Prepositions in English List [with Examples]

Prepositions are essential to the English language to show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other parts of the sentence. They can indicate position, direction, time, or other relationships. To improve your English grammar, you must solidly understand prepositions. This blog post will provide prepositions in English list and give examples of how they’re used. Whether you’re a beginner learning English or a more advanced speaker looking to improve your skills, this list will be valuable. So, let’s get started!

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Prepositions in English List

Here is a list of prepositions used in the English language:

without
within
with
upon
up
until
underneath
under
toward
to
till
throughout
through
since
past
over
outside
out
onto
on
off
of
near
like
into
inside
in
from
for
except
during
down
by
beyond
between
beside
beneath
below
behind
before
at
around
among
along
against
after
across
above
about

It’s worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list, as many other prepositions are used less frequently. However, these are the most commonly used prepositions in English.

Use of ‘about’ preposition with Examples

I’m thinking about going to the beach this weekend.
She’s always talking about her accomplishments.
She’s very passionate about environmental issues.
I have a lot of questions about the new project.
The book is about a young girl’s adventures in a magical land.
We need to have a serious conversation about our relationship.
The movie is about a group of friends who go on a road trip.
He’s always worried about making the right decision.
I’m excited about the concert next week.
There’s been a lot of talk about the new restaurant in town.

Use of ‘above’ preposition with Examples

The bird flew above the tree.
The painting hung above the fireplace.
The plane flew above the clouds.
She put the book above the others on the shelf.
The sign above the store reads, “Welcome!”
The mountain stands above the valley.
He pointed to the spot above his head.
The tree’s branches reached above the fence.
The curtains hung above the windows.
The helicopter hovered above the building.

Use of ‘across’ preposition with Examples

She walked across the room to greet her friend.
The ball flew across the field and into the goal.
He drove his car across the bridge to get to the other side.
The cat sat across from me, watching my every move.
The river flows across the land, providing water for the crops.
She looked across the table at him and smiled.
The train travels across the country, stopping at various cities.
He climbed across the monkey bars with ease.
She painted a picture of the sun setting across the ocean.
The plane flew across the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind it.

Use of ‘after’ preposition with Examples

After dinner, we went for a walk.
The movie starts after the trailers.
I’ll call you after I finish my homework.
After the storm passed, the sun came out.
She’s been sleeping for hours; I’ll wake her up after breakfast.
After traveling for 24 hours, I was exhausted.
The store closes after the last customer leaves.
After thinking about it for a while, I decided to buy the red dress.
The cat sat on the windowsill after chasing a mouse.
After all these years, we finally have a new president.

Use of ‘against’ preposition with Examples

The cat sat on the windowsill, gazing at the birds flying against the blue sky.
He leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath after running up the stairs.
She held the umbrella up against the rain, trying to keep herself dry.
The team played against their biggest rivals in the championship game.
The castle was built against the mountains to protect it from invaders.
She pressed her hand against her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
He stood with his back against the door, trying to keep it closed against the strong wind.
The boat rocked back and forth against the waves, making it difficult for the passengers to stay balanced.
The paint on the old house was chipped and faded, with vines growing against the walls.
The runner sprinted towards the finish line, pushing against the pain in his legs.

Use of ‘along’ preposition with Examples

I walked along the beach, enjoying the waves crashing against the shore.
She drove along the highway, passing by fields of green grass and rows of tall trees.
The river flows along the edge of the town, providing a beautiful natural boundary.
He carried the heavy box along the narrow hallway, trying not to bump into the walls.
We hiked along the mountain trail, taking in the breathtaking views at every turn.
The school is located along Main Street, across from the park.
The cat sat along the windowsill, watching the birds fly by.
The fence runs along the property’s border, separating our yard from the neighbor’s.
She placed the vase of flowers along the table, adding a touch of beauty to the room.
The train tracks run along the countryside, connecting various towns and cities.

Use of ‘among’ preposition with Examples

The book was hidden among the clutter on the bookshelf.
There was a lot of disagreement among the board members.
He tried to blend in among the crowd.
The company is one of the leaders among its competitors.
She divided the candy among her friends.
The feathers were scattered among the grass.
The country is located among several other nations.
The problem was discussed among the team.
The treasure was hidden among the ruins of the ancient temple.

