Preposition Examples

1. concerning or relating to; about

• The teacher said, "I need to speak with you regarding your son's behavior."
  
  
• The staff met regarding the future of the museum.
  
  
• I have a question regarding the directions you gave me.

1.from a time in the past until a later time in the past or present

• I have not seen him since high school.
  
  
• Since the divorce, I have not dated anyone.
  
  
• They have been married since 1975.

1. by; because of

• She learned to play basketball through watching her brother.
  
  
• I financed my car through the bank.
  
  
• You will learn through reading.

2. from the beginning to the end of a time

• The baby cried through the entire movie.
  
  
• I went home sick halfway through the workday.
  
  
• Nick slept through Biology class.

3. from one side to the other side; in and out

• The baseball went through the window.
  
  
• We hiked through the woods.
  
  
• The spotted creature came through the front door.

1. used to show relation or connection

• Is John is related to you? Yes, he is my cousin.
  
  
• I am married to Joe Smith.
  
  
• Sally is secretary to the school principal.

2. going toward something or someone; in the direction of

• We are driving to my grandmother's house.
  
  
• I am flying to Texas this summer.
  
  
• Throw the ball to me. 

1. in the direction of

• She turned her face toward/towards me.
  
  
• We are flying toward/towards Los Angeles, California.
  
  
• The hunter aimed the gun toward/towards the deer.

1. less than; younger than

• Preschool is for children under 6 years of age.
  
  
• The car was priced under $12,000.
  
  
• The baby was asleep for under an hour.

2. below; beneath

• Can you see the fish under the water?
  
  
• Mom wants to have a picnic under the big tree.
  
  
• I think there is a monster under my bed.

1. under; below; beneath

• She is wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath her sweater.
  
  
• My apartment is located underneath Bill's Bakery.
  
  
• The man was hiding underneath his desk.

1. different from; in contrast; not normal

• Your bad behavior is unlike you.
  
  (It is not normal for you to behave badly.)
  
  
• The smell was not unlike the smell of cooked spinach.
  
  (The smell was similar to the smell of cooked spinach.)
  
  
•  Unlike the rest of his family, he is short.

1. up to a point in time

• We lived in that house from 1987 until 2012.
  
  
• Shane will not be home until Wednesday.
  
  
• I forgot to mail my taxes until it was almost too late.

1. along a path

• We live 5 miles up the dirt road.
  
  
• The dog swam up the river.
  
  
• The bride walked up the church aisle.
  

2. moving to a higher place

• Tom and Bob hiked up the mountain.
  
  
• The squirrel ran up the tree trunk.
  
  
• Amanda is climbing up the rope.

1. on

• Once upon a time...
  
  (This is a common way to start a fairy tale story.)
  
  
• The Queen sat upon her throne.
  
  
• She wore the hat upon her head.

1. by using

• We talked via email.
  
  
• She heard about the surprise party via Kathy.
  
  
• Nick is flying to California via American Airlines.

2. through

• We traveled to New Mexico via Arizona.
  
  
• The students go to the library via my classroom.
  
  
• Blood moves through the body via the heart.

1. together

• I am having dinner with my best friend.
  
  
• Mike lives with his grandparents.
  
  
• Put the dictionary on the bottom shelf with the other books.

2. having something

• I like the girl with the red dress.
  
  
• Look at the man with the dog!
  
  
• Tim is the only one in our family with green eyes.

3. using

• Open the door with the key.
  
  
• I will pay for the gas with my credit card.
  
  
  
• The letter was sealed with a kiss.

1. before a time has passed

• I will leave within an hour.
  
  
• You need to return to the doctor within three days.
  
  
• She plans to move within a year.

2. inside; in

• I have sorrow within my heart.
  
  
• Many languages are spoken within the United States.
  
  
• She stored all of her things within the closet.

1. not doing something

• Grace cannot sleep alone without a nightlight.
  
  
• He fixed the leak without breaking anything else.
  
  
• She passed the test without studying

2. not having; not using

• She cannot read without her glasses.
  
  
• He was driving without a license.
  
  
• My son baked a cake without my help.