List of Prepositions

Prepositions are important grammatical words in our vocabulary that explain the relationship between two things. For instance, the orange is in the box. The preposition in this example is the word "in" and is connecting the words "orange" and "box." It should be noted that there are a handful of prepositional expressions that differ among American English, British English, and New Zealand English. These include (but are certainly not limited to) "it off," "on behalf," and "in back of;" all of which are grammatically correct in American English, but are not in New Zealand English and British English. We have a comprehensive list of the most common prepositions below, as well as prepositional phrase examples.

Prepositional phrases can be used as adjectives modifying a noun (or pronoun); explaining "what," or "which." Prepositional phrases can also be used as an adverb explaining "where", "when," and "how," and "why." Check our examples below for more information.

In addition to the lists below, view our printable list of prepositions.

Prepositions List

aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
alongside
amid
amidst
among
amongst
around
as
aside
at
athwart
atop
barring
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but
by
circa
concerning
despite
down
during
except
failing
following
for
from
in
inside
into
like
mid
minus
near
next
notwithstanding
of
off
on
onto
opposite
out
outside
over
pace
past
per
plus
regarding
round
save
since
than
through
throughout
till
times
to
toward
towards
under
underneath
unlike
until
up
upon
versus
via
with
within
without
worth

Fun Tip: Try stringing together as many of these words into your own preposition song! Another great way to remember these is to write them down on flashcards and browse through them regularly.

Common Multiple Word Prepositions

according to
ahead of
as far as
as well as
aside from
because of
by means of
close to
due to
except for
far from
in accordance with
in addition to
in to
in case of
in front of
in lieu of
on to
in place of
in spite of
inside of
instead of
near to
next to
on account of
on behalf of
on top of
out from
out of
outside of
owing to
prior to
pursuant to
regardless of
subsequent to
that of

Prepositional Phrases

The boys played behind the house. Near the fence they saw a pretty girl with long hair.

The letter "A" is before the letter "B," and the letter "B" is between the letters "A" and "C."

The children divided the candy among themselves. Johnny took a chocolate bar instead of a lolipop.

According to Jane, the banana is inside the box, on top of the sandwich.
("inside the box" and "on top of the sandwich" are two different preposional phrases)

Links to Sites for Kids & Parents

Kids Invitations

Printable Worksheet and Study Guide

Prepositions List

Common Multiple Word Prepositions

Prepositional Phrases

Links to Sites for Kids & Parents