Mastering Complex Prepositions: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Complex prepositions, also known as phrasal prepositions, are essential components of English grammar that add depth and precision to our language. They consist of two or more words functioning as a single preposition, providing nuanced relationships between elements in a sentence.

Understanding and using complex prepositions correctly can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills, allowing you to express ideas with greater clarity and sophistication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to complex prepositions, covering their definition, structure, types, usage rules, common mistakes, and offers practice exercises to solidify your understanding.

Whether you are a student, an English language learner, or simply someone looking to improve your grammar, this article will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to master complex prepositions.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Complex Prepositions
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Complex Prepositions
5. Examples of Complex Prepositions
6. Usage Rules for Complex Prepositions
7. Common Mistakes with Complex Prepositions
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
11. Conclusion

Definition of Complex Prepositions

A complex preposition, also referred to as a phrasal preposition, is a multi-word unit that functions as a single preposition. Unlike simple prepositions (e.g., in, on, at), complex prepositions consist of two or more words, typically including a preposition as the final word. These phrases establish relationships between nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases and other parts of the sentence, indicating location, direction, time, reason, purpose, or manner.

Complex prepositions are crucial for conveying precise meanings and adding detail to sentences. They provide a richer and more varied way to express relationships compared to simple prepositions alone.

For example, instead of simply saying “He went *to* the store,” you could say “He went *in front of* the store,” using a complex preposition to provide more specific location information.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of a complex preposition typically follows one of these patterns:

• Preposition + Noun (or Adjective) + Preposition: Examples include in front of, in addition to, in spite of.
• Adverb + Preposition: Examples include according to, owing to, due to.
• Conjunction + Preposition: Examples include as well as, as opposed to.

Understanding these structural patterns helps in identifying and using complex prepositions correctly. The initial word often modifies or clarifies the relationship established by the final preposition.

For instance, in “in light of,” the phrase suggests considering something from a particular perspective.

Types and Categories of Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. Here are some common categories:

Location and Direction

These complex prepositions indicate the position or movement of someone or something in relation to another object or place. Examples include in front of, behind, next to, on top of, in the middle of, along with, and away from.

Time

These complex prepositions specify when something happens or its duration. Examples include prior to, up to, as of, in the course of, and in the process of.

Reason and Purpose

These complex prepositions explain why something is done or the intention behind an action. Examples include because of, due to, on account of, for the sake of, and in order to.

Manner and Means

These complex prepositions describe how something is done or the method used. Examples include by means of, in accordance with, in line with, and in compliance with.

Relationship and Connection

These complex prepositions establish connections or relationships between different elements. Examples include in relation to, in comparison to, in contrast to, with regard to, and with respect to.

Examples of Complex Prepositions

The following tables provide examples of complex prepositions categorized by their function, along with illustrative sentences to demonstrate their usage.

Location and Direction Examples

This table showcases complex prepositions used to describe locations and directions, providing clarity in spatial relationships.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
in front of	The car is parked in front of the house.
behind	The cat is hiding behind the sofa.
next to	The bank is located next to the post office.
on top of	The book is on top of the table.
in the middle of	The island is in the middle of the lake.
along with	She brought her friend along with her to the party.
away from	Keep the children away from the road.
out of	He took the keys out of his pocket.
inside of	The letter was inside of the envelope.
outside of	They ate dinner outside of the restaurant.
across from	The library is across from the park.
adjacent to	Their house is adjacent to the school.
close to	The store is close to my house.
far from	The beach is far from the city center.
near to	The hospital is near to the train station.
opposite to	The grocery store is opposite to my office.
around	The kids are playing around the playground.
throughout	The security cameras are placed throughout the building.
towards	They are walking towards the stadium.
within	The treasure is hidden within the cave.
alongside	The boat is docked alongside the pier.
beneath	The cat is sleeping beneath the tree.
beside	She sat beside him on the bench.
beyond	The mountains are beyond the valley.
underneath	The dog is hiding underneath the table.

