Prepositions (explained, with examples)
Prepositions are one of the main parts of speech in English; they’re utility words that show how elements within sentences relate to each other. We use prepositions to indicate place, time, direction, and sometimes abstract connections.
Prepositions are essential for clear writing.
Prepositions is important.
Though they can certainly be a trickier part of speech to get the hang of, practice and reading more about them is the best method to understanding how we use prepositions in writing and conversation. If you’re reading this, you’re already a step ahead!
What are prepositions? (And how to use them)
Prepositions are words that we use before nouns or pronouns to show how they connect or stand in regards to something else previously mentioned. Typically, prepositions will come before the word or phrase it associates with, as its name infers (pre–position, or “that which is placed before”).
- The cat jumped off the bed.
- There’s a fox in the yard.
- She feels ill from all the candy.
The first sentence uses the preposition “off” to relate the cat’s jumping with the object ‘bed’, and so it connects verbs with nouns. In the second sentence, “in” shows a relation between two nouns: the fox and yard.
The third sentence illustrates how the adjective ‘ill’ relates to the ‘candy’ (a noun). So, prepositions can connect elements or parts of sentences with each other; such as nouns with nouns, verbs with nouns, and adjectives with nouns.
A noun or pronoun used with a preposition is called its object (or a prepositional object). From the second sentence above, (there’s a fox in the yard), the noun ‘yard’ is governed by the preposition and is its object.
Typically, prepositions will come before their object, though sometimes they may come after:
- What are you looking at?
- What are you thinking of?
Main types of prepositions
Compound prepositions are formed by connecting a preposition (such as ‘a’ or ‘be’) with a noun, adjective, or adverb:
- about
- above
- across
- along
- amidst
- amongst
- around
- before
- behind
- beneath
- beside
- between
- below
- inside
- outside
- underneath
- within
- without
Phrase prepositions use a group of words to form a single prepositional phrase:
- according to;
- in addition to;
- along with;
- because of;
- by means of;
- by virtue of;
- by way of;
- for the sake of;
To recall what prepositions do, remember the “POSITION” within the word: they show location, time, or direction like “on” the table or “before” noon.
List of common prepositions
There are over a hundred prepositions in English, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. Some of the most common include:
- for,
- by,
- from,
- of,
- as,
- with,
- about (to signal a relationship or tie)
- to,
- into,
- towards,
- through,
- across,
- up,
- down,
- around,
- past (used to indicate movement)
- under,
- over,
- above,
- below,
- between,
- in,
- out,
- on,
- at,
- by (signal location)
- in (month/year),
- on (day),
- at (time),
- before,
- during,
- after,
- since, until (time within a month/year)
Read about the other parts of speech
- Nouns
- Adjectives
- Pronouns
- Verbs
- Adverbs
- Interjections
- Conjunction
Worksheet
According to the post, what is a primary function of prepositions?
The post states that prepositions are typically used before what part(s) of speech?
What is the term used in the post for the noun or pronoun that a preposition is used with and governs?
Which of the following phrases is identified in the post as containing a redundant preposition?
Thinking about the word “POSITION” helps remember that prepositions often indicate what main concepts?
The book is the table. (Based on an example in the post)
There’s a fox the yard. (Based on an example in the post)
She feels ill all the candy. (Based on an example in the post)
According to the post, prepositions typically come the word or phrase it associates with.
Prepositions essential for clear writing. (Based on a usage note in the post)
FAQs
What are prepositions?
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What do prepositions show?
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Where do prepositions go?
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What is a prepositional object?
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What is a common preposition error?
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Yash, D. "What Are Prepositions? (Definition Plus Examples)." Grammarflex, Jul 20, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/what-are-prepositions-definition-plus-examples/.
Sources
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High School English Grammar and Composition, P.C. Wren.
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Grammarly on pronouns.
