You’ve probably used them without even realizing it. Phrases like “because of,” “in front of,” and “with regard to” appear constantly in everyday English — in emails, essays, conversations, and news articles. These are complex prepositions, and understanding them is one of the most practical steps you can take toward writing and speaking more fluent, sophisticated English. This guide breaks down exactly what complex prepositions are, how they differ from simple prepositions, why they matter, and how to use them correctly.
What Are Complex Prepositions?
A complex preposition (also called a compound preposition or multi-word preposition) is a preposition made up of two or more words that function together as a single prepositional unit. Instead of a single word like in, at, or on, a complex preposition is a fixed group of words that behaves grammatically in the same way as a simple preposition.
In other words, the entire phrase acts as one preposition, connecting a noun (or noun phrase) to other parts of a sentence — typically to show relationships of time, place, cause, manner, or condition.
A Quick Definition to Remember
A complex preposition is a group of two or more words that works as a single preposition in a sentence. It links a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence, just like a simple preposition does, but with greater precision and nuance.
Simple preposition: She sat near the window.
Complex preposition: She sat in front of the window.
Both examples show location, but the complex preposition gives a much more specific picture of where she was sitting.
The Structure of Complex Prepositions
Complex prepositions follow recognizable structural patterns. Most fall into one of these three categories:
1. Preposition + Noun + Preposition
This is the most common pattern. The phrase is built around a noun sandwiched between two prepositions.
- in front of
- in spite of
- by means of
- on behalf of
- in addition to
- by virtue of
- with regard to
- in place of
2. Adverb/Adjective + Preposition
Some complex prepositions are formed by combining an adverb or adjective with a preposition.
- according to
- due to
- prior to
- close to
- next to
- contrary to
- near to
3. Participle + Preposition
A smaller but important group uses a present or past participle followed by a preposition.
- owing to
- regarding (used as a preposition)
- concerning
- given (as in “given the circumstances”)
- including
- barring (as in “barring any delays”)
Simple vs. Complex Prepositions: What’s the Difference?
To fully appreciate complex prepositions, it helps to set them side by side with simple prepositions.
Simple prepositions are single words: in, on, at, by, for, from, of, to, up, with, about, under, over, after, before, etc.
Complex prepositions are groups of words that act as a single unit.
| Feature | Simple Preposition | Complex Preposition |
|---|---|---|
| Word count | One word | Two or more words |
| Examples | on, in, by, for | on top of, in terms of, by means of |
| Specificity | General relationship | More precise relationship |
| Register | Neutral / informal | Often formal or academic |
| Flexibility | High | Fixed / idiomatic |
The key point is that the words inside a complex preposition cannot be separated or rearranged. They are fixed expressions. You cannot say “of front in” instead of “in front of” — the phrase only works in its established form.
Why Do Complex Prepositions Exist?
English is a rich language with enormous expressive range. Simple prepositions are powerful but limited — they can only describe relationships in broad strokes. Complex prepositions evolved to fill the gaps, allowing speakers and writers to communicate with:
- Greater precision — “because of” specifies a cause more clearly than a bare “for”
- Greater formality — complex prepositions are heavily used in academic, legal, and business writing
- More nuance — “in spite of” conveys a concession that no simple preposition can replicate alone
- Natural idiom — many complex prepositions are simply idiomatic and have become the natural way to express certain ideas
Categories of Complex Prepositions by Meaning
One of the most useful ways to learn complex prepositions is by grouping them according to the type of relationship they express. Here’s a breakdown:
Showing Cause or Reason
These complex prepositions explain why something happened.
- because of — The match was cancelled because of the rain.
- due to — Delays are due to heavy traffic.
- owing to — Owing to her hard work, she earned a promotion.
- on account of — He left early on account of a headache.
- as a result of — As a result of the merger, 200 jobs were lost.
Showing Contrast or Concession
These phrases introduce an idea that is surprising given the circumstances.
- in spite of — In spite of the noise, she fell asleep.
- despite — Despite his fear, he jumped.
- regardless of — Everyone is welcome, regardless of background.
- contrary to — Contrary to popular belief, goldfish have good memories.
Showing Place or Position
These indicate where something is located or directed.
- in front of — The car parked in front of the house.
- on top of — The book is on top of the shelf.
