700+ Preposition Examples (A to Z With Sentences)

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Prepositions may be small, but they pack a punch when it comes to sentence structure.

Whether you’re describing location, direction, time, or cause, prepositions help glue your words together with precision. In this post, you’ll find 700+ preposition examples organized alphabetically, by type, and with examples to clarify their usage. Let’s turn you into a preposition pro!

A to Z Preposition Examples

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The Words Preposition Examples and Arrows
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This section lists preposition examples alphabetically. Each word includes a sentence to illustrate its use.

A Preposition Examples

Prepositions starting with “A” are abundant and versatile. Here are 10 examples:

  1. About – The book is about ancient civilizations.
  2. Above – The picture hangs above the fireplace.
  3. Across – We walked across the bridge.
  4. After – She arrived after the meeting started.
  5. Against – He leaned against the wall.
  6. Along – They strolled along the beach.
  7. Amid – The cabin is amid tall trees.
  8. Among – The treasure is hidden among the ruins.
  9. Around – They gathered around the campfire.
  10. As – She works as a consultant.

B Preposition Examples

The letter “B” brings strong preposition examples for relationships and proximity.

  1. Before – Finish your homework before dinner.
  2. Behind – The cat hid behind the couch.
  3. Below – The submarine dove below the surface.
  4. Beneath – The keys were beneath the cushion.
  5. Beside – Sit beside me during the movie.
  6. Between – The house is between the park and the school.
  7. Beyond – His ideas go beyond imagination.
  8. By – The poem was written by her grandmother.
  9. But – Everyone but Jane attended the meeting.
  10. Beforehand – Prepare everything beforehand.

C Preposition Examples

“C” preposition examples often clarify positions and actions.

  1. Concerning – The announcement concerning the merger shocked employees.
  2. Considering – Considering the weather, we canceled the picnic.
  3. Close to – The restaurant is close to the theater.
  4. Contrary to – Contrary to expectations, the event was a success.
  5. Compared to – She prefers dogs compared to cats.
  6. Corresponding to – His response was corresponding to the question.
  7. Contrary – Their actions were contrary to their words.
  8. Connected to – The printer is connected to the network.
  9. Consistent with – The data is consistent with previous findings.
  10. Contrary – Their actions were contrary to their words.

D Preposition Examples

“D” preposition examples are dynamic and directional.

  1. Despite – Despite the rain, they played soccer.
  2. Down – He ran down the hill.
  3. During – We stayed indoors during the storm.
  4. Due to – The flight was delayed due to fog.
  5. Depending on – The plans may change depending on availability.
  6. Downwards – The water flows downwards into the valley.
  7. Directly – The bus stops directly across the street.
  8. Derived from – The word is derived from Latin.
  9. Downstream – The boat drifted downstream effortlessly.
  10. Devoted to – She is devoted to her studies.

E Preposition Examples

“E” prepositions emphasize reasons and origins.

  1. Except – Everyone except Mark joined the trip.
  2. Excluding – The bill is $50, excluding taxes.
  3. Except for – Except for Jane, everyone arrived early.
  4. Elsewhere – The treasure was hidden elsewhere.
  5. Equal to – His performance is equal to hers.
  6. Emphasizing – She kept emphasizing the importance of punctuality.
  7. Eager for – The team is eager for the challenge.
  8. Engaged in – He is engaged in a new project.
  9. Enclosed within – The gift was enclosed within a box.
  10. Exposed to – They were exposed to harsh weather.

F Preposition Examples

“F” preposition examples describe conditions and movement.

  1. For – This gift is for you.
  2. From – She moved from New York to Boston.
  3. Following – Following the meeting, we had lunch.
  4. Far from – Their views are far from reality.
  5. Falling under – This issue falls under legal concerns.
  6. Favorable to – The decision was favorable to the employees.
  7. Faced with – Faced with challenges, they persevered.
  8. Frequented by – The park is frequented by joggers.
  9. Fit for – The room is fit for royalty.
  10. Free from – The area is free from pollution.

G Preposition Examples

“G” prepositions are less common but equally important.

  1. Given – Given the situation, we canceled the trip.
  2. Gone to – They have gone to the market.
  3. Guarded by – The palace is guarded by soldiers.
  4. Grateful for – She is grateful for your help.
  5. Grounded in – Their beliefs are grounded in tradition.
  6. Guided by – The team was guided by the leader.
  7. Glued to – He was glued to the television.
  8. Good for – Exercise is good for health.
  9. Greedy for – He’s greedy for success.
  10. Granted to – The scholarship was granted to her.

H Preposition Examples

Preposition examples starting with “H” often indicate direction, relation, or cause.

  1. Hereby – I hereby declare the meeting adjourned.
  2. Herein – The terms are outlined herein.
  3. Hereafter – Any disputes will be resolved hereafter.
  4. Hence – She was tired, hence her early departure.
  5. In honor of – The event was held in honor of the veterans.
  6. In hopes of – They acted in hopes of a resolution.
  7. In light of – In light of the evidence, he was acquitted.
  8. Hostile to – Their comments were hostile to the proposal.
  9. Heading toward – We’re heading toward the mountains.
  10. Hidden behind – The garden is hidden behind the fence.

I Preposition Examples

“I” prepositions emphasize positions and associations.

  1. In – The keys are in the drawer.
  2. Inside – The children are playing inside the house.
  3. Into – She walked into the room.
  4. In front of – The car stopped in front of the store.
  5. Instead of – We chose tea instead of coffee.
  6. Inclusive of – The cost is inclusive of taxes.
  7. Independent of – Her success is independent of his influence.
  8. In case of – Bring an umbrella in case of rain.
  9. In line with – The decision is in line with company policy.
  10. Inspired by – The story is inspired by real events.

J Preposition Examples

Although rare, “J” preposition examples still hold specific value.

  1. Just after – He arrived just after noon.
  2. Just before – They left just before the rain started.
  3. Judging by – Judging by her smile, she liked the gift.
  4. Jealous of – She’s jealous of his achievements.
  5. Jammed into – The papers were jammed into the drawer.
  6. Jumping over – The cat was jumping over the fence.
  7. Jutting out – The rocks were jutting out from the cliff.
  8. Joined to – The bridge is joined to the highway.
  9. Joking about – They were joking about the weather.
  10. Jumbled with – The tools were jumbled with other items.

