including a preposition

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A question about whether the word 'including' works as a preposition in English grammar.

   Grammar: Used as a label or search phrase, not as a sentence; the answer is yes.

   Patterns

   • Is including a preposition?
   • including as a preposition

   A student asked, 'Is including a preposition?' and the teacher said yes.

   The worksheet title was 'Including a preposition: true or false?' and most learners got it right.

   In 'everyone, including me, was late', the word 'including' behaves as a preposition.

2. 2preposition

   Used before a noun to show that the named person or thing is also part of the group just mentioned.

   Grammar: It comes before a noun or pronoun: including me, including tax.

   Patterns

   • including someone
   • including something
   • including me/you/us

   Everyone was tired, including the driver.

   The price is $40, including breakfast.

   Many countries, including Brazil and India, took part.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   The -ing form of 'include', meaning having someone or something as part of a larger group or set.

   Grammar: As a verb form it can follow 'is/are': the team is including more women this year.

   Patterns

   • be including something
   • be including someone

   The new plan is including more local voices than before.

   She is including a short summary at the end of each report.

Common combinations

including me

All my friends came, including me.

including tax

The ticket costs £20, including tax.

including shipping

The total is $75, including shipping.

everyone including

Everyone including the teacher clapped.

including but not limited to

Fees apply, including but not limited to late charges.

Synonyms and how they differ

such as

Use 'such as' when you give examples, but 'including' stresses that the items really are part of the group.

containing

'Containing' focuses on what is inside something, while 'including' focuses on who or what is added to a group.

together with

'Together with' joins two things equally; 'including' marks one item as part of a bigger set.

Opposites

Word family

include verb

To have someone or something as part of a group.

included adjective

Contained in a price, group, or list.

inclusion noun

The act of making someone or something part of a group.

inclusive adjective

Welcoming everyone, or covering all items.

Commonly confused: including a preposition or included? including a preposition or excluded?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “including a preposition”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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