Use of ‘around’ preposition with Examples

She walked around the park.
The cat sat around the fire.
He looked around the room for his keys.
The ball rolled around on the floor.
She wrapped the present around with a ribbon.
The ring was thrown around during the game of hot potato.
The Earth revolves around the sun.
He flew his kite high up in the air around the trees.
The tree had vines growing around its trunk.
She tied the balloon around her wrist.

Use of ‘at’ preposition with Examples

I will meet you at the park at noon.
The cat is sitting at the foot of the bed.
The store is located at the corner of Main Street and Elm Avenue.
We will have a meeting at the office at 9 am tomorrow.
The party is being held at my friend’s house.
The bird was perched at the top of the tree.
She is good at playing the piano.
He arrived at the airport at 3 pm.
The museum is at the end of the street.
I will be at the meeting, but I will be late.

Use of ‘before’ preposition with Examples

I always brush my teeth before bed.
He finished his homework before dinner.
The store closes before 9 pm.
We need to leave for the airport before 6 am.
She called me before she left for work.
The movie starts before 7 pm.
I have to take my medicine before each meal.
Please make sure to turn off the lights before you leave.
He usually gets home before me.
I need to finish this report before the meeting.

Use of ‘behind’ preposition with Examples

The cat was hiding behind the couch.
The little boy was standing behind his mother.
The picture on the wall was slightly tilted as if someone had bumped into it from behind.
I left my jacket behind in the movie theater.
The team was trailing behind in the second half of the game.
The sun was setting behind the mountains.
The old oak tree stood tall behind the house.
She couldn’t see the road behind her because the car’s rear window was fogged up.
The clown was juggling behind the curtain before the show began.
The dog was barking at something behind the fence.

Use of ‘below’ preposition with Examples

The cat is sleeping below the couch.
The book is located below the table.
The temperature is below freezing.
The diving board is below the pool.
The report details are listed below.
The cave is located below the mountain.
The river flows below the bridge.
The recipe calls for one cup of sugar, listed below the ingredients.
The city is located below sea level.
The airplane flew below the clouds.

Use of ‘beneath’ preposition with Examples

The cat curled up beneath the warm blanket.
The treasure was buried beneath the old oak tree.
The city was hidden beneath a thick layer of fog.
The frog jumped into the pond beneath the lily pads.
She placed the book beneath her pillow before going to sleep.
The ladder led down to a secret room beneath the mansion.
He could see the stars twinkling beneath the clear night sky.
The roots of the tree stretched deep beneath the ground.
The mouse scurried beneath the table to hide from the cat.
The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting a warm glow beneath the clouds.

Use of ‘beside’ preposition with Examples

The cat slept beside the fireplace.
The book was placed beside the lamp on the nightstand.
The child stood beside his mother at the grocery store.
The phone was left beside the computer on the desk.
The dog lay beside its owner on the couch.
The flowers were planted beside the walkway.
The student sat beside the teacher at the front of the classroom.
The glass of water was placed beside the plate on the table.
The keys were left beside the wallet on the counter.
The pen was beside the notebook on the desk.

Use of ‘between’ preposition with Examples

The book is wedged between the chair and the wall.
She sat down between two strangers on the crowded train.
The cat slept peacefully between the two soft pillows.
The mountain range stretched out between the two valleys.
He hesitated momentarily, unsure what to choose between the two options.
The game of chess is played on a board divided between black and white squares.
There is a thin line between love and hate.
She struggled to choose between her career and her family.
The difference between right and wrong is often not clear.
The argument between the two friends lasted for hours.

Use of ‘beyond’ preposition with Examples

The castle was located beyond the forest.
The road stretched beyond the horizon.
The mountain peak rose beyond the clouds.
The boat sailed beyond the visible land.
She could see the city lights twinkling beyond the river.
The sun set beyond the mountains.
The satellite orbits the earth beyond the atmosphere.
The astronaut ventured beyond the boundaries of our solar system.
The company’s profits surpass expectations and are beyond their initial projections.
The musician’s talent extends beyond just playing the guitar; he is also an accomplished singer and songwriter.

Use of ‘by’ preposition with Examples

The book was written by J.K. Rowling.
The painting was created by Vincent van Gogh.
The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg.
The song was performed by Beyonce.
The report was prepared by the team leader.
The package was delivered by the postman.
The house was built by my grandfather.
The mistake was made by me.
The decision was made by the board of directors.
The game was won by the home team.

