Preposition + Noun Phrases in English: 20 Useful Examples

Preposition + noun phrases are common fixed expressions in English that help you sound more natural and fluent. In this lesson, you will learn 20 useful preposition + noun phrases with clear meanings, examples and a short practice exercise.

For example:

• at last means finally
• by mistake means accidentally
• under pressure means feeling stressed or forced to do something

Learning these phrases will help you sound more natural in everyday English, and they are also useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced writing and speaking tasks.

In this lesson, you will learn 20 useful preposition + noun phrases with:

• at
• by
• for
• in
• on
• under

What Are Preposition + Noun Phrases?

A preposition + noun phrase is a fixed expression that begins with a preposition and is followed by a noun.

Examples:

• at once
• by accident
• for good
• in control
• on the whole
• under pressure

Many of these phrases are used as adverbial expressions. This means they tell us how, when, why, or in what situation something happens.

Compare:

• She answered immediately.
• She answered at once.

The meaning is similar, but at once sounds more natural and slightly more formal.

Preposition + Noun Phrases with At

1. At last

Meaning: finally, after waiting for a long time. We use at last when something happens after delay, difficulty, or impatience.

• At last, the train arrived.
• We had been waiting all morning, and at last the doctor called us in.

Note: At last often suggests relief.

2. At once

Meaning: immediately. We use at once when something happens without delay. It is a little more formal than right away.

• The doctor said he would come at once.
• Please leave the building at once.

Similar phrase: immediately

3. At times

Meaning: sometimes, occasionally. We use at times to say that something happens from time to time.

• Tom can be rather arrogant at times.
• Learning English can be frustrating at times, but it is worth it.

Note: At times is often used when we are talking about something that is not always true.

Preposition + Noun Phrases with By

4. By mistake

Meaning: accidentally, because of an error. We use by mistake when someone does something incorrectly without intending to.

• I took your phone by mistake.
• She sent the email to the wrong person by mistake.

Common structure: Someone does something by mistake.

5. By accident

Meaning: accidentally, without planning or intending to. By accident is similar to by mistake, but it often describes something that happens unexpectedly rather than as a clear error.

• I met Sean by accident in the park.
• They found the old photographs by accident while cleaning the attic.

Difference between by mistake and by accident:

• By mistake = because of an error
  I called the wrong number by mistake.
• By accident = without planning it
  I met my old teacher by accident.

6. By choice

Meaning: because someone has chosen it freely. We use by choice when someone does something because they want to, not because they have to.

• Mary lives alone by choice.
• He left his job by choice, not because he was fired.

Useful phrase: not by choice = because there was no other option

• They moved house, but not by choice.

Preposition + Noun Phrases with For

7. For good

Meaning: permanently, forever. We use for good when something ends or changes permanently.

• Jill left her hometown for good.
• After years of problems, they closed the business for good.

Note: For good does not mean “for a good reason”. It means forever.

8. For the time being

Meaning: for now, temporarily. We use for the time being when something is true now, but may change later.

• This flat is a bit small, but we’ll stay here for the time being.
• For the time being, we are working from home.

Similar phrase: for now

9. For one thing

Meaning: used to introduce one reason, especially when there are other reasons too. We use for one thing when we want to give one reason for an opinion or decision.

• I don’t want to go out tonight. For one thing, I’m exhausted.
• We shouldn’t buy that car. For one thing, it’s too expensive.

Common pair: For one thing, it’s expensive. For another, it’s too far away.

10. For a song

Meaning: very cheaply. For a song is an idiomatic phrase. It means that something was bought or sold at a very low price.

• They bought the old house for a song.
• I found this beautiful jacket for a song in a charity shop.

Note: This phrase is informal and a little old-fashioned, but it is still useful to understand.

Preposition + Noun Phrases with In

11. In control

Meaning: able to manage a situation successfully. We use in control when someone is calm, confident, and able to manage what is happening.

• Celia seemed relaxed and in control of the car.
• The teacher remained in control of the class.

Common structure: be in control of something

• Who is in control of the project?

12. In any case

Meaning: anyway; whatever happens; used to add another reason or return to the main point. In any case is a very useful linking phrase. We often use it when giving an extra reason or saying that something does not change the situation.

• I may be wrong, but in any case, we should check the information.
• She probably won’t accept the offer. In any case, she has another interview next week.

Similar phrases:

• anyway
• at any rate
• whatever happens

13. In force

Meaning: officially active or operating, especially laws, rules, or regulations. We use in force when a law, rule, or agreement is officially valid.

• The new rules are now in force.
• The law has been in force since January.

Important note: When we talk about people coming in large numbers, we usually say out in force.

• Supporters turned out in force for the final match.

Preposition + Noun Phrases with On

14. On second thoughts

Meaning: used when you change your mind after thinking again. In British English, we usually say on second thoughts. In American English, people often say on second thought.

