Formal Prepositions to Score Band 7.0 or Higher in IELTS (Part 2)

Zuhana

6 min read

Updated On Dec 21, 2021

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Let’s gear yourself up for the IELTS Writing & Speaking with “academic” prepositions that are not so frequently used but suitable for academic writing and speaking. Learning these words and expressions will help you boost your IELTS score as well as contributing to your academic pursuit.

Amid

in the middle of or during something, especially something that causes excitement or fear

Example: He finished his speech amid tremendous applause.

2. Surrounded by something

Example: The hotel was in a beautiful position amid lemon groves.

Apropos/Apropos of

Regarding, concerning or related to somebody/something

Example: Apropos our date for lunch, I cannot go.

Astride

With one leg on each side of something, situated on both sides of something; lying across or over; spanning

Example: Rights groups urged the Indonesian government to block a proposed law banning women from sitting astride motorcycles in deeply Islamic Aceh province, where the position is deemed “improper”.

Athwart

Across, from one side to the other

Example: They put a table athwart the doorway.

Not agreeing with, opposite to

Example: His statement ran athwart what was previously said.

Atop

On top of, at the top of

Example: Fruit and vegetable prices rose 1.3 per cent atop a 2 per cent gain last month.

Barring

Except for, unless there is/are

Example: Barring accidents, we should arrive on time.

Beneath

In or to a lower position than somebody/something; under somebody/something

Example: They found the body buried beneath a pile of leaves.

2. Not good enough for somebody

Example: He considers such jobs beneath him.

Beside

Next to or at the side of somebody/something

Example: He sat beside her all night.

2. Compared with somebody/something

Example: My painting looks childish beside yours.

Besides

In addition to somebody/something; apart from somebody/something

Example: Besides working as a doctor, he also writes novels in his spare time.

Beyond

On or to the further side of something

Example: The road continues beyond the village up into the hills.

Later than a particular time

Example: I know what I’ll be doing for the next three weeks but I haven’t thought beyond that.

More than something

Example: Our success was far beyond what we thought possible.

Used to say that something is not possible

Example: The situation is beyond our control.

5. Too far or too advanced for somebody/something

Example: The exercise was beyond the abilities of most of the class.

Circa

(used with dates) about, in approximately

Example: She was born circa 1920.

Concerning

About something, involving somebody/something

Example: All cases concerning children are dealt with in a special children’s court.

Synonyms: Apropos, Regarding, Respecting, With respect to, As for, As regards, In respect of, With regard to, In regard to

Considering

Used to show that you are thinking about a particular fact, and are influenced by it, when you make a statement about something

Example: Considering he has only just started, he knows quite a lot about it.

Despite/In spite of

Used to show that something happened or is true although something else might have happened to prevent it

Example: Despite applying for hundreds of jobs, he is still out of work.

Except/Except for/Apart from/Aside from

Used before mentioning the only thing or person about which a statement is not true

Example: We work every day except Sunday.

Excluding

Not including

Example: Lunch cost 10 dollars per person, excluding drinks.

Failing

Used to introduce a suggestion that could be considered if the one just mentioned is not possible

Example: Ask a friend to recommend a doctor or, failing that, ask for a list in your local library.

Following

After or as a result of a particular event

Example: He took charge of the family business following his father’s death.

Given

When you consider something

Example: Given his age (Considering how old he is), he is remarkably active.

Including

Having something as part of a group or set

Example: Six people were killed in the riot, including a policeman.

Notwithstanding

Without being affected by something; despite something

Example: Notwithstanding some financial problems, the club has had a successful year.

Onto

Used with verbs to express movement on or to a particular place or position
Example: She stepped down from the train onto the platform.
Used to show that something faces in a particular direction
Example: The window looked out onto the terrace.

Opposite

On the other side of a particular area from somebody/something, and usually facing them

Example: The bank is opposite the supermarket.

Acting in a film or plays as the partner of somebody

Example: She starred opposite Tom Hanks.

Past

Later than something

Example: It was past midnight when we got home.

On or to the other side of somebody/something

Example: He hurried past them without stopping.

3. Above or further than a particular point or stage

Example: Unemployment is now past the 3 million mark.

Per

Used to express the cost or amount of something for each

Example: This country has a higher crime rate per 100,000 of the population than most other European countries.

Qua

As something, in the role of something

Example: The soldier acted qua soldier, not as a human being.

Regarding

Concerning/about somebody/something

Example: She has said nothing regarding your request.

Respecting/With respect to

Concerning

Example: information respecting the child’s whereabouts

Sans (writing)

Without

Example: There were no potatoes so we had fish and chips sans the chips.

Save/Save for

Except something

Example: They knew nothing about her save her name.

Throughout

In or into every part of something

Example: They export their products to markets throughout the world.

During the whole period of time of something

Example: The museum is open daily throughout the year.

Towards

In the direction of somebody/something

Example: They were heading towards the German border.

Getting closer to achieve something

Example: This is a first step towards political union.

Close or closer to a point in time

Example: I left the job towards the end of April.

In relation to somebody/something

Example: He was tender and warm towards her.

With the aim of obtaining something, or helping somebody to obtain something

Example: The money will go towards a new school.

Underneath

Under or below something else, especially when it is hidden or covered by the thing on top

Example: The coin rolled underneath the piano.

Used to talk about somebody’s real feelings or character, as opposed to the way they seem to be

Example: Underneath her cool exterior she was really very frightened.

Upon

Formal use of “on”

Example: The decision was based upon two considerations.

Versus

Used to compare two different things

Example: It was the promise of better job opportunities versus the inconvenience of moving away and leaving her friends.

Via

Through a place

Example: We flew home via Dubai.

By means of a particular person, system…

Example: The news programme came to us via satellite.

Within

Before a particular period of time has passed; during a particular period of time

Example: Two elections were held within the space of a year.

2. Not further than a particular distance from something

Example: a house within a mile of the station

3. Inside the range or limits of something

Example: The question is not within the scope of this talk.

Inside somebody/something

Example: There is discontent within the farming industry.

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