Compound Prepositions

A compound preposition is formed with more than one word, but it is exactly like a simple preposition. The last word of a compound preposition is always one of the simple prepositions, so it will be easy to recognize compound prepositions. You will notice that many of the following compound prepositions are formed with a directional word and the simple preposition de. Remember that if a directional word is used without de, it is no longer considered a preposition. The most common compound prepositions indicate location. The following are some compound prepositions of location. Other compound prepositions are more idiomatic.

a espaldas de

behind the back of

a fines de

at the end

a lo largo de

along

a partir de

from (time or date) on, starting …

a través de

through

abajo de

underneath

adentro de

inside

afuera de

outside (of)

al lado de

next to

alrededor de

around

antes de

before

enfrente de

in front of

frente a

opposite, facing

fuera de

outside of (prep)

junto a

close to, next to

lejos de

far from

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