• I’ll have coffee, please. Actually, on second thoughts, I’ll have tea.
• At first, he accepted the offer, but on second thoughts, he decided to wait.

Useful for speaking: This phrase is very natural when you correct yourself.

15. On the whole

Meaning: in general, considering everything. We use on the whole to give a general opinion after considering different points.

Examples:

• On the whole, I enjoyed the film.
• The hotel wasn’t perfect, but on the whole, we had a pleasant stay.

Useful for Cambridge writing: This phrase is useful in essays, reviews, reports, and articles.

16. On hold

Meaning: delayed or paused until later. We use on hold when something is temporarily stopped or delayed.

• The project has been put on hold.
• Please stay on hold and an operator will speak to you shortly.

Common structures:

• be on hold
• put something on hold

Preposition + Noun Phrases with Under

17. Under age / Underage

Meaning: not legally old enough to do something. As an adjective before a noun, we usually write underage as one word.

Examples:

• underage drinking
• an underage driver

After the verb be, you may also see under age, although underage is more common.

• She is underage, so she cannot buy alcohol.
• He was not allowed to enter because he was under age.

18. Under control

Meaning: being managed successfully; no longer dangerous or chaotic. We use under control when a difficult situation is being managed.

• The firefighters finally got the fire under control.
• A good gardener needs to keep weeds under control.

Difference between in control and under control:

• A person is in control of something.
  She is in control of the meeting.
• A situation is under control.
  The situation is under control.

19. Under pressure

Meaning: feeling stressed, worried, or forced to do something. We use under pressure when someone is dealing with stress, demands, or expectations.

• The minister was under pressure to resign.
• Students often feel under pressure before exams.

Common structures:

• be under pressure
• work well under pressure
• put someone under pressure

20. Under oath

Meaning: having formally promised to tell the truth, especially in court. We use under oath in legal situations.

• The witness spoke under oath.
• He was accused of lying under oath.

Note: This phrase is formal and mainly used in legal contexts.

Quick Review Table

at last	finally
at once	immediately
at times	sometimes
by mistake	accidentally, because of an error
by accident	without planning or intending to
by choice	because someone has chosen it
for good	permanently
for the time being	for now
for one thing	used to introduce one reason
for a song	very cheaply
in control	able to manage a situation
in any case	anyway; whatever happens
in force	officially active or valid
on second thoughts	after thinking again
on the whole	in general
on hold	delayed or paused
underage / under age	not legally old enough
under control	being managed successfully
under pressure	feeling stressed or forced
under oath	having formally promised to tell the truth

Practice Exercise: Choose the Correct Phrase

Complete each sentence with the correct preposition + noun phrase.

at last / at once / at times / by mistake / by accident / by choice / for good / for the time being / for one thing / for a song / in control / in any case / in force / on second thoughts / on the whole / on hold / underage / under control / under pressure / under oath

1. The new law will come __________ next month.
2. I sent the message to the wrong person __________.
3. She seems calm and __________, even when things go wrong.
4. I don’t want to buy that flat. __________, it’s too far from work.
5. The project has been put __________ until we get more funding.
6. He left the country __________ and never returned.
7. __________, I think the presentation went quite well.
8. The children found the old coins __________ while digging in the garden.
9. Students often feel __________ before important exams.
10. Please call me __________ if there is a problem.
11. The witness gave evidence __________.
12. We are staying with my sister __________.
13. I thought I wanted the blue dress, but __________, I’ll take the black one.
14. It was difficult, but they got the situation __________.
15. She lives in a small village __________, not because she has to.
16. We bought the table __________ at a second-hand shop.
17. __________, learning grammar can feel confusing.
18. He is __________, so he cannot legally buy alcohol.
19. After a long delay, the bus arrived __________.
20. I don’t think we’ll finish today. __________, we can continue tomorrow.

Answer Key: 1. in force, 2. by mistake, . in control, 4. For one thing, 5. on hold, 6. for good, 7. On the whole, 8. by accident, 9. under pressure, 10. at once, 11. under oath, 12. for the time being, 13. on second thoughts, 14. under control, 15. by choice, 16. for a song, 17. At times, 18. underage, 19. at last, 20. In any case

Final Thoughts

Preposition + noun phrases may be short, but they are extremely useful. They help you express ideas more naturally, especially when you want to sound fluent, precise, and confident.

Instead of always saying finally, you can say at last.

Instead of saying temporarily, you can say for the time being.

Instead of saying generally, you can say on the whole.

The more fixed phrases you know, the easier it becomes to understand natural English and use it yourself in speaking, writing, exams, and everyday conversations.

Related posts:

Prepositional Phrases for Formal Writing 

Noun + Preposition Collocations 

Verb + Preposition Collocations 

Adjective + Preposition Collocations 

50 Prepositional Phrases Related to Time 

Linking Words and Phrases 

Collocations for Expressing Opinions in English

Making Generalisations in English: Useful Phrases and Examples 

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