K Preposition Examples

“K” prepositions add emphasis to placement and knowledge.

  1. Kept in – The documents were kept in a safe.
  2. Kept for – The seats were kept for special guests.
  3. Key to – Hard work is key to success.
  4. Kind to – Be kind to strangers.
  5. Known for – She is known for her generosity.
  6. Knocked against – He knocked against the table.
  7. Kept under – The files were kept under lock and key.
  8. Kicked out of – They were kicked out of the bar.
  9. Knelt before – He knelt before the altar.
  10. Knitted with – The fabric was knitted with silk threads.

L Preposition Examples

“L” preposition examples highlight position, comparison, and time.

  1. Lacking in – The movie was lacking in originality.
  2. Laid upon – The plates were laid upon the table.
  3. Left of – The park is to the left of the museum.
  4. Looking at – She’s looking at the sunset.
  5. Linked to – The error is linked to the software update.
  6. Loyal to – He remains loyal to his friends.
  7. Limited to – The offer is limited to members only.
  8. Lined with – The street is lined with trees.
  9. Leaning against – The ladder is leaning against the wall.
  10. Lost in – He got lost in thought.

M Preposition Examples

“M” prepositions are meaningful for relationships and motion.

  1. Made of – The table is made of wood.
  2. Made from – Cheese is made from milk.
  3. Mad at – She’s mad at her brother.
  4. Married to – She’s married to a lawyer.
  5. Moving toward – We’re moving toward a resolution.
  6. Mixed with – The paint was mixed with water.
  7. Motivated by – He’s motivated by ambition.
  8. Matching with – Her dress is matching with her shoes.
  9. Marked by – The ceremony was marked by joy.
  10. Made up of – The team is made up of volunteers.

N Preposition Examples

“N” preposition examples express positions, exclusions, and conditions.

  1. Near – The station is near the mall.
  2. Next to – Sit next to me.
  3. Notwithstanding – Notwithstanding the delay, we arrived on time.
  4. Not including – The bill is $100, not including tips.
  5. Necessary for – Exercise is necessary for health.
  6. Narrowed down to – The choices were narrowed down to three.
  7. Not far from – The restaurant is not far from here.
  8. Named after – The city was named after a famous explorer.
  9. Not against – I’m not against your idea.
  10. Not in favor of – They are not in favor of the proposal.

O Preposition Examples

“O” prepositions often focus on origin, ownership, and direction.

  1. Of – The cover of the book is torn.
  2. Off – The cat jumped off the table.
  3. On – The keys are on the counter.
  4. Onto – He stepped onto the stage.
  5. Opposite – The library is opposite the park.
  6. Out – She went out to buy groceries.
  7. Out of – We ran out of milk.
  8. Outside – The kids are playing outside the house.
  9. Owing to – The flight was canceled owing to fog.
  10. Over – The plane flew over the mountains.

P Preposition Examples

“P” prepositions emphasize placement, position, and cause.

  1. Past – We walked past the church.
  2. Per – The price is $10 per item.
  3. Prior to – Finish the task prior to the deadline.
  4. Pro – She’s pro animal rights.
  5. Provided that – We’ll attend provided that we’re invited.
  6. Pending – The decision is pending review.
  7. Parallel to – The road runs parallel to the river.
  8. Paired with – The dish is paired with wine.
  9. Pertaining to – The documents pertaining to the case were missing.
  10. Prepared for – We are prepared for the storm.

Q Preposition Examples

Though rare, “Q” prepositions serve niche purposes.

  1. Quarreling over – They are quarreling over property.
  2. Qualified for – She is qualified for the job.
  3. Quick at – He is quick at solving puzzles.
  4. Questioning about – They were questioning him about the incident.
  5. Quiet about – He remained quiet about the issue.
  6. Queued up for – Fans queued up for the concert.
  7. Quoted in – She was quoted in the article.
  8. Quitting after – He’s quitting after the project ends.
  9. Quizzed on – The students were quizzed on history.
  10. Qualified to – He is qualified to lead the team.

R Preposition Examples

“R” prepositions relate to roles, reasoning, and movement.

  1. Regarding – The announcement regarding the policy is pending.
  2. Regardless of – They proceeded regardless of the risks.
  3. Relative to – Prices are high relative to income.
  4. Round – They walked round the lake.
  5. Reaching for – She’s reaching for the top shelf.
  6. Residing in – He is residing in Chicago.
  7. Referred to – The case was referred to the committee.
  8. Rooted in – Their beliefs are rooted in tradition.
  9. Responsible for – She is responsible for managing the team.
  10. Resulting from – The damage resulted from negligence.

S Preposition Examples

“S” prepositions cover space, sequence, and support.

  1. Since – They’ve lived here since 2010.
  2. Save for – Everyone save for Tom attended.
  3. Similar to – His outfit is similar to hers.
  4. Separate from – The guesthouse is separate from the main building.
  5. Speaking about – We’re speaking about politics.
  6. Starting with – Begin starting with chapter one.
  7. Straight to – Go straight to the point.
  8. Subsequent to – The incident occurred subsequent to the storm.
  9. Subject to – The offer is subject to approval.
  10. Suited for – This dress is suited for formal events.

T Preposition Examples

“T” prepositions handle transitions, time, and tendencies.

  1. Through – We drove through the tunnel.
  2. Throughout – It rained throughout the day.
  3. Till – We waited till midnight.
  4. To – She gave the book to her friend.
  5. Together with – He came together with his sister.
  6. Toward – They walked toward the park.
  7. Thanks to – Thanks to her help, we finished early.
  8. Tied to – The project is tied to the budget.
  9. Talking about – We are talking about the weather.
  10. Turned into – The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.

U Preposition Examples

“U” prepositions underscore urgency, placement, and exclusion.

