Identifying prepositions
A preposition is a word placed before a noun or a pronoun to form a phrase that modifies another word in the sentence. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or an adverb.
To the summit functions as an adjective modifying the noun road; past craters functions as an adverb modifying the verb travels; from an extinct volcano functions as an adjective modifying the noun craters.
English has a limited number of prepositions. The most common are included in the following list.
|
about |
beside |
from |
over |
under |
|
above |
besides |
in |
past |
underneath |
|
across |
between |
inside |
plus |
unlike |
|
after |
beyond |
into |
regarding |
until |
|
against |
but |
like |
respecting |
unto |
|
along |
by |
next |
round |
up |
|
among |
concerning |
of |
since |
upon |
|
around |
considering |
off |
than |
with |
|
as |
despite |
on |
through |
within |
|
at |
down |
onto |
throughout |
without |
|
before |
during |
opposite |
till |
|
|
behind |
except |
out |
to |
|
|
below |
for |
outside |
toward |
Some prepositions are more than one word long. Along with, as well as, in addition to, next to, and rather than are examples.
note: Prepositions are used in idioms such as capable of and dig up.