Time Examples

This table illustrates complex prepositions that specify temporal relationships, indicating when events occur.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
prior to	Prior to the meeting, please review the agenda.
up to	You can borrow the book up to two weeks.
as of	As of tomorrow, the price will increase.
in the course of	In the course of the investigation, new evidence emerged.
in the process of	They are in the process of renovating their house.
ahead of	We finished the project ahead of schedule.
by the time	By the time we arrived, the movie had already started.
during	The store is closed during the holidays.
from	The exhibition is open from March to May.
since	He has been working here since 2010.
until	The library is open until 9 PM.
through	The festival runs through the end of July.
throughout	The museum is open throughout the year.
after	They went out for dinner after the movie.
before	Please submit your assignments before the deadline.
in	The concert will take place in June.
on	The meeting is scheduled on Monday.
at	The event starts at 7 PM.
around	They arrived around noon.
about	The lecture will last about an hour.
following	Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session.
subsequent to	Subsequent to the review, changes were made.
in advance of	Please book your tickets in advance of the show.
preceding	Preceding the main course, we had appetizers.
simultaneous with	The announcement was simultaneous with the release.

Reason and Purpose Examples

This table provides examples of complex prepositions that explain reasons and purposes, adding depth to explanations.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
because of	The game was cancelled because of the rain.
due to	The flight was delayed due to technical issues.
on account of	He was absent on account of illness.
for the sake of	For the sake of clarity, let’s review the instructions.
in order to	I study hard in order to get good grades.
with the aim of	They organized the event with the aim of raising funds.
for the purpose of	The meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the project.
by reason of	He was exempted by reason of his disability.
on behalf of	She spoke on behalf of the entire team.
in view of	In view of the circumstances, we must reconsider our decision.
for fear of	He locked the door for fear of intruders.
with a view to	They invested in the company with a view to expanding their business.
in deference to	In deference to her experience, we followed her advice.
on the grounds of	The application was rejected on the grounds of insufficient information.
in the interest of	In the interest of safety, please follow the instructions.
with respect to	With respect to your query, we will respond shortly.
with regard to	With regard to the budget, we need to make some adjustments.
as a result of	As a result of the storm, many trees fell down.
owing to	Owing to unforeseen circumstances, the event was postponed.
thanks to	Thanks to their support, we succeeded in the project.
for want of	The experiment failed for want of proper equipment.
out of	He helped her out of kindness.
in response to	In response to your request, we have sent the documents.
with an eye to	They are renovating the house with an eye to selling it later.
in aid of	The concert was organized in aid of charity.

Manner and Means Examples

This table presents complex prepositions that describe how something is done or the method used.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
by means of	They communicated by means of a satellite phone.
in accordance with	The project was executed in accordance with the plan.
in line with	The company’s policy is in line with industry standards.
in compliance with	The building was constructed in compliance with safety regulations.
through the use of	The problem was solved through the use of advanced technology.
by virtue of	He was appointed to the position by virtue of his experience.
in the manner of	She painted the picture in the manner of a famous artist.
by way of	He sent his regards by way of a letter.
in keeping with	The decorations were in keeping with the theme of the party.
in the style of	The house was built in the style of a traditional cottage.
by dint of	He succeeded by dint of hard work.
in imitation of	The child mimicked the teacher in imitation of her gestures.
in the form of	The payment was made in the form of a check.
through	The news spread through social media.
with the help of	They completed the project with the help of volunteers.
by	The package was sent by mail.
via	We traveled to Europe via London.
on	They went on a trip on a bus.
using	He fixed the car using basic tools.
through	They achieved success through perseverance.

Relationship and Connection Examples

This table includes complex prepositions that establish relationships and connections between different elements, enhancing clarity in complex sentences.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
in relation to	The price of the product is high in relation to its quality.
in comparison to	The salary is good in comparison to other jobs in the field.
in contrast to	In contrast to his brother, he is very outgoing.
with regard to	With regard to your application, we will contact you soon.
with respect to	With respect to the new regulations, we need to make some changes.
in connection with	The police are investigating the incident in connection with the robbery.
in terms of	In terms of cost, this is the best option.
as for	As for the meeting, it has been postponed.
as to	There is some doubt as to his real intentions.
relative to	The risk is low relative to the potential benefits.
in addition to	In addition to English, she speaks French and Spanish.
apart from	Apart from a few minor issues, the project was a success.
aside from	Aside from the cost, it’s a great product.
together with	They went to the concert together with their friends.
along with	The package includes the software along with the manual.
in conjunction with	The study was conducted in conjunction with several universities.
in agreement with	The decision was made in agreement with all parties.
in accordance with	The rules were applied in accordance with the guidelines.
in relation with	The company is working in relation with several international organizations.
in association with	The event was organized in association with a local charity.
with reference to	With reference to your letter, we are pleased to inform you…
concerning	The report concerning the new project is ready.
regarding	We have some questions regarding your proposal.
in respect of	The law is the same in respect of everyone.
vis-à-vis	The company’s position vis-à-vis its competitors is strong.

