Prepositions
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how to use prepositions correctly in your writing? Prepositions are essential building blocks of sentences that can show relationships between words and enhance the clarity of your writing. In this article, we'll explore what prepositions are, their common usages, and how to distinguish them from adverbs. By the end, you'll have a solid understanding of prepositions and how to use them effectively in your writing.
Prepositions
What is a preposition?
A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun, called the object of the preposition, to another word.
What are some common prepositions?
Some common prepositions are
about,
above,
across,
at,
before,
behind,
between,
by,
down,
during,
for,
from,
in,
like,
near,
of,
on,
out,
past,
throughout,
under,
upon,
with
, and without.
about,
above,
across,
at,
before,
behind,
between,
by,
down,
during,
for,
from,
in,
like,
near,
of,
on,
out,
past,
throughout,
under,
upon,
with
, and without.
The preposition in each of the following sentences shows the relationship between plants and greenhouse. Greenhouse is the object of each preposition.
EXAMPLES
- The plants inside the greenhouse are on sale.
- The plants behind the greenhouse are on sale.
- The plants near the greenhouse are on sale.
What is a compound preposition?
A preposition that consists of two or more words is a compound preposition.
Some common compound prepositions are
according to,
along with,
apart from,
aside from,
as of,
because of,
in addition to,
in front of,
in place of,
instead of,
next to,
on account of
, and out of.
What are some compound prepositions?
according to,
along with,
apart from,
aside from,
as of,
because of,
in addition to,
in front of,
in place of,
instead of,
next to,
on account of
, and out of.
EXAMPLES
- I sat next to the window.
- In front of the store are several parking spaces.
What is an object of the preposition?
EXAMPLES
- Did you put the flowers in cold water? [In cold water is a prepositional phrase. In is the preposition, water is the object of the preposition, and cold is an adjective modifying water.]
- Maybe the car is parked next to it. [Next to it is a prepositional phrase. Next to is the compound preposition, and it is the object of the preposition.]
Adverb or Preposition?
What is the difference between the words that can be used as both adverbs and prepositions, and how to differentiate between both of them?
Some words that can be used as prepositions may also be used as adverbs.
Remember that an adverb is a modifier and does not have an object.
Prepositions always have objects.
Remember that an adverb is a modifier and does not have an object.
Prepositions always have objects.
PREPOSITION
- I stood outside my house. [Outside has an object, house.]
- I stood outside. [Outside is an adverb describing stood.]
PREPOSITION
- We walked around the airport. [Around has an object, airport.]
- We walked around. [Around is an adverb describing walked.]
Adverb or Preposition? Quiz
$$
Choose whether the underlined word in each of the following sentences is a preposition or adverb.
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Prepositions Quiz
Conclusion
In conclusion, prepositions are essential building blocks of sentences that can enhance the clarity and coherence of your writing. By understanding the common prepositions, compound prepositions, and how to distinguish them from adverbs, you can improve your writing and become a more proficient writer. Happy writing!
FAQs:
Q: What is a preposition?
A: A preposition is a connecting word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. Common prepositions include words like in, on, at, to, from, with, etc.
Q: Where do prepositions go in a sentence?
A: Prepositions typically go before the noun or pronoun they are connecting to another word. For example: "The cat jumped on the table."
Q: What are compound prepositions?
A: Compound prepositions are made up of more than one word. Common compound prepositions include words like according to, because of, in addition to, on top of, etc.
Resources
- Garner's Modern English Usage, 4th Edition by Bryan A. Garner, Oxford University Press, 2016.
- The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, University of Chicago Press, 2017.
- The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation, 11th Edition by Jane Straus, Jossey-Bass, 2014.
- English Grammar Demystified, 2nd Edition by Jim Peterson, McGraw-Hill Education, 2012.
- Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style by Benjamin Dreyer, Random House, 2019.