Grammar UnitPrepositions

Let’s Review . . .The preposition is the sixth of the eight parts of

speech. Just for the record, here are all eight:

• Noun• Pronoun• Adjective• Verb• Adverb• Preposition• Conjunction• Interjection

First, let's start with a basic definition:

Prepositions show relationships between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence.

Commonly used prepositions: • Aboard• About• Above• Across• After• Against• Along• Among• Around• At• Before• Behind• Below• Beneath• Beside• Between• Beyond• By• Down• During• Except• For

• From• In• Into• Like• Of• Off• On• Over• Past• Since• Through• Throughout• To• Toward• Under• Underneath• Until• Up• Upon• With• Within• without

Prepositional Phrases:

Prepositional phrases generally contain the preposition and an object of the preposition.

Objects of the preposition MUST be nouns.

Here are some examples:

Identify the preposition, noun, article, and adjective in the following:

• In bed

(in, preposition and bed, noun)

• To Texas

(to, preposition and Texas, noun)

The noun may have modifiers.

In the big bed

(in, preposition / the, article / big, adjective / bed, noun)

• To the grocery store

(to, preposition / the, article/ grocery, adjective / store, noun)

Subjects and verbs canNEVER be found in prepositional phrases.

It is a good habit to learn to spot prepositional phases.

Use ((parentheses)) to mark them;That way when you are looking for the

subject and verb of the sentence,it will narrow down the search.

***RULE***

Try this one. Copy the sentence and place the parentheses to identify the preposition(s) and/or

prepositional phrases.

The boy by the window on the other side of the room was looking over his shoulder at the pretty girl in the hall.

The boy (by the window) (on the other side) (of the room) was looking (over his shoulder) (at the pretty girl) (in the hall.)

Once the prepositional phrases are eliminated, "The boy was looking" is left.

"The boy was looking"

When we studied adjectives, you learned that "the" is an article. The word "boy" is left.

You have learned that "boy" is a noun.

"Was looking" is the verb.

Therefore, "boy" is the subject and "was looking" is the verb.

Lets pair up . . .

Find a partner in your group and get ready to figure out the prepositional phrases in sentences.

Identify the preposition(s) in each sentence.

Be prepared to share with the class!

A word about "to.”

When "to" is used with a noun, it is a preposition;

but when it is used with a verb, it is an infinitive.

Be careful to recognize the difference.

Examples:To bed to plus noun = prepositionTo sleep to plus verb = infinitive

In just a few minutes . . .

You will have a preposition quiz. Please take this time to look over your notes.

Preposition QuizList the prepositions in the following sentences.

1. He suggested they clean the statue by the art building for their service project.

2. The book on architectural design was flung across the room.

3. Five dollars was required of each student who planned to go on the trip.

4. The teacher asked Tom to give an oral report about horses in the Appalachian Mountains.

5. Over the holidays, I visited the Thompson family for several days.

6. Do you have a special someone in your life?

7. In the morning, she wrote a $20,000 check toward the down payment of her new house.