before, beyond, in, inside, near, opposite, outside, past, round, through, under, up, within:

There were lots of people waiting for a taxi outside the club. (preposition)

A:Where’s your cat?

B:She’s outside. (adverb)

The gallery is opposite the Natural History Museum. (preposition)

A:Can you tell me where the bus station is?

B:It’s over there, just opposite. (adverb)

Prepositions and abstract meaningsCommon prepositions that show relationships of space often have abstract as well as concrete meanings.

CompareThat map you need is behind the filing cabinet. (basic spatial sense or position)

Everyone is behind the government. (behind = gives support)

Beyond the hotel were beautiful mountains. (basic spatial sense or position)

Learning Chinese in a year was beyond them all. (beyond = too difficult for)

Some common prepositions such as at, in and on can have abstract meanings:

I think you will both need to discuss the problem in private.

All three singers were dressed in black.

You now have the next day at leisure and can do whatever you wish.

Our dog stays on guard all night, even when he’s sleeping!

Prepositions and adjectivesWe commonly use prepositions after adjectives. Here are the most common adjective + preposition patterns.

adjectives

preposition

aware, full

of

They weren’t aware of the time.

different, separate

from

Is French very different from Spanish?

due, similar

to

This picture is similar to the one in our living room.

familiar, wrong

with

What’s wrong with Isabelle?

good, surprised*

at

We were really surprised at the price of food in restaurants on our holiday.

interested

in

Lots of people are interested in Grand Prix racing but I’m not.

responsible, good

for

Exercise is good for everyone.

worried, excited

about

We’re really excited about our trip to Argentina.

*We can also say surprised by

Prepositions and nounsMany nouns have particular prepositions which normally follow them:

There’s been a large increase in the price of petrol.

Does anyone know the cause of the fire?

See also:

Nouns and prepositions

Nouns

Prepositions and verbsMany verbs go together with prepositions to make prepositional verbs. These always have an object:

I just couldn’t do without my phone.

Robert accused her of stealing his idea.

Phrasal-prepositional verbs contain a verb, an adverb particle and a preposition (underlined). We cannot separate the particle and the preposition:

The taxi is due any minute. Can you listen out for it?

I can’t put up with this noise any longer.

See also:

Prepositional verbs

Phrasal-prepositional verbs

Prepositional phrases