Complex Prepositions: Mastering Multi-Word Prepositions in English

Complex prepositions, also known as phrasal prepositions, are essential for adding nuance and precision to your English. Unlike simple prepositions (e.g., in, on, at), complex prepositions consist of two or more words that function as a single preposition. Understanding and using these multi-word prepositions correctly will significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills, allowing you to express relationships between elements in a sentence with greater accuracy. This comprehensive guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking a foundational understanding to advanced speakers aiming to refine their command of the language.

This article will delve into the definition, structure, usage, and common mistakes associated with complex prepositions. Through detailed explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises, you will gain a solid grasp of how to effectively incorporate complex prepositions into your everyday communication.

Whether you’re preparing for an English proficiency exam, crafting a professional report, or simply aiming to improve your overall fluency, this guide will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to master complex prepositions.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Complex Prepositions
• Structural Breakdown of Complex Prepositions
• Types and Categories of Complex Prepositions
• Examples of Complex Prepositions
• Usage Rules for Complex Prepositions
• Common Mistakes with Complex Prepositions
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics in Complex Prepositions
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition of Complex Prepositions

A complex preposition, also known as a phrasal preposition or a multi-word preposition, is a group of two or more words that function as a single preposition. Unlike simple prepositions, which consist of just one word, complex prepositions provide more specific information about the relationship between the elements in a sentence.

These prepositions typically consist of a simple preposition combined with other words, such as adverbs, adjectives, or nouns.

The primary function of a complex preposition is the same as that of a simple preposition: to connect a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition) to another word or phrase in the sentence. This connection often indicates location, direction, time, cause, purpose, or manner.

Essentially, they act as a single unit to modify or provide context to other parts of the sentence, enriching the description and conveying more precise meaning.

Complex prepositions are crucial for expressing nuanced relationships that simple prepositions cannot adequately capture. For example, consider the difference between saying “He did it for me” and “He did it on behalf of me.” The latter, using the complex preposition “on behalf of,” indicates that he acted as a representative or agent, which the simple preposition “for” does not convey. This ability to add depth and specificity makes complex prepositions an invaluable tool for effective communication.

Classification of Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions can be classified based on their structure and the types of words they comprise. Common classifications include:

• Preposition + Noun + Preposition: in front of, in the middle of, on top of
• Preposition + Adjective + Preposition: due to, owing to, subject to
• Adverb + Preposition: according to, along with, apart from
• Conjunction + Preposition: as well as, as opposed to

Function of Complex Prepositions

The function of a complex preposition is to connect a noun or pronoun (its object) to another word or phrase in the sentence, indicating relationships such as:

• Location: in the vicinity of, near to
• Time: prior to, up to
• Cause/Reason: because of, on account of
• Purpose: for the purpose of, with a view to
• Manner: in accordance with, in line with

Contexts for Using Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions are frequently used in various contexts to add precision and formality to writing and speech. These contexts include:

• Academic Writing: to provide precise relationships between ideas and evidence.
• Legal Documents: to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.
• Business Communication: to convey professionalism and accuracy.
• Formal Speech: to demonstrate a strong command of the English language.

Structural Breakdown of Complex Prepositions

Understanding the structural components of complex prepositions is crucial for using them correctly. Complex prepositions are formed by combining different parts of speech, creating a single prepositional meaning.

The most common structures involve a preposition combined with a noun, adjective, adverb, or conjunction, often followed by another preposition.

The structure of a complex preposition determines how it interacts with the rest of the sentence. It’s important to recognize these structures to ensure that the prepositional phrase is used appropriately and that the meaning is clear.

Below are some common structural patterns with detailed explanations:

Preposition + Noun + Preposition

This is one of the most common structures. It typically involves a simple preposition, followed by a noun, and then another preposition.

This combination creates a more specific prepositional meaning than a simple preposition alone.

Examples include: in front of, in the middle of, on top of, in light of, in spite of, by means of, for the sake of.

Preposition + Adjective + Preposition

In this structure, a simple preposition is followed by an adjective and then another preposition. This pattern often indicates a state, condition, or relationship.

Examples include: due to, owing to, subject to, close to, similar to, relevant to.

Adverb + Preposition

This structure consists of an adverb followed by a preposition. These combinations often modify the verb or noun in the sentence, providing additional information about the action or state.

Examples include: according to, along with, apart from, away from, close by.

Conjunction + Preposition

In this structure, a conjunction is followed by a preposition. This combination is used to connect ideas or phrases while also providing a prepositional relationship.

Examples include: as well as, as opposed to, rather than.

Types and Categories of Complex Prepositions

Complex prepositions can be categorized based on the type of relationship they express. Understanding these categories helps in choosing the correct preposition for a given context.

