Prepositions show various kinds of relations. The chief among them are given below.

Place

Important place prepositions are: in, at, on, across, among, behind, under, below, above, over etc.

Prepositions are not usually used directly before conjunctions, although it is possible in some cases.

Before that

Prepositions are not usually used directly before the conjunction that. In indirect speech, prepositions are usually dropped before that-clauses.

When a question word is the object of a preposition, the preposition usually comes at the end of the clause, especially in an informal style.

Two word verbs

A number of English verbs can be followed by prepositions or adverb particles.

This is a list of a few common expressions which often cause problems. For information about other common preposition + noun combinations, see a good dictionary.

The prepositions below and under have similar meanings. Both can mean ‘lower than’.

Cases where below is preferred

Below can mean ‘at or to a lower level’.

Certain verbs are followed by particular prepositions. Test your knowledge of these particular word combinations by taking this quiz.

1. He was found guilty —————— murder.