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100+ Common Prepositional Phrases: List with Examples

100+ Common Prepositional Phrases: List with Examples

Prepositional phrases are fixed expressions that appear in nearly every English sentence. Learning them as complete units — rather than guessing the correct preposition each time — is one of the fastest ways to sound more natural in English.

This list organizes the most common prepositional phrases by their starting preposition: "in," "on," "at," "by," "for," "out of," "under," and "with." Each entry includes a definition and an example sentence. For a full explanation of what prepositional phrases are and how they work grammatically, see our complete guide to prepositional phrases.

Prepositional Phrases with "In"

CWC international students at Columbia West College in Los Angeles

  • "In time" — This phrase means early enough; not late. Example: "We arrived in time for the opening speech."

  • "In fact" — This phrase means actually; used to emphasize what is true. Example: "In fact, English grammar is more logical than it first appears."

  • "In charge of" — This phrase means responsible for something. Example: "She is in charge of the marketing department."

  • "In common" — This phrase means shared between people or things. Example: "We have a lot in common."

  • "In danger" — This phrase means at risk of harm. Example: "The hikers were in danger during the storm."

  • "In detail" — This phrase means thoroughly and completely. Example: "The teacher explained the rule in detail."

  • "In favor of" — This phrase means supporting something. Example: "Most students voted in favor of the new schedule."

  • "In general" — This phrase means usually; for the most part. Example: "In general, English word order follows a subject-verb-object pattern."

  • "In the meantime" — This phrase means during the time between two events. Example: "The results won't be ready until Friday. In the meantime, keep studying."

  • "In a hurry" — This phrase means rushing; needing to go fast. Example: "I'm in a hurry — can we talk later?"

  • "In addition to" — This phrase means as well as; besides. Example: "In addition to grammar, you should practice speaking every day."

  • "In case" — This phrase means as a precaution. Example: "Bring an umbrella in case it rains."

  • "In touch" — This phrase means in communication with someone. Example: "Let's stay in touch after the course ends."

  • "In trouble" — This phrase means facing a difficult situation. Example: "You'll be in trouble if you miss the deadline."

  • "In other words" — This phrase means saying the same thing differently. Example: "The test covers syntax — in other words, sentence structure."

Prepositional Phrases with "On"

  • "On time" — This phrase means punctual; at the scheduled moment. Example: "The class started on time."

  • "On purpose" — This phrase means intentionally; deliberately. Example: "She didn't make the mistake on purpose."

  • "On behalf of" — This phrase means representing someone else. Example: "I'm writing on behalf of the entire group."

  • "On the other hand" — This phrase means presenting an alternative view. Example: "English spelling is hard. On the other hand, the grammar is relatively simple."

  • "On average" — This phrase means typically; as a general figure. Example: "On average, students study for two hours per day."

  • "On the whole" — This phrase means generally; considering everything. Example: "On the whole, the program was a success."

  • "On the way" — This phrase means during the journey; en route. Example: "I'll grab coffee on the way to school."

  • "On foot" — This phrase means traveling by walking. Example: "The campus is easily reachable on foot from the Metro station."

  • "On sale" — This phrase means available at a reduced price. Example: "Textbooks are on sale this week."

  • "On demand" — This phrase means available whenever wanted. Example: "English lessons are available on demand through many apps."

Prepositional Phrases with "At"

  • "At first" — This phrase means in the beginning. Example: "At first, English pronunciation seemed impossible."

  • "At last" — This phrase means finally; after a long time. Example: "At last, the results are in."

  • "At least" — This phrase means a minimum of. Example: "You should practice at least 30 minutes a day."

  • "At once" — This phrase means immediately. Example: "Please come to the office at once."

  • "At risk" — This phrase means in danger of something negative. Example: "Students who skip class regularly are at risk of falling behind."

  • "At the moment" — This phrase means right now. Example: "I'm busy at the moment — can I call you back?"

  • "At the same time" — This phrase means simultaneously; also used to introduce a contrasting point. Example: "She works and studies at the same time."

Prepositional Phrases with "By"

  • "By accident" — This phrase means without intention. Example: "I deleted the file by accident."

  • "By all means" — This phrase means certainly; of course. Example: "By all means, ask questions during the lesson."

  • "By heart" — This phrase means from memory. Example: "She learned the poem by heart."

  • "By mistake" — This phrase means in error. Example: "I sent the email to the wrong person by mistake."

  • "By the way" — This phrase means used to introduce a new but related topic. Example: "By the way, have you signed up for the grammar workshop?"

  • "By yourself" — This phrase means alone; without help. Example: "Did you write this essay by yourself?"

Prepositional Phrases with "For"

  • "For example" — This phrase means as an illustration. Example: "Many English words come from Latin. For example, 'education' and 'communication.'"

  • "For good" — This phrase means permanently. Example: "She moved to Los Angeles for good."

