A1 Prepositions
A1 preposition vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
about
On the subject of somebody/something; in connection with somebody/something.
Example
a book about flowers
above
At or to a higher place or position than something/somebody.
Example
The water came above our knees.
across
From one side to the other side of something.
Example
He walked across the field.
around
Surrounding somebody/something; on each side of something.
Example
The house is built around a central courtyard.
as
Used to describe somebody/something appearing to be somebody/something else.
Example
They were all dressed as clowns.
before
Earlier than somebody/something.
Example
before lunch
behind
At or towards the back of somebody/something, and often hidden by it or them.
Example
Who's the girl standing behind Jan?
below
At or to a lower level or position than somebody/something.
Example
He dived below the surface of the water.
between
In or into the space separating two or more points, objects, people, etc.
Example
Q comes between P and R in the English alphabet.
down
From a high or higher point on something to a lower one.
Example
The stone rolled down the hill.
during
All through a period of time.
Example
during the 1990s
for
Used to show who is intended to have or use something or where something is intended to be put.
Example
There's a letter for you.
from
Used to show where somebody/something starts.
Example
She began to walk away from him.
in
At a point within an area or a space.
Example
a country in Africa
into
To a position in or inside something.
Example
Come into the house.
like
Similar to somebody/something.
Example
She's wearing a dress like mine.
near
At a short distance away from somebody/something.
Example
Do you live near here?
next to
In or into a position right by somebody/something.
Example
We sat next to each other.
of
Belonging to somebody; relating to somebody.
Example
a friend of mine
off
Down or away from a place or at a distance in space or time.
Example
I fell off the ladder.
on
In or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface.
Example
a picture on a wall
opposite
On the other side of a particular area from somebody/something, and usually facing them.
Example
I sat opposite him during the meal (= on the other side of the table).
out of
From inside to the outside of something.
Example
He took the keys out of his bag.
over
Resting on the surface of somebody/something and partly or completely covering them/it.
Example
She put a blanket over the sleeping child.
past
Later than something.
Example
half past two
than
Used to introduce the second part of a comparison.
Example
I'm older than her.
through
From one end or side of something/somebody to the other.
Example
The burglar got in through the window.
to
In the direction of something; towards something.
Example
I walked to the office.
under
In, to or through a position that is below something.
Example
Have you looked under the bed?
until
Up to the point in time or the event mentioned.
Example
Let's wait until the rain stops.
up
To or in a higher position somewhere.
Example
She climbed up the flight of steps.
with
In the company or presence of somebody/something.
Example
She lives with her parents.