Here you’ll find 45 Prepositions that start with I that begin with I, organized from “in” to “irrespective of”. Most are short directional or logical prepositions, and several are multi-word phrases. You’ll use them for location, time, manner, cause, and formal contrast.
Prepositions that start with I are words or phrases that link nouns, pronouns, or clauses to other words. For example, “in” has Old English roots and remains one of the most frequent prepositions.
Below you’ll find the table with Preposition, Definition, Common Pairings, and Example.
Preposition: Shows the head word or phrase that begins with I, so you quickly identify the entry you need.
Definition: Gives a concise meaning in everyday terms, helping you choose the correct preposition in context.
Common Pairings: Lists typical complements and collocations, so you can see natural word combinations and usage.
Example: Provides one clear sentence showing natural usage, so you can model your own writing or speech.
Prepositions that start with I
| Preposition | Form | Meaning | Common pairings |
|---|---|---|---|
| in | single-word | expressing location, time, or inclusion | the room, the city, 2021, trouble |
| into | single-word | movement toward the interior of something | the house, the water, the office |
| inside | single-word | located within something | the box, the house, the team |
| inside of | prepositional phrase | colloquial variant of “inside” (US) | the fridge, the car, that box |
| including | single-word | as part of a group; among them | taxes, fees, examples, children |
| instead of | prepositional phrase | as an alternative to; rather than | coffee, work, that option |
| in front of | prepositional phrase | positioned before or ahead of something | the house, the line, the mirror |
| in spite of | prepositional phrase | despite; without being prevented by | warnings, rain, lack of money |
| in addition to | prepositional phrase | besides; as well as | salary, taxes, his duties |
| in lieu of | prepositional phrase | in place of; instead of (formal) | cash, a refund, apology |
| in light of | prepositional phrase | considering; because of | evidence, the report, recent events |
| in view of | prepositional phrase | because of; considering | the risks, the results, facts |
| in terms of | prepositional phrase | with regard to; measured by | cost, size, quality, language |
| in accordance with | prepositional phrase | following a rule, law, or agreement | policy, contract, instructions |
| in case of | prepositional phrase | if something happens; in the event of | fire, emergency, power failure |
| in charge of | prepositional phrase | responsible for; having authority over | the team, project, children |
| in contrast to | prepositional phrase | differing from; compared with | last year, other studies, theory |
| in contrast with | prepositional phrase | alternative variant of ‘in contrast to’ | earlier work, that approach |
| in exchange for | prepositional phrase | in return for something given or received | money, services, goods |
| in favor of | prepositional phrase | supporting or choosing something | the bill, change, the candidate |
| in return for | prepositional phrase | as a response or repayment for | help, services, payment |
| in relation to | prepositional phrase | concerning; connected with | records, the issue, report |
| in response to | prepositional phrase | as an answer to; reacting to | emails, criticism, demand |
| in line with | prepositional phrase | consistent with; matching | policy, goals, expectations |
| in keeping with | prepositional phrase | consistent with a style or rule | tradition, requests, tone |
| in pursuit of | prepositional phrase | seeking or chasing something | justice, goals, the thief |
| in the event of | prepositional phrase | if something should happen; in case of | accident, strike, absence |
| in the face of | prepositional phrase | despite difficult circumstances | danger, opposition, hardship |
| in respect of | prepositional phrase | concerning; regarding (mainly British) | taxation, duties, matters |
| irrespective of | prepositional phrase | without regard to; regardless of | age, cost, status |
| independently of | prepositional phrase | without dependence on; separately from | others, funding, opinion |
| in between | prepositional phrase | in the middle of two things; among | two chairs, tasks, moments |
| in place of | prepositional phrase | as a substitute for; instead of | salt, teacher, device |
| in compliance with | prepositional phrase | following rules or regulations | law, standards, requests |
| in aid of | prepositional phrase | for the benefit or support of | charity, victims, relief |
| in general | prepositional phrase | generally; usually; by and large | people, practice, terms |
| in the meantime | prepositional phrase | during the intervening time; until then | we wait, repairs, decision |
| in due course | prepositional phrase | at a suitable later time | you will be told, decisions, replies |
| in defiance of | prepositional phrase | deliberately resisting or disobeying | orders, rules, authority |
| in default of | prepositional phrase | if lacking something; failing which | money, evidence, instructions |
