Prepositions

 


Prepositions indicate relationships between words or ideas. Most prepositions deal with location and are easy to learn.

    above

    inside

    beside

    near

    up

    before*

    with

    into

    between

    like

    despite

    below

    outside

    beyond

    nearby

    down

    after*

    without

    out (of)

    among

    as

    in spite of

    over

    around

    behind

    by

    toward

    during

    within

    off

    except

    than

    beneath

    under

    through

    in front of

    next to

    along (side)

    since*

    until*

    upon

    but*

    about

    underneath


    *These can also be used as conjunctions.

Some prepositions, however, have more than one meaning and can be very confusing.

    in

    to

    on

    from

    at

    for

    of


Generally, in, on and at indicate location. See also: Prepositions of Location

To and from imply movement toward or away from something. However, to can also function as part of an infinitive. See also: Infinitives.

To and for can introduce indirect objects. See also: Indirect Objects

For and since can also indicate duration. See also: Present Perfect Progessive

Of is used in partitives (all of, some of . . .) and other expressions. See also: Quantifiers

Many prepositions are also used in expressions. See also: Grammar: Preposition Collocations with "Be"; Verb and Preposition Collocations 

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