Mastering Phrasal Prepositions: Examples and Usage

Phrasal prepositions are multi-word units that function as single prepositions, adding complexity and nuance to English grammar. Understanding phrasal prepositions is crucial for accurate and fluent communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to phrasal prepositions, covering their definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you are an ESL learner, a student preparing for an exam, or simply someone looking to improve their English skills, this guide will help you master this important aspect of grammar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Phrasal Prepositions
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types of Phrasal Prepositions
5. Examples of Phrasal Prepositions
6. Usage Rules
7. Common Mistakes
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of Phrasal Prepositions

A phrasal preposition is a combination of two or more words that function as a single preposition. These multi-word units consist of a preposition and one or more other words, such as adverbs or nouns, which together express a prepositional meaning. They connect a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence, indicating relationships of location, time, direction, or manner.

Unlike simple prepositions (e.g., in, on, at), phrasal prepositions provide a more complex and specific meaning. They add detail and precision to sentences, allowing for a more nuanced expression of ideas. Recognizing and using phrasal prepositions correctly is essential for both understanding and producing accurate and sophisticated English.

Phrasal prepositions are sometimes confused with prepositional phrases. While both involve prepositions, they are distinct. A phrasal preposition acts as a single prepositional unit, whereas a prepositional phrase consists of a preposition followed by a noun phrase (e.g., in the garden). The key difference is that a phrasal preposition cannot be separated without losing its meaning, while a prepositional phrase can often be rearranged or modified.

Structural Breakdown

Phrasal prepositions typically follow one of these structural patterns:

• Preposition + Noun + Preposition: This is the most common structure. Examples include in front of, in addition to, and in accordance with.
• Adverb + Preposition: Examples include according to, owing to, and due to.
• Preposition + Adjective + Noun: Examples include in particular, in general, and for sure.

The components of a phrasal preposition work together to form a cohesive unit, and their order is fixed. Changing the order or omitting any part of the phrase will alter its meaning or render it ungrammatical. For example, “in front of” cannot be rearranged as “front in of” and maintain its original meaning.

Consider the following examples to illustrate the structural breakdown:

• According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow. (Adverb + Preposition)
• The book is in front of the computer. (Preposition + Noun + Preposition)
• In addition to her salary, she receives bonuses. (Preposition + Noun + Preposition)

Types of Phrasal Prepositions

Phrasal prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. While many phrasal prepositions can fit into multiple categories depending on the context, understanding these categories can help you grasp their diverse functions.

Location

These phrasal prepositions indicate the position or location of something.

Examples include: in front of, behind, next to, near to, on top of, in the middle of, far from, close to, adjacent to, in between.

Direction

These phrasal prepositions indicate movement or direction towards something.

Examples include: towards, along with, away from, up to, down to, out of, into.

Time

These phrasal prepositions indicate a point or period in time.

Examples include: prior to, up until, as of, due to, on account of.

Reason/Cause

These phrasal prepositions explain the reason or cause for something.

Examples include: because of, on account of, due to, owing to, for the sake of, by reason of.

Manner

These phrasal prepositions describe how something is done.

Examples include: in accordance with, in line with, in keeping with, in compliance with.

Purpose

These phrasal prepositions explain the purpose or intention behind an action.

Examples include: for the purpose of, with a view to, in order to.

Examples of Phrasal Prepositions

This section provides extensive examples of phrasal prepositions, organized by common phrases, to illustrate their usage in various contexts. Understanding these examples will help you recognize and use phrasal prepositions effectively.

Table 1: Examples with ‘of’

This table provides examples of phrasal prepositions that include the word “of,” which is a common component.

Phrasal Preposition	Example Sentence
in front of	The car is parked in front of the house.
in back of	The garden is in back of the house.
on top of	The book is on top of the table.
in the middle of	The island is in the middle of the lake.
in spite of	In spite of the rain, we went for a walk.
because of	The game was canceled because of the weather.
on account of	He was late on account of the traffic.
by means of	They communicated by means of letters.
for the sake of	She worked hard for the sake of her children.
in view of	In view of the circumstances, we must postpone the meeting.
in light of	In light of the new evidence, the case was reopened.
in place of	He stood in place of his brother.
instead of	I’ll have tea instead of coffee.
in search of	They went in search of gold.
in charge of	She is in charge of the project.
in terms of	In terms of cost, it’s a good deal.
in case of	In case of fire, break the glass.
in favor of	I am in favor of the proposal.
in the event of	In the event of a power outage, use the generator.
in the process of	They are in the process of building a new house.
in need of	The plant is in need of water.
in support of	We are in support of the new policy.
in defiance of	They acted in defiance of the rules.
in defense of	He spoke in defense of his friend.

Table 2: Examples with ‘to’

This table provides examples of phrasal prepositions that include the word “to,” indicating direction, purpose, or relationship.

