[PDF] PREPOSITIONS

The noun or pronoun at the end of the prepositional phrase is the object of the preposition Example: He went to the store In this example, “to the store” is the prepositional phrase, “to” is the preposition, and “store” is the object of the preposition

1 A preposition relates the noun or pronoun following it to another word in the sentence EXAMPLE The duck floated on the surface of the pond The dog ran across the yard and hid between the bushes

[PDF] PREPOSITIONS - American University

[PDF] Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases - Moore Public Schools

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun, and is used as an adjective or adverb Examples:

[PDF] Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Prepositions

The subject of a sentence is NEVER in the prepositional phrase Be aware that sentences can have back-to-back prepositional phrases Example: You'll find the

[PDF] Grammar: Using Prepositions - UVic

A preposition is a word or group of words used to link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence Some examples of prepositions are single

[PDF] Preposition Chart

Preposition Chart Preposition How It's Used Example Showing Time At exact times meal times parts of the day age at 3pm at dinner at sundown at age

30 sept 2011 · 2 Now read the sentences Choose the correct words in italics The highlighted grammar examples will help you 1 Our closest theatre festival

[PDF] Prepositions - Columbia College

Look at how many prepositional phrases are in the following sentence Example: We will leave (on our trip) (to Las Vegas) (before nightfall) (by 5:00)

[PDF] PREPOSITIONS

In the example above, the prepositions show the relationships between a plane and a cloud Below is a list of most common prepositions: about beside inside to

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CONTENTS: CLICK ON A HEADING BELOW TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO THAT TOPIC.

PREPOSITIONS ................................................................................................................... 1

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES .................................................................................................. 1

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................. 2

EXERCISES ......................................................................................................................... 3

PREPOSITIONS

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence.

Common prepositions

about above across after against among around as at before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond but by despite down during except for from in inside into like near next of off on onto opposite out outside over past to toward under unlike until unto up with within without

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, a pronoun, or a word group serving as a noun. This ending element is called the object of the preposition. The combination of a preposition and a noun or pronoun gives us a prepositional phrase. of many after the game to the house for you Note: The phrases often include an article (a, an, the).

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Preposition Prepositional phrase Object of the preposition in in a house house from from the market market with with an antelope antelope for for the last time time

THE INDIRECT OBJECT PHRASE

A prepositional phrase with a hidden preposition is the indirect object phrase. An indirect object looks like an object of the verb, but is to, for, or of. To find if there is an indirect object, use the indirect object question. Example: Mr. Potter showed Ms. Calendar a better way.

Indirect object question: Showed to whom?

Answer: To Ms. Calendar

Hidden preposition for indirect object: Mr. Potter showed (to) Ms.

Calendar a better way.

HOW TO USE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Prepositional phrases are either adjectives or adverbs, so the adjective and adverb questions identify them. When prepositional phrases act as adjectives, they answer one of the following questions:

Which?

What kind?

How many?

Whose?

However, most adjective prepositional phrases answer the question which. For example:

Example: The horse in the third stall is mine.

Adjective question: Which horse?

Answer: The horse in the third stall.

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When prepositional phrases act as adverbs, they answer one of the five adverb questions: When?

Where?

Why? How?

Under what conditions?

Example: We stood in the rain for hours.

This sentence has two prepositional phrases used as adverbs. in the rain tells us where we stood. for hours tells us when we stood.

WHERE TO USE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Prepositional phrases can modify many parts of a sentence and may be found in several places: Examples: In the big house with his dog at his side, Mike felt safe.

I was walking through the snow, and I was cold.

Ali slumped like a broken doll after the boxing match.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE

A prepositional phrase is never the subject of a sentence. Crossing out the prepositional phrases helps to identify the subject. Example: A student in the class fell asleep during the long lecture.

In and during are prepositions.

Crossing out their prepositional phrases leaves A student fell asleep. A student in the class fell asleep during the long lecture, therefore student is the subject of the sentence.