Use of ‘down’ preposition with Examples

She climbed up the tree and then slid down the trunk.
The cat chased the mouse down the hallway.
The airplane flew down towards the airport.
We hiked up the mountain and then camped down by the river.
The bird flew down from the sky and landed on the branch.
The storm caused the power lines to go down, leaving us without electricity.
She sat down at the piano and began to play.
The stock price went down significantly after the company released its earnings report.

Use of ‘during’ preposition with Examples

During the summer, I like to spend my days at the beach.
The store is usually busiest during the holiday season.
We had a power outage during the storm last night.
The band played a variety of songs during their set.
My phone battery usually lasts me all day, but yesterday it died during my commute home.
The museum is closed on Mondays, but it is open during the rest of the week.
The baby was fussy during the flight, so it was a long and tiring journey.
During the winter, it gets dark early, so I like to light candles to create a cozy atmosphere at home.
I try to exercise thrice a week during the school year, but I tend to be more relaxed during the summer.

Use of ‘except’ preposition with Examples

She was late to the party, except for a few minutes.
I want to go to every country except for North Korea.
I have tried every type of pizza except for anchovy.
The store is open every day of the week except for Sunday.
All of the students passed the test except for one.
He has read every book in the series except for the last one.
She speaks several languages fluently, except for French.
They are planning to visit every continent except Antarctica.
I have eaten every type of fruit except for durian.
The museum is open every day except for major holidays.

Use of ‘for’ preposition with Examples

I am saving up money for a trip to Europe.
She is practicing for her upcoming piano recital.
The company is hiring for a new position in the marketing department.
He is searching for a new job with better benefits.
We are preparing for the holidays by decorating the house and buying gifts.
She is late for her meeting with the boss.
They are leaving for the airport in the morning.
He is responsible for completing the report by Friday.
We are rooting for our favorite sports team in the championship game.

Use of ‘from’ preposition with Examples

The cat jumped from the roof to the ground.
She received a letter from her sister.
He bought a gift for his girlfriend from the store.
I am from the United States.
She will be returning from her vacation next week.
The package is being shipped from China.
The bird flew away from the tree.
He graduated from college in 2016.
The food is being served from the kitchen.

Use of ‘in’ preposition with Examples

I live in a small house in the suburbs.
She placed the vase in the center of the table.
The cat is hiding in the closet.
He works in a bank in the city.
The museum is located in the heart of the town.
I put the book in my bag before leaving the library.
The flowers are planted in the garden.
She received an award in recognition of her hard work.
The store is in the mall on the second floor.
We are going on vacation to a beach in Spain.

Use of ‘inside’ preposition with Examples

The cat is sleeping inside the box.
The children are playing inside the house.
The letter was hidden inside the drawer.
The bag is filled with toys and snacks I carry inside my backpack.
The new phone has many features, including a camera and GPS, all packed inside a sleek design.
The museum is filled with exciting exhibits, which we can explore inside.
The cake is decorated with frosting and sprinkles, with a surprise hidden inside.
The tent provides shelter from the rain, and we can sleep inside on comfortable air mattresses.
The castle is surrounded by a moat, with high walls and a drawbridge to protect what’s inside.
The computer houses a powerful processor and graphics card, all packed inside a compact case.

Use of ‘into’ preposition with Examples

The cat snuck into the house through the open window.
She threw the ball into the basket with a perfect shot.
He walked into the room and sat down on the couch.
She poured the liquid into the glass before taking a sip.
The bird flew into the tree and perched on a branch.
He turned the key, opened the door, and stepped into the dark room.
She looked into the mirror and fixed her hair.
He placed the book into the backpack before heading to school.
She transferred the money into her savings account.
The car drove into the garage, and the door closed behind it.

Use of ‘like’ preposition with Examples

She sings like an angel.
He runs like the wind.
The cat slept like a log.
The dog looked at me with eyes like pools of melted chocolate.
She dressed like a princess for the ball.
He talks like a wise old man.
The flowers smelled like sweet honey.
The soup tasted like it had been cooking for hours.
She danced like no one was watching.
He drew like a true artist.