Phrasal Preposition	Example Sentence
according to	According to the news, it will snow tonight.
owing to	The flight was delayed owing to bad weather.
due to	The concert was canceled due to the artist’s illness.
next to	The bank is next to the post office.
close to	The school is close to my house.
prior to	Prior to the meeting, please read the agenda.
up to	It’s up to you to decide.
down to	We are getting down to the wire.
on to	The cat jumped on to the roof.
in addition to	In addition to English, she speaks French.
with regard to	With regard to your question, I need more information.
with respect to	With respect to the contract, we agree to the terms.
subsequent to	Subsequent to the investigation, he was fired.
pursuant to	Pursuant to the law, we must comply.
relative to	The cost is low relative to the benefits.
as to	There are doubts as to his sincerity.
in contrast to	In contrast to his brother, he is very outgoing.
in response to	In response to your letter, I am writing to you.
according to	According to the weather report, it will rain.
in relation to	He is an expert in relation to marine biology.
in reference to	In reference to your email, I have attached the document.
in comparison to	In comparison to last year, sales are up.
in connection to	The police are investigating him in connection to the robbery.
with a view to	He is studying hard with a view to passing the exam.

Table 3: Examples with Other Prepositions

This table provides examples of phrasal prepositions using prepositions other than “of” and “to,” showcasing their diverse forms and functions.

Phrasal Preposition	Example Sentence
along with	He went to the party along with his friends.
away from	She moved away from the city.
out of	He ran out of the room.
up against	We are up against a difficult challenge.
on behalf of	She spoke on behalf of the company.
in accordance with	The project was completed in accordance with the plan.
in line with	The policy is in line with our company values.
in keeping with	The decorations are in keeping with the theme.
in compliance with	The building is in compliance with safety regulations.
by virtue of	He was appointed by virtue of his experience.
apart from	Apart from the cost, it’s a great product.
as for	As for the meeting, it has been postponed.
but for	But for your help, I couldn’t have done it.
except for	Everyone came except for John.
far from	The truth is far from what you think.
in addition to	In addition to his salary, he receives a bonus.
near to	The station is near to the hotel.
on top of	She placed the book on top of the desk.
with respect to	With respect to your inquiry, we will respond soon.
in exchange for	He gave her a gift in exchange for her help.
in agreement with	I am in agreement with your proposal.
in connection with	The police are investigating the case in connection with the robbery.
in contrast with	In contrast with his brother, he is very shy.
in common with	They have a lot in common with each other.

Table 4: Examples with Combined Words

This table provides examples of phrasal prepositions with combined words, showcasing their diverse forms and functions.

Phrasal Preposition	Example Sentence
as well as	He speaks English as well as French.
so as to	He exercises regularly so as to stay healthy.
in order to	She studies hard in order to pass the exam.
as opposed to	I prefer tea as opposed to coffee.
rather than	I would prefer to walk rather than take the bus.
more than	He is more than capable of doing the job.
less than	It costs less than I expected.
other than	No one other than her knows the secret.
further to	Further to our conversation, I have attached the document.
prior to	Prior to the meeting, please review the agenda.
subsequent to	Subsequent to the investigation, he was fired.
next to	The bank is next to the post office.
close to	The school is close to my house.
due to	The game was cancelled due to the rain.
owing to	The flight was delayed owing to the storm.
according to	According to the news, it will snow tonight.
in addition to	In addition to English, she speaks Spanish.
on account of	He was absent on account of illness.
because of	The event was successful because of hard work.
in front of	The car is parked in front of the building.
in back of	The garden is in back of the house.
on top of	The book is on top of the shelf.
in the middle of	The island is in the middle of the lake.
in spite of	In spite of the difficulties, they persevered.

Usage Rules

Using phrasal prepositions correctly involves understanding their specific meanings and the contexts in which they are appropriate. Here are some key usage rules to keep in mind:

• Meaning: Each phrasal preposition has a specific meaning that may not be obvious from its individual components. Always consider the entire phrase as a single unit and understand its intended meaning in the sentence.
• Word Order: The word order in a phrasal preposition is fixed. Do not change the order of the words, as this will alter the meaning or make the phrase ungrammatical.
• Formality: Some phrasal prepositions are more formal than others. Choose the appropriate phrase based on the context and audience. For example, “due to” and “owing to” are generally more formal than “because of.”
• Separation: Phrasal prepositions should not be separated. The entire phrase should be used together as a single unit.
• Placement: Phrasal prepositions usually precede a noun phrase or pronoun.

Consider these examples:

• Correct: In accordance with the rules, he was disqualified.
• Incorrect: In accordance the with rules, he was disqualified.
• Correct: The meeting was canceled because of the storm.
• Incorrect: The meeting was canceled because the storm of.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make mistakes when using phrasal prepositions. Understanding these common errors can help you avoid them.

