Compound Prepositions
Compound Prepositions or complex prepositions consist of two or more words that function as a single preposition. You'll learn about them here!
What Are Compound Prepositions?
A preposition can be a single word, like most of the prepositions in the English language. But a preposition can also be a two-word or a three-word preposition, which is called a compound preposition. A compound preposition functions as a single preposition.
Two-word Prepositions
These prepositions consist of two words such as:
- According to
- Because of
- Due to
- Instead of
- As of
- Next to
- Out of
- Aside from
According to
'According to' expresses a statement or report by somebody or something.
Because of
'Because of' is used before a noun or a noun phrase and talks about the reason for an action happening.
He couldn't attend the big game,
Using "because of" as a compound preposition
My teacher had to retire
Due to
'Due to' means 'caused by something or someone'. It is synonymous with 'because of'.
We canceled the picnic
Instead of
'Instead of' means in the place of something or someone.
We ordered Champaign
Could I have tuna
Next to
'Next to' means beside or near something/someone.
Sit
There was a little girl sitting
Out of
When 'out' comes with another preposition, 'of', it means 'away from inside of a place or thing'.
I got
The keys must have fallen
Aside from
'Aside from' (also 'apart from' especially in British English) either means except for, or in addition to.
Three-word Prepositions
Here are some examples of the three-word prepositions (also called complex prepositions):
- In addition to
- In front of
- In spite of
- On account of
- On top of
in Addition to
'In addition to' is used when you want to mention another person or thing after something else.
in Front of
'In front of' is a complex preposition that shows a position that is further forward than something or someone, but not very far away.
The taxi stopped
in Spite of
If somebody did something in spite of a fact, it means it is surprising that the fact did not prevent them from doing it.
on Account of
'On account of somebody or something' means because of somebody or something.
She couldn't attend that party
on Top of
On top of something means on or over something.
There is a statue
Review
'Prepositions' are the words that govern a noun or pronoun to indicate their relation to other words. They can be made up of only one word or more than one word which is called compound prepositions.
compound prepositions are as follows:
| 1. according to | 5. next to | 9. in front of |
| 2. because of/ due to | 6. out of | 10. in spite of |
| 3. instead of | 7. aside from | 11. on account of |
| 4. as of | 8. in addition to | 12. on top of |
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