  1. Under – The bag is under the table.
  2. Underneath – The shoes are underneath the bed.
  3. Unlike – Unlike her brother, she’s very quiet.
  4. Until – We waited until the show began.
  5. Up – The balloon floated up into the sky.
  6. Upon – The responsibility rests upon her.
  7. Used for – This tool is used for cutting.
  8. Up to – It’s up to you to decide.
  9. Unfit for – The food was unfit for consumption.
  10. Underway – The project is already underway.

V Preposition Examples

“V” prepositions add emphasis to conditions and exceptions.

  1. Versus – It’s team A versus team B.
  2. Via – We traveled via train.
  3. Void of – The room was void of furniture.
  4. Venturing into – They are venturing into uncharted territory.
  5. Victorious over – They were victorious over their rivals.
  6. Valued at – The property is valued at $1 million.
  7. Voting for – I’m voting for the new proposal.
  8. Vying for – Candidates are vying for the position.
  9. Vulnerable to – They are vulnerable to attacks.
  10. Veering toward – The discussion is veering toward politics.

W Preposition Examples

“W” preposition examples focus on direction, cause, and relationships.

  1. With – I went to the park with my friends.
  2. Within – The results are expected within a week.
  3. Without – She left without saying goodbye.
  4. Worth – The necklace is worth a fortune.
  5. With regard to – With regard to the project, we need updates.
  6. With respect to – The changes were made with respect to safety.
  7. Worried about – She’s worried about her exam.
  8. Waiting for – We’re waiting for the train.
  9. Walking toward – He’s walking toward the exit.
  10. Working on – She’s working on a new design.

X Preposition Examples

Prepositions starting with “X” are extremely rare, so we include compound examples for completeness.

  1. Except for – The room was empty except for a chair.
  2. Exclusive of – The fee is exclusive of taxes.
  3. Expanded into – The company expanded into new markets.
  4. Exposed to – They were exposed to chemicals.
  5. Exempt from – Students are exempt from the fee.
  6. Explaining about – She’s explaining about the issue.
  7. Extracted from – Oil is extracted from olives.
  8. Extended to – The deadline was extended to Friday.
  9. Exceeding in – He’s exceeding in performance.
  10. Exiled from – The leader was exiled from the kingdom.

Y Preposition Examples

“Y” preposition examples focus on movement and association.

  1. Yearning for – She’s yearning for adventure.
  2. Yielding to – He’s yielding to pressure.
  3. Yelled at – She yelled at her brother.
  4. Yearning toward – The team is yearning toward success.
  5. Yonder to – They sailed yonder to the horizon.
  6. Yoked to – The oxen were yoked to the plow.
  7. Young in – He’s young in experience.
  8. Year-round for – The park is open year-round for visitors.
  9. Yearly by – The festival occurs yearly by tradition.
  10. Yet to – We are yet to see the results.

Z Preposition Examples

“Z” prepositions emphasize position, time, and abstract relationships.

  1. Zeroing in on – The report is zeroing in on key issues.
  2. Zipping through – We’re zipping through the tasks.
  3. Zooming into – The drone is zooming into the field.
  4. Zoned for – The land is zoned for residential use.
  5. Zipping past – The car was zipping past the highway.
  6. Zealous for – He’s zealous for justice.
  7. Zero tolerance for – The policy enforces zero tolerance for harassment.
  8. Zigzagging through – The runner was zigzagging through the crowd.
  9. Zipped along – The plane zipped along the runway.
  10. Zoned out in – She zoned out in class.

Time Prepositions

Time prepositions establish timing and duration.

  1. After – We’ll meet after lunch.
  2. Before – They arrived before the event.
  3. At – The train arrives at 10 AM.
  4. By – Finish the task by Monday.
  5. During – She slept during the flight.
  6. For – We waited for two hours.
  7. From – The shop is open from 9 AM.
  8. In – We’ll visit in December.
  9. Since – They’ve lived here since 2015.
  10. Until – Stay here until I return.
  11. Within – The project must be done within a week.
  12. On – The party is on Saturday.
  13. Through – They worked through the night.
  14. Throughout – It rained throughout the morning.
  15. Over – We’ll discuss this over the weekend.
  16. Between – The meeting is between 2 and 3 PM.
  17. Past – It’s past midnight.
  18. Around – He arrived around noon.
  19. As of – As of today, the rule applies.
  20. About – They argued about the timing.
  21. Toward – They moved toward the deadline.
  22. Following – Following the lecture, there’s a discussion.
  23. By the time – By the time she arrived, we had left.
  24. Prior to – Prior to his speech, refreshments were served.
  25. Since then – Since then, they haven’t spoken.
  26. Not until – They won’t leave not until we arrive.
  27. Next to – The meeting is next to lunchtime.
  28. Later than – It’s later than expected.
  29. Early in – They came early in the morning.
  30. Beyond – This issue goes beyond today’s meeting.

Spatial Prepositions

The spatial preposition examples below describe location, direction, and movement.

  1. Across from – The bakery is across from the library.
  2. Adjacent to – Their house is adjacent to ours.
  3. Alongside – The ship sailed alongside the coast.
  4. Amidst – The cabin was amidst the dense forest.
  5. Atop – The statue stands atop the pedestal.
  6. Beyond the edge of – The town lies beyond the edge of the forest.
  7. Close beside – The dog stayed close beside its owner.
  8. Deep within – The treasure was buried deep within the cave.
  9. Directly above – The chandelier hangs directly above the table.
  10. Farther away – The mountains are farther away than they appear.
  11. In the midst of – They were lost in the midst of the woods.
  12. Inside of – The cookies are inside of the jar.
  13. Just outside of – The hotel is just outside of the city.
  14. Next door to – They moved next door to us.
  15. On the far side of – The lake is on the far side of the hill.
  16. Opposite to – The office is opposite to the post office.
  17. Outside of – The chairs are set outside of the room.
  18. Over and beyond – The plane flew over and beyond the city limits.
  19. Right next to – She stood right next to the door.
  20. Straight across – He walked straight across the field.
  21. To the left of – The store is to the left of the gas station.
  22. To the right of – The park is to the right of the school.
  23. Underneath the surface of – The fish swam underneath the surface of the water.
  24. Up against – The bike was propped up against the wall.
  25. Up along – They hiked up along the trail.
  26. Up over – He climbed up over the fence.
  27. Way beyond – Their house is way beyond the bridge.
  28. Well below – The river flows well below the cliff.
  29. Well above – The plane flew well above the clouds.
  30. Within reach of – The book was within reach of the child.

