Prepositions – English grammar courses
Prepositions are words that are usually followed by nouns or pronouns. A noun or pronoun that comes after a preposition is called the object of the preposition.
Below there are some of the most common prepositions, their meanings and examples on each one of them:
1- About
a. On the subject of
This is a story about elephants
Tell me about yourself
b. Approximately
He is about ten years old
The store is about 1 kilometer away
2- Above
Higher than; over
The plane flew above the clouds
I didn’t see it above me
3- Across
a. From one side to the other
We walked across the field
They went across the river
b. On the other side of
There is a store across the street
Be careful of the cars across the road
4- After
a. Later in time
after ten o’clock; after lunch
b. In pursuit of
The dog ran after the cat, I went after her out of the room
5- Against
a. In opposition to
Theft is against the law
Don’t go against my ideas all the time
b. Touching; supported by
I leaned my bicycle against the wall
Can you stand against the door?
6- Along
a. Following the length of
We walked along the road
Walk along with me
7- Among
a. Within a group
The money was shared among three people
Do you know if there’s a book among this pile?
8- Around
a. Circling something
We walked around the block
He talked around the topic
b. Surrounding
There is a fence around the garden
There are other houses around here
c. In different parts of
I looked around the house for the keys
We’ve been walking around this area for a while now
d. Approximately
He is around six feet tall
She is around 25 years old
9- At
a. A specific location
at 23 Chestnut Street; at the park
b. A point in time
at 5 o’clock; at night
c. A condition
at peace; at war; at rest
d. An activity
at work; at school; at play
e. Towards
Look at someone; wave at someone
10- Before
a. Earlier in time
before two o’clock; before Christmas
b. Earlier in a series
S comes before T in the alphabet
Talk to Chris before Adam
11- Behind
a. At the back of
The little girl hid behind her mother.
There’s some food behind the table
b. Late
I am behind in my work
We are behind schedule
c. Cause; origin
Who was behind that idea?
I was behind the plan
12- Below
a. Lower than; under
below freezing; below sea level
13- Beneath
Lower than; below
beneath the earth
He’s standing beneath the building
14- Beside
Next to; at the side of
I sit beside her in class
The pepper is beside the salt
15- Besides
Also; as well as
We study other languages besides English
Besides, I don’t want to talk about this
16- Between
a. An intermediate location:
Toronto lies between Montreal and Vancouver.
b. An intermediate time
between Christmas and New Year’s Day
c. Intermediate in a series:
B comes between A and C in the alphabet.
d. Within a group of two:
The money was shared between two people
17- Beyond
a. Farther than
The mountains lie beyond the horizon.
What’s beyond that building over there?
b. Further than; exceeding
That was beyond my expectations.
I didn’t know she was skilled beyond her teacher
18- But
Except:
I have read all but the last chapter.
I knew everyone but her
19- By
a. Near
a house by the sea
b. Past
He waved as he drove by the house.
c. In units of
cheaper by the dozen; sold by weight
d. Through the means of
travel by plane; written by him
1. Despite
: in spite of
We walked downtown despite the rain.
She improved despite her difficulties
2. Down
To a lower position
The ball rolled down the hill.
3. During
Throughout a period
She works during the day.
I had nothing to do during that time
4. Except
Not including
I have visited everyone except him.
5. For
1 : Duration of time
We walked for two hours.
2: Distance:
I walked for five kilometers.
3: Purpose:
I bought this jacket for you.
4:In favor of:
We are for the proposal.
5: Considering:
The boy is clever for his age.
6. From
1 Place of origin:
We left from Boston; he comes from Mexico
2 Start of a period of time:
from now on; from yesterday until today
3 Cause:
He suffers from nervousness.
4 Source:
I first heard the story from you.
7. In
1 Within a location:
in the room; in London in the building
2 Within a certain time:
I will return in an hour.
3 By means of:
write in pencil; speak in English
8. Inside
Within:
They are inside the house.
9. Into
1 To the inside of:
We stepped into the room.
2 Change of condition:
The boy changed into a man.
10. Like
Resembling:
That looks like him.
I like movies like The Godfather.
11. Near
Close to:
near the school; near the ocean
12. Of
1
the middle of the road ; the sound of music
2: Part of a group:
one of us; a member of the team
3: Measurement:
a cup of milk; two meters of snow
13. Off
1: Not on; away from:
Please keep off the grass.
14. On
1 Touching the surface of:
on the table; on the wall
2: A certain day:
That happened on Sunday, on the 6th of June.
3: A certain street:
on South Street
4: A state or condition:
on strike; on fire; on holiday
5By means of:
shown on television
15. Onto
To a position on:
The child climbed onto the table.
16. Opposite
: Facing:
The library is opposite the fire station.
17. Out of
1: To the outside of:
She went out of the room.
2: From among:
We won two games out of three.
3: Motive:
We spoke to them out of politeness.
4: Beyond:
out of control; out of danger
18. Outside
On the outer side of;
outside the house
19. Over
: 1 Above; higher than:
There are cupboards over the sink.
2: Covering:
We spread an extra blanket over the bed.
3: More than:
It cost over ten dollars; it took over an hour
4: During:
I saw him several times over the past week.