Monday, November 14, 2011

Prepositions

They're supposed to help you talk about here and there –
In your pocket, on the street, under the table.

About then and now – It's finished between us.
Come back to me. What will I do without you?

About when and where – The day before yesterday.
Down by the riverside. Over my head.

But what they really mean is: This way? That way?
As if I'm still lost one night years ago

in the suburbs of a strange city, asking directions
of shadows who've no reason at all to speak my language.

– Jonathan Aaron
(from the TLS, 28 October 2011)


There are about 150 prepositions in English. Here is a short list of 70 of the more common one-word prepositions.
  • aboard
  • about
  • above
  • across
  • after
  • against
  • along
  • amid
  • among
  • anti
  • around
  • as
  • at
  • before
  • behind
  • below
  • beneath
  • beside
  • besides
  • between
  • beyond
  • but
  • by
  • concerning
  • considering
  • despite
  • down
  • during
  • except
  • excepting
  • excluding
  • following
  • for
  • from
  • in
  • inside
  • into
  • like
  • minus
  • near
  • of
  • off
  • on
  • onto
  • opposite
  • outside
  • over
  • past
  • per
  • plus
  • regarding
  • round
  • save
  • since
  • than
  • through
  • to
  • toward
  • towards
  • under
  • underneath
  • unlike
  • until
  • up
  • upon
  • versus
  • via
  • with
  • within
  • without
Prepositions poster found here
List of prepositions found here