Check out this video with preposition examples about place:

YouTube Video by mmmEnglish — Preposition Examples

Cause and Effect Prepositions

The following preposition examples explain reasons, effects, and purposes.

  1. Because of – We were late because of traffic.
  2. Due to the fact that – The delay occurred due to the fact that the server crashed.
  3. For the sake of – He stayed for the sake of his children.
  4. In consequence of – The river flooded in consequence of heavy rainfall.
  5. On account of – The picnic was canceled on account of bad weather.
  6. Out of fear of – She avoided the area out of fear of danger.
  7. Owing to the fact that – The match was postponed owing to the fact that it rained.
  8. Resulting in – The changes resulted in higher efficiency.
  9. Thanks for – Thanks for helping with the project.
  10. Through the efforts of – The event succeeded through the efforts of volunteers.
  11. With the aim of – They worked with the aim of improving performance.
  12. With the intention of – He spoke with the intention of clarifying doubts.
  13. For fear of – She left early for fear of missing the bus.
  14. With a view to – The company invested with a view to expansion.
  15. Out of respect for – They remained silent out of respect for the speaker.
  16. In view of – In view of the evidence, the case was reopened.
  17. As a result of – The project failed as a result of poor planning.
  18. By reason of – He was excused by reason of illness.
  19. At the risk of – She spoke out at the risk of losing her job.
  20. In pursuit of – He traveled the world in pursuit of knowledge.
  21. With reference to – I’m writing with reference to your inquiry.
  22. With respect for – He acted with respect for cultural traditions.
  23. Given that – Given that we’re running late, let’s skip dessert.
  24. On the basis of – The decision was made on the basis of performance.
  25. For want of – The plan failed for want of funds.
  26. For the purpose of – The tool was created for the purpose of testing data.
  27. By virtue of – He was chosen by virtue of his experience.
  28. In accordance with – The contract was signed in accordance with the law.
  29. In compliance with – The rules were changed in compliance with the law.
  30. By means of – They communicated by means of email.

Prepositions of Manner and Instrument

These preposition examples describe methods, tools, and approaches.

  1. By hand – The crafts were made by hand.
  2. By means of – They traveled by means of a ferry.
  3. Through the use of – He succeeded through the use of teamwork.
  4. Via email – The report was sent via email.
  5. With care – She handled the vase with care.
  6. By accident – The glass broke by accident.
  7. On purpose – He left early on purpose.
  8. In haste – The letter was written in haste.
  9. By way of – They reached the town by way of a shortcut.
  10. With skill – The artist painted with skill.
  11. By force – The door was opened by force.
  12. By mistake – The email was sent by mistake.
  13. With confidence – She spoke with confidence.
  14. In style – They arrived at the event in style.
  15. With precision – The task was completed with precision.
  16. By trial and error – They solved the problem by trial and error.
  17. Through practice – He improved through practice.
  18. By default – The settings remained unchanged by default.
  19. With enthusiasm – They performed with enthusiasm.
  20. With ease – She passed the exam with ease.
  21. With difficulty – He crossed the river with difficulty.
  22. By design – The layout was created by design.
  23. With intent – The crime was committed with intent.
  24. In cooperation with – The project was done in cooperation with local authorities.
  25. Under pressure – They worked under pressure to meet deadlines.
  26. Without delay – The message was sent without delay.
  27. By surprise – The attack caught them by surprise.
  28. In return for – He offered help in return for a favor.
  29. With permission – They entered with permission.
  30. Without hesitation – She accepted the offer without hesitation.

Prepositions of Comparison and Contrast

These preposition examples highlight similarities, differences, and contrasts.

  1. As compared to – The city is quieter as compared to the suburbs.
  2. As opposed to – They chose the beach as opposed to the mountains.
  3. Contrary to – Contrary to rumors, the event was a success.
  4. Different from – Her style is different from mine.
  5. In contrast to – The movie was exciting in contrast to the dull book.
  6. Unlike – Unlike his brother, he enjoys reading.
  7. Opposite of – Her views are the opposite of his.
  8. Similar to – This plan is similar to the last one.
  9. Compared with – Compared with last year, sales have doubled.
  10. Far from – Their behavior is far from acceptable.
  11. Equivalent to – The price is equivalent to $50.
  12. In distinction to – His comments were in distinction to hers.
  13. Just like – She dances just like a professional.
  14. Relative to – The performance is strong relative to expectations.
  15. Parallel with – The results run parallel with the projections.
  16. In opposition to – The group acted in opposition to the policy.
  17. Disproportionate to – The response was disproportionate to the issue.
  18. Identical to – Her outfit is identical to mine.
  19. Distinct from – The sound is distinct from other instruments.
  20. Out of proportion to – The punishment was out of proportion to the crime.
  21. Opposite to – Their ideas are opposite to ours.
  22. Consistent with – The data is consistent with earlier reports.
  23. Analogous to – The process is analogous to baking a cake.
  24. Comparable with – Their experience is comparable with ours.
  25. Notwithstanding – Notwithstanding his objections, we proceeded.
  26. Unlike in – Unlike in previous cases, this one involved fraud.
  27. Contrasted with – The performance was excellent, contrasted with past failures.
  28. In rivalry with – The two teams are in rivalry with each other.
  29. Irrespective of – The decision applies irrespective of opinions.
  30. Opposing to – Their views are opposing to common beliefs.

Prepositions Indicating Agency or Means

The preposition examples below highlight how something is accomplished or who is responsible.

