What are Compound Prepositions?

Compound prepositions are generally formed by prefixing a preposition (usually a = on or be = by) to a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

Such as: across (= on + cross), amidst (= on + middle), behind ( = by + hind), about (= on + by + out), above (= on + by + up), before (= by + fore) beneath (= by + neath), between (=by + twain), beyond (= by + yonder), but (= by + out, except), within, without, below, etc.

Examples of Compound Prepositions

He is walking across the road.
The road is along the river.
The policeman is running behind him.
He knows nothing about the matter.
There is nobody within the house.
There can be no success without hard work.
The men are standing beneath the tree.
There was a long discussion between the two of them.
A mountain is visible beyond the river.

Compound Preposition #1

Behind (by+hind)

He walked behind the carriage.
The mail train is running behind time.
One has to understand the cunning behind his smile.
The dead man has left behind a big debt.
He hid behind the tree
Do you know who is behind this conspiracy?
Please close the door behind you when leaving
The whole country was behind the elected leader.

Compound Preposition #2

Besides (by+sides)

Besides you, there were five other passengers there.
Besides football, he plays tennis also.
Besides their ave one ho other qualifications of the candidates.

Compound Preposition #3

Between (by+twain)

West Bengal is situated between Bihar and Bangladesh.
Hitler came to power in the period between the First and the Second World Wars.
The accident occurred between 10 p.m and midnight.
The speaker stood between a table in front and the wall behind him.

Compound Preposition #4

Beyond (by+yonder)

The village is situated beyond the river.
The beauty of the scene is beyond human imagination.
To understand this poem is beyond your intelligence.
Nobody knows what lies beyond death.

Compound Preposition #5

But (by+out)

They cross-examined everyone but Tapas.
Their paternal property brought them nothing but trouble.
In the morning he takes nothing but orange juice.
I shall believe nothing but the truth.

Compound Preposition #6

After (of+ter)

They went out of the room one after another.
The train started after 7 p.m.
The son has taken after his father.
The effect comes after the cause.
He always runs after money.
After all his great efforts, he could not pass the test.
After all, we are Bengalees.
Take rest after hard work.

Compound Preposition #7

Against (on+going)

He leaned against the wall.
This plan will go against your interests.
You should save against a rainy day.
India scored only 280 runs against Sri Lanka’s 450.
The house looked dark against the background of the bright sky.
I have nothing to say against you personally.
We must give priority to the struggle against population explosion.
On the votes being counted, it was found that 120 had voted in favour of and 200 against the bill.

Compound Preposition #8

Amid, amidst (on+middle)

He kept his cool amidst great provocation.
He felt lonely even amid merriment and gaiety.

Compound Preposition #9

Among, amongst (on+OE gemang=in a multitude)

The amount of profit was distributed among all.
Two were selected from amongst the spectators.

Compound Preposition #10

Below (by+low)

He was below me in school.
His age is definitely below twenty.
There is a cut mark below your left eye.
His flat is below mine.
This action of yours is below your dignity.

Compound Preposition #11

Beneath (by+neath)

We sat beneath a tree.
I have put on a vest beneath the shirt.
Other contemporary poets were far beneath Rabindranath.
It is beneath my dignity to accept such an invitation.

Compound Preposition #12

Beside (by+side)

Stand beside your father.
Besides Tolstoi, many other novelists are mere storytellers.

Compound Preposition #13

Around (on+round)

Look around for your lost cow.
I was strolling around the Victoria Memorial.

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