The Preposition

Beyond: "Beyond" has the meanings 'on the other, further, side, further on, more than':

The woods go for about two miles beyond the river.

He lives in a small castle, about four miles beyond Oxford.

He loves her beyond measure.

By: "By" is used with a great many meanings, it expresses:

a. Nearness:Come and sit by me.

b. Direction or movement:

We came to Damascus by way of Amman and Irbid.

c. Agency: The book was written by Dickens.

d. Time: We traveled by night.

e. Measurement:

These goods are sold by weight.

He is older than I' am by ten years.

Down: "Down" expresses movement from a higher to a lower position:

They walked down the hill.

The sun goes down in the west.

Except: "Except" (for), excepting means 'not including' , 'apart from':

We have lessons every day except (excepting) Friday and Saturday.