  1. By – The novel was written by a famous author.
  2. Through – They solved the issue through negotiation.
  3. With – The cake was baked with love.
  4. On behalf of – She spoke on behalf of the team.
  5. Under the authority of – The project was approved under the authority of the mayor.
  6. In the name of – They acted in the name of justice.
  7. By way of – They reached the town by way of the river.
  8. In the interest of – The changes were made in the interest of safety.
  9. As a representative of – She attended as a representative of the company.
  10. With the backing of – They proceeded with the backing of investors.
  11. By virtue of – He was promoted by virtue of his hard work.
  12. Through the influence of – The bill passed through the influence of lobbyists.
  13. By means of – The connection was established by means of technology.
  14. Via – They traveled via the expressway.
  15. On account of – The meeting was delayed on account of traffic.
  16. Under the guidance of – The project thrived under the guidance of experts.
  17. At the hands of – The policy changes came at the hands of the board.
  18. As a result of – The improvements occurred as a result of training.
  19. With the help of – The plan succeeded with the help of volunteers.
  20. For the benefit of – The charity event was organized for the benefit of children.
  21. At the mercy of – They were at the mercy of the storm.
  22. On the recommendation of – The product was chosen on the recommendation of experts.
  23. Due to efforts of – The victory was due to efforts of the team.
  24. By the order of – The building was evacuated by the order of officials.
  25. In the favor of – The verdict was ruled in the favor of the plaintiff.
  26. On the authority of – They acted on the authority of the president.
  27. At the request of – The change was made at the request of stakeholders.
  28. As directed by – The actions were taken as directed by supervisors.
  29. Through the agency of – It was resolved through the agency of mediators.
  30. With assistance from – The project was completed with assistance from volunteers.

Prepositions Indicating Purpose or Goal

The following preposition examples show why an action occurs or its intended outcome.

  1. For the purpose of – The space was designed for the purpose of meetings.
  2. With the intention of – He left with the intention of coming back.
  3. For the sake of – They endured hardships for the sake of their children.
  4. In order to – She worked overtime in order to meet the deadline.
  5. For the benefit of – The policy was enacted for the benefit of employees.
  6. In honor of – The award was given in honor of her achievements.
  7. With the aim of – The event was planned with the aim of raising funds.
  8. With respect to – Decisions were made with respect to the proposal.
  9. To the end of – He worked to the end of achieving justice.
  10. For use in – The software is designed for use in data analysis.
  11. In light of – In light of recent events, changes were made.
  12. For the development of – The fund was allocated for the development of schools.
  13. With an eye to – They acted with an eye to future growth.
  14. In hopes of – They moved in hopes of finding work.
  15. On behalf of – She accepted the award on behalf of her team.
  16. With a view to – They relocated with a view to better opportunities.
  17. For the advancement of – The program supports education for the advancement of society.
  18. In response to – The company acted in response to complaints.
  19. For furtherance of – Policies were implemented for furtherance of equality.
  20. In pursuit of – He traveled far in pursuit of knowledge.
  21. For the accomplishment of – Funds were provided for the accomplishment of goals.
  22. With hope for – She invested with hope for success.
  23. Toward achieving – Efforts were focused toward achieving results.
  24. To the goal of – Resources were allocated to the goal of improvement.
  25. For the sake of clarity – Examples were added for the sake of clarity.
  26. With dreams of – They moved with dreams of starting fresh.
  27. In celebration of – The festival was held in celebration of the harvest.
  28. In preparation for – Teams trained in preparation for the match.
  29. For the betterment of – Funds were raised for the betterment of the community.
  30. Toward progress – The reforms were aimed toward progress.

Prepositions of Condition

These prepositions introduce conditions or requirements for something to happen.

  1. In case of – Bring an umbrella in case of rain.
  2. On condition that – I’ll help you on condition that you repay me.
  3. Provided that – You can join, provided that you’re on time.
  4. Unless – We won’t go unless the weather improves.
  5. If not for – If not for her advice, we would have failed.
  6. But for – But for your help, we wouldn’t have finished on time.
  7. Given – Given the circumstances, we’ll cancel the trip.
  8. Only if – We’ll proceed only if everyone agrees.
  9. In the event of – In the event of an emergency, leave the building.
  10. Assuming that – Assuming that you qualify, you’ll get a scholarship.
  11. So long as – You can stay out so long as you call me.
  12. Without which – It’s a requirement without which the plan fails.
  13. Depending on – We’ll leave depending on the weather.
  14. Even if – We’ll go out even if it rains.
  15. Supposing that – Supposing that they agree, what’s next?
  16. On the assumption that – The budget was prepared on the assumption that sales would rise.
  17. If so – If so, let’s proceed immediately.
  18. Whether or not – They’ll come whether or not it’s raining.
  19. By chance of – He succeeded by chance of luck.
  20. Unless otherwise – Unless otherwise stated, the rules apply.
  21. If and when – We’ll discuss it if and when needed.
  22. Assuming no – Assuming no issues arise, we’ll finish on time.
  23. Without regard to – The rules apply without regard to status.
  24. On the off chance of – She tried on the off chance of winning.
  25. Given that – Given that it’s late, we should leave.
  26. If by any means – If by any means this fails, we’ll regroup.
  27. In the absence of – In the absence of evidence, the case was dropped.
  28. Should it happen that – Should it happen that we’re delayed, call us.
  29. In case that – Keep a jacket in case that it’s cold.
  30. For fear that – She left early for fear that she’d miss the train.

Prepositions of Concession

The preposition examples contrast two ideas but acknowledge one of them.

  1. Despite – Despite his efforts, the plan failed.
  2. In spite of – In spite of the rain, we went hiking.
  3. Although – Although he apologized, she remained upset.
  4. Though – Though tired, he continued working.
  5. Even though – Even though it was late, they stayed up.
  6. Regardless of – They continued regardless of the outcome.
  7. Notwithstanding – Notwithstanding his experience, he struggled.
  8. While – While the offer is good, it’s expensive.
  9. Albeit – The design is simple, albeit elegant.
  10. Whereas – He’s outgoing, whereas she’s reserved.
  11. Admitting that – Admitting that it’s risky, we’ll proceed.
  12. Though it may be – Though it may be difficult, we’ll succeed.
  13. Even if – Even if it rains, we’ll play.
  14. For all that – For all that effort, it was worth it.
  15. In defiance of – He acted in defiance of orders.
  16. However much – However much it costs, we’ll buy it.
  17. Despite the fact that – Despite the fact that it was cold, they swam.
  18. Regardless of whether – We’ll go regardless of whether it’s ready.
  19. Although that – Although that’s true, we disagree.
  20. Whatever the case – Whatever the case, they’ll be fine.
  21. Be it that – Be it that she’s late, we’ll wait.
  22. Despite how – Despite how hard it was, they managed.
  23. In view of the fact that – In view of the fact that it’s risky, we’ll plan carefully.
  24. No matter what – No matter what happens, we’ll stay together.
  25. Wherever it happens – Wherever it happens, we’ll adjust.
  26. Even though it may be – Even though it may be late, we’ll finish.
  27. As far as – As far as I’m concerned, it’s fair.
  28. Whatever the reason – Whatever the reason, we’ll accept it.
  29. Although unlikely – Although unlikely, they succeeded.
  30. In contrast despite – In contrast despite the odds, they thrived.

