Prepositions Page 2

Complex Prepositions

PREPOSITIONS PAGE 2/2

The prepositions which we have looked at so far have all consisted of a single word, such as in, of, at, and to. We refer to these as SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS.

COMPLEX PREPOSITIONS consist of two- or three-word combinations acting as a single unit. Here are some examples:

according to
along with
apart from
because of
contrary to

due to
except for
instead of
prior to
regardless of

Like simple prepositions, these two-word combinations come before a noun:

according to Shakespeare
contrary to my advice
due to illness

Three-word combinations often have the following pattern:

Simple Preposition + Noun + Simple Preposition

We can see this pattern in the following examples:

in aid of
on behalf of
in front of
in accordance with
in line with

in line with
in relation to
with reference to
with respect to
by means of

Again, these combinations come before a noun:

in aid of charity
in front of the window
in line with inflation

Marginal Prepositions

A number of prepositions have affinities with other word classes. In particular, some prepositions are verbal in form:

Following his resignation, the minister moved to the country
I am writing to you regarding your overdraft
The whole team was there, including John

We refer to these as MARGINAL PREPOSITIONS. Other marginal prepositions include:

concerning, considering, excluding, given, granted, pending

Non-verbal marginal prepositions include worth (it's worth ten pounds) and minus (ten minus two is eight).

Conjunctions...