- in the middle of — They sat in the middle of the auditorium.
- next to — She stood next to her colleague.
- in between — The café is in between the bank and the pharmacy.
Showing Time
These describe when something happens or happened in relation to something else.
- prior to — Please arrive prior to the ceremony.
- subsequent to — Subsequent to the meeting, a report was filed.
- in advance of — She prepared everything in advance of the visit.
- at the time of — At the time of his arrest, he was unarmed.
Showing Purpose or Addition
- in addition to — In addition to her salary, she receives a bonus.
- for the sake of — He did it for the sake of peace.
- with a view to — She studied hard with a view to passing the exam.
- with the aim of — The project was launched with the aim of reducing waste.
Showing Substitution or Representation
- instead of — She ordered tea instead of coffee.
- in place of — He spoke in place of the director.
- on behalf of — I’m writing on behalf of the committee.
- in lieu of — He received a cash payment in lieu of a refund.
Showing Reference or Topic
- with regard to — With regard to your application, we need more documents.
- in terms of — In terms of cost, this is the better option.
- with respect to — There are concerns with respect to safety.
- in relation to — How does this policy apply in relation to small businesses?
- concerning — I have a question concerning the contract.
Showing Manner or Means
- by means of — The message was sent by means of a courier.
- in accordance with — Act in accordance with the rules.
- by virtue of — She succeeded by virtue of her determination.
- by way of — I’d like to say, by way of introduction, that…
Complex Prepositions in Academic and Formal Writing
If you’ve read any academic papers, business reports, or legal documents, you’ve encountered complex prepositions at every turn. They are the backbone of formal written English. Here’s why:
- They signal formality. Using “with regard to” instead of “about” sets a professional tone instantly.
- They allow hedging and precision. Academic writing often needs to express nuanced cause-and-effect relationships, and complex prepositions like “as a consequence of” or “in light of” do this elegantly.
- They link ideas smoothly. Complex prepositions act as connective tissue between clauses and sentences, improving cohesion.
Example from an academic context:
“In light of recent findings, the researchers reconsidered their initial hypothesis. Subsequent to a thorough review, in accordance with established protocols, a new experimental framework was proposed.”
Notice how each complex preposition adds a specific layer of meaning — temporal, procedural, and referential — that a simple preposition would fail to convey as elegantly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Complex Prepositions
Even experienced English users sometimes stumble with complex prepositions. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:
Mistake 1: Confusing “Due to” and “Because of”
Both express cause, but traditionally, “due to” should follow a linking verb and modify a noun, while “because of” modifies a verb.
- ✅ The cancellation was due to bad weather. (modifies “cancellation”)
- ✅ The event was cancelled because of bad weather. (modifies “was cancelled”)
- ❌ The event was cancelled due to bad weather. (common but technically incorrect in formal writing)
Note: In modern everyday English, “due to” is widely accepted in both positions. However, in formal or academic writing, it’s worth maintaining the distinction.
Mistake 2: Omitting a Preposition at the End
Complex prepositions like “in front of” or “on top of” require the final preposition. Dropping it changes the meaning or makes the sentence ungrammatical.
- ✅ She stood in front of the crowd.
- ❌ She stood in front the crowd.
Mistake 3: Overuse in Casual Communication
Complex prepositions can make writing sound stilted or overly bureaucratic in casual contexts. In everyday conversation or informal writing, simpler alternatives often work better.
- Formal: “With regard to your request…”
- Informal: “About your request…”
Mistake 4: Mixing Up Similar Phrases
Phrases like “in spite of” and “despite” are synonymous and interchangeable, but others are not. Always consider the precise meaning.
- “Instead of” (substitution) ≠ “in addition to” (addition)
- “Prior to” (before) ≠ “subsequent to” (after)
List of the Most Commonly Used Complex Prepositions
Here is a consolidated reference list of complex prepositions that appear most frequently in English:
- according to
- ahead of
- apart from
- as a result of
- as well as
- at the top of
- because of
- by means of
- by virtue of
- close to
- contrary to
- due to
- except for
- for the sake of
- in accordance with
- in addition to
- in case of
- in favor of
- in front of
- in light of
- in lieu of
- in place of
- in spite of
- in terms of
- in the course of
- in view of
- instead of
- next to
- on account of
- on behalf of
- on top of
- out of
- owing to
- prior to
- regardless of
- subsequent to
- with a view to
- with regard to
- with respect to
- with the exception of
How to Practice and Master Complex Prepositions
Learning complex prepositions is largely a matter of exposure and practice. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Read Widely
Read English newspapers, academic articles, and business documents. Pay attention to the prepositional phrases used and note the context. The more you encounter them naturally, the more intuitive they become.