Prepositions of Preference

The preposition examples in this section indicate choices and preferences.

  1. Rather than – I’d prefer tea rather than coffee.
  2. Instead of – Let’s walk instead of driving.
  3. Over – I’ll take quality over quantity any day.
  4. Preferably with – The meal is served preferably with wine.
  5. More than – I trust actions more than words.
  6. Ahead of – She chose to speak ahead of others.
  7. Before considering – Think before considering changes.
  8. Prior to choosing – Check reviews prior to choosing a hotel.
  9. In preference to – They chose simplicity in preference to complexity.
  10. Favoring over – He’s favoring convenience over cost.
  11. Along with – I’ll have fries along with my burger.
  12. Above all – Above all, honesty matters.
  13. Rather in favor of – They acted rather in favor of the new rule.
  14. Leaning toward – We’re leaning toward option B.
  15. Instead by way of – They traveled instead by way of train.
  16. Not as much as – I like tea, not as much as coffee.
  17. On behalf of choice – He spoke on behalf of choice B.
  18. In favor of – We voted in favor of the plan.
  19. Compared against – The results were strong compared against expectations.
  20. Opting for – They’re opting for the cheaper option.
  21. As contrasted with – This method is better as contrasted with others.
  22. Opposing to – They’re opposing to new policies.
  23. While preferring – He’s staying while preferring flexibility.
  24. Close to choosing – We’re close to choosing a winner.
  25. Weighing against – They’re weighing benefits against costs.

Prepositions of Direction and Movement

These prepositions describe motion, travel, and movement.

  1. Down into – The diver plunged down into the water.
  2. Up to the edge of – She walked up to the edge of the cliff.
  3. Out toward – They sailed out toward the horizon.
  4. Over across – The bird flew over across the field.
  5. Through to – The message was passed through to the manager.
  6. Into the depths of – He ventured into the depths of the forest.
  7. Out through – She slipped out through the door quietly.
  8. Up along – They hiked up along the ridge.
  9. Back toward – He turned back toward the city.
  10. Over and through – The trail winds over and through the hills.
  11. Down along – The river flows down along the valley.
  12. Off into – The plane took off into the sky.
  13. In and out of – They moved in and out of the crowd.
  14. Toward the center of – The boat drifted toward the center of the lake.
  15. Right past – The car sped right past the stop sign.
  16. Straight through – He walked straight through the gate.
  17. From beneath – The sound came from beneath the floor.
  18. Toward the north of – They traveled toward the north of the city.
  19. Onward toward – The team marched onward toward the summit.
  20. Upward along – The road curves upward along the hillside.
  21. Back away from – He stepped back away from the edge.
  22. Out beyond – The lights shimmered out beyond the horizon.
  23. Around past – They walked around past the fountain.
  24. Through under – The tunnel leads through under the mountain.
  25. Over onto – The cat jumped over onto the windowsill.
  26. From across – He shouted from across the field.
  27. Past through – The train sped past through the tunnel.
  28. Down toward – They ran down toward the beach.
  29. Over by – The dog sat over by the fence.
  30. Beyond toward – The road stretches beyond toward the hills.

Prepositions of Possession and Relationship

The preposition examples below indicate ownership, relationships, and connections.

  1. Belonging to – The book belongs to me.
  2. Property of – The invention is the property of the university.
  3. Possessed by – The artifact is possessed by the museum.
  4. Owned by – The car is owned by my uncle.
  5. Under the control of – The land is under the control of the government.
  6. In the hands of – The responsibility is in the hands of the committee.
  7. Affiliated with – She is affiliated with a research group.
  8. Connected with – The incident is connected with previous events.
  9. Related to – The project is related to environmental studies.
  10. A part of – She is a part of the team.
  11. Belonging with – These keys belong with the others.
  12. In association with – The company acted in association with partners.
  13. Under the ownership of – The land is under the ownership of a corporation.
  14. Linked with – Their actions are linked with the campaign.
  15. On behalf of – She acted on behalf of her friend.
  16. Dependent on – The results are dependent on the input.
  17. At the disposal of – Funds are at the disposal of the organization.
  18. By the side of – He stood by the side of his friend.
  19. Attached to – The note was attached to the package.
  20. In favor of – The vote was in favor of the motion.
  21. Under the jurisdiction of – The case is under the jurisdiction of the state.
  22. In connection with – They were investigated in connection with the theft.
  23. At the direction of – Actions were taken at the direction of the leader.
  24. By permission of – They entered by permission of the owner.
  25. As a friend of – He spoke as a friend of the family.
  26. Under the sponsorship of – The event was held under the sponsorship of the council.
  27. In support of – They marched in support of equal rights.
  28. With ties to – The organization has ties to charities.
  29. In partnership with – The program runs in partnership with local schools.
  30. Through the backing of – The project succeeded through the backing of investors.

Prepositions Indicating Exception or Limitation

The following preposition examples highlight restrictions, exclusions, or boundaries.

