Spoken English Prepositions

35 Prepositions that every English Learner must know how to use

We all use prepositions many times during each day.  Prepositions can be confusing to learn but need to be learnt.  The prepositions of, in and to are in the top ten of the most frequently words used in the English language.  A preposition connects a noun with a different word in the sentence.  Most prepositions contain six letters or less.  Many of these prepositions can have more than one meaning and here are 35 prepositions that every English learner must know how to use:

 

About

 

I read a book about the new president whilst I was on holiday.

Have you heard about the take-over of our firm?

The journey will take about three hours.

I am excited about going on holiday.

 

Across

 

We drove across the country from the east coast to the west coast.

There is a footbridge across the railway line.

The child ran across the road.

 

After

 

We went out to dinner after the meeting finished.

Let us talk again the day after tomorrow.

After we have lunch, we will start on the sales marketing for the firm.

 

Along/alongside

 

We walked along the beach last night.

The meeting room is along the corridor.

There are many trees alongside the path.

 

At

 

The train departs from the station at 11.30 am.

I will see you at the restaurant at 1 pm.

At night, you will be driving in the dark.

At the party, I met a friend of yours.

We all laughed at his jokes.

 

Around

 

We walked around the park.

It cost about 75 Euros.

We talked around the subject.

 

In

 

In the morning, we will go on holiday.

My birthday is in October.

He will arrive in one hour.

The meeting will be in the morning tomorrow.

You will find the shopping in the bags over there.

In three months’ time, we will have finished this project.

He will be in London next week.

Are you interested in going to see the new film?

 

For

 

For the moment, the job is going well.

I will have to wait for one month for the exam results.

Please can you ring for a taxi?

 

Before

 

I must leave before it gets dark.

I have much to prepare before the meeting starts.

I must speak to you before you leave.

 

Behind

 

The dog is hiding behind the chair.

I am behind with finishing the project as I have been very busy.

 

From

 

The train will depart from the station.

We will be away on holiday from the 5^th May to the 1^st June.

The letter is from my sister.

Which country are you from?

 

To

 

The time is five to 2 (1.55)

It will take us a long time to drive there as the traffic is bad.

You are tired so go to bed.

 

Of

 

I would like a cup of tea.

I met a friend of yours last week.

Of all the books I have read, this is my favourite.

 

Off

 

Get off the train at the next station.

Get off the bus at the next stop.

 

On

 

I will get on the train to London.

I will go there on foot.

The book is on the table.

On a sunny day, I like to go walking.

 

By

 

The book was written by William Shakespeare.

I visited Paris by myself.

I went there by plane.

I went to Scotland by train.

By the time I reach Edinburgh it will be midnight.

 

With

 

I will be going on holiday with my friends.

I like to eat chutney with my cheese and biscuits.

I will take my computer with me.

 

Through

 

We took the Eurotunnel through the Channel from England to France.

We are going on a tour through the wine regions in France.

Through the winter, we live in Spain as it is warmer there than living in England.

 

During

 

During the winter, it will snow heavily in the mountains.

They will discuss the future plans of the business during the meeting.

 

Until

 

Until now the weather has been hot and sunny.

Why have you waited until now to finish this work?

 

Under

 

The dog is lying down under the table.

The piece of paper fell under the chair.

 

Down

 

I will walk down the stairs.

Write down the important points we discussed in the meeting.

 

Up

 

I will walk up the stairs.

Up to now, I have not finished the project.

 

Over

 

He lived in a flat over the office.

The station is over there.

 

Near

 

We live near the school.

The train station is near the bus stop.

 

Since

 

I have not seen you since last year.

He has worked for the firm since 2015.

 

Outside

 

Go outside to play football.

The weather is hot outside today.

 

Inside

 

Go inside as it is raining.

You will find what you are looking for inside the box.

 

As

 

As it is raining, let us stay inside.

As we have work to do, we must stay late to finish this today.

 

Without

 

Without a job, I cannot move to London.

Without a car, I cannot get there.

 

Against

 

The racket is leaning against the fence.

We are racing against the clock to get this project finished in time for the meeting tomorrow morning.

 

Than

 

He earns more money than me.

It will take longer than you think to finish this piece of work.

 

Towards

 

We are walking towards the station.

He is driving towards the sun.

 

Ago

 

The event happened a long time ago.

We met three years ago.

 

Above

 

I walked along a path above the lake.

The trees are above the fields over there.

 

Try to learn these prepositions in the context of sentences which will help you remember their meanings and how they are used in sentence structure.  Start learning prepositions of movement and time which will help build up your confidence and knowledge.  Keep a notebook of how to use these prepositions and learn them as these prepositions are an essential part of learning English.  Once you have learned how to use these prepositions, you will speak more like a native English speaker and be able to converse fluently with others.