Usage Rules for Complex Prepositions

Using complex prepositions correctly involves understanding their specific meanings and adhering to grammatical rules. Here are some key guidelines:

• Correct Word Order: The words within a complex preposition must be in the correct order. For example, it’s “in front of,” not “front in of.”
• Appropriate Context: Choose the complex preposition that accurately reflects the intended relationship. For example, use “because of” to indicate a reason and “in front of” to indicate location.
• Consistency: Once you’ve chosen a complex preposition, use it consistently throughout your writing.
• Clarity: Ensure that the complex preposition enhances clarity rather than confusing the reader. If a simple preposition suffices, use it.
• Following with a Noun Phrase or Pronoun: Complex prepositions should be followed by a noun phrase or pronoun.

It’s also important to remember that some complex prepositions have specific connotations or are more formal than others. For instance, “owing to” is often considered more formal than “because of.”

Common Mistakes with Complex Prepositions

Several common mistakes can occur when using complex prepositions. Recognizing these errors can help you avoid them in your own writing.

Incorrect Word Order:

• Incorrect: The book is front in of the table.
• Correct: The book is in front of the table.

Misusing Similar Prepositions:

• Incorrect: He did it for the sake of money. (implies he did it to get money)
• Correct: He did it for the sake of helping others. (implies his motivation was to help others)

Omitting Necessary Words:

• Incorrect: They succeeded due the hard work.
• Correct: They succeeded due to the hard work.

Using the Wrong Preposition:

• Incorrect: I am writing with regard of your letter.
• Correct: I am writing with regard to your letter.

Confusing Complex Prepositions with Similar Phrases:

• Incorrect: The meeting is on behalf of next week.
• Correct: The meeting is on hold until next week.(or) The meeting is scheduled for next week.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of complex prepositions with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate complex preposition from the list provided below each exercise.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Location and Direction)

Choose the correct complex preposition from the list to complete each sentence.

1. The park is located ________ the library and the museum. (between / next to / in front of)
2. The cat is hiding ________ the bed. (under / on top of / beside)
3. They walked ________ the river. (along with / away from / alongside)
4. The store is ________ my house. (close to / far from / opposite to)
5. He is standing ________ the building. (outside of / inside of / around)
6. The children are playing ________ the playground. (throughout / around / towards)
7. The treasure is hidden ________ the island. (within / beyond / beneath)
8. She sat ________ him on the bench. (beside / beyond / underneath)
9. The mountains are ________ the valley. (beyond / beneath / beside)
10. The dog is hiding ________ the table. (underneath / beneath / beside)

Answers:

1. between
2. under
3. alongside
4. close to
5. outside of
6. around
7. within
8. beside
9. beyond
10. underneath

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks (Time)

Choose the correct complex preposition from the list to complete each sentence.

1. ________ the meeting, please review the agenda. (Prior to / Up to / As of)
2. You can borrow the book ________ two weeks. (prior to / up to / as of)
3. ________ tomorrow, the price will increase. (As of / In the course of / In the process of)
4. ________ the investigation, new evidence emerged. (In the course of / In the process of / Ahead of)
5. They are ________ renovating their house. (in the process of / by the time / during)
6. We finished the project ________ schedule. (ahead of / by the time / during)
7. ________ we arrived, the movie had already started. (By the time / During / From)
8. The store is closed ________ the holidays. (during / from / since)
9. The exhibition is open ________ March to May. (from / since / until)
10. He has been working here ________ 2010. (since / until / through)

Answers:

1. Prior to
2. up to
3. As of
4. In the course of
5. in the process of
6. ahead of
7. By the time
8. during
9. from
10. since

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks (Reason and Purpose)

Choose the correct complex preposition from the list to complete each sentence.

1. The game was cancelled ________ the rain. (because of / due to / on account of)
2. The flight was delayed ________ technical issues. (due to / on account of / for the sake of)
3. He was absent ________ illness. (on account of / for the sake of / in order to)
4. ________ clarity, let’s review the instructions. (For the sake of / In order to / With the aim of)
5. I study hard ________ get good grades. (in order to / with the aim of / for the purpose of)
6. They organized the event ________ raising funds. (with the aim of / for the purpose of / by reason of)
7. The meeting was held ________ discussing the project. (for the purpose of / by reason of / on behalf of)
8. He was exempted ________ his disability. (by reason of / on behalf of / in view of)
9. She spoke ________ the entire team. (on behalf of / in view of / for fear of)
10. ________ the circumstances, we must reconsider our decision. (In view of / For fear of / with a view to)

Answers:

1. because of
2. due to
3. on account of
4. For the sake of
5. in order to
6. with the aim of
7. for the purpose of
8. by reason of
9. on behalf of
10. In view of

Exercise 4: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences. Each sentence contains one error related to complex prepositions.