  1. Apart from – Apart from the price, the house is perfect.
  2. Exclusive of – The total cost is $500, exclusive of taxes.
  3. Excepting – Everyone excepting John attended.
  4. But for – But for your advice, I’d have failed.
  5. Save except – Save except for Sarah, we all agreed.
  6. Without exception – Everyone is included without exception.
  7. Other than – She likes all fruits other than bananas.
  8. Outside of – The event was held outside of the city.
  9. Save that – Save that it’s expensive, the plan is great.
  10. Short of – Short of perfection, the dish was delicious.
  11. On condition that – They agreed on condition that rules were followed.
  12. Exclusive to – The offer is exclusive to members.
  13. Only with – Entry is allowed only with tickets.
  14. Unless with – We can’t proceed unless with permission.
  15. Apart for – Apart for a few details, it’s ready.
  16. Save from – The walls saved us from the storm.
  17. Limited to – Access is limited to staff.
  18. Except where – Except where noted, rules apply.
  19. Subject to – Prices are subject to change.
  20. Exempt from – Students are exempt from the test.
  21. Barring – Barring delays, we’ll finish by noon.
  22. Save aside – Save aside small errors, it was perfect.
  23. Unless provided by – Payment is required unless provided by the company.
  24. Exclusive from – The terms are exclusive from the contract.
  25. Restricted to – The event is restricted to adults.
  26. Free from – The area is free from pollution.
  27. Dependent except – The rule applies dependent except in emergencies.
  28. Without regard to – Laws apply without regard to income.
  29. Excluding beyond – The estimate covers excluding beyond basic costs.
  30. Short beyond – The amount is short beyond expectations.

Prepositions Indicating Cause or Reason

These prepositions explain why something happened or its root cause.

  1. Because of – The game was delayed because of rain.
  2. As a consequence of – The flood occurred as a consequence of heavy rainfall.
  3. In response to – The law was changed in response to protests.
  4. For lack of – The project failed for lack of funding.
  5. Due to circumstances – The event was canceled due to circumstances beyond control.
  6. Owing to concerns – The launch was postponed owing to concerns about safety.
  7. By reason of – He was excused by reason of illness.
  8. For the purpose of – The space was designed for the purpose of meetings.
  9. On the grounds of – The application was denied on the grounds of incomplete paperwork.
  10. Because of that – They left early because of that mistake.
  11. In light of that – The rules were changed in light of that incident.
  12. As a result of that – The promotion happened as a result of that presentation.
  13. Over concerns about – The plan was dropped over concerns about cost.
  14. Out of necessity – She acted out of necessity.
  15. For fear of that – They avoided the area for fear of that animal.
  16. In relation to – The question was asked in relation to the budget.
  17. In view of that – Changes were made in view of that development.
  18. Due to pressure from – They withdrew due to pressure from stakeholders.
  19. As motivated by – Their actions were as motivated by profit.
  20. On account of that – He quit on account of that disagreement.
  21. Triggered by – The reaction was triggered by allergens.
  22. Following that – Rules were updated following that incident.
  23. Caused by – The outage was caused by a power failure.
  24. In consequence to that – The policy shifted in consequence to that report.
  25. For the sake of that – They invested for the sake of that project.
  26. Arising from – The dispute arose from miscommunication.
  27. In answer to – The offer was made in answer to their request.
  28. As influenced by – The decision was as influenced by new data.
  29. Out of sympathy for – They donated out of sympathy for victims.
  30. Stemming from – The investigation is stemming from reports of fraud.

Prepositions Indicating Manner or Style

These prepositions describe how something is done.

  1. In the style of – The design is in the style of Art Deco.
  2. By means of that – They succeeded by means of that strategy.
  3. With elegance – She danced with elegance.
  4. Through coordination – The team worked through coordination.
  5. In partnership with – They built the project in partnership with others.
  6. By design – The layout was created by design.
  7. In harmony with – The decor works in harmony with the furniture.
  8. With skill and care – The sculpture was carved with skill and care.
  9. Through deliberate effort – The outcome was achieved through deliberate effort.
  10. In line with tradition – The festival was celebrated in line with tradition.
  11. In the spirit of – The decision was made in the spirit of fairness.
  12. In the shape of – The clouds formed in the shape of animals.
  13. With emphasis on – The course focuses with emphasis on grammar.
  14. As directed by – The instructions were followed as directed by the teacher.
  15. With imagination – The story was written with imagination.
  16. In uniformity with – The policies were created in uniformity with standards.
  17. By way of example – He illustrated the idea by way of example.
  18. With enthusiasm – The speech was delivered with enthusiasm.
  19. With humor – She spoke with humor and charm.
  20. By example of that – They taught by example of that success.
  21. Through collaboration – The event was organized through collaboration.
  22. With consistency – The team performed with consistency.
  23. By careful planning – The trip was executed by careful planning.
  24. As portrayed by – The movie was as portrayed by critics.
  25. Through discipline – They succeeded through discipline.
  26. With innovation – The project was completed with innovation.
  27. By taking risks – Progress was made by taking risks.
  28. In accordance with guidelines – The test was conducted in accordance with guidelines.
  29. By skillful negotiation – The deal was closed by skillful negotiation.
  30. With remarkable precision – The design was executed with remarkable precision.

Prepositions of Comparison by Degree

These prepositions explain relationships based on degrees, quantity, or scale.

  1. More than that – This project costs more than that one.
  2. Less than that – The price is less than that estimate.
  3. As much as – I enjoy this as much as you do.
  4. Far more than – The damage is far more than we expected.
  5. Way less than – The output is way less than planned.
  6. Equal in value to – This property is equal in value to the adjacent lot.
  7. Greater than – His success is greater than ours.
  8. Smaller than that – Their team is smaller than that company.
  9. Similar in style to – The building is similar in style to the old theater.
  10. Distinct from that – This style is distinct from that one.
  11. Higher than usual – Costs are higher than usual this year.
  12. Lower than ever – Prices are lower than ever before.
  13. Almost equal to – The results are almost equal to expectations.
  14. Nearly identical to – The results are nearly identical to the original.
  15. Comparable with – The method is comparable with other systems.
  16. Marginally better than – This version is marginally better than the last.
  17. Substantially worse than – This outcome is substantially worse than anticipated.
  18. In contrast with – The new policy stands in contrast with the old one.
  19. Closer to that – The solution is closer to that goal.
  20. Relatively better than – It performed relatively better than competitors.
  21. Far less than needed – The support is far less than needed.
  22. Roughly equal to – Their earnings are roughly equal to ours.
  23. Nearly as much as – We spent nearly as much as last year.
  24. Lower by comparison – Their value is lower by comparison.
  25. Twice as much as – We produced twice as much as them.
  26. Proportionate to – The investment is proportionate to the returns.
  27. Measured against – The project was measured against benchmarks.
  28. Comparable in size to – This park is comparable in size to Central Park.
  29. Not far off from – Their performance is not far off from ideal.
  30. Better in comparison with – The results are better in comparison with the previous year.

