What are prepositions? Learn to identify and include prepositional phrases in complex sentences.

1. Grammar
Essentials
Prepositions
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2. What is a Preposition?
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• Prepositions are function words that show
relationship between subjects and objects.
• Prepositions also describe location or position
by showing where or what.
• A preposition must have an object (noun or
pronoun) following it called the object of the
preposition.
• The combination of the preposition and its
object is called a prepositional phrase.
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3. Identifying Subjects
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Subjects: Nouns – (person, place,
thing or idea) that perform the
action of the verb.
• The subject describes who or what.
• Pronouns also function as subjects
(e.g. I, we, you, he, she, it, & they).
Example: Sharon completed the project.
She completed the project.

4. Identifying Verbs
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• The verb describes the action or
state of being of the subject.
• Verbs usually follow the subject.
• Verbs are written in the past,
present or future tense.
Example: Sharon completed the
project.

5. Common Prepositions
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about except since
after for than
against from through
among in to
before into until
behind of up
beside off with
between on within
by out
during over

6. Examples: Prepositions
•Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas.
•Sylvia left her purse in the restaurant.
•Go into the house right now.
•Donnie left without saying goodbye.
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7. Knowledge Check: Prepositions
• Mary cleaned the room before the
meeting.
• Robert moved the chair from the
dining room into the living room.
• I heard myself on the radio.
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8. Knowledge Check: Answers
• Mary cleaned the room before the
meeting.
• Robert moved the chair from the
dining room into the living
room.
•I heard myself on the radio.
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9. Summary
© 2015 Cornerstone Communications, Ashan R. Hampton www.easyedits.net
• Prepositions show
relationship between
subjects and objects
by describing where
or what.
• Prepositions add
clarity and
completeness to
sentences by
describing location or
position.