All Prepositions
Complete preposition vocabulary from all CEFR levels 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.
according to
As stated or reported by somebody/something.
Example
According to Mick, it's a great movie.
across
From one side to the other side of something.
Example
He walked across the field.
against
Opposing or disagreeing with somebody/something.
Example
the fight against terrorism
along
From one end to or towards the other end of something.
Example
They walked slowly along the road.
alongside
Next to or at the side of something.
Example
A police car pulled up alongside us.
amid
In the middle of or during something, especially something that causes excitement or fear.
Example
He finished his speech amid tremendous applause.
among
Surrounded by somebody/something; in the middle of somebody/something.
Example
a house among the trees
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.
beneath
In or to a lower position than somebody/something; under somebody/something.
Example
They found the body buried beneath a pile of leaves.
beside
Next to or at the side of somebody/something.
Example
He sat beside her all night.
besides
In addition to somebody/something; apart from somebody/something.
Example
We have lots of things in common besides music.
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.
beyond
On or to the further side of something.
Example
The road continues beyond the village up into the hills.
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
except
Used before you mention the only thing or person about which a statement is not true.
Example
We work every day except Sunday.
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
including
Having something as part of a group or set.
Example
I've got three days' holiday including New Year's Day.
inside
On or to the inner part of something/somebody; within something/somebody.
Example
Go inside the house.
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
onto
Used with verbs to express movement on or to a particular place or position.
Example
Move the books onto the second shelf.
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.
outside
On or to a place on the outside of something.
Example
You can park your car outside our house.
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
per
Used to express the cost or amount of something for each person, number used, distance travelled, etc.
Example
Rooms cost £50 per person, per night.
plus
Used when the two numbers or amounts mentioned are being added together.
Example
Two plus five is seven.
since
From a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
Example
She's been off work since Tuesday.
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.
throughout
In or into every part of something.
Example
They export their products to markets throughout the world.
till
Until.
Example
We're open till 6 o'clock.
to
In the direction of something; towards something.
Example
I walked to the office.
toward
In the direction of.
Example
Walk toward the light.
under
In, to or through a position that is below something.
Example
Have you looked under the bed?
unlike
Different from a particular person or thing.
Example
Music is quite unlike any other art form.
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.
versus
Used to show that two teams or sides are against each other.
Example
It is France versus Brazil in the final.
via
Through a place.
Example
We flew home via Dubai.
with
In the company or presence of somebody/something.
Example
She lives with her parents.
within
Before a particular period of time has passed; during a particular period of time.
Example
You should receive a reply within seven days.