Chapter 33 Prepositions Working with Prepositional Phrases Prepositions

Chapter 33 Prepositions

Working with Prepositional Phrases Prepositions are words like about, at, behind, into, of, on, and with. Prepositions are followed by a noun or a pronoun, which is called the object of the preposition. The preposition and its object are called a prepositional phrase. 2

In/On for Time Two prepositions often confused are in and on. Use in before months not followed by a specific date, before seasons, and before years that do not include specific dates: 1. In March, the skating rink will finally open for business. 2. Rona expects to pay off her car in 3

In/On for Time Use on before days of the week, before holidays, and before months if a date follows. 1. On Sunday, the Kingston family spent the day at the beach. 2. On January 6, Bernard left for a month of mountain climbing. 4

In/On for Place In means inside a place. 1. Tonia put her DVD player in the bedroom. 2. Many country groups got their start in Nashville. 5

In/On for Place On means on top of or at a particular place. 1. That mess on your desk needs to be cleared off. 2. Pizza Palace will be opening a new parlor on Highland Avenue. 6

Prepositions in Common Expressions Prepositions are often combined with other words to form fixed expressions. Determining the correct preposition in these expressions can sometimes be confusing. The following slides list some troublesome expressions with prepositions. 7

Prepositions in Common Expressions Expression Example according to acquainted with addicted to afraid of agree on (a plan) agree to (something or another’s proposal) angry about or at (a thing) angry with (a person) apply for (a position) approve of argue about (an issue) According to the directions, this flap fits here. Tom became acquainted with his classmates. He is addicted to soap operas. Tanya is afraid of flying. Can we agree on our next step? Roberta agreed to her secretary’s request for a raise. Jake seemed angry about his meager bonus. Sonia couldn’t stay angry with Felipe. By accident, the twins applied for the same job. Do you approve of bilingual education? I hate arguing about money. 8

Prepositions in Common Expressions Expression Example argue with (a person) capable of Edna argues with everyone about everything. Mario is capable of accomplishing anything he attempts. complain about (a situation) complain to (a person) comply with consist of contrast with correspond with (write) Patients complained about the long wait to see the dentist. Knee-deep in snow, Jed vowed to complain to a maintenance person. Each contestant must comply with contest regulations. This article consists of nothing but false accusations and half-truths. The light blue shirt contrasts sharply with the dark brown tie. We corresponded with her for two months before we met. 9

EXPLORING ONLINE http: //a 4 esl. org/q/f/z/zz 36 mas. htm Interactive quiz: swim with the manatees as you practice prepositions! 10

Chapter 34 Adjectives and Adverbs 11

Defining and Using Adjectives and Adverbs Adjectives and adverbs are two kinds of descriptive words. Adjectives describe or modify nouns or pronouns. They explain what kind, which one, or how many. Adverbs describe or modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They tell how, in what manner, when, where, and to what extent. 12

Many adjectives can be changed into adverbs by adding an -ly ending. For example, glad becomes gladly, hopeful becomes hopefully, awkward becomes awkwardly. Note the pairs on this list; they are easily confused: Adjectives awful bad poor quick quiet real sure Adverbs awfully badly poorly quickly quietly really surely 13

1. The fish tastes bad. 2. It was badly prepared. In sentence 1, the adjective bad describes the noun fish. In sentence 2, the adverb badly describes the verb was prepared. 14

The Comparative and the Superlative The comparative of an adjective or adverb compares two persons or things: 1. Ben is more creative than Robert. 2. Marcia runs faster than the coach. In sentence 1, Ben is being compared with Robert. In sentence 2, Marcia is being compared with the coach. 15

The Comparative and the Superlative The superlative of an adjective or adverb compares three or more persons or things: 1. Sancho is the tallest of the three brothers. 2. Marion is the most intelligent student in the class. In sentence 1, Sancho is being compared with the other two brothers. In sentence 2, Marion is being compared with all the other students in the class. 16

Adjectives and adverbs of one syllable usually form the comparative by adding -er. They form the superlative by adding -est. Adjectives and adverbs of more than one syllable usually form the comparative by using more. They form the superlative by using most. 17

A Troublesome Pair: Good/Well Adjective Good bad Comparative Superlative better best worse worst well badly better worse best worst Be especially careful not to confuse the adjective good with the adverb well: Jessie is a good writer. She writes well. 18

EXPLORING ONLINE http: //a 4 esl. org/q/f/z/zz 60 fck. htm Choose the correct adjective or adverb, and check your answers. 19

Chapter 35 The Apostrophe 20

The Apostrophe for Contractions Use the apostrophe in a contraction to show that letters have been omitted. 1. I’ll buy that coat if it goes on sale. 2. At nine o’clock sharp, the store opens. (In sentence 1, I’ll, a contraction, is a combination of I and will. Wi is omitted. In sentence 2, the contraction o’clock is the shortened form of of the clock. ) 21

Common Contractions I + am = I’m I + have = I’ve I + will or shall = I’ll you + have = you’ve you + will or shall = you’ll he + will or shall = he’ll she + is or has = she’s it + is or has = it’s we + are = we’re let + us = let’s you + are = you’re they + are = they’re they + have = they’ve who + is or has = who’s 22

The Apostrophe for Ownership Use the apostrophe to show ownership: Add an ’s if a noun or an indefinite pronoun (like someone, anybody, and so on) does not already end in -s: 1. I cannot find my friend’s book bag. 2. Everyone’s right to privacy should be respected. 3. John and Julio’s apartment has striped wallpaper. 4. The children’s clothes are covered with 23

Add only an apostrophe to show ownership if the word already ends in -s: 1. My aunts’ houses are filled with antiques. 2. The knights’ table was round. 3. Mr. Jonas’ company manufactures sporting goods and uniforms. 24

Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe: his, hers, theirs, ours, yours, its: 1. His car gets twenty miles to the gallon, but hers gets only ten. 2. That computer is theirs; ours is coming soon. 25

Special Uses of the Apostrophe Use an apostrophe in certain expressions of time: 1. I desperately need a week’s vacation. Use an apostrophe to pluralize lowercase letters, words, and numbers that normally do not have plurals: 1. Be careful to cross your t’s. 2. Your 8’s look like f’s. 3. Don’t use so many but’s in your writing. Use an apostrophe to show omitted numbers: 1. The class of ’ 72 held its annual reunion last week. 26

EXPLORING ONLINE http: //grammar. ccc. commnet. edu/grammar/ quizzes/apostrophe_quiz 2. htm Graded practice: Apostrophe or no apostrophe? This is the question. 27