Level: A2
List of English Prepositions
The most useful English prepositions, grouped by topic — each with a short, clear definition and a simple example of how it is used.
- Position, Location & Movement
- above – in a higher position than something else, not touching
- across – from one side of an area or surface to the other
- against – touching and supported by a surface
- along – following the length or side of something
- amid – surrounded by something, often in the middle
- among – surrounded by and included in a group
- around – in a circle or surrounding all sides
- at – showing a specific point or place
- behind – in a position further back than something else
- below – in a lower position, not necessarily directly underneath
- beneath – directly under and covered by something
- beside – next to, very close to the side
- between – in the space separating two things or people
- beyond – farther away than something, past a limit or place
- by – showing either closeness in place (next to) or a deadline in time (not later than)
- inside – contained within the boundaries of something
- near – close but not necessarily immediately beside
- off – away from a surface or position
- on – in direct contact with a surface, often above and touching
- out – to a position outside, leaving an area
- outside – in the open air, not in an enclosed space
- over – positioned above and possibly covering something
- past – moving further than a particular point or place
- round – circling or going in a loop around something
- under – in a lower position, directly below
- underneath – directly under, usually hidden or covered
- upon – positioned right on top of something (often formal)
- within – inside the limits or boundaries of something
- without – lacking or not having something
- back of – at the rear or far end of something (less formal)
- in front of – directly before, facing toward
- on top of – at the very highest point or surface
- aboard – inside or on a vehicle or vessel
- down – moving from a higher to a lower position
- from – showing the starting point of movement or time
- into – entering or going inside something
- through – from one end or side to the other, inside something
- out of – leaving or moving away from being inside
- to – showing the direction of movement toward a destination
- toward – moving in the direction of something
- up – moving to a higher position or level
- via – passing through or by way of a place
- along with – together in company with someone or something
- ahead of – in a position further forward than
- Time & Duration
- after – happening later than a point in time
- before – earlier than a certain time
- during – throughout the whole of a period or event
- for – lasting the whole period of time mentioned
- since – starting at a point in the past and continuing until now
- till – up to a specific time (informal)
- until – up to a specific time (more formal than till)
- in – after a certain period from now; or within a duration
- up to – ending at or as far as a certain point in time
- throughout – during every part of a period
- per – used to express a rate, like how many times something happens within a set time or amount
- Cause, Reason, Purpose & Exception
- because of – as a result of something
- due to – resulting from a particular reason
- on account of – for a stated reason (formal)
- in view of – considering or because of something
- but – showing something is not included; except for
- except – leaving out something or someone
- excepting – not including (rare, more formal)
- apart from – in addition to, or with the exception of
- instead of – in the place of another thing
- in spite of – not prevented by something; despite
- Similarity, Addition, Accompaniment & Comparison
- like – sharing similar qualities or appearance
- as – used to compare people, things, or roles
- as far as – expressing extent of distance or degree
- as well as – used to add something to what has been mentioned
- contrary to – in contrast with what has been stated or expected
- versus – used to compare or contrast two things, often in opposition
- rather than – preferring one thing over another
- such as – used to give examples
- together with – accompanied by something or someone else
- with – accompanied by; in the company of; using something
- in addition to – used to show something extra is included
- Reference, Measurement, Topic & Other
- of – showing belonging, connection, or amount (the leg of the table)
- about – concerning the subject or topic of something
- regarding – referring to a particular subject
- concerning – relating to a specific subject
- in regard to – about or relating to a particular matter
- with regard to – in reference to something
- according to – as stated or reported by someone or something
- worth – having a particular value or price
- in place of – substituting one thing for another
- in back of – at the rear part of something (less formal)