COMMON PREPOSITIONS

Taken from Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

about	What's that book about? (connected with) Their belongings were flung about the room. (no order) Do you have such a thing as a pen about you/your person (= Have you got a pen)? (position) "What time are you leaving work today?" "About five." (approximately) They heard someone moving about outside. (all directions) She always leaves her clothes lying about on the floor. (no order) There's a lot of flu about (= many people have it) at the moment. (place) I was about to leave when Mark arrived. (intending)
above	The helicopter was hovering above the building.  (higher position) Temperatures rarely rise above zero in winter.  (more) Sally's a grade above me.  (rank) No one is above suspicion in this matter.  (too important) Please send the articles to the address given above.  (on page)
across	She walked across the field/road. The library is just across the road.
after	Shall we go for a walk after breakfast? There's a good film on the day after tomorrow.
against	She spoke against the decision to close the college.  (opposing) Why don't we put the bed against the wall? (touching) The last part of the course was hard because I was running against the wind.  (opposite direction) We've insured the car against fire, theft and accident. (protection)
along	We walked along the beach collecting small crabs in a bucket. (direction) Cars were parked all along the road. (next to) Somewhere along this road there's a garage. (particular place) We were just walking along, chatting. (forward) Why don't you take him along with you when you go? (with you)
among	I saw a few familiar faces among the crowd.
around	We sat around the table.  (in this direction) He always leaves his clothes lying around (on the floor).  (in this place)
at
before	You should always wash your hands before meals. The letter K comes before L in the English alphabet.
behind
below	The author's name was printed below the title. (position) His marks in English have been below average for some time now. (less)
beneath	Jeremy hid the letter beneath a pile of papers.  (below) If someone thinks an activity is beneath them, they think they should not have to do it because they are too important or too clever. (not good enough)
beside
besides	Do you play any other sports besides football and basketball? She won't mind your being late - besides, it's hardly your fault.
between
beyond	In the distance, beyond the river, was a small town. (further away) Few people live beyond the age of a hundred.  (outside a limit) I'm afraid physics is completely beyond me.  (not understand)
by
despite	I still enjoyed the week despite the weather.  (without taking any notice of or being influenced by; not prevented by )
down
during	They work during the night and sleep by day. (through) I woke up several times during the night. (at some time in)
for
from
in
into
like	She looks best in bright, vibrant colours, like red and pink. (such as) That's just like Maisie to turn up half an hour late to her own party! (typical)
near
of
off
on
out
over
since	England have not won the World Cup in football since 1966. It was the hottest October since records began.
through	They walked slowly through the woods.  (adv place) We sat through two lectures and then left.  (time) The company lost the order through production delays.  (result) I got my car through my brother who works in a garage. (using)
throughout	(in every part, or during the whole period of time ) People throughout the country are out of work. He yawned throughout the performance. The school has been repainted throughout.
till
to	This meat is difficult to chew. (infinitive) We're going to town on the bus, okay? (showing direction) I lent my bike to my brother.  (receiving) She nursed me back to health. (until) There's a funny side to everything.  (in connection with) The government announced today that it is to cut funding for the arts for next year.  (future) That's when I learned, to my horror, that she was coming here. (causing) I realize it may sound strange to you.  (considered by) As a personal trainer to the rich and famous, he earns over a million dollars a year.  (serving) They were dancing cheek to cheek.  (against) I've lost the trousers to this jacket. (matching) Paul beat me by three games to two (= He won three and I won two) .  (compared with) I proposed a toast to the bride and the groom. (in honour of) This car does about fifty miles to the gallon.  (for each) There must have been thirty to thirty-five (= a number between 30 and 35) people there.  (between) I like exercising to music.  (at the same time as) I think being present at the meeting would be to your advantage. (positive)
towards	They've always been very friendly towards me.  (relation) She stood up and walked towards him. (movement) Our seats were towards the back of the theatre.  (position) I'm saving up to buy a car, and Dad has given me some money towards it. (purpose)
under	She put the thermometer under my tongue.  (lower position) All items cost/are under a pound.  (less than) The work was completed under very difficult conditions. (experiencing) He's a Colonel, with hundreds of soldiers under him (= obeying his orders).  (control) For his own safety, he has to operate under a false name/an alias. (name)
until
up
upon	(formal on) Upon her head she wore a black velvet hat. You can never place enough emphasis upon the importance of safety. Upon your arrival (= As soon as you arrive) , please report to the reception desk.
with
within	(inside or not further than an area or period of time) Within hours of the tragedy happening, an emergency rescue team had been assembled. The tickets should reach you within the week (= before the end of this week).
without	I've come out without my umbrella. You look nice without make-up. He went without my knowledge.