INTRODUCTORY WORDS OF CLAUSES

Often, prepositions can be used as introductory words of clauses, not as prepositional phrases. The clause has a subject and a verb; the phrase does not.

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Examples: Introductory independent clause: After I came home, I went to bed. (Both clauses have a subject and a verb.) Introductory prepositional phrase: After the game, I went to bed. (After the game does not have a subject and verb, so it is a prepositional phrase.)

INFINITIVE PHRASES

Infinitive phrases (to plus a verb) cause trouble in identifying prepositional phrases: The word to, with a noun, creates a prepositional phrase, but The word to, with a verb, creates an infinitive phrase. Examples: Prepositional phrase: I went to the game. (game is a noun, so to the game is a prepositional phrase) Infinitive: I wanted to go. (go is a verb, so to go is an infinitive)

IDIOMS

Idioms are groups of words that do not easily fit the standard rules of grammar. People who "run for office," for example, need not be track stars; rather, this idiom means they are seeking public office. Combinations of verbs or adjectives and prepositions can be confusing for both native and nonnative English speakers.

Common idioms

from time to time at all times in the end out of season out of the blue on the other hand for a living by the way

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EXERCISES

PRACTICE EXERCISE A

Make prepositional phrases out of these words by drawing lines from one column to the other. in the movies over the water under the couch at the ground Tip: Many of the nouns can be interchanged (in the movies, in the water, in the ground). Use prepositional phrases to add details to writing.

PRACTICE EXERCISE B

Underline the prepositional phrases in the following sentences.

Example: I needed a bandage for my elbow.

1. During the war, I went to Germany.

2. Through the water, I could see into the ship.

3. To see England was my dream.

4. In the hallway I saw a man going to the office.

5. When he called I ran to the telephone.

6. As soon as I got home, my mom wanted to leave.

7. We went to the baseball game on Saturday.

8. To get to Westport, you need to drive on the highway.

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PRACTICE EXERCISE C

Mark each adverb prepositional phrase with (parentheses). Identify which of the five adverb questions each prepositional phrase answers: When?

Where?

Why? How?

Under what conditions?

Example: The laundry room is located (in the back) (of the house). Adverb question =

[PDF] [PDF] PREPOSITIONS - American University

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Prepositions and Prepositional

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PREPOSITIONS

Common prepositions

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

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Prepositions and Prepositional

Phrases

THE INDIRECT OBJECT PHRASE

Indirect object question: Showed to whom?

Answer: To Ms. Calendar

Calendar a better way.

HOW TO USE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Which?

What kind?

How many?

Whose?

Example: The horse in the third stall is mine.

Adjective question: Which horse?

Answer: The horse in the third stall.

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Prepositions and Prepositional

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Where?

Under what conditions?

Example: We stood in the rain for hours.

WHERE TO USE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

I was walking through the snow, and I was cold.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

SUBJECT OF A SENTENCE

In and during are prepositions.

INTRODUCTORY WORDS OF CLAUSES

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Prepositions and Prepositional

Phrases

INFINITIVE PHRASES

IDIOMS

Common idioms

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Prepositions and Prepositional

Phrases

EXERCISES

PRACTICE EXERCISE A

PRACTICE EXERCISE B

Example: I needed a bandage for my elbow.

1. During the war, I went to Germany.

2. Through the water, I could see into the ship.

3. To see England was my dream.

4. In the hallway I saw a man going to the office.

5. When he called I ran to the telephone.

6. As soon as I got home, my mom wanted to leave.

7. We went to the baseball game on Saturday.

8. To get to Westport, you need to drive on the highway.

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PRACTICE EXERCISE C

Where?

Under what conditions?

Where?

1. The mail is usually delivered in the morning on Saturdays.

2. She looked at the baby for hours.

3. In a few minutes, the candle will burn out completely.

4. This week our new teacher canceled all of his classes.

5. The students handed in the final copies of their essays.