Use of ‘near’ preposition with Examples

The cat was hiding near the couch.
She lives near the beach.
The store is located near the park.
He sat near the fireplace.
The bird was perched near the window.
She placed the vase near the flowers.
The dog was lying near its owner.
The train station is near the city center.
He parked the car near the entrance.
She was standing near the door.

Use of ‘of’ preposition with Examples

She is a friend of mine.
He is the son of the president.
The capital of France is Paris.
The color of the sky is blue.
She is the owner of the company.
He is a member of the club.
The top of the mountain is covered in snow.
The price of the car is too high.
She is the queen of the castle.
The walls of the room are painted white.

Use of ‘off’ preposition with Examples

She took the hat off her head.
He jumped off the cliff into the water.
The cat climbed off the tree.
She turned off the lights before going to bed.
He took the day off work.
The plane took off from the airport.
She brushed the dirt off her shoes.
He took his jacket off and hung it up.
The sun set off in the distance.
She got off the bus at her stop.

Use of ‘on’ preposition with Examples

The cat is sleeping on the couch.
She put the book on the table.
The plane flew on top of the clouds.
He wrote his name on the paper.
The painting is hanging on the wall.
I left my keys on the counter.
She stepped on the scale to weigh herself.
The bird is perched on the branch.
The camera is mounted on the tripod.
The coffee cup is sitting on the desk.

Use of ‘onto’ preposition with Examples

She placed the book onto the shelf.
The cat climbed onto the roof.
He jumped onto the stage to give his speech.
The paint spilled onto the floor.
She transferred the data onto her computer.
The plane landed onto the runway.
He climbed onto the ladder to reach the top shelf.
She placed the vase onto the table.
The boat sailed onto the river.
He stepped onto the bus to start his journey.

Use of ‘out’ preposition with Examples

The cat climbed out of the tree.
The ball flew out of the park.
He took the trash out to the curb.
The singer belted out a powerful melody.
The sun is shining out from behind the clouds.
She could see the city skyline from her window, but she longed to be out in it.
The group hiked out to the waterfall.
He was tired of being cooped up inside, so he decided to head out for a walk.
She checked out the book from the library.

Use of ‘outside’ preposition with Examples

She sat outside on the porch, enjoying the warm breeze.
The dog loves to run and play outside.
We decided to have a picnic outside on the grass.
She could see the stars shining brightly outside her window.
The concert was held outside in the park.
The children love playing outside in the snow.
He waited outside the store for his ride.
She always feels more energized after spending time outside.

Use of ‘over’ preposition with Examples

The plane flew over the city.
She climbed over the fence to retrieve her ball.
He looked over the documents before signing them.
The cat sat on the windowsill, looking out over the backyard.
The bridge extends over the river.
The teacher went over the material one more time before the test.
The birds flew over the trees.
She put the quilt over the bed.
He threw the ball over the fence to his friend.

Use of ‘past’ preposition with Examples

The cat ran past the dog.
The train went past the station.
The runner sprinted past the finish line.
She drove past the store to get to her house.
He walked past the old house on his way to work.
The airplane flew past the mountain.
The singer walked past the audience and onto the stage.
The boat sailed past the island.
The car drove past the school on its way home.
The tourists took a photo of the sunset as they walked past the beach.

Use of ‘since’ preposition with Examples

She has been living in New York since she was a child.
I haven’t seen him since we graduated from college.
They have been married since they met in high school.
It has been raining since early this morning.
He has been working at that company since he graduated from university.
I have been studying French since I was in high school.
They have been waiting for the bus since 6:00 am.
She has been practicing the piano since she was four years old.
I haven’t been to the beach since last summer.
He has been a teacher since he was 25 years old.

Use of ‘through’ preposition with Examples

She walked through the forest to get to her house.
The bird flew through the open window.
The car drove through the tunnel.
They ran through the sprinkler to cool off on a hot day.
She looked through the telescope to see the stars.
He swam through the ocean to get to the other side.
The ball rolled through the hoop to score a basket.
She read through the entire book in one day.
He walked through the door and into the room.
They drove through the city to get to their destination.

Use of ‘throughout’ preposition with Examples

The flowers bloomed throughout the spring.
She read the book throughout the night.
The music played throughout the party.
He practiced the piano throughout the day.
The rain fell throughout the weekend.
She worked on the project throughout the week.
The team played well throughout the game.
The sun shone brightly throughout the holiday.
He thought about the problem throughout the morning.
The children played throughout the park.

