What is a compound preposition?

A compound preposition consists of more than 1 words that perform the function of a simple preposition.

Compound Prepositions: Definition, Examples, Exercise

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Prepositions are used to show relation between a noun or a pronoun and some other words inside a sentence. You must have used prepositions in your daily life knowingly or unknowingly. Prepositions are of different types and one of the most important type of prepositions are Compound Prepositions. In this article, we will learn about the compound preposition in details and will know its definition, examples and will solve some questions on it.

Compound Prepositions

Most prepositions in English are single words. However, there are prepositions composed of multiple words that work together to express a specific concept. These are known as compound prepositions. A Compound Preposition consists of at least two prepositional words. It could be described as a mix of words. Examples of the compound preposition are: amidst, above, around, below, between, underneath, inside, outside, etc.

Definition of Compound Prepositions

A compound preposition consists of multiple prepositional words. This can be described as a fusion of words. Preposition words are combined with other words in a sentence before pronouns, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs. A compound preposition consists of multiple prepositional words.

It can be described as a mix of words. It is created by combining a prepositional or non-prepositional word with a basic preposition that is used with a noun, adverb, adjective, or pronoun.

Examples of Compound Prepositions

Check some commonly used examples of the compound preposition below.

According to her teacher she is a good student.
The garden was not clean aside from the hall.
They worked because of the salary they get.
You should have gone north instead of going right.

The terms according to, aside from, because of, and instead of are examples of compound prepositions in the sentences that were written above.

The preposition “to” is seen as simple in the first sentence. This preposition becomes a compound when it is paired with “according.”

It is claimed that “from” is a preposition in the second sentence. This becomes a combined preposition when coupled with “aside.”

The preposition “of” is a simple one in the third sentence. When “because” is added, it becomes a compound preposition.

The preposition “of” is a simple one in the fourth sentence. The compound preposition “instead” is formed when it is written with it.

Formation of Compound Prepositions

Compound prepositions are created by combining two or three words together. Typically, the initial word is an adverb, adjective, or conjunction. The next word is a basic preposition.

Compound prepositions consisting of three words have a structure that varies from compound prepositions consisting of two words. Simple prepositions consist of the first and last words, with the second word being a noun or an article.

Two Word Compound Prepositions

In English Grammar, the two words compound preposition consists of two different words combined together to do the work of a preposition. One should avoid using ‘outside of’ and instead use ‘outside’ to express location or position. It is used more commonly in the US than in Britain. Avoid using contractions in formal writing. Check the most commonly used two word prepositions below.

According to
As for
As to
Due to
Instead of
Before
Ahead of
As of
Apart from.
As regards
Outside of
Regardless of
Aside from
Because of
Regardless of
Except for
Owing to
After
In between
Owing to

Three Word Compound Prepositions

The three word compound preposition consists of three different words. Check the commonly used three word compound prepositions hereunder.

As well as
Using
Because of
By virtue of
During the course of
In accordance with
In conjunction with
In excess of
In favor of
In order to
In receipt of
With respect to
With regard to
With reference to
In terms of
In the immediate
On behalf of
In aid of
In front of
In relation to
By means of
With relation to
In line with
On top of
As far as

Examples of Three Word Compound Preposition in Sentence

Check the use of the 3 word compound preposition in sentence below.

She ran away from the dog as far as she could.
Her mother attended the ceremony on behalf of her father.
There is a ice-cream store in front of the school.
They carried their bags on top of their heads.
I have a dance session in addition to my therapy.

The three word compound preposition of ‘as far as’ appears in the initial sentence.

The three word compound preposition ‘on behalf of’ is found in the second sentence.

The three word compound preposition ‘in front of’ is used in the third sentence.

The three word compound preposition ‘on top of’ is used in the fourth sentence.

The compound preposition ‘in addition to’ is made up of three words in the fifth sentence.

Difference Between Compound Preposition and Simple Preposition

Compound Preposition: Compound prepositions are prepositions made up of more than 1 word (two or three words). Example: in front of, as far as, in addition to, with respect to, etc.

Simple Preposition: The simple prepositions contain only a single word. example: for, from, on, in, etc.

Equivalent of Compound Prepositions in Simple Preposition

Many of the compound prepositions can be expressed in the form of a simple preposition. Check the following table to know the simple preposition equivalence of various compound preposition.

Compound Preposition	Simple Preposition
At that point in time	then
At this point in time	now
By reason of	because
From the point of	from
In manner to	like
In the event	if
In close proximity to	near
In nature of	like
On the basis of	By, from
In terms of	in
Prior to	before
Pursuant to	under

Compound prepositions consist of a combination of two or three words connected. These words together function as prepositions. Compound prepositions are created by placing an adjective, noun, or adverb in front of a noun. Examples of two-word prepositions include ahead of, prior to, and so on. Also, there are three-word prepositions such as, in front of, in accordance to, etc.