| in conformity with | prepositional phrase | agreeing with rules or standards | law, custom, policy |
| in consideration of | prepositional phrase | because of; taking into account | evidence, merits, payment |
| in memory of | prepositional phrase | to honor or remember someone | the dead, victims, heroes |
| in honor of | prepositional phrase | to celebrate or honor someone or event | a party, ceremony, award |
| in connection with | prepositional phrase | relating or linked to something | the case, inquiry, project |
Descriptions
in
Basic, extremely common preposition. Example: She is in the room. (common)
into
Indicates entering or movement inside. Example: He walked into the building. (common)
inside
Shows interior location. Example: The keys are inside the drawer. (common)
inside of
Colloquial US form, less formal than ‘inside’. Example: There’s milk inside of the fridge. (US, informal)
including
Used to introduce examples or parts of a whole. Example: Prices, including taxes, are shown. (common)
instead of
Common phrase to indicate substitution. Example: She drank tea instead of coffee. (common)
in front of
Physical or figurative position ahead. Example: Park in front of the shop. (common)
in spite of
Formal phrase meaning ‘despite’. Example: They went out in spite of the rain. (common)
in addition to
Used to add items or facts. Example: In addition to rent, pay utilities. (common)
in lieu of
Formal alternative to ‘instead of’. Example: They accepted vouchers in lieu of cash. (formal)
in light of
Used to introduce reasons or context. Example: In light of new evidence, we changed course. (common/formal)
in view of
Synonym of ‘in light of’, formal. Example: In view of the storm, cancel plans. (formal)
in terms of
Frames discussion or criteria. Example: In terms of price, it’s reasonable. (common)
in accordance with
Formal phrase for compliance. Example: Act in accordance with the policy. (formal)
in case of
Used for warnings or instructions. Example: In case of fire, use stairs. (common)
in charge of
Indicates responsibility. Example: She is in charge of the team. (common)
in contrast to
Used to draw a clear comparison. Example: In contrast to last year, sales rose. (common)
in contrast with
Less common variant; both attested. Example: In contrast with earlier work, this finds… (common)
in exchange for
Used for trade or swaps. Example: He offered help in exchange for advice. (common)
in favor of
Shows support or preference. Example: They voted in favor of the law. (common; UK: in favour of)
in return for
Indicates reciprocity or compensation. Example: He offered help in return for payment. (common)
in relation to
Links one thing to another. Example: We need papers in relation to the case. (common)
in response to
Used to indicate a reaction. Example: In response to criticism, they apologized. (common)
in line with
Shows agreement or conformity. Example: This policy is in line with law. (common)
in keeping with
Idiomatic phrase meaning ‘in agreement with’. Example: Decor in keeping with tradition. (common/formal)
in pursuit of
Used for active seeking or chasing. Example: They traveled in pursuit of justice. (common)
in the event of
Formal instruction phrase for contingencies. Example: In the event of emergency, call 911. (common)
in the face of
Highlights action despite obstacles. Example: She smiled in the face of danger. (common)
in respect of
Formal British phrase meaning ‘regarding’. Example: In respect of your query, see below. (UK, formal)
irrespective of
Formal phrase stressing lack of influence. Example: Irrespective of age, apply now. (formal)
independently of
Indicates separation or independence. Example: Decide independently of outside pressure. (common/formal)
in between
Common colloquial phrase; sometimes styled ‘between’. Example: The shop is in between two banks. (informal)
in place of
Common substitution phrase. Example: Use yogurt in place of cream. (common)
in compliance with
Formal legal/administrative phrase. Example: Operate in compliance with safety rules. (formal)
in aid of
Common British phrase meaning ‘for the benefit of’. Example: A concert was held in aid of flood victims. (UK)
in general
Adverbial phrase for broad statements. Example: In general, people agree. (common)
in the meantime
Adverbial phrase for interim time. Example: In the meantime, read this article. (common)
in due course
Formal time phrase indicating later action. Example: You will be informed in due course. (formal)
in defiance of
Shows rebellious or opposing action. Example: He acted in defiance of orders. (common/formal)
in default of
Rare/older formal phrase. Example: In default of proof, case dismissed. (archaic/formal)
in conformity with
Formal phrase similar to ‘in accordance with’. Example: Built in conformity with code. (formal)
in consideration of
Formal or legal phrase noting cause or exchange. Example: In consideration of his service, award given. (formal)
in memory of
Used on memorials and dedications. Example: The plaque is in memory of her. (common)
in honor of
Common celebratory phrase (UK spelling: in honour of). Example: The dinner was in honor of her retirement. (US; UK variant)
in connection with
Common legal/administrative linking phrase. Example: Documents in connection with the case. (common)