Having a list of prepositions handy is essential to effective English communications. There is no denying their importance to the English language. They bind sentences together and allow us to expand on ideas and information. Prepositions show relationships between words.
They’re so important that three of them (to, of, and in) make it to the top ten of the most common words used in English.
How to Memorize Prepositions Quickly
Before we explore our Ultimate List of Prepositions, let’s look at some fun ways to memorize prepositions or any vocabulary group you want to commit to memory.
Preposition Songs
That’s right! There’s a preposition song set to the tune of Yankee Doodle that English teachers use to teach this grammar concept to American children. And if that tune isn’t your favorite, here are a couple of others that might help these prepositions stick:
The Preposition Song by Jack Hartmann
The Prepositions Song by Scratch Garden
Flashcard Resources
Not into musical learning? That’s fine! (It was never my favorite either…)
You can also create your own flashcard sets on the internet that can help you learn and memorize our ultimate list of prepositions.
Simply go to quizlet.com and create your own flashcard set for free. In fact, they have a program on their site where you can import text (like if you copy and paste our prepositions list with sentences below!), and it will immediately create a flashcard deck for immediate use.
With all of these resources, you have no excuse not to know your English prepositions! Now get to work on our list.
Note that many of the words below have more than one meaning or usage. If you’re unsure of a word, refer to a solid English dictionary to confirm its meaning and usage.
A-Z List of Prepositions with Examples
About
- The dog moved about the room.
Above
- I’m going to put the cookies above the reach of the children.
Across
- We saw Jane walking across the yard earlier.
After
- Do you want to get a cup of coffee after the movie?
Against
- We’re going to win the fight against crime in our city.
Along
- There was a lot of seaweed along the coast.
Amidst
- Soldiers were spread out amidst the fog.
Among
- He was only one among many others.
Amongst
- There was only one girl amongst the crowd of children.
Anti
- I’m anti smoking and all of the health issues it causes.
Around
- Keep looking around the neighborhood. I’m sure we’ll find your dog.
As
- As a father of a 3-year-old, I think children should have an early bedtime.
At
- Look at me.
Barring
- Barring any other interruptions, I think we can finish today.
Because of
- I lost everything because of him.
Before
- Do you see the beautiful landscapes before us?
Behind
- The man was standing behind the door.
Below
- There are many fish below the boat.
Beneath
- She was standing beneath the stairwell.
Beside
- Mac was standing beside the bookcase.
Besides
- Besides this list, there are many tricks for memorizing prepositions.
Between
- The cow was lying between those two trees.
Beyond
- We’re going beyond where anyone has gone before!
But
- Everyone was in line but Chris.
By
- The kids were standing by the fence.
By means of
- By means of rigorous testing and practice, you can get your driver’s license.
Circa
- The building was built circa 1865.
Concerning
- What do you think they’ll do concerning Karen’s situation?
Despite
- Despite the one mistake, it was a lovely concert.
Down
- We’re going down to the creek.
Due to
- Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’re closing the shop today.
During
- No one is allowed in the studio during production.
Except
- I could see everything except what I was supposed to see.
Except for
- Everyone showed up except for Karl.
Excluding
- The price of the car, excluding taxes, seems to be in our price range.
For
- I’ve loved her for the longest time.
Following
- Stay for a short preview of our next film following the credits.
From
- We can go from here to there in no time.
Hence
- Our prom is tonight, hence the tuxedo.
In
- I’m talking about the man in the room.
In accordance with
- In accordance with his final wishes, we are asking for donations to the relief fund.
In addition to
- The flooding was a result of the rain water in addition to the breaking of the levys.
In case of
- In case of emergency, break the glass.
In front of
- He was standing right in front of her.
In lieu of
- In lieu of flowers, she asked that donations be made to the Cancer Research Institute.
In place of
- Let’s put a new one in place of the old one to make it look better.
In spite of
- In spite of all the talk about striking, I think they’ll reach a deal by midnight.
Inside
- The rabbit was hiding inside the hat.
Instead of
- Why don’t we go here instead of there?
Into
- I’m not going into the woods!
Like
- She had hair that was bright like the sun.
Minus
- Minus Jennifer, that makes twelve of us.
Near
- The key is hidden near the swingset.
Next to
- Stand next to your brother.
Off
- Be careful or we’ll drive off the side of the road.
On
- Take the next turn on the left side of the street.
On account of
- On account of all the thefts, we’re implementing a 9 P.M. curfew.
On behalf of
- On behalf of our family, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Onto
- Drive onto that ramp and we should be on the freeway.
On top of
- There were two birds on top of his car.
Opposite
- Our store is located in the building opposite the Starbucks on 4th street.
Out
- She leaned out the window and said hi.
Out from
- They pulled the rug out from under him.
Out of
- We are going out of town this week.
Outside
- Outside of chess, do you have any other hobbies?
Over
- The flowers hung over the porch.
Owing to
- Owing to the war, people were forced to ration their food.
Past
- He told us to look over there past the trees.
Per
- We can only take one carton of eggs per day.
Prior to
- Prior to 1965, no one had been to the island.
Round
- They travelled round the country looking for antiques to sell.
Than
- I think he’s a little taller than her.
Through
- Through the years, we’ve grown very fond of having a dog.
Throughout
- The boy was the fastest runner throughout the land.
Till
- We won’t be back till then.
Times
- It seemed like everything was multiplied times infinity!
To
- The clothes belong to Susan.
Toward
- Walk toward the mailbox and then turn left.
Towards
- Walk towards the mailbox and then turn left.
**Toward and Towards mean the same thing. Toward is used in the US and Towards in the UK.**
Under
- The man is standing in the room under that one to the left.
Underneath
- Our hotel room sits underneath theirs.
Unlike
- Unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent.
Until
- We’ll never know until someone confesses.
Unto
- Unto death do us part.
Up
- The plane flew up into the sky.
Upon
- Upon learning the diamond was missing, we immediately called the police.
Via
- Take the farm road via the main highway.
With
- I start my morning with a cup of coffee.
Within
- Within four decades, the Amazon could be gone if no one does anything.
Without
- The place isn’t the same without him.
Worth
- The painting, worth several million dollars, was moved under high security.
That’s our Ultimate List of Prepositions! Can you think of any we missed? Leave a comment below and let us know.
