Prepositions
We 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
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beside
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near
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to
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above
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between
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of
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towards
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across
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beyond
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off
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under
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after
|
by
|
on
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underneath
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against
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despite
|
onto
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unlike
|
along
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down
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opposite
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until
|
among
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during
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out
|
up
|
around
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except
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outside
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upon
|
as
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for
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over
|
via
|
at
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from
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past
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with
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before
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in
|
round
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within
|
behind
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inside
|
since
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without
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below
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into
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than
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beneath
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like
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through
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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
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except for
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instead of
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owing to
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apart from
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in addition to
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near to
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such as
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as for
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in front of
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on account of
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thanks to
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as well as
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in place of
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on top of
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up to
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because of
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in spite of
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out of
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due to
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inside of
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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)