Use of ’till’ preposition with Examples

She waited for him at the airport till he arrived.
The store is open till 9:00 pm.
She sang till her voice was hoarse.
He studied till he understood the material.
The concert will go on till midnight.
She waited till the rain stopped before going outside.
He worked till he finished the project.
The party will last till the early hours of the morning.
She waited till he called before making a decision.
He practiced the piano till he played it perfectly.

Use of ‘to’ preposition with Examples

She walked to the store to buy some milk.
He drove to work every day.
The cat chased the mouse to the corner of the room.
She went to the beach to swim in the ocean.
He looked up at the sky to see the stars.
The boat sailed to the island.
She flew to Paris for her vacation.
He drove to the airport to pick up his friend.
She went to the park to play with her dog.
He rode his bike to the library to borrow a book.

Use of ‘toward’ preposition with Examples

She walked toward the store to buy some milk.
He drove his car toward the airport.
The cat chased the mouse toward the corner of the room.
She swam toward the shore.
He looked up at the sky and saw a plane flying toward the airport.
The boat sailed toward the island.
She flew toward Paris for her vacation.
He drove toward the city to meet his friends.
She went toward the park to play with her dog.
He rode his bike toward the library to borrow a book.

Use of ‘under’ preposition with Examples

The dog is hiding under the couch.
She placed the blanket under the baby’s chin.
The books are stored under the bed.
The bridge passes under the river.
He placed the box under the table.
The subway runs under the city.
The cat curled up under the warm sunbeam.
The umbrella is positioned under the patio table.
The cat sat under the tree, watching the birds.
He placed the bowl under the leaking pipe to catch the water.

Use of ‘underneath’ preposition with Examples

She looked underneath the couch for her lost earring.
The dog dug a hole underneath the fence.
He checked underneath the car for any leaks.
The secret entrance is hidden underneath the floorboards.
She found a spider underneath the sink.
He looked underneath the hood of the car to check the engine.
The treasure was buried underneath the old oak tree.
She lifted the rug to look underneath for any dirt or debris.
He searched underneath the piles of clothes for his lost sock.
The kitten was hiding underneath the bed.

Use of ‘until’ preposition with Examples

I will wait until you arrive.
The store is open until 9 PM.
He didn’t wake up until noon.
We couldn’t start the project until we had all the necessary supplies.
The movie won’t start until everyone is seated.
She won’t be back until next week.
I will stay here until you return.
I didn’t realize how late it was until I looked at the clock.
He couldn’t fall asleep until he counted sheep.
The road is closed until further notice.

Use of ‘up’ preposition with Examples

He stood up and stretched.
She looked up at the sky.
I’ll set the table, and you can set the chairs up.
The balloon floated up into the air.
She put the book back on the shelf and stood up.
The cat climbed up the tree.
He turned the volume up on the TV.
She tied her hair up in a ponytail.
He held up his hand to signal for us to stop.

Use of ‘upon’ preposition with Examples

She stumbled upon an old photo album.
The company was founded upon the principles of sustainability and social responsibility.
Upon further examination, it was clear that the painting was fake.
Upon arriving at the airport, we realized we had left our passports at home.
The offer was contingent upon the successful completion of the project.
Upon hearing the news, she burst into tears.

Use of ‘with’ preposition with Examples

She is always with her friends.
He plays the guitar with his band.
She is obsessed with social media.
He is angry with his boss.
She is in love with him.
He is familiar with the area.
He is happy with his new job.
She is impressed with the movie.
He is satisfied with the results.

Use of ‘within’ preposition with Examples

The package will arrive within the next week.
The deadline for the project is within the next three days.
The city is located within a short driving distance from the beach.
The museum is open to the public within certain hours.
She lives within walking distance of the school.
The company’s headquarters are located within the city center.
The lost ring was found within the cushion of the couch.

Use of ‘without’ preposition with Examples

She couldn’t live without her phone.
He left without saying goodbye.
The cake was baked without any sugar.
The car won’t start without a jump.
The flowers grew without any water.
She finished the marathon without stopping.
The play was performed without any rehearsals.
He can’t play the piano without sheet music.
The movie was filmed without a script.
She can’t speak without an accent.