Here is a list of complex prepositions from another site called who I am not endorsing one way or another, but merely citing as a source for their vetted list of complex prepositions.
Any examples here are my own understanding of each phrases use (unvetted). The author on called these groups of words "Wolf Packs" because they worked together to establish a relationship between the other parts of the sentence. I like his term for use on Wattpad since there are so many "wolf" stories here. The pack rules👍
Wolf Pack phrase -> relationship -> Ex: Example (relationship in other words).
A:
according to: (Usually after a sentence or phrase) Then referencing a source book or person as an appeal to authority. Ex1: Follow grammar rules according to (as spelled out by) The Chicago Manual of Style (the authority). Ex1: That's how you play poker according to Hoyle (the authority). Use simple prepositions instead of multi-word ones whoever possible (see the prior chapter).
adjacent to: Next to (pronoun or noun) Ex: "Grammar Tools" cover is adjacent to "The Igniters" cover on my phone, but above it in on its display (even though a computer screen is not a table we refer to things as 'on' the screen just like we say people are 'on' the phone.)
ahead of: Coming before (pronoun or noun) as in a lineup or earlier in a list. Ex: My book, "Wasted in Waldport" is ahead of "Grammar Tools" in my book list on an Apple phone.
along with: (Noun or pronoun) verb (name of group noun or pronoun that the first noun is part of). Ex: "Grammar Tools" is listed along with all my other books on every device I own.
apart from: Apart from usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun) then the (other group noun or noun phrase) and how that's different in some way from (the Noun or pronoun). Ex: Apart from "Grammar Tools", all my other books are fiction (how different).
as for: As for usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you are singling out for your relationship) then (what pertains to what's been singled out). Ex: As for John, I can't speak about his ability to write.
as of: As of usually starts the sentence, then (the time-related Noun or pronoun) then (what happens at that time). Ex: As of midnight, I'm not writing any more of these relationships.
as per: As per usually starts the sentence, then (the authority Noun or pronoun) then (what that authority says). Ex1: As perThe Chicago Manual of Style, these phrases are complex prepositions, but you should favor simpler one-word prepositions if they can work as well. Ex2: (or favor no preposition at all)The Chicago Manual of Style says you should favor simpler one-word prepositions if they can work as well as wordier complex ones.
as regards: As regards usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you want to call attention to) then (what you want to say). Ex: As regards my advice above? (i.e. In the "as per" paragraph or somewhere higher in this list) Take it or leave it. (What I want to say.)
as to: As to usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you want to call attention to) then (what you want to say). Ex: As to my examples, some are better than others. (What I want to say.)
aside from: Aside from usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you want to call attention to) then (what you want to say). Ex: Aside from the next entry, the last two have three or more words in the phrase.
away from: Keep (noun or verb phrase) at a distance from (noun or verb phrase). Ex: Keep children away from books. They might learn to read.
as a result of: As a result usually starts the sentence, then (noun or verb phrase) then the consequence of the first phrase (noun or verb phrase). Ex: As a result of reading, children might learn to write.
at the expense of: Ex: Then writers might get rich at the expense of poor readers. (Proposition) implying an increase balanced by another (noun or noun phrase's) decrease.
B:
because of: Because of often starts a sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you are singling out to blame) then (what pertains to what's been singled out). Ex1: Because of the pandemic (excuse), I haven't gotten as much writing done (negative statement). or Ex2: I'm not writing because of (excuse) the pandemic, or I'm writing (new activity) better (how changed?) because of (the reason) the pandemic.
but for: But for is like Because of yet implies a negative and the excuse usually comes first. Ex1: But for the pandemic (excuse), I'd have written more (what would have happened). Ex2: I'd be published (false positive result), but for the pandemic (the excuse for the false positive).
by means of: I write (action) by means of pen and paper (tools to accomplish action), not computers (other means). Ex: As for John, I can't speak about his ability to write.
by virtue of: As for usually starts the sentence, then (the Noun or pronoun you are singling out for your relationship) then (what pertains to what's been singled out). Ex: As for John, I can't speak about his ability to write.
by way of: (indicating a side trip on a main route, or through the help of) I went from Seattle to New York by way of (side trip on a main route) Canada. I got the position by way of (through the help of) a card on the college job postings board.