35 Prepositions that every English Learner must know how to use

We all use prepositions many times during each day.  Prepositions can be confusing to learn but need to be learnt.  The prepositions of, in and to are in the top ten of the most frequently words used in the English language.  A preposition connects a noun with a different word in the sentence.  Most prepositions contain six letters or less.  Many of these prepositions can have more than one meaning and here are 35 prepositions that every English learner must know how to use:

 

About

 

I read a book about the new president whilst I was on holiday.

Have you heard about the take-over of our firm?

The journey will take about three hours.

I am excited about going on holiday.

 

Across

 

We drove across the country from the east coast to the west coast.

There is a footbridge across the railway line.

The child ran across the road.

 

After

 

We went out to dinner after the meeting finished.

Let us talk again the day after tomorrow.

After we have lunch, we will start on the sales marketing for the firm.

 

Along/alongside

 

We walked along the beach last night.

The meeting room is along the corridor.

There are many trees alongside the path.

 

At

 

The train departs from the station at 11.30 am.

I will see you at the restaurant at 1 pm.

At night, you will be driving in the dark.

At the party, I met a friend of yours.

We all laughed at his jokes.

 

Around

 

We walked around the park.

It cost about 75 Euros.

We talked around the subject.

 

In

 

In the morning, we will go on holiday.

My birthday is in October.

He will arrive in one hour.

The meeting will be in the morning tomorrow.

You will find the shopping in the bags over there.

In three months’ time, we will have finished this project.

He will be in London next week.

Are you interested in going to see the new film?

 

For

 

For the moment, the job is going well.

I will have to wait for one month for the exam results.

Please can you ring for a taxi?

 

Before

 

I must leave before it gets dark.

I have much to prepare before the meeting starts.

I must speak to you before you leave.

 

Behind

 

The dog is hiding behind the chair.

I am behind with finishing the project as I have been very busy.

 

From

 

The train will depart from the station.

We will be away on holiday from the 5^th May to the 1^st June.

The letter is from my sister.

Which country are you from?

 

To

 

The time is five to 2 (1.55)

It will take us a long time to drive there as the traffic is bad.

You are tired so go to bed.

 

Of

 

I would like a cup of tea.

I met a friend of yours last week.

Of all the books I have read, this is my favourite.

 

Off

 

Get off the train at the next station.

Get off the bus at the next stop.

 

On

 

I will get on the train to London.

I will go there on foot.

The book is on the table.

On a sunny day, I like to go walking.

 

By

 

The book was written by William Shakespeare.

I visited Paris by myself.

I went there by plane.

I went to Scotland by train.

By the time I reach Edinburgh it will be midnight.

 

With

 

I will be going on holiday with my friends.

I like to eat chutney with my cheese and biscuits.

I will take my computer with me.

 

Through

 

We took the Eurotunnel through the Channel from England to France.

We are going on a tour through the wine regions in France.

Through the winter, we live in Spain as it is warmer there than living in England.

 

During

 

During the winter, it will snow heavily in the mountains.

They will discuss the future plans of the business during the meeting.

 

Until

 

Until now the weather has been hot and sunny.

Why have you waited until now to finish this work?

 

Under

 

The dog is lying down under the table.

The piece of paper fell under the chair.

 

Down

 

I will walk down the stairs.

Write down the important points we discussed in the meeting.

 

Up

 

I will walk up the stairs.

Up to now, I have not finished the project.

 

Over

 

He lived in a flat over the office.

The station is over there.

 

Near

 

We live near the school.

The train station is near the bus stop.

 

Since

 

I have not seen you since last year.

He has worked for the firm since 2015.

 

Outside

 

Go outside to play football.

The weather is hot outside today.

 

Inside

 

Go inside as it is raining.

You will find what you are looking for inside the box.

 

As

 

As it is raining, let us stay inside.

As we have work to do, we must stay late to finish this today.

 

Without

 

Without a job, I cannot move to London.

Without a car, I cannot get there.

 

Against

 

The racket is leaning against the fence.

We are racing against the clock to get this project finished in time for the meeting tomorrow morning.

 

Than

 

He earns more money than me.

It will take longer than you think to finish this piece of work.

 

Towards

 

We are walking towards the station.

He is driving towards the sun.

 

Ago

 

The event happened a long time ago.

We met three years ago.

 

Above

 

I walked along a path above the lake.

The trees are above the fields over there.

 

Try to learn these prepositions in the context of sentences which will help you remember their meanings and how they are used in sentence structure.  Start learning prepositions of movement and time which will help build up your confidence and knowledge.  Keep a notebook of how to use these prepositions and learn them as these prepositions are an essential part of learning English.  Once you have learned how to use these prepositions, you will speak more like a native English speaker and be able to converse fluently with others.