2. A word that looks like a preposition
but is actually part of a verb is called
a particle.
Held up is a verb meaning “to rob.”
Therefore, up is not a preposition, and bank is not the object
of a preposition.
Instead, bank is the direct object of the verb held up.
3. Is it a particle or a preposition?
To avoid
confusing prepositions with particles,
test by moving the word (up) and words
following it to the front of the sentence:
Up the bank four armed men held.
If the resulting sentence does not make
sense, then the word belongs with the
verb and is a particle, not a preposition.
4. Note the difference:
The resulting sentence makes
sense. Therefore, up is a preposition.
5. The resulting sentence does not make
sense. Therefore, up is a particle in this
sentence.
7. Preposition or Adverb?
Words that are
sometimes prepositions can act as
adverbs.A preposition requires an object.
An adverb does not.
A single word acting as an adverb answers
where, when, how or to what degree
about the verb.
8. If you want to see the eclipse, you will
need to go outside.
◦ OUTSIDE tells you whereYOU WILL NEED
TO GO.
NOTE:Without an object OUTSIDE is an adverb.
If you want to see the eclipse, you will
need to go outside the house.
◦ Here, outside now has an object, so it is used
as a preposition.
9. Quizzes
http://www.quia.com/cb/344157.html
Is the underlined word in each sentence a
preposition or a particle?
_____1. Joe climbed in the window.
_____2.Ann phoned in her order.
_____3.The teacher laid down the law.
_____4.The car slid off the road.
_____5. She called up her sister.
