The use of the Prepositions in the English Language

1. PrepositionsPrepositions

2. PrepositionsPrepositions
 Prepositions connect theirPrepositions connect their
objects (a noun or pronoun) toobjects (a noun or pronoun) to
some other word in thesome other word in the
sentence.sentence.
 p.372 in your text lists fifty of thep.372 in your text lists fifty of the
most commonly usedmost commonly used
prepositions.prepositions.

3. PrepositionPreposition
 Example:Example:
 Dad walked toward the door.Dad walked toward the door.
 What do you think the preposition is?What do you think the preposition is?
 What do you think is the object of theWhat do you think is the object of the
preposition?preposition?
 What word is the preposition linkingWhat word is the preposition linking
its object to?its object to?

4. PrepositionsPrepositions
 DadDad walkedwalked towardtoward thethe doordoor..
 Preposition is in redPreposition is in red
 Object of preposition is in purpleObject of preposition is in purple
 Word being connected is in gold.Word being connected is in gold.

5. You try one….You try one….
 The man in the black hat looksThe man in the black hat looks
dangerous.dangerous.
 What is the preposition?What is the preposition?
 What is the object of theWhat is the object of the
preposition?preposition?
 What is being connected?What is being connected?

6. PrepositionsPrepositions
 The man in the black hat looksThe man in the black hat looks
dangerous.dangerous.
 Preposition: inPreposition: in
 Obj. of Prep: hatObj. of Prep: hat
 Connected: man- hatConnected: man- hat

7. Prepositional phrasesPrepositional phrases
 A prepositionA preposition MUST(!!!!!!)MUST(!!!!!!) be partbe part
of a prepositional phrase.of a prepositional phrase.
 Say that out loud 4 times.Say that out loud 4 times.
 After class, say it to yourself 400After class, say it to yourself 400
timestimes
 A prepositional phrase mustA prepositional phrase must
always be followed by a noun oralways be followed by a noun or
pronoun. The group of wordspronoun. The group of words
beginning with the prepositionbeginning with the preposition
and ending with the noun orand ending with the noun or
pronoun is called thepronoun is called the

8. ExampleExample
 Alice fell through the lookingAlice fell through the looking
glass.glass.
 What is the preposition?What is the preposition?
 What is the noun or pronounWhat is the noun or pronoun
(object) pertaining to the(object) pertaining to the
preposition?preposition?
 If you know what these two are,If you know what these two are,
what is the prepositional phrase?what is the prepositional phrase?

9. Example (Cont.)Example (Cont.)
 Alice fellAlice fell through the lookingthrough the looking
glass.glass.
 Prep: throughPrep: through
 Object: glassObject: glass
 Prep. Phrase: through the lookingPrep. Phrase: through the looking
glass.glass.

10. You try it!You try it!
 Bubba disappeared between theBubba disappeared between the
cracks.cracks.
 The rocket flew off into space.The rocket flew off into space.
 Troy grew up to becomeTroy grew up to become
President of the United States.President of the United States.
 Mr. Swartos grew up to becomeMr. Swartos grew up to become
fabulously wealthy.fabulously wealthy.

11. AnswersAnswers
 Bubba disappearedBubba disappeared between thebetween the
crackscracks..
 The rocket flew offThe rocket flew off into spaceinto space..
 Troy grew upTroy grew up to becometo become
President of the United StatesPresident of the United States..
 Mr. Swartos droveMr. Swartos drove across theacross the
countrycountry..

12. Compound objects ofCompound objects of
prepositionsprepositions
 Prepositions often have morePrepositions often have more
than one object.than one object.
 Tom bought giftsTom bought gifts for Bubba andfor Bubba and
BubbetteBubbette..

13. Compound prepositionsCompound prepositions
 Prepositions consisting of two orPrepositions consisting of two or
three words are calledthree words are called
compound prepositionscompound prepositions
 Mr. Swartos succeeded in makingMr. Swartos succeeded in making
Troy learnTroy learn by means ofby means of
persuasion and brute force.persuasion and brute force.
 List of compound prepositions isList of compound prepositions is
found on p. 373 in your text.found on p. 373 in your text.

14. Prepositions affect thePrepositions affect the
meaning of sentences.meaning of sentences.
 The girls played (near, opposite,The girls played (near, opposite,
in back of) the gym.in back of) the gym.
 Troy finished his homeworkTroy finished his homework
(before, after, in addition to)(before, after, in addition to)
watching television.watching television.
 Each preposition changes theEach preposition changes the
entire meaning of the sentence.entire meaning of the sentence.

15. Preposition or Adverb?Preposition or Adverb?
 Prepositions and adverbs canPrepositions and adverbs can
be difficult to distinguish.be difficult to distinguish.
 Some words can be used asSome words can be used as
either, depending on how theyeither, depending on how they
are used in the sentence.are used in the sentence.

16. Preposition or Adverb?Preposition or Adverb?
 To be a preposition, a wordTo be a preposition, a word
must have an object and be partmust have an object and be part
of a prepositional phrase.of a prepositional phrase.
 To be an adverb, a word mustTo be an adverb, a word must
modify a verb.modify a verb. Adverbs have noAdverbs have no
objects.objects.

17. Preposition or Adverb?Preposition or Adverb?
 The ball flewThe ball flew pastpast third base.third base.
 past- has an object (third base), part ofpast- has an object (third base), part of
a prepositional phrase (past third base),a prepositional phrase (past third base),
preposition.preposition.
 The umpire ranThe umpire ran pastpast quickly.quickly.
 past- modifies a verb (past), no object,past- modifies a verb (past), no object,
adverb.adverb.
 Please comePlease come insideinside soon.soon.
 Inside- modifies a verb (come), noInside- modifies a verb (come), no
object, adverb.object, adverb.
 They satThey sat insideinside the dugout.the dugout.
 Inside- has an object (dugout), part of aInside- has an object (dugout), part of a
prepositional phrase (inside the dugout),prepositional phrase (inside the dugout),
a preposition.a preposition.

18. Your turn…Your turn…
 In modern baseball, an umpireIn modern baseball, an umpire
stands behind home plate.stands behind home plate.
 The players warm up before theThe players warm up before the
game.game.
 TheyThey’ve practiced the skills’ve practiced the skills
many times before.many times before.

19. AnswersAnswers
 PrepositionPreposition
 PrepositionPreposition
 AdverbAdverb