• Incorrect Word Order: Changing the order of words within the phrasal preposition.
• Incorrect: Front in of the house.
• Correct: In front of the house.
• Separating the Phrase: Inserting words within the phrasal preposition or splitting it apart.
• Incorrect: In the middle very of the room.
• Correct: In the middle of the room.
• Using the Wrong Preposition: Choosing a phrasal preposition that does not fit the intended meaning.
• Incorrect: Due to his hard work, he failed the exam. (Implies his hard work caused the failure)
• Correct: In spite of his hard work, he failed the exam.
• Mixing Up Similar Phrases: Confusing phrasal prepositions that have similar meanings or structures.
• Incorrect: On account to the rain, the event was cancelled.
• Correct: On account of the rain, the event was cancelled.
• Using Incomplete Phrases: Omitting part of the phrasal preposition.
• Incorrect: He did it sake of his family.
• Correct: He did it for the sake of his family.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of phrasal prepositions with these practice exercises. Choose the correct phrasal preposition to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct phrasal preposition from the options provided to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. The meeting was postponed ______ the weather.	a) because of, b) in spite of, c) according to	a) because of
2. ______ the rain, we decided to go for a walk.	a) Because of, b) In spite of, c) Due to	b) In spite of
3. ______ the news, the stock market is expected to rise.	a) Because of, b) According to, c) In addition to	b) According to
4. ______ his hard work, he succeeded in his career.	a) Due to, b) Despite, c) Instead of	a) Due to
5. She is responsible ______ the project.	a) in charge of, b) on top of, c) next to	a) in charge of
6. The cat is sitting ______ the table.	a) in front of, b) on top of, c) next to	b) on top of
7. He is standing ______ the building.	a) next to, b) away from, c) in front of	c) in front of
8. They live ______ the park.	a) far from, b) close to, c) in the middle of	b) close to
9. The island is located ______ the sea.	a) along with, b) in the middle of, c) away from	b) in the middle of
10. ______ his qualifications, he was hired for the job.	a) In addition to, b) Apart from, c) As well as	a) In addition to

Exercise 2: Error Correction

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences involving phrasal prepositions.

Question	Correct Answer
1. Because of the, rain the game was cancelled.	Because of the rain, the game was cancelled.
2. In spite of, he was tired he went to work.	In spite of being tired, he went to work.
3. According the to news, it will be sunny.	According to the news, it will be sunny.
4. Due to of the traffic, I was late.	Due to the traffic, I was late.
5. On top the of table, there is a book.	On top of the table, there is a book.
6. He is in charge to the project.	He is in charge of the project.
7. They live close from the school.	They live close to the school.
8. We are accordance in with the rules.	We are in accordance with the rules.
9. She spoke behalf on of the company.	She spoke on behalf of the company.
10. He is virtue by of his experience.	He is by virtue of his experience.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances and subtleties of phrasal preposition usage can further enhance their English proficiency.

• Formal vs. Informal Usage: Some phrasal prepositions are more formal and appropriate for academic or professional writing, while others are more informal and suitable for casual conversation.
• Contextual Variations: The meaning of a phrasal preposition can sometimes vary depending on the context.
• Phrasal Prepositions with Verbs: Some phrasal prepositions are used in conjunction with specific verbs, creating idiomatic expressions.
• Distinguishing Phrasal Prepositions from Prepositional Phrases: Understanding the subtle differences between these two grammatical structures can improve accuracy.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about phrasal prepositions:

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

   A simple preposition is a single word (e.g., in, on, at), while a phrasal preposition is a group of words that functions as a single preposition (e.g., in front of, because of). Phrasal prepositions often provide more specific and detailed meanings.

2. Can I separate the words in a phrasal preposition?

   No, the words in a phrasal preposition should not be separated. They function as a single unit, and separating them will alter the meaning or make the phrase ungrammatical.

3. Are phrasal prepositions always followed by a noun?

   Yes, phrasal prepositions are typically followed by a noun phrase or pronoun, which serves as the object of the preposition.

4. How can I improve my understanding of phrasal prepositions?

   Reading widely and paying attention to how phrasal prepositions are used in different contexts can help. Practice using them in your own writing and speaking, and seek feedback from native speakers or language teachers.

5. Are some phrasal prepositions more formal than others?

   Yes, some phrasal prepositions are considered more formal and are more appropriate for academic or professional writing. Examples include owing to and due to. Others are more informal, such as because of.

6. How do I choose the correct phrasal preposition to use?

   Consider the specific meaning you want to convey and choose the phrasal preposition that best expresses that meaning. Pay attention to the context and the relationship you want to establish between the elements in the sentence.

7. Can a phrasal preposition also function as something else in a sentence?

   While the individual words within a phrasal preposition can have other functions in different contexts, the phrasal preposition itself always functions as a prepositional unit.

8. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using phrasal prepositions?

   Common mistakes include incorrect word order, separating the phrase, using the wrong preposition, and mixing up similar phrases. Pay attention to these potential errors and practice using phrasal prepositions correctly.

Conclusion

Phrasal prepositions are essential components of English grammar, adding depth and precision to your communication. By understanding their structure, types, and usage rules, you can effectively incorporate them into your writing and speaking. Avoid common mistakes and practice regularly to master these multi-word units. With consistent effort, you can enhance your English proficiency and express yourself with greater clarity and confidence.

Remember to focus on the meaning of each phrasal preposition and how it connects different parts of a sentence. Pay attention to the context and formality of the situation to choose the most appropriate phrase. Keep practicing and seeking feedback to refine your skills. Mastering phrasal prepositions will undoubtedly elevate your English language abilities.