  • "For instance" — This phrase means the same as "for example." Example: "Some prepositions are difficult to use. For instance, 'in' and 'on' are often confused."

  • "For the time being" — This phrase means temporarily. Example: "For the time being, we'll continue with the current textbook."

  • "For sure" — This phrase means definitely; certainly. Example: "I'll be at the study group for sure."

Want to practice these phrases in real conversation? At Columbia West College, the English Speaking Success (ESS) program includes a daily 80-minute Speaking class where students use target phrases like these in spontaneous conversation — not fill-in-the-blank worksheets. CWC's unique "Connection Questions" tool helps students practice prepositional phrases in natural, unscripted dialogue, building the kind of automatic recall that makes grammar feel effortless. Explore CWC's programs.

Prepositional Phrases with "Out of"

  • "Out of breath" — This phrase means unable to breathe normally after physical effort. Example: "I was out of breath after running to class."

  • "Out of date" — This phrase means no longer current. Example: "This textbook is out of date."

  • "Out of order" — This phrase means not functioning. Example: "The elevator is out of order."

  • "Out of the question" — This phrase means impossible; not allowed. Example: "Skipping the final exam is out of the question."

  • "Out of practice" — This phrase means lacking recent experience. Example: "I haven't spoken English in months — I'm out of practice."

Prepositional Phrases with "Under" and "With"

CWC international students at the campus entrance in downtown LA

  • "Under control" — This phrase means being managed successfully. Example: "Don't worry — the situation is under control."

  • "Under pressure" — This phrase means feeling stressed or forced. Example: "Students perform differently under pressure."

  • "Under the circumstances" — This phrase means given the situation. Example: "Under the circumstances, you did very well."

  • "With regard to" — This phrase means about; concerning. Example: "With regard to your question about prepositional phrases, here is an explanation."

  • "With the exception of" — This phrase means excluding. Example: "With the exception of holidays, classes run every weekday."

  • "Without a doubt" — This phrase means certainly. Example: "Without a doubt, daily practice is the fastest way to improve."

How to Learn Prepositional Phrases Effectively

Memorizing a list is a good start, but using prepositional phrases naturally requires practice in context. Here are 3 proven strategies:

1. Learn phrases as chunks, not individual words. Do not memorize "in" separately and "time" separately. Learn "in time" as a single unit with its meaning. This is how native speakers store and recall these expressions.

2. Practice in sentences, not in isolation. After reading each phrase above, create your own example sentence. Writing a personal example activates deeper memory processing than simply reading someone else's example.

3. Use them in conversation. Reading and writing prepositional phrases builds recognition. Speaking them builds fluency. Find opportunities to use 2 or 3 new phrases each day in real conversation.

At Columbia West College, the integrated curriculum is designed around this principle. A prepositional phrase taught in Grammar class is immediately practiced in the daily Speaking class and reinforced again in Reading & Writing — 3 exposures in a single day, each in a different context. Native English-speaking Teaching Assistants (TAs) provide real-time correction when students use the wrong preposition, offering 9 times more feedback than a typical ESL class.

Building your English vocabulary with these fixed prepositional phrases will help you sound more natural and fluent in both writing and conversation.

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FAQ

What are the most common prepositional phrases in English?

The most common prepositional phrases include "in fact," "on time," "at least," "in front of," "because of," "in addition to," "on behalf of," "at the same time," "by the way," and "out of." Phrases beginning with "in," "on," and "at" are the most frequent because these 3 prepositions are the most versatile in English. Learning these high-frequency prepositional phrases as fixed units is more efficient than constructing them from rules each time.

How many prepositional phrases are there in English?

There is no fixed number. English has hundreds of established prepositional phrases, and new combinations continue to appear. The most important ones for learners to master are the common fixed expressions listed in this guide — approximately 60 to 80 phrases that appear repeatedly in everyday English. Mastering these will cover the vast majority of situations you will encounter in both spoken and written English.

What is the difference between "in time" and "on time"?

"In time" means early enough or before a deadline. "On time" means at the exact scheduled moment. For example: "The train arrived on time" (it arrived at the scheduled time). "We got to the station in time to catch the train" (we arrived early enough, not necessarily at a specific moment). This is one of many cases where the choice of preposition changes the meaning entirely.

Master prepositional phrases and more — Columbia West College's English Speaking Success (ESS) program was built because 86.2% of students said speaking was the skill they most wanted to improve. The result: a daily 80-minute Speaking class with 6 times more speaking practice than typical ESL programs. Native English-speaking TAs correct errors in real time — 9 times more feedback than a standard class. With 30+ years of experience, ACCET's maximum 5-year accreditation, and students from 20+ countries, CWC provides the structured immersion you need. Over 60% of students enroll through personal recommendations, and 70% extend their programs. Explore CWC's programs.