2. Learn in Phrases, Not in Isolation
Don’t try to memorize complex prepositions as abstract lists. Instead, learn them in full example sentences. For instance, don’t just memorize “on behalf of” — learn it as “I’m speaking on behalf of the team.”
3. Group by Meaning
Study complex prepositions in semantic groups — all the “cause” ones together, all the “place” ones together, and so on. This makes them easier to recall when you need them.
4. Practise Writing Formal Texts
Write emails, reports, or short essays using complex prepositions intentionally. Challenge yourself to replace simple prepositions with their more precise complex equivalents where appropriate.
5. Use Substitution Drills
Take a sentence with a simple preposition and ask yourself: could a complex preposition make this more precise or formal? Then try it.
- Original: She left because of the argument.
- Alternative: She left as a result of the argument.
- Another: She left on account of the argument.
Complex Prepositions vs. Prepositional Phrases: A Note on Terminology
There is sometimes confusion between complex prepositions and prepositional phrases. Here’s a simple distinction:
- A complex preposition is the multi-word preposition itself (e.g., “in front of”). It is the connecting device.
- A prepositional phrase is the complete unit formed by a preposition (simple or complex) plus its object (e.g., “in front of the stage”). It includes the preposition and the noun phrase that follows it.
So, “in front of” is a complex preposition. “In front of the stage” is a prepositional phrase. Both terms are important in grammar, but they refer to different things.
Conclusion
Complex prepositions are a fundamental — and often underappreciated — part of the English language. They are the multi-word prepositional units that allow us to express precise relationships of cause, place, time, manner, contrast, and much more. Unlike simple prepositions, they carry nuance and a level of specificity that makes English writing richer and more exact.
Whether you’re a student working on academic essays, a professional crafting business correspondence, or simply someone who wants to use English with greater confidence, mastering complex prepositions will genuinely elevate the quality of your communication. The good news? They follow recognizable patterns, and with consistent reading and practice, they quickly become second nature.
The next time you write “because of,” “in spite of,” or “with regard to,” you’ll know exactly what you’re using — and why it works.
Frequently Asked Questions About Complex Prepositions
Are complex prepositions the same as compound prepositions?
Yes, the terms complex prepositions and compound prepositions are often used interchangeably. Both refer to multi-word units that function as a single preposition. Some grammarians use “compound preposition” specifically for two-word phrases like “due to” or “next to,” while reserving “complex preposition” for longer phrases like “in spite of” or “with regard to,” but in most educational contexts, both terms mean the same thing.
Is “despite” a complex preposition?
Despite its meaning — which is identical to “in spite of” — “despite” is actually a simple preposition because it is a single word. Meanwhile, “in spite of” is a complex preposition. Both can be used interchangeably: “Despite the cold” = “In spite of the cold.”
Can I always replace a simple preposition with a complex preposition?
Not always. Complex prepositions are often more formal and specific, so swapping one in for a simple preposition may change the tone or meaning of a sentence. Always consider the context, the register (formal vs. casual), and the precise meaning you intend to convey.
Do complex prepositions always end with a preposition?
In the most common pattern (preposition + noun + preposition), yes — they end with a preposition such as “of,” “to,” “with,” or “for.” However, some complex prepositions do not follow this pattern, such as “due to,” “according to,” “contrary to,” and “owing to,” which end with “to.”
How many complex prepositions are there in English?
There is no definitive number, as new fixed prepositional phrases can enter the language over time. However, most grammar references list between 50 and 100 commonly used complex prepositions. The ones covered in this article represent the most frequently encountered in both formal and everyday English.
Are complex prepositions only used in formal English?
No, though they are especially common in formal writing. Many complex prepositions — like “next to,” “because of,” “instead of,” and “out of” — appear regularly in everyday casual speech and writing. Others, like “by virtue of,” “in lieu of,” and “subsequent to,” are much more at home in formal or professional contexts.