Grammar Worksheet · Grades 5–7
Compound Prepositions Worksheet
A printable grammar worksheet for grades 5-7 on compound prepositions like in front of, because of, and next to. Students decide whether each underlined preposition is made of more than one word across eight sentences, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
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Subject
Grammar
Grades
Grades 5–7
Skill Focus
Compound Prepositions, parts of speech
Lesson Length
20 minutes
Learning Objective
Students will identify compound prepositions made of more than one word.
Parts of Speech
Compound Prepositions: The Rule and a Full List
A compound preposition is a preposition made of more than one word that works together as a single preposition. In front of is three words doing one job. Most of them end in of, to, from or with.
Compound prepositions — the short answer
- A preposition shows how a noun connects to the rest of the sentence — where, when, or why.
- Most prepositions are one word: in, on, under, with.
- A compound preposition is two or three words acting as one: because of, next to, in spite of.
- You cannot split it. In front of the house is one preposition plus one noun, not three prepositions.
- It still begins a prepositional phrase, and it still needs an object after it.
- Quick check: if a single preposition can replace the whole group without changing the meaning, it is a compound preposition. Because of → from.
Ending in of
ahead of · as of · because of · by means of · in back of · in case of · in front of · in place of · in spite of · in view of · instead of · on account of · on behalf of · on top of · out of · regardless of
Ending in to
according to · as to · close to · contrary to · due to · in addition to · next to · owing to · prior to · subsequent to · thanks to · up to · with regard to
Ending in from, with or for
across from · apart from · aside from · away from · along with · together with · as for · but for · except for · in exchange for
Single-word prepositions, for comparison
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 · over · past · since · through · to · toward · under · until · up · upon · with · within · without
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Compound prepositions are also called complex prepositions or phrasal prepositions. Careful with due to: many teachers still ask students to use it only after a form of be (the delay was due to rain) and to use because of everywhere else.
Lesson Overview
About this worksheet
A compound preposition is made of more than one word but works together as a single preposition, such as in front of, because of, according to, next to, and instead of. This worksheet helps students recognize these multi-word prepositions and tell them from single-word prepositions like in, on, under, and with.
Section A on page 1 gives eight sentences with a preposition marked, and students write yes or no for whether it is compound. The reference box teaches the idea with an ‘in front of the house’ example, so the assessed sentences stay independent of the model.
Section B on page 2 asks what a compound preposition is, to name two, how many words a single-word preposition has, and to write a sentence using ‘because of.’ Page 3 is a complete answer key with sample answers. The skill builds on prepositions and prepositional phrases.
How to Use This Lesson
Read the reference box aloud and count the words in ‘in front of’ versus ‘in.’
Complete Section A independently – have students count the words in each marked preposition.
Discuss how a compound preposition still begins one prepositional phrase.
Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check.
Pair with the Prepositions Worksheet or the Prepositional Phrases Worksheet.
Printable Resource
A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.
Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key
Compound Prepositions Worksheet
A printable grammar worksheet for grades 5-7 on compound prepositions like in front of, because of, and next to. Students decide whether each underlined preposition is made of more than one word across eight sentences, then answer four short questions. A complete answer key is included.
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