Here are some common categories:

Location Prepositions

These prepositions indicate the position or location of something in relation to something else. They help to specify where an object or person is situated.

Examples include: in front of, behind, next to, in the vicinity of, on top of, in the middle of.

Time Prepositions

These prepositions specify when something happens or the duration of an event. They provide a temporal context to the action or state.

Examples include: prior to, subsequent to, up to, as of, ahead of.

Reason/Cause Prepositions

These prepositions explain why something happened or the cause of a particular situation. They provide a causal relationship between events.

Examples include: because of, on account of, due to, owing to, as a result of.

Purpose Prepositions

These prepositions indicate the intention or aim of an action. They specify what something is done for.

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

Manner Prepositions

These prepositions describe how something is done or the way in which an action is performed. They provide details about the method or style of the action.

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

Examples of Complex Prepositions

To fully understand complex prepositions, it’s essential to see them in action. The following tables provide numerous examples, categorized by their function, to illustrate how they are used in sentences.

Studying these examples will help you recognize and use complex prepositions more effectively.

Location Examples

The table below provides examples of complex prepositions used to indicate location. Each example sentence demonstrates how the preposition connects the object to a specific location in relation to another object or place.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
In front of	The car is parked in front of the house.
Behind	The garden is located behind the house.
Next to	The bank is next to the post office.
In the vicinity of	The accident occurred in the vicinity of the school.
On top of	The book is on top of the desk.
In the middle of	The statue stands in the middle of the park.
Adjacent to	The new building is adjacent to the old one.
Alongside	The river runs alongside the road.
Away from	Keep the chemicals away from the children.
Close to	The airport is close to the city center.
Far from	Her hometown is far from the capital.
Near to	The hospital is near to my house.
Opposite to	The grocery store is opposite to the library.
Within reach of	The remote control is within reach of the sofa.
Outside of	He waited outside of the building.
Inside of	There are many books inside of the box.
Underneath	The cat is hiding underneath the table.
Beside	She sat beside him during the concert.
Around	The children played around the playground.
By	The park is located by the river.
Throughout	The security cameras are installed throughout the building.
Across from	The bank is across from the street.
Beyond	The mountains are beyond the forest.
Down from	The café is located down from the hill.

Time Examples

The following table provides examples of complex prepositions used to indicate time. These prepositions help specify when an event occurs or the duration of a period.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
Prior to	Prior to the meeting, please review the agenda.
Subsequent to	Subsequent to the investigation, new policies were implemented.
Up to	You can submit your application up to the deadline.
As of	As of January 1st, the new rules will be in effect.
Ahead of	We need to finish the project ahead of schedule.
In advance of	Please book your tickets in advance of the event.
Following	Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session.
Due to	The concert was cancelled due to the weather.
On the eve of	On the eve of the new year, everyone gathered to celebrate.
In the course of	In the course of the research, we discovered new findings.
In the duration of	The task should be completed in the duration of 2 hours.
Until	We will wait until the rain stops.
Since	He has been working here since 2010.
Throughout	The conference lasted throughout the day.
During	During the summer, we go to the beach.
In	The meeting is in the afternoon.
At	The class starts at 9 AM.
By	The report is due by Friday.
Around	The event starts around 7 PM.
Over	They discussed the project over several months.
For	She studied for three hours.
Within	The results will be available within a week.
After	After the movie, we went for dinner.
Before	Before the exam, review your notes.

Reason/Cause Examples

The table below provides examples of complex prepositions that express reason or cause. These prepositions help explain why something happened or the cause of a particular situation.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
Because of	The game was cancelled because of the rain.
On account of	On account of his illness, he couldn’t attend the meeting.
Due to	The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances.
Owing to	Owing to the high demand, prices have increased.
As a result of	As a result of the strike, the factory closed down.
By virtue of	He was appointed chairman by virtue of his experience.
For the sake of	For the sake of clarity, let’s review the instructions.
In view of	In view of the evidence, we must reconsider our decision.
On the grounds of	The appeal was rejected on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Thanks to	Thanks to her hard work, the project was successful.
Attributable to	The success is attributable to the team’s effort.
Considering	Considering the circumstances, they did well.
Given	Given the situation, we have no choice.
In light of	In light of recent events, we need to adjust our strategy.
On the basis of	The decision was made on the basis of the available data.
Out of	They did it out of kindness.
Through	He succeeded through hard work and dedication.
By means of	They achieved their goal by means of careful planning.
With	With his help, we completed the project on time.
In that	The plan is effective in that it addresses all key issues.

