Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Multicultural Literature Spring 2013

Prepositions…  A preposition is a word that relates a noun or pronoun that appears within it to another word in the sentence.  The choice of preposition affects the way the other words in a sentence relate to each other  A preposition can affect the entire meaning of a sentence REMINDER: A clause has a subject and a verb; a phrase does not!

Common Prepositions about above across after against around at before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond by down during except for from in inside into like near of off on out outside over since through throughout till to toward under until up upon with without according to because of by way of in addition to in front of in place of in regard to in spite of instead of on account of out of

Compound Prepositions  Some prepositions can consist of more than one word According toby means of next to Ahead ofin addition to out of Apart fromin front of owing to Aside fromin place of prior to As ofin regard to Because ofin spite of

Prepositional Phrase  A group of words that includes a preposition and a noun or pronoun, called the object of the preposition We had a picnic in the park. [In the example above, park is the object of the preposition in]

Let’s practice! In each sentence, identify the prepositional phrase or phrases. 1. In 1868, San Francisco selected the roughly 1000 acres of the Golden Gate Park. 2. Few were pleased by this selection because of its windy landscape. 3. When John Mclaren became superintendent in 1890, the site was suffering from neglect and overuse. 4. Under his supervision, an international exposition was held during 1894; nothing was preserved from it except the Japanese Tea Garden and a museum.

Hold up!  Many words that function as prepositions can also function as adverbs.  Prepositions always have objects; adverbs do not.

“Old Friends” by Paul Simon Lost in their overcoats Waiting for the sunset The sounds of the city Sifting through the trees, Settle like dust On the shoulders Of the old friends. 1. Identify the prepositions. 2. Rewrite the verse, replacing each preposition with a different one. How has the meaning changed?

And I can write things in a box, and I can write things with a fox, and I can write things here or there; I can write them ANYWHERE!  Get into a group of 3  Each group will draw a subject/topic from the deck of cards that I come around with  You are responsible for writing a Dr. Seuss-like poem/story that focuses on your topic, is appropriate, incorporates at least 6 prepositions.  All of these above requirements must be labeled and underlined in your piece.  All group member names must appear at the top of the page.