Free Printable List of Prepositions (PDF) – Looking for a free printable list of prepositions? Whether you’re a teacher planning a grammar lesson, a parent supporting homework, a homeschooler, or an English learner, a clear reference list makes mastering prepositions much easier. Prepositions are those small but essential words that show relationships of place, time, direction, and more—think in, on, under, before, and after.
This guide explains what prepositions are, why a printable list helps, and points you to legitimate free downloadable resources so you can print and use them right away.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words (or short phrases) that connect a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. They answer questions like where?, when?, how?, or in what way?
Examples:
- The book is on the table. (place)
- We meet at 3 p.m. (time)
- She walked into the room. (direction)
Common single-word prepositions include: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, during, for, from, in, inside, into, near, of, off, on, onto, out, outside, over, past, through, to, toward, under, up, upon, with, within, without.
Many lists also include multi-word (complex) prepositions such as in front of, next to, because of, and in spite of.
Why Use a Free Printable List of Prepositions?
A printed list serves as a quick classroom poster, desk reference, binder insert, or study sheet. Students can check it while writing, teachers can post it as an anchor chart, and learners can review it offline. Printable versions are especially useful for elementary and middle-school grammar units, ESL practice, and test preparation.
Having the list in front of you reduces hesitation and helps build automatic recognition of prepositions and prepositional phrases.
Where to Get Legitimate Free Printable Lists?
Here are trusted sources that offer free, printable preposition lists or closely related resources. Always verify the current free status on the site, as offerings can change.
- EnglishClub provides a clean, free PDF English Prepositions List that includes common prepositions with example sentences. Ideal for learners and teachers as a simple grammar reference. Download it here: English Prepositions List PDF (Free Download).
- Tim’s Printables offers a free printable list of prepositions designed for elementary students and teachers, available in color and black-and-white versions, along with a fun “Prepositions and a Puppy” poster. Visit the page and follow the download links: Free Printable List of Prepositions.
- On Teachers Pay Teachers, educators share high-quality free resources. One popular free download includes full-page prepositions posters (or handouts), half-page student versions, and a short warm-up activity. Create a free account if needed to download: Prepositions List & Prepositional Phrases Poster (Free).
- All Free Printable hosts a straightforward free printable list of about 95 prepositions suitable for classroom reference, homework, or quizzes. Use the print link on the page to open and save the PDF: List of Prepositions – Free Printable.
- For practice beyond a pure list, 7ESL offers free printable prepositions worksheets (matching, fill-in-the-blank, cut-and-paste, and more) that pair well with any list: Free Printable Prepositions Worksheets (PDF).
These resources focus on common, practical prepositions suitable for U.S. elementary through middle-school levels and ESL instruction.
Free Printable List of Prepositions (PDF)
How to Use Your Printable List Effectively?
Print the list on regular paper or cardstock. Laminate a classroom copy for repeated use or punch holes for student binders.
Practical ideas:
- Hang it as a wall anchor chart.
- Have students highlight or check off prepositions as they learn them.
- Use it for quick oral drills (“Give me a preposition of place”).
- Pair it with sentence-writing practice or prepositional-phrase identification activities.
- For younger learners, combine with picture-based worksheets that show objects under, beside, or between items.
Keep a digital copy on a device for remote or hybrid learning, and a printed version for offline study.
Quick Tips for Teaching or Learning Prepositions
Focus first on the most frequent ones (in, on, at, to, for, with, of, by). Group them by category—place, time, direction—to make patterns clearer. Encourage students to create their own example sentences using items around the classroom or home. Regular short practice beats long infrequent sessions.
FAQ
How many prepositions are there in English?
There is no single fixed number, but common lists range from about 50–150 single-word and multi-word prepositions. Most everyday use involves a much smaller core set.
Are these printables really free?
Yes—the linked resources above offer free downloads or print options at the time of research. Some sites may ask for a free account (common on Teachers Pay Teachers) or display ads. Always download only from the official page.
Can I use these for commercial purposes?
Most free educational printables are intended for personal, classroom, or homeschool use. Check each site’s terms of use before distributing widely or selling.
What grade levels are these lists best for?
They work well from about 2nd grade upward for basic lists, with more comprehensive versions suitable through middle school and for adult ESL learners.
A free printable list of prepositions is a simple, effective tool that supports clearer writing and stronger grammar skills. Download one of the resources above, print it, and start using it today. Happy teaching and learning!