Purpose Examples

This table provides examples of complex prepositions that express purpose. These prepositions indicate the intention or aim of an action.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
For the purpose of	We gathered for the purpose of discussing the new strategy.
With a view to	The company is investing with a view to expanding its market share.
In order to	In order to succeed, you need to work hard.
So as to	He studied diligently so as to pass the exam.
With the aim of	The project was launched with the aim of improving public health.
For the sake of	For the sake of efficiency, let’s streamline the process.
To the end that	He worked hard to the end that his family could have a better life.
For	He went to the store for milk.
To	They traveled to Italy to see the Colosseum.
In pursuit of	She moved to New York in pursuit of her dreams.
On behalf of	He spoke on behalf of the entire team.
With the intent of	He donated money with the intent of helping the needy.
In an effort to	In an effort to reduce pollution, the city implemented new regulations.

Manner Examples

This table provides examples of complex prepositions that express manner. These prepositions describe how something is done or the way in which an action is performed.

Complex Preposition	Example Sentence
In accordance with	The project was completed in accordance with the guidelines.
In line with	The company’s policies are in line with industry standards.
In keeping with	The decorations were in keeping with the theme of the party.
By means of	They achieved their goal by means of careful planning.
In a manner of	He behaved in a manner of utmost respect.
According to	According to the report, the economy is improving.
Along with	She went to the party along with her friends.
As per	As per the instructions, you need to fill out the form.
In compliance with	The company operates in compliance with all regulations.
In harmony with	The design is in harmony with the natural surroundings.
In agreement with	The country acted in agreement with international laws.
Consistent with	His actions were consistent with his words.

Usage Rules for Complex Prepositions

Using complex prepositions correctly involves understanding their specific meanings and how they interact with other parts of the sentence. Here are some key rules to follow:

Agreement with the Object

Complex prepositions, like simple prepositions, must agree with their object. The object of the preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows the preposition and completes its meaning.

Ensure that the object is in the correct form (singular or plural) to match the intended meaning.

Correct: According to the rules, you must wear a helmet.

Incorrect: According to the rule, you must wear a helmet. (if referring to multiple rules)

Placement in Sentences

Generally, complex prepositions are placed before their objects. However, in some cases, they can appear at the end of a sentence, particularly in informal speech or when the object is understood from the context.

Normal: The book is on top of the table.

Informal: What are you looking at? (simple preposition at end, but the principle applies)

Avoiding Redundancy

Be careful not to use complex prepositions in a way that creates redundancy. Ensure that the preposition adds meaningful information to the sentence and does not simply repeat what has already been stated.

Redundant: He succeeded because of the reason that he worked hard.

Correct: He succeeded because he worked hard.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Some complex prepositions are more formal than others. Choose prepositions that are appropriate for the context in which you are writing or speaking.

For example, “due to” and “owing to” are generally more formal than “because of.”

Formal: The event was cancelled owing to unforeseen circumstances.

Informal: The event was cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances.

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are a few exceptions and special cases to keep in mind when using complex prepositions:

• Elliptical Clauses: In elliptical clauses, the verb may be omitted, but the prepositional phrase remains. For example: “He arrived before me” (the verb “did” is omitted: He arrived before I did).
• Ending Sentences with Prepositions: While traditionally frowned upon, ending sentences with prepositions is now widely accepted, especially in informal contexts. However, it’s still advisable to avoid it in formal writing.

Common Mistakes with Complex Prepositions

Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with complex prepositions. Recognizing these common errors can help you avoid them in your own writing and speech.

Here are some frequent mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect Preposition Choice

Using the wrong preposition is a common error. This can change the meaning of the sentence or make it nonsensical.

Always double-check that you have chosen the correct preposition for the context.

Incorrect: He is good at math. (Simple preposition used incorrectly)

Correct: He is good in math.

Incorrect: The decision was made on account to the evidence.

Correct: The decision was made on account of the evidence.

Omitting Prepositions

Sometimes, learners omit prepositions altogether, which can lead to confusion or grammatical errors.

Incorrect: He is interested learning new languages.

Correct: He is interested in learning new languages.

Redundant Prepositions

Using unnecessary prepositions can make your writing sound awkward or unclear. Avoid adding prepositions that don’t add meaning to the sentence.

Incorrect: Where are you going to at?

Correct: Where are you going?

Misunderstanding the Structure

Not understanding the correct structure of complex prepositions can lead to errors in word order or the use of incorrect words.

Incorrect: In the middle from the park.

Correct: In the middle of the park.

Confusion with Similar Prepositions

Some complex prepositions have similar meanings, which can lead to confusion. Pay attention to the subtle differences in meaning and choose the preposition that best fits the context.

Confusing: Due to and Owing to (both indicate cause, but “owing to” is more formal)

Correct: Choose based on the desired level of formality.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of complex prepositions, complete the following exercises. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of complex preposition usage.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate complex preposition from the list below. Each preposition can be used only once.

