Prepositions Prepositions show a relationship between a noun or pronoun object and some other word within a sentence. Ex. Robots in space perform useful functions. There are 50 common prepositions. Here are 44 of them: aboutbehindduringoffto abovebelowexceptontoward acrossbeneathforontounder afterbesidefromoppositeunderneath againstbesidesinoutuntil alongbetweeninsideoutsideup amongbeyondintooverupon aroundbut*likepastwith atbynearsincewithin beforedownofthroughwithout

Practice 1. The book on the table in the English classroom is Barbara's book. 2. The girl in the neighboring house plays the flute every night 3. Large blocks of the hardest granite formed the walls of the new building. 4. The roads of ancient Rome connected the cities of the empire. 5. I know that man in the gray suit and the suede shoes.

Prepositions, continued Prepositions consisting of more than one word are called compound prepositions. Here are fifteen common compound prepositions: according to by means of instead of ahead ofin addition to next to aside fromin back ofon account of as ofin front ofon top of because ofin place ofout of

Practice 1. The books are in front of the wall. 2. Because of the bad weather, the scrimmage was rescheduled. 3. I wish I were going to Disney instead of to the dentist. 4. He ate a full lunch like the rest of us, but on top of that, he ate two or three candy bars and drank two Cokes. 5. You should have told us ahead of time that you were coming.

Prepositional phrases A preposition in a sentence is always part of a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is simply a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a pronoun. The noun or pronoun following the preposition is called the object of the preposition. Examples: of bread near us from the window in their class during the long Presidential campaign in place of the old broken chair

Practice 1. The book on the table in the English classroom is Barbara's book. 2. The girl in the neighboring house plays the flute every night. 3. Large blocks of the hardest granite formed the walls of the new building. 4. The roads of ancient Rome connected the cities of the empire. 5. I know that man in the gray suit and the suede shoes.

Using Prepositional Phrases An adjective prepositional phrase modifies a noun or pronoun It can tell you which one, how many or what kind. Ex. Robots perform several jobs in the automobile industry. In the automobile industry modifies jobs. An adverb prepositional phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. It can tell you where, when, how, why, or to what extent. Ex. Industrial robots operate from fixed positions. From fixed positions modifies operate.

Practice 1. The boys searched the beach for sand dollars. 2. The grass behind the house and near the fence is dying. 3. A deep ditch was dug near the boundary of the factory. 4. A pretty girl with brown hair and eyes sat near me at the banquet. 5. The three contestants listened carefully to each question.

Preposition or Adverb? Many of the common words used as prepositions can be used as adverbs. To decide if the word in question is a preposition, say the preposition followed by “what?”. If a noun or pronoun answers the question, the word is a preposition. Examples: The boy stood up and ran down the street. Up what? There is no object; therefore, up is not a preposition. Down what? Street answers the question; therefore, down is a preposition.

Practice 1. I like the color of the curtain on the window. 2. Jane walked along in the rain during the shower. 3. Hang the picture up or set it down behind the couch. 4. Eric was shining his light around in the car beside us. 5. The bird swooped down, picked up the mouse, and landed on the fence.