Prepositions Indicating Support or Opposition

These prepositions show agreement, disagreement, or conflict.

  1. Against the wishes of – He acted against the wishes of his parents.
  2. Aligned with – Their views are aligned with the organization’s goals.
  3. Contrary to the opinion of – She spoke contrary to the opinion of the committee.
  4. In agreement with – They were in agreement with the proposal.
  5. Opposed to – He is opposed to the new policy.
  6. In defiance of – The protest continued in defiance of the law.
  7. On the side of – The team is on the side of fairness.
  8. For the benefit of – Changes were made for the benefit of all employees.
  9. In favor of that – The voters were in favor of that amendment.
  10. Under protest – The taxes were paid under protest.
  11. Standing against – They are standing against injustice.
  12. Alongside in support of – He marched alongside in support of the workers.
  13. In opposition to – The plan was met in opposition to local leaders.
  14. Advocating for – They are advocating for equal rights.
  15. With sympathy toward – She spoke with sympathy toward their situation.
  16. Sympathetic to – The judge was sympathetic to the victim’s plight.
  17. Backing up – They are backing up the decision.
  18. Critical of – She was critical of the management’s performance.
  19. Fighting against – The campaign is fighting against discrimination.
  20. Supporting through – The organization is supporting through grants.
  21. Protective of – Parents are protective of their children.
  22. Defending against – The city is defending against attacks.
  23. Advancing toward – They are advancing toward progress.
  24. Cooperating with – The company is cooperating with regulators.
  25. Opposing through – The activists are opposing through protests.
  26. Acting for – She is acting for the greater good.
  27. Shielding from – The law is shielding from exploitation.
  28. Objecting to – They are objecting to unfair practices.
  29. Working toward – The group is working toward solutions.
  30. Protesting against – Citizens are protesting against corruption.

Prepositions Indicating Scope or Extent

These prepositions describe limits, boundaries, and range.

  1. Up to a point – The offer is valid up to a point.
  2. As far as – The map stretches as far as the river.
  3. Within limits – The changes are acceptable within limits.
  4. Outside the bounds of – The idea is outside the bounds of tradition.
  5. To the extent of – The damage extended to the extent of the city.
  6. Beyond the limits of – His work went beyond the limits of expectation.
  7. To the degree of – The performance rose to the degree of excellence.
  8. In excess of – The budget went in excess of $10,000.
  9. Close to the limit of – The team worked close to the limit of their ability.
  10. Out of bounds – The ball went out of bounds.
  11. Within the scope of – The project falls within the scope of the grant.
  12. Beyond all measure – Their generosity was beyond all measure.
  13. In proportion to – The cost is in proportion to the benefits.
  14. Over and above – He contributed over and above expectations.
  15. Not beyond – Their authority does not extend not beyond this region.
  16. With regard to the limits of – The rules were drafted with regard to the limits of authority.
  17. Up to the mark – The essay was up to the mark.
  18. Down to the details of – The plan was reviewed down to the details of implementation.
  19. Approaching the boundaries of – Their research is approaching the boundaries of science.
  20. To the minimum of – The budget is set to the minimum of requirements.
  21. Covering all aspects of – The analysis is covering all aspects of the case.
  22. Limited within – The data is limited within defined parameters.
  23. Encompassing all of – The strategy is encompassing all of the divisions.
  24. Extending to – The rule applies extending to all branches.
  25. Exclusive within – Access is exclusive within this group.
  26. From edge to edge of – The carpet runs from edge to edge of the room.
  27. All the way to – We traveled all the way to the border.
  28. On the edge of – They live on the edge of the city.
  29. To the height of – The tower rises to the height of 300 meters.
  30. By no means beyond – The rules are by no means beyond reasonable limits.

Prepositions Indicating Inclusion or Exclusion

The preposition examples below specify whether something is part of or left out of a group.

  1. Among the group of – She was among the group of finalists.
  2. As part of – This chapter is as part of the book.
  3. Along with that – The package arrived along with that shipment.
  4. In addition to – He ordered fries in addition to a burger.
  5. Aside from – Aside from the weather, the trip was great.
  6. Together with – They came together with friends.
  7. Included in – Snacks are included in the price.
  8. Exclusive from – The report is exclusive from earlier drafts.
  9. Set apart from – The artwork is set apart from the rest.
  10. Apart from that – Apart from that error, it’s perfect.
  11. Drawn into – She was drawn into the discussion.
  12. Left out of – He felt left out of the decision-making.
  13. Paired with – The dish is paired with a fine wine.
  14. Grouped into – The items were grouped into categories.
  15. Ranked among – She is ranked among the top performers.
  16. Separate from that – The plan is separate from that proposal.
  17. With reference to – The data is analyzed with reference to trends.
  18. Based within – The story is based within historical events.
  19. Derived from that – The idea is derived from that concept.
  20. Forming part of – This task is forming part of the schedule.
  21. Tied together with – The reports are tied together with summaries.
  22. Alongside others – She was hired alongside others in her field.
  23. Mixed among – The items were mixed among similar products.
  24. Except for those – All were included except for those late arrivals.
  25. Excluded from that – This issue is excluded from that discussion.
  26. Bound within – The options are bound within certain limits.
  27. Added along with – Bonuses were added along with salaries.
  28. Organized into groups of – The data was organized into groups of ten.
  29. Shaped by – The structure was shaped by experience.
  30. Divided into – The results were divided into sections.

Final Thoughts

With all these prepositions, you can craft sentences that spotlight the genius of your ideas in writing.

But don’t stop there.

Keep learning and growing with the other word guides below.

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