(in front of, because of, prior to, in accordance with, on account of, in addition to, as a result of, with a view to, due to, in spite of)

1. The concert was cancelled ________ the bad weather.
2. ________ the new regulations, we need to update our procedures.
3. He arrived ________ the scheduled time.
4. ________ his hard work, he achieved great success.
5. ________ the rain, we decided to stay indoors.
6. ________ my computer, I also have a tablet.
7. The accident happened ________ the driver’s negligence.
8. They planted trees ________ improving the environment.
9. The car is parked ________ the store.
10. ________ the heavy traffic, we were late for the meeting.

Answer Key:

1. because of
2. In accordance with
3. prior to
4. As a result of
5. In spite of
6. In addition to
7. Due to
8. With a view to
9. in front of
10. On account of

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Preposition

Choose the correct complex preposition from the options provided in parentheses to complete each sentence.

1. The meeting will be held (prior to / subsequent to) the conference.
2. (Due to / Owing to) the high demand, the product is out of stock.
3. He acted (on behalf of / in front of) his client.
4. The project was completed (in accordance with / as a result of) the guidelines.
5. They invested (with a view to / because of) expanding their business.
6. The accident occurred (in the vicinity of / on top of) the school.
7. He succeeded (by means of / because of) hard work and determination.
8. (In spite of / Due to) the challenges, they persevered.
9. The report is (according to / in accordance with) the latest data.
10. We need to finish the project (ahead of / prior to) schedule.

Answer Key:

1. prior to
2. Owing to
3. on behalf of
4. in accordance with
5. with a view to
6. in the vicinity of
7. by means of
8. In spite of
9. according to
10. ahead of

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences using a complex preposition to replace the underlined word or phrase.

1. Because it rained, the picnic was cancelled.
2. He spoke for the team at the conference.
3. They followed the rules strictly.
4. Before the meeting, please review the documents.
5. She worked hard so that she could pass the exam.
6. The car is parked near the building.
7. They achieved their goal by planning carefully.
8. He was chosen because of his experience.
9. They gathered to discuss the new strategy.
10. In addition to her salary, she receives benefits.

Answer Key:

1. The picnic was cancelled because of the rain.
2. He spoke on behalf of the team at the conference.
3. They acted in accordance with the rules.
4. Prior to the meeting, please review the documents.
5. She worked hard in order to pass the exam.
6. The car is parked in the vicinity of the building.
7. They achieved their goal by means of careful planning.
8. He was chosen on account of his experience.
9. They gathered for the purpose of discussing the new strategy.
10. In addition to her salary, she receives benefits.

Advanced Topics in Complex Prepositions

For advanced learners, there are several more complex aspects of complex preposition usage to explore. These include:

Prepositional Stranding

Prepositional stranding refers to the placement of a preposition at the end of a sentence, with its object appearing earlier in the sentence. While traditionally discouraged, it is now widely accepted in English, especially in informal contexts.

Example: Who did you give the book to?

Complex Prepositions and Idioms

Many English idioms include complex prepositions. These idioms often have meanings that are not immediately obvious from the individual words, so it’s important to learn them in context.

Example: He is in charge of the project. (idiom meaning “responsible for”)

Formal and Informal Alternatives

As mentioned earlier, some complex prepositions are more formal than others. Advanced learners should be aware of these nuances and choose prepositions that are appropriate for the context.

Formal: Subsequent to the meeting…

Informal: After the meeting…

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about complex prepositions:

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

   A simple preposition consists of one word

   A complex preposition consists of two or more words that function as a single preposition.

2. Can a complex preposition be separated by other words?

   No, the words in a complex preposition must stay together to maintain their meaning.

3. Are complex prepositions always more formal than simple prepositions?

   Generally, yes, but it depends on the specific prepositions being compared.

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

   Read widely, pay attention to how complex prepositions are used in context, and practice using them in your own writing and speech.

5. Is it wrong to end a sentence with a preposition?

   While traditionally discouraged, ending sentences with prepositions is now widely accepted, especially in informal contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering complex prepositions is a crucial step in achieving fluency and precision in English. By understanding their structure, types, and usage rules, you can significantly enhance your ability to express nuanced relationships between elements in a sentence.

While common mistakes are easy to make, with practice and attention to detail, you can avoid these errors and use complex prepositions effectively in your everyday communication.

Continue to practice and explore the various contexts in which complex prepositions are used. The more you expose yourself to these multi-word prepositions, the more natural and intuitive their usage will become.

Whether you’re writing an academic paper, delivering a presentation, or simply engaging in conversation, a solid command of complex prepositions will undoubtedly elevate your English language skills.