Compound Prepositions in English: List, Meanings & Examples

Compound prepositions are prepositions formed from more than one element. Depending on the grammar system, the term may refer to single words such as into and within, or groups of words such as because of, according to, instead of, and in front of.

Consider these sentences:

The outdoor performance was cancelled because of the rain.

A delivery van was parked in front of the theatre.

We booked a smaller meeting room instead of the main hall.

The highlighted expressions communicate a reason, a location, and an alternative. Each works as an established expression rather than a collection of unrelated words.

Multiword expressions of this kind are also commonly called complex prepositions or multiword prepositions.

What Are Compound Prepositions?

Grammar references do not always classify compound prepositions in the same way.

Single-Word Compound Prepositions

Some traditional school grammars classify certain single-word prepositions, including into, onto, within, and without, as compound prepositions. Other grammar references distinguish single-word prepositions from multiword expressions such as because of and in front of.

Examples include:

The cat jumped onto the windowsill.

Visitors must remain within the marked area.

She completed the assignment without assistance.

Into and onto commonly describe movement to a new position. Within can describe limits of place, time, or another boundary, while without commonly indicates the absence of something.

These are individual written words, even though some grammatical traditions group them under the label compound prepositions.

Multiword or Complex Prepositions

Other grammar resources use compound preposition for two or more words that work together as a prepositional expression.

Common examples include:

• Two-word expressions: because of, according to, instead of, due to
• Three-word expressions: in front of, in spite of, in addition to, on behalf of

For example:

According to the timetable, the final train leaves at 10:40.

In spite of the heavy rain, the market remained open.

In these sentences, the highlighted words work together to express a relationship.

Some modern grammatical analyses treat particular multiword expressions as combinations of smaller grammatical structures rather than as a single indivisible preposition. The terminology therefore depends partly on the grammar framework being used.

For practical learning, it is useful to recognize established expressions and understand the relationships they communicate.

The rest of this guide focuses mainly on multiword expressions, including those that learners commonly confuse.

List of Common Compound Prepositions with Examples

Here are common multiword expressions grouped by meaning. Some have more than one use, so the categories describe their typical functions rather than fixed boundaries.

Cause, Reason, and Response

Contrast, Exception, and Conditions

Addition, Alternatives, and Replacement

Information, Rules, and Relationships

Place, Time, and Limits

Not every expression in the same group is interchangeable. Because of and thanks to can both introduce causes, for example, but thanks to often suggests a favourable result.

How to Recognize a Multiword Preposition

A useful approach is to identify the words that form the expression, what follows them, and the relationship they communicate.

Consider:

The match was cancelled because of the weather.

For practical grammar learning, we can analyze the sentence this way:

The multiword preposition is not the same as the complete prepositional phrase. The complete phrase includes the preposition and its complement.

Compare:

The match was cancelled because the weather was dangerous.

Here, because introduces a clause containing a subject and a verb.

The two constructions express similar reasons, but their grammatical structures differ.

How the Expression Changes the Sentence

Compare these sentences:

The visitors waited in front of the museum.

The visitors waited inside the museum.

The first uses the multiword expression in front of. The second uses the single-word preposition inside.

Both are followed by the museum, but they describe different locations.

Can Multiword Prepositions Be Followed by an -ing Form?

Many common multiword prepositions can be followed by -ing clauses.

Instead of waiting for another bus, we walked to the station.

In spite of feeling exhausted, Lena finished the final section.

Here, instead of waiting for another bus and in spite of feeling exhausted contain -ing clauses following the multiword expressions.

Other expressions have their own usage patterns, so not every construction works in the same way.

Choosing Between Compound Prepositions with Similar Meanings

Two expressions may belong to the same meaning group without being interchangeable. Their differences become clearer when used in comparable situations.

Because Of, Due To, and Thanks To

All three can introduce causes.

The garden was closed because of the storm.

The garden was closed due to storm damage.

Both explain why the garden could not open.

Because of is common in everyday speech and writing. Due to is also widely accepted in modern English, including notices, reports, and professional communication.

Now compare:

Thanks to the volunteers, the garden reopened the following morning.

Thanks to usually presents the cause as beneficial. It can also be used ironically when the result is unwelcome.

Because Of vs Because

The difference here concerns grammatical structure.

The delivery was delayed because of a mechanical problem.

The delivery was delayed because the vehicle broke down.

Both are correct.

Because of is normally followed by a noun phrase or another suitable nominal expression. Because commonly introduces a clause.

Incorrect: The delivery was delayed because of the vehicle broke down.

Correct: The delivery was delayed because the vehicle broke down.

Also correct: The delivery was delayed because of a mechanical problem.

In Spite Of vs Although

In spite of introduces a circumstance that might have prevented something but did not.

In spite of the heavy rain, the runners finished the race.

Although expresses a similar contrast but normally introduces a clause.

Although it was raining heavily, the runners finished the race.

An -ing clause can follow in spite of:

In spite of feeling exhausted, Lena completed the race.

The expression in spite of is written as three separate words.

Incorrect: Inspite of the delay, we arrived on time.

