Compound Prepositions Explained with Definition and Examples

Compound prepositions are prepositions that are made up of two or more words, usually formed by combining a simple preposition with another word. They are very common in English and help us show relationships between words more clearly. For example, phrases like because of, in front of, and due to are all compound prepositions. Learning them is important because they are used in both spoken and written English to explain time, place, reason, and manner. In this article, you will learn compound prepositions explained with definition and examples to make the topic easy and clear for learners of all levels.

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What Are Compound Prepositions?

Compound prepositions are prepositions made up of two or more words that function as a single unit. These prepositions are often formed by combining a simple preposition with a noun, an adjective, or another preposition. They are used to show relationships between nouns and other words in a sentence.

Some common examples of compound prepositions include:

In front of
On behalf of
According to
In addition to

Compound prepositions allow us to express more complex ideas and relationships between people, objects, and events. They are a useful tool in both written and spoken English.

Why Are Compound Prepositions Important?

Compound prepositions help provide more detailed information in a sentence, adding clarity to where, when, or why something happens. By mastering them, English learners can improve the flow and accuracy of their sentences.

For example, consider the sentence:

“She sat in front of the teacher.”

The phrase “in front of” tells us exactly where she sat, making the sentence more specific.

List of Common Compound Prepositions

Compound Preposition	Meaning
In front of	Positioned ahead of something/someone
On behalf of	Representing someone or something
According to	As stated by or in line with something
In addition to	As well as, besides something else
Because of	Due to, as a result of
In spite of	Despite something
In place of	Instead of something or someone
In relation to	Concerning or regarding something
By means of	Using a method or way
With regard to	Concerning or related to something

Compound Prepositions Explained with Definition

How to Use Compound Prepositions in Sentences

Compound Preposition	Example Sentence
In front of	She parked her car in front of the house.
On behalf of	I’m speaking on behalf of the committee.
According to	According to the report, sales are up.
In addition to	In addition to coffee, she ordered tea.
Because of	The game was canceled because of rain.
In spite of	They succeeded in spite of the challenges.
In place of	She worked in place of her colleague.
In relation to	The changes were made in relation to the policy.
By means of	They solved the problem by means of technology.
With regard to	With regard to your request, we will respond soon.

Key Differences Between Simple and Compound Prepositions

It’s useful to understand the difference between simple prepositions and compound prepositions. Simple prepositions are single words like “in,” “on,” or “at.” Compound prepositions are multi-word phrases that function as a single preposition.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Simple Preposition	Compound Preposition
In the room	In front of the room
On the table	On behalf of the organization
At noon	In addition to the meeting, we have lunch

Compound Prepositions: Key Points to Remember

They always connect two parts of a sentence and explain the relationship between them.
They can add specific details about time, place, cause, or manner.
Compound prepositions are multi-word phrases that act like single prepositions.
For clarity, always ensure the preposition fits the context of the sentence.

Compound Prepositions with Example Sentences

Compound Preposition	Example Sentence
According to	According to the news, it will rain.
Ahead of	We arrived ahead of schedule.
Along with	She came along with her brother.
Apart from	Apart from the rain, the day was perfect.
Because of	We stayed inside because of the storm.
By means of	He fixed it by means of a hammer.
In addition to	In addition to math, I study science.
In front of	She stood in front of the class.
In spite of	In spite of the cold, we went out.
Instead of	We chose pizza instead of pasta.
On behalf of	I spoke on behalf of the group.
Out of	He ran out of money.
Due to	The event was canceled due to rain.
As for	As for the cake, it’s delicious.
Next to	I sit next to my best friend.
Ahead of	She was ahead of everyone in line.
Along with	They sent a card along with the gift.
Apart from	Apart from work, he enjoys reading.
Because of	We left early because of traffic.
In front of	The car stopped in front of the house.