PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions are connecting words. Unlike nouns, verbs and modifiers, which may change form according to
their meaning and use in a sentence, prepositions never change form. We use many prepositions with great
frequency, but the entire list is relatively short. Here are the most common ones.
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath

beside
besides
between
beyond
but (except)
by
concerning
despite
down
during
except
for
from
in

inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
regarding
round

since
through
throughout
to
toward
under
underneath
unlike
until
up
upon
with
within
without

A preposition shows a relationship between two words in a sentence; it is a connecting word.

Direction = to

into

across

toward

down

above

among

at
on

beside
over

through

toward

around
in
under

Time =

after

before

during

until

since

but
with

for

from

of

Other =

against
to

Location = between by

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Certain words are used with certain prepositions. Prepositions are usually not interchangeable. For example:
according TO
agree TO (a plan)
agree WITH (a person)
ahead OF

part FROM (a person)

part WITH (a thing)

engage IN
exclude FROM
expect FROM (thing)

rely ON
responsible FOR, OF

capable OF
comply WITH
consist OF
conform TO

deal WITH
depend ON
deprive OF
different FROM

opposite OF (qualities)
opposite TO (position)

similar TO

based ON
because OF

identical WITH, TO
imply THAT
Frequently Used Prepositions

TIME
AT

ON

IN

BY

is used when the time is known:

Ivans class is at 3:30 p.m.
The sun rises at dawn.
is used when the day or date is known:
Mary went to the mall on Friday.
The party will be on July the 4th.
is used when the time is within a 24-hour period:
I finished my paper in just one day.
All my classes are in the afternoon.
is used when an action will be completed by a certain time or date:
Tony will finish his work by 5:00 p.m.
Martha will be done with school by May.

LOCATION
AT is used to show a site or target:
Mark is at home.
Look at Marissas artwork.
ON is used when the object is on a surface or electronic medium:
The cat is resting on the chair.
You can find good articles on the Internet.
IN is used for enclosed spaces, geographic locations, and print mediums:
My shoes are in the closet.
I live in El Paso, TX.
Jamies article was printed in the newspaper.
BY is used to show nearness to a landmark:
Wal-Mart is by Cielo Vista Mall.

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