Correct: In spite of the delay, we arrived on time.

Despite is another useful alternative, but it does not normally take of.

Incorrect: Despite of the delay, we arrived on time.

Correct: Despite the delay, we arrived on time.

Instead Of vs In Addition To

These expressions can change the facts a sentence communicates.

We ordered tea instead of coffee.

Tea replaced coffee.

We ordered tea in addition to coffee.

Both drinks were ordered.

The same distinction matters in workplace descriptions:

The company hired an editor instead of another designer.

The company hired an editor in addition to another designer.

The first describes an alternative hiring decision. The second describes an additional hire.

According To vs In Accordance With

According to frequently identifies the source of information.

According to the safety report, protective gloves are required.

The report is the source of the requirement.

In accordance with usually emphasizes following a rule, standard, or instruction.

The equipment was handled in accordance with the safety procedures.

The sentence describes compliance with those procedures.

According to can also express conformity to rules or standards, so the distinction is not absolute. However, information attribution and compliance are useful meanings to recognize.

When stating your own opinion, in my opinion is generally more natural than according to me.

On Behalf Of vs In Place Of

On behalf of describes representation.

The deputy mayor spoke on behalf of the mayor at the ceremony.

In place of emphasizes substitution.

A temporary coordinator was appointed in place of the retiring manager.

A person may sometimes both replace and represent someone. The expressions can overlap in context, but they emphasize different relationships.

Compound Prepositions with More Than One Meaning

Some expressions require particular care because their meaning changes with context.

Apart From: Exception or Addition?

Compare:

Apart from the kitchen, every room has been painted.

Here, apart from means except for. The kitchen is excluded.

Apart from painting the rooms, the contractors repaired the roof.

In the second sentence, apart from means in addition to. The contractors completed both jobs.

When ambiguity could lead to misunderstanding, except for or in addition to can make the meaning more explicit.

In Case Of vs In Case

In case of is commonly followed by a noun phrase describing a possible situation.

In case of fire, use the nearest emergency exit.

This gives instructions for what to do if a fire occurs.

In case can introduce a clause explaining a precaution.

Keep a torch nearby in case the electricity goes off.

The torch is kept ready because losing electricity is a possibility.

Prior To vs Before

Prior to and before can describe the same time relationship.

All visitors must sign in prior to the inspection.

All visitors must sign in before the inspection.

Both are correct.

Prior to is more formal and commonly appears in notices, policies, and professional writing. Before is often simpler and more natural in everyday communication.

Practice: Choosing the Expression That Fits the Meaning

These questions use situations where more than one expression may be grammatically possible. Choose the wording that best communicates the intended meaning.

Question 1: Information or Compliance?

A workplace manager wants to tell employees that the safety handbook states they must wear protective gloves.

Which sentence most directly identifies the handbook as the source of the requirement?

A. According to the safety handbook, employees must wear protective gloves.

B. Employees wear protective gloves in accordance with the safety handbook.

Question 2: Replacement or Addition?

A company already employs a designer. It hires an editor while keeping the designer.

Which sentence matches the decision?

A. The company hired an editor instead of the designer.

B. The company hired an editor in addition to the designer.

Question 3: Cause or Unexpected Result?

Heavy rain was expected to disrupt an outdoor performance, but the performance continued successfully.

Which expression communicates that contrast?

A. The performance continued because of the heavy rain.

B. The performance continued in spite of the heavy rain.

Question 4: Exception or Additional Work?

A contractor painted every room except the kitchen.

Which sentence is clearest?

A. Apart from the kitchen, every room was painted.

B. In addition to the kitchen, every room was painted.

Question 5: Representation or Replacement?

A company director cannot attend a conference. An assistant attends and delivers the director’s prepared remarks as the director’s representative.

Which expression most clearly emphasizes representation?

A. The assistant spoke on behalf of the director.

B. The assistant spoke in place of the director.

Question 6: Addition or Exception?

A contractor repaired the roof and painted the walls. Both jobs were completed.

Which sentence clearly communicates both activities?

A. Apart from repairing the roof, the contractor painted the walls.

B. Except for repairing the roof, the contractor painted the walls.

C. Instead of repairing the roof, the contractor painted the walls.

Answers and Explanations

1. A is the more direct choice. According to identifies the safety handbook as the source of the information. Sentence B describes employees following its requirements. Both are grammatical, but they communicate different information.

2. B. In addition to shows that the company hired an editor while keeping the designer. Instead of would describe replacement.

3. B. In spite of shows that the rain did not prevent the performance. Because of would suggest the rain caused it to continue.

4. A. Apart from expresses an exception here. Sentence B includes the kitchen, contrary to the situation. Except for the kitchen would be equally clear.

5. A is the better choice for the intended emphasis. On behalf of highlights representation. In place of could also fit if the assistant substituted for the director, but it does not emphasize representation as directly.

6. A. Here, apart from means in addition to. The sentence communicates that both jobs were completed. Except for introduces an exception, while instead of introduces a replacement.

Choosing a compound preposition depends on both its grammatical pattern and the relationship you want to express. Two sentences can be correct English while communicating different information.

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