45 Essential Prepositions You Must Know

Prepositions of Place

• About: Approximately, around, concerning
  • Example: The meeting is about starting a new project.
• Above: Higher than, over
  • Example: The bird is flying above the tree.
• Across: From one side to the other
  • Example: We walked across the bridge.
• After: Following in time or order
  • Example: I’ll see you after the movie.
• Against: In opposition to, leaning on
  • Example: He leaned against the wall.
• Along: Parallel to, following the length of
  • Example: We walked along the beach.
• Among: In the midst of, surrounded by
  • Example: The book was among the others on the shelf.
• Around: Surrounding, approximately
  • Example: The park is around the corner.
• At: In a specific place or time
  • Example: I’ll be at home at 5 PM.
• Before: Earlier than, in front of
  • Example: Please arrive before the meeting starts.
• Behind: At the back of, following
  • Example: The dog is behind the tree.
• Below: Lower than, underneath
  • Example: The cat is below the table.
• Beneath: Underneath, below
  • Example: The treasure is buried beneath the ground.
• Beside: Next to, by the side of
  • Example: The chair is beside the table.
• Besides: In addition to, except for
  • Example: Besides swimming, I also like to play tennis.
• Between: In the middle of, shared by two or more
  • Example: The ball is between the two players.
• Beyond: Further on, more than
  • Example: The mountains are beyond the lake.
• By: Near, close to, through the agency of
  • Example: I went by bus.
• Despite: In spite of
  • Example: Despite the rain, we went for a walk.

Prepositions of Time

• Down: Lower, to a lower level
  • Example: The price went down.
• During: throughout the time of
  • Example: I slept during the movie.
• For: Indicating a duration of time
  • Example: He worked for two hours.
• From: Beginning at, originating from
  • Example: She came from France.
• In: Within, during, at
  • Example: I’ll be in Paris next week.
• Into: Inside, to the interior of
  • Example: He walked into the room.
• Like: Similar to, resembling
  • Example: She looks like her mother.
• Near: Close to, not far from
  • Example: The store is near the school.
• Of: Belonging to, relating to
  • Example: The book of poems.
• Off: Away from, not on
  • Example: Get off the bus.
• On: Upon, at, in
  • Example: The cat is on the roof.
• Out: Outside, away from
  • Example: Go out!
• Over: Above, across, more than
  • Example: The bridge is over the river.
• Since: From a certain time
  • Example: I have lived here since 2005.
• Through: Passing from one side to the other, by means of
  • Example: The river flows through the city.
• Throughout: In every part of, during the whole of
  • Example: The museum is open throughout the year.
• Till: Until
  • Example: I’ll wait till he arrives.
• To: In the direction of, toward
  • Example: Go to the store.
• Toward(s): In the direction of
  • Example: She walked towards the park.
• Under: Below, beneath
  • Example: The cat is under the bed.
• Until: Up to the time of
  • Example: I’ll work until 5 PM.
• Up: Higher, upward
  • Example: Go up the stairs.
• Upon: On, over
  • Example: The book is upon the table.
• With: Together with, by means of
  • Example: I went with my friends.
• Within: Inside, inside of
  • Example: The cat is within the house.
• Without: Not having, lacking
  • Example: He went out without a coat.