1. The book is front in of the table.
2. He did it for the sake of money.
3. They succeeded due the hard work.
4. I am writing with regard of your letter.
5. The meeting is on behalf of next week.
6. She arrived in spite of the traffic jam.
7. The decision was made in account of the circumstances.
8. They achieved success through of perseverance.
9. He spoke on the behalf of the organization.
10. The project was completed in according with the plan.

Answers:

1. The book is in front of the table.
2. He did it for the sake of helping others.
3. They succeeded due to the hard work.
4. I am writing with regard to your letter.
5. The meeting is scheduled for next week.
6. She arrived in spite of the traffic jam. (Correct)
7. The decision was made on account of the circumstances.
8. They achieved success through perseverance.
9. He spoke on behalf of the organization.
10. The project was completed in accordance with the plan.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of complex prepositions involves recognizing their subtle differences in meaning and usage. Some complex prepositions can be interchangeable in certain contexts, while others have very specific applications.

For example, “in light of” and “in view of” both suggest considering something, but “in light of” often implies new information or understanding.

Additionally, mastering complex prepositions includes recognizing their role in idiomatic expressions and formal writing. Many complex prepositions are integral to common idioms, and their use can add sophistication to your writing.

Understanding these nuances requires extensive reading and exposure to various contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between a simple preposition and a complex preposition?

   A simple preposition consists of a single word (e.g., in, on, at), while a complex preposition is a multi-word unit that functions as a single preposition (e.g., in front of, because of). Complex prepositions provide more specific and nuanced relationships compared to simple prepositions.

2. How do I identify a complex preposition in a sentence?

   Complex prepositions typically consist of two or more words, often ending with a simple preposition. Look for phrases that connect a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to other parts of the sentence, indicating location, time, reason, or manner. Common patterns include “preposition + noun/adjective + preposition” and “adverb + preposition.”

3. Can a complex preposition be separated in a sentence?

   Generally, the words within a complex preposition should not be separated. The entire phrase functions as a single unit. However, in some cases, adverbs or other modifiers can be inserted for emphasis or clarity, but this is less common.
4. Are complex prepositions always followed by a noun?

   Complex prepositions are typically followed by a noun phrase or pronoun, which serves as the object of the preposition. This object completes the prepositional phrase and provides the necessary context for the relationship being expressed.

5. How can I improve my use of complex prepositions?

   Reading extensively and paying attention to how complex prepositions are used in various contexts is a great way to improve. Practice using them in your own writing and speaking, and seek feedback from native speakers or language instructors. Consulting grammar resources and dictionaries can also be helpful.

6. Is it always necessary to use a complex preposition, or can I use a simple preposition instead?

   The choice between a simple and complex preposition depends on the level of detail and precision you want to convey. If a simple preposition adequately expresses the relationship, it is often preferable for clarity and conciseness. However, if you need to provide more specific information, a complex preposition may be necessary.
7. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using complex prepositions?

   Common mistakes include using incorrect word order, misusing similar prepositions, omitting necessary words, using the wrong preposition, and confusing complex prepositions with similar phrases. Reviewing examples and practicing with exercises can help you avoid these errors.

8. Are complex prepositions more common in formal or informal writing?

   Complex prepositions are more common in formal writing, where precision and detail are valued. In informal writing and speech, simpler prepositions are often preferred for ease of communication. However, the appropriate choice depends on the specific context and audience.

Conclusion

Mastering complex prepositions is a significant step towards enhancing your English grammar skills. By understanding their definition, structure, types, usage rules, and common pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate them into your writing and speaking.

Complex prepositions add depth, precision, and sophistication to your language, allowing you to express ideas with greater clarity and nuance. Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to context, and seek feedback to refine your understanding and usage.

Continue to explore and experiment with complex prepositions in various contexts. The more you practice, the more confident and proficient you will become in using them.

With consistent effort, you’ll find that complex prepositions become a valuable tool in your communication arsenal, enabling you to express yourself with greater accuracy and style.