Compound Prepositions in English Grammar with Examples

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence. They typically indicate direction, location, time, or manner. Compound prepositions are formed by combining two or more words to function as a single preposition, helping to clarify the meaning of a sentence. In this article, we will explore compound prepositions in English grammar with clear explanations and examples to help learners grasp the concept easily.

What Are Compound Prepositions?

Compound prepositions, also called complex prepositions, are prepositions that consist of two or more words. These words typically include simple prepositions combined with other words like adverbs or conjunctions to form a meaningful prepositional phrase. They function just like simple prepositions but offer more specific context or meaning.

List of Compound Prepositions

• According to
• Ahead of
• Along with
• Apart from
• As for
• As of
• As per
• Aside from
• Because of
• By means of
• Close to
• Contrary to
• Due to
• Except for
• In addition to
• In back of
• In case of
• In comparison with
• In consequence of
• In favor of
• In front of
• In lieu of
• In line with
• In place of
• In regard to
• In spite of
• In view of
• Instead of
• Near to
• Next to
• On account of
• On behalf of
• On condition of
• On top of
• Out of
• Owing to
• Prior to
• Regardless of
• Thanks to
• Up to
• With regard to
• With respect to
• In return for
• In respect to
• In accordance with
• In the middle of
• On the part of
• In relation to
• In furtherance of
• With reference to
• By way of

Commonly Used Compound Prepositions

Here are some of the most commonly used compound prepositions along with their examples:

Formation of Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are formed by combining two or more words, typically prepositions, adverbs, or conjunctions, that work together to function as a single preposition. These combinations create a prepositional phrase that conveys more specific meaning than a simple preposition alone.

Common Patterns for Compound Prepositions

1. Preposition + Preposition:
   • Examples: Out of, From within
2. Preposition + Noun + Preposition:
   • Examples: In front of, On behalf of, In place of
3. Preposition + Adverb:
   • Examples: Because of, Apart from
4. Preposition + Adjective + Preposition:
   • Examples: In spite of, In accordance with, In favor of

List of 2 and 3 Words Compound Prepositions

Difference Between Simple and Compound Prepositions

A simple preposition consists of just one word (e.g., at, on, in), while a compound preposition is formed by combining two or more words. Although both function as prepositions, compound prepositions tend to express more complex relationships between the elements in a sentence.

For instance:

• Simple Preposition:
  He is at school.
• Compound Preposition:
  He is standing in front of the school.

Both sentences indicate the position of “he,” but the second sentence gives a more detailed description of his location relative to the school.

Types of Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions can often be grouped into specific categories based on the relationship they express. Here are some common types:

1. Prepositions of Cause (show reason or cause):
   • Because of
   • Due to
   • By means of
2. Prepositions of Time (indicate a time relation):
   • In the course of
   • Prior to
   • In front of
3. Prepositions of Contrast/Concession (show opposition):
   • In spite of
   • Despite
   • Contrary to
4. Prepositions of Location (indicate position):
   • In front of
   • Next to
   • Out of

Read More

• 500 Compound Words List in English
• 60 Examples of Compound Sentences
• Compound Nouns in English
• Complex Prepositions in English
• Types of Sentences in English