1. Prepositions
Chapter 6, Lesson 1

2. Definition
A preposition is a word that shows a relationship between a noun or pronoun and some other word in the sentence.
Example
Robots in outer space perform useful functions.
Here, “in” shows the relationship between robots and space.

3. Common Prepositions
About, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, out, over, past, through, to, toward, under, until, up, with, within, without

4. Compound Prepositions
Some prepositions are made up of more than one word—compound prepositions. Some Examples: According to, instead of, apart from

5. Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. Example: Robots conduct missions for the space program.
Prepositional phrase
prep.
modifiers
object

6. Compound Objects in Prep. Phrases
A preposition may have more than one object—compound objects. This occurs when the prepositional phrase has two or more nouns or pronouns joined by and or or. Example: Robots conduct a series of tests and experiments.
prep.
obj. #1
obj. #2

7. Preposition or Adverb?
Sometimes the same word can be used as a preposition or as an adverb. If the word DOES NOT have an object, it is an adverb. Example: The spacecraft has no gravity within its walls. The spacecraft has no gravity within.
prep. + obj.= prep. phrase
prep. & no obj.= adv.

8. Now For Some Fun…