Learn a useful list of prepositions classified by different categories with example sentences.

Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition.

• Under construction

A new railroad is under construction.

• For real

After two trial runs we did it for real.

• At the same time

All speak at the same time.

• By the time

By the time I got there, hed gone.

• By the way

By the way, how is John?

• On paper

Could you put your ideas down on paper?

• With regret

Do not waste time with regret.

• At a discount

Employees can buy books at a discount.

• Without a hitch

Everything had gone without a hitch.

• Under treatment

He is under treatment for malaria.

• By force

He took the purse from her by force.

• On board

He tried to jump back on board.

• At risk

He was putting himself at risk.

• By nature

He was by nature a philosophical person.

• In vain

Her efforts were in vain.

• On trial

Hes on trial for his life.

• In debt

I am in debt to the bank for my car loan.

• With regard to

I am writing with regard to your recent order.

• With respect

I ask for her hand with all respect.

• For life

I believe marriage is for life.

• Out of place

I felt out of place among foreigners.

• For ages

I havent seen you for ages.

• By mistake

Ive paid this bill twice by mistake.

• Out of stock

Im afraid were temporarily out of stock.

• Within limits

Im willing to help, within limits.

• Under repair

Is the bridge still under repair?

• Without precedent

It is without precedent in history.

• In theory

It sounds fine in theory, but will it work?

• At least

It will cost at least $200.

• To the full

Ive always believed in living life to the full.

• Out of school

Never tell tales out of school.

• By now

Perhaps they are already there by now.

• For a while

Please sit down for a while.

Prepositional Phrase examples | Image 

Prepositional Phrase examples | Image 

• With abandon

She danced with abandon.

• In detail

She described the accident in detail.

• For sale

She has put her house up for sale.

• By far

She is the best by far.

• At the age of

She went blind at the age of ten.

• On leave

Shes on leave until the end of the month.

• In case

Took an umbrella, just in case.

• In full

The apple trees are in full bearing.

• On the move

The army is on the move.

• In terms of

The book is well organized in terms of plot.

• Out of order

The boy put the telephone out of order.

• To date

The car is a beauty and quite up to date.

• On fire

The car was now on fire.

• Out of control

The fire is burning out of control.

• Under review

The matter is still under review.

• On sale

The new model goes on sale next month.

• On show

The paintings are on show until April.

• Within walking

The shops are within walking distance.

• Under stress

The silver was deformed under stress.

• At peace

The two countries were at peace.

• Out of fashion

Their music will never go out of fashion.

• Under the stairs

Theres a broom cupboard under the stairs.

• For hire

They have boats for hire.

• Out of hand

Unemployment is getting out of hand.

• Within reach

We live within reach of the station.

• For nothing

We went all that way for nothing.

• With a view of

Wed like a room with a view of the sea.

• In doubt

When in doubt, call the doctor.

• Without respect

Without respect, love cannot go far.

• At once

You have to call her at once.

List of Prepositional Phrases | Image