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Prepositions List

It is not possible to produce a definitive list of English prepositions. That means that nobody can create a list of prepositions and say: "Here are all the prepositions in the English language – no more and no fewer." Why? Because complex prepositions can theoretically be added to the language at any time. These pages list all 94 one-word prepositions (which are unlikely to change or be added to) and 56 complex prepositions (which may possibly be added to as the language evolves). This total of 150 prepositions is comprehensive at the time of writing, and represents all the prepositions currently found in a good English dictionary.

Each page is split into two sections:

  1. one-word prepositions (for example before, into, on)
  2. complex prepositions (phrases of two or more words that function like one-word prepositions, for example according to, but for, in spite of)

For a much shorter list on one page see Prepositions Short List.