Simple prepositions are made up of one word. On, above, beside, between, in, and near are examples of simple prepositions.Compound prepositions are made up of more than one word. Because of, for want of, in front of, with regard to, and apart from are examples of compound prepositions. Compound prepositions stay together.Let's take your example: "in front of the fireplace." "In front of" is a compound preposition. It can be replaced with a simple preposition. You could say "NEAR the fireplace" or "BEHIND the fireplace," and it would make just as much sense as "IN FRONT OF the fireplace." "In front of" is just a group of words that you say all together, just like you would say "near," "behind," or "to the right of."
