List of the 50 most Common Prepositions in English

In this post, we will take a look at some of the most commonly used prepositions in English, and examples of how they are used in sentences

We commonly use prepositions to show a relationship in space or time or a logical relationship between two or more people, places, or things.

Prepositions are most commonly followed by a noun phrase or pronoun as you can see in the following examples:

  • The last time I saw him he was walking down the road.
  • I’ll meet you in the cafe opposite the cinema.
  • It was difficult to sleep during the flight.
  • It was the worst storm since the 1980s.
  • Give that to me.

Understanding prepositions are essential for clear and effective communication when you are learning a second language.


Most Common Prepositions with Examples

There are over 100 prepositions in English. The most common prepositions are:

PrepositionExample
aboutTell me a story about your childhood
aboveThe waves came up above her head
acrossI  live across the street
afterI quit my job after one week.
againstWe are against discrimination
alongMy dog ran along the track with me
amongWe are among the only four survivors
aroundIt costs around 50 Dollars
atI have a blind date at the Coffee House
beforeThe church was built before the temple 
behindShe is standing behind that tree
belowPlease do not write below this line.
beneathHe found a penny beneath the couch
besideShe sat beside Marie
betweenIt is between the boxes and the sofa
byIt is a letter written by John
downI walked down the street
duringShe slept during the flight to France
exceptShe bought presents for everybody, except for me
forI bought a present for Emily
fromWe are from a foreign country
inWe are in the car parked outside
in front ofI live in front of the supermarket
insideThe keys are inside one of those boxes
instead ofI bought apples instead of pears
intohe entered into the woods
likeThis is a story like no other
nearThe hospital is near the gas station
ofI want a small piece of cake
offThe cat jumped off the counter
onShe always keeps her purse on the desk
ontoThe baby climbed onto the table.
out ofI was unable to get out of the appointment.
outsideWe are outside your house
overHe loved to sit over the rooftop 
pastThey took a walk past the park
sinceI don’t play soccer since 2005
throughThe car went through the tunnel
toThe flight is going to India
towardMove toward the door
underThe car is under the car
underneathThere was a tunnel running underneath the city.
untilI will stay until the show is over
upIt is up to us to find the answer
uponThe decision was based on two considerations
withI am with my friends at school
withinI will be there within a few minutes
withoutI am running without the proper equipment
According toAccording to Science, Evolution is true

More Information

Check these pages and sites before you go:

  1. English Lessons on EnglishPost.Org
  2. ESL Conversation Questions
  3. Reported Speech: Structures and Examples
  4. Types of Clauses with Examples
  5. Verbs Followed by Gerunds
  6. Guide to There is and There are
  7. Some and Any: Differences and Exercises
  8. Difference Between Do and Make
  9. 5 Modals of Deduction in English
  10. Tag Questions: Guide & Examples
Manuel Campos, English Professor

Manuel Campos

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English