Prepositions

Prepositions An object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun at the end of a prepositional phrase. An object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun at the end of a prepositional phrase. Prepositions connect their objects (a noun or pronoun) to some other word in the sentence. Prepositions connect their objects (a noun or pronoun) to some other word in the sentence.

Preposition 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 the preposition? What do you think is the object of the preposition? What word is the preposition linking its object to? What word is the preposition linking its object to?

Prepositions Dad walked toward the door. Dad walked toward the door. Preposition is in red Preposition is in red Object of preposition is in purple Object of preposition is in purple Word being connected is in gold. Word being connected is in gold.

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

Prepositions The man in the black hat looks dangerous. The man in the black hat looks dangerous. Preposition: in Preposition: in Obj. of Prep: hat Obj. of Prep: hat Connected: man- hat Connected: man- hat

Prepositional phrases A preposition MUST(!!!!!!) be part of a prepositional phrase. A preposition MUST(!!!!!!) be part of a prepositional phrase. Say that out loud 4 times. Say that out loud 4 times. After class, say it to yourself 400 times After class, say it to yourself 400 times A prepositional phrase must always be followed by a noun or pronoun. The group of words beginning with the preposition and ending with the noun or pronoun is called the prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase must always be followed by a noun or pronoun. The group of words beginning with the preposition and ending with the noun or pronoun is called the prepositional phrase.

A trick to tell the difference between a preposition and an adverb is to remember that the preposition is always followed by its partner noun. When in doubt, ask the questions whom or what after the word.

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

Example (Cont.) Alice fell through the looking glass. Alice fell through the looking glass. Prep: through Prep: through Object: glass Object: glass Prep. Phrase: through the looking glass. Prep. Phrase: through the looking glass.

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

Compound objects of prepositions Prepositions often have more than one object. Prepositions often have more than one object. Tom bought gifts for Bubba and Bubbette. Tom bought gifts for Bubba and Bubbette.

Compound prepositions Prepositions consisting of two or three words are called compound prepositions Prepositions consisting of two or three words are called compound prepositions Mr. Swartos succeeded in making Troy learn by means of persuasion and brute force. Mr. Swartos succeeded in making Troy learn by means of persuasion and brute force.

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

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

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

Preposition or Adverb? The ball flew past third base. The ball flew past third base. past- has an object (third base), part of a prepositional phrase (past third base), preposition. past- has an object (third base), part of a prepositional phrase (past third base), preposition. The umpire ran past quickly. The umpire ran past quickly. past- modifies a verb (past), no object, adverb. past- modifies a verb (past), no object, adverb. Please come inside soon. Please come inside soon. Inside- modifies a verb (come), no object, adverb. Inside- modifies a verb (come), no object, adverb. They sat inside the dugout. They sat inside the dugout. Inside- has an object (dugout), part of a prepositional phrase (inside the dugout), a preposition. Inside- has an object (dugout), part of a prepositional phrase (inside the dugout), a preposition.

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

Answers Preposition Preposition Adverb Adverb