An intransitive preposition is a preposition that does not require or cannot take a direct object (complement). These prepositions can stand alone and function adverbially, modifying verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses without needing a noun phrase to complete their meaning.
What Makes Intransitive Prepositions Special?
Intransitive prepositions challenge traditional definitions of prepositions because they don't form prepositional phrases with objects. They're essential for expressing time, location, and manner in concise ways, and are frequently used in both spoken and written English.
Quick Examples:
- Come inside; it's raining.
- I'll be there afterwards.
- She looked up and saw a bird.
- We arrived late, but they were still around.
- Notwithstanding, we decided to proceed.
Key Characteristics:
- Do not require grammatical objects
- Can modify verbs without forming prepositional phrases
- Often function similarly to adverbs
- Many can also be used transitively in different contexts
- Common in both formal and informal English
Core Intransitive Prepositions
1. Pure Intransitive Prepositions
These rarely or never take objects:
Examples:
- ago: She left three days ago.
- notwithstanding: Notwithstanding, we continued.
- hence: Hence, we conclude...
- thence: We traveled thence.
2. Dual-Function Prepositions
These can be used either transitively or intransitively:
Examples:
- aboard: All aboard! (intransitive) vs. We went aboard the ship (transitive)
- around: She's coming around (intransitive) vs. We walked around the park (transitive)
- down: Sit down (intransitive) vs. We walked down the street (transitive)
- up: Look up (intransitive) vs. Climb up the ladder (transitive)
3. Time-Related Intransitives
Used for temporal references without objects:
Examples:
- afterwards: We'll meet afterwards.
- beforehand: Prepare the materials beforehand.
- since: I haven't seen him since.
- yet: Has she arrived yet?
4. Location/Direction Intransitives
Indicate place or movement without objects:
Examples:
- here: Come here.
- there: Put it there.
- inside: Let's go inside.
- outside: It's cold outside.
- away: Go away!
5. Phrasal Verb Particles
Many function as intransitive prepositions:
Examples:
- The plane took off.
- She gave in.
- We'll have to make do.
- He showed up late.
Detailed Usage Rules
1. Standalone Function
Intransitive prepositions don't need complements:
Correct:
Please come inside.
Incorrect Attempt:
✖ Please come inside the house. (This makes "inside" transitive)
2. Adverbial Function
They typically modify verbs:
- We went abroad last year.
- Look up when you speak.
- They stayed behind.
3. Position Flexibility
Many can appear in different sentence positions:
Initial Position:
Afterwards, we had dinner.
Middle Position:
We then went home.
Final Position:
She hasn't called since.
4. Comparison with Adverbs
Many intransitive prepositions are identical to adverbs:
As Preposition:
Come in. (No object)
As Adverb:
He walked in quietly.
5. With vs. Without Objects
Some words change meaning based on transitivity:
Intransitive:
She looked up. (Direction)
Transitive:
She looked up the word. (Research)
Advanced Usage: Nuances and Subtleties
1. "Ago" vs. "Before"
"Ago" (intransitive):
She left three days ago.
"Before" (transitive):
She left before the meeting.
2. "Notwithstanding" Positioning
Initial Position:
Notwithstanding, we proceeded.
Final Position:
We proceeded, notwithstanding.
3. "Hence" and "Thence"
"Hence":
It's raining; hence, the game is canceled.
"Thence":
We flew to Paris and thence to Rome.
4. "Yet" in Questions vs. Statements
Question:
Has she arrived yet?
Negative Statement:
She hasn't arrived yet.
5. Phrasal Verb Distinctions
Intransitive Particle:
The plane took off.
Transitive Preposition:
He took off his coat.
Intransitive Prepositions in Academic Writing
1. Formal Transitions
- Hence, we conclude that...
- Notwithstanding, the results suggest...
2. Temporal References
- The samples were collected three days ago.
- Participants were briefed beforehand.
3. Concise Modifiers
- The phenomenon occurs here.
- Data will be discussed below.
4. Avoiding Overuse
While useful, many intransitive prepositions are too informal for academic writing:
Too Informal:
The solution turned up unexpectedly.
Academic:
The solution was discovered unexpectedly.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
1. Adding Unnecessary Objects
Incorrect:
✖ We arrived three days ago the meeting.
Correct:
✔ We arrived three days ago.
2. Confusing with Transitive Forms
Incorrect:
✖ She looked up the sky.
Correct:
✔ She looked up. (intransitive)
✔ She looked at the sky. (transitive)
3. Misplacing "Notwithstanding"
Incorrect:
✖ We proceeded notwithstanding the objections.
Correct:
✔ We proceeded, notwithstanding.
4. Overusing Informal Forms
Too Informal:
The results came out surprising.
Academic:
The results were surprisingly positive.
5. Confusing "Yet" Placement
Incorrect:
✖ Yet she hasn't arrived.
Correct:
✔ She hasn't arrived yet.
Standardized Test Focus (IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)
1. Error Identification Questions
Identify the error:
"The discovery was made (A) three years (B) ago the (C) initial research (D)."
Answer: (C) - "ago" is intransitive and can't take an object
2. Sentence Completion Questions
Choose the correct word:
"______, we must consider alternative approaches."
- A) Hence
- B) Aboard
- C) Inside
- D) Outside
Answer: A) "Hence" (formal transitional intransitive preposition)
3. Writing Section Tips
- Use formal intransitives ("hence," "notwithstanding") appropriately
- Avoid informal phrasal verbs in academic essays
- Ensure intransitive prepositions aren't incorrectly given objects
4. Speaking Test Tips
- Use natural intransitives ("inside," "outside") fluently
- Demonstrate range of temporal expressions ("afterwards")
- Maintain appropriate formality level
Practice Activities
1. Fill-in-the-Blank
Complete with correct intransitive prepositions:
- Please come _____; it's getting dark.
- The results were published three months _____.
- _____, we must reject this hypothesis.
Answers:
- inside
- ago
- Hence
2. Error Correction
Correct these sentences:
- She left ago the meeting.
- Notwithstanding the objections, we proceeded.
- The data was analyzed beforehand the experiment.
Answers:
- She left before the meeting. OR She left earlier.
- We proceeded, notwithstanding.
- The data was analyzed beforehand.
3. Formal Writing Practice
Rewrite this paragraph using appropriate intransitive prepositions:
"The samples were collected before the analysis. The team worked inside the lab. The results were surprising."
Answer:
"The samples were collected beforehand. The team worked inside. The results were, hence, surprising."
Comprehensive Reference Table
| Preposition |
Type |
Function |
Example |
| ago |
Pure intransitive |
Time reference |
Three years ago |
| notwithstanding |
Pure intransitive |
Concession |
Notwithstanding, we continued |
| hence |
Pure intransitive |
Conclusion |
Hence, we decided |
| inside |
Dual-function |
Location |
Go inside |
| afterwards |
Temporal |
Time sequence |
We met afterwards |
| up |
Phrasal verb particle |
Direction |
Look up |
| yet |
Temporal |
Uncompleted action |
Hasn't finished yet |
Final Checklist for Mastery
- ✓ Understand what makes a preposition intransitive
- ✓ Recognize common intransitive prepositions
- ✓ Can use them without unnecessary objects
- ✓ Know formal vs. informal usage
- ✓ Apply knowledge to test questions
- ✓ Distinguish from transitive prepositions
- ✓ Use appropriately in academic writing
Pro Tip:
When encountering a preposition without an object, check if it's truly intransitive or if the object has been omitted (like in "She looked up [the word]"). True intransitive prepositions cannot logically take objects.