Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Understanding that prepositions are

Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Understanding that prepositions are found in phrases, beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun (object) helps a writer analyze effective sentence structure.

A preposition relates one word to another. A preposition shows the relationship between the object in its phrase and the rest of the sentence. • • I placed the book on the desk. I placed the book in the desk. I placed the book under the desk. I placed the book beside the desk. In the above sentence, the prepositions in bold show the relationship of the book to the desk.

A Sampling of Prepositions about above across after along among around at behind below beneath beside between beyond by down for from in into near of off on since past through without to before under during until except up within upon with Note to self: A word’s part of speech depends on how it is used in the sentence. Depending on how they are used in a sentence, these words may also be other parts of speech.

If a word from the list is not in a prepositional phrase (preposition + object), the word is possibly another part of speech (often an adverb). The cat sprang up as if it intended to climb (up the tree). The first up is an adverb; the second up is in a prepositional phrase with an object tree. Jace brought in what he gathered (in the orchard). The first in is an adverb; the second in is in a prepositional phrase with an object orchard. A common preposition is to. To + a verb is an infinitive. I came (to work) early this morning to go (to a meeting). I have a lesson to prepare before I go (to the movie).

Recommendation: Try not to end a sentence with a preposition. Weak: Where is the Gameboy at? Better: Where is the Gameboy? However, sometimes adding an object makes the sentence more awkward. What state is she from? becomes From what state is she? Note to self: In writing always go for less awkward even if it means to dangle a preposition at the end of a sentence.

Note to self: A subject and predicate are never found in a prepositional phrase: (From the back) (of the freezing room) (in the old school), Charlotte, (under three sweaters), sneezed (into the tissue) (in her right hand). After placing the prepositional phrases in parentheses, it is easy to find the subject Charlotte and the predicate sneezed in this simple sentence.

Incorrect and Superfluous Prepositions (idioms) • Your answer is different than (use from) my answer. • I borrowed a pencil off of (use from) John. • I waited on (use for) Mary for 10 minutes. • There is an orchard in back of (use behind) the house. • It fell off of (use off or from) the table. • We met up (delete) with friends in Greece. • She could of ( use could have) done better. • Where is the dog at (delete at)? • Where are we going to (delete to)?

Commas Rule 1 (items in a series): Prepositional phrases arranged with three or more in a series (in a series all phrases show relationship to the same word and include a conjunction). • Over the footstool, around the armchair, and under the table the kitten scampered. • The kitten scampered over the footstool, around the armchair, and under the table. • The sound was deafening from the right, to the left, above me, below me, and around me. • From the right, to the left, above me, below me, and around me the sound was deafening. Your sentence:

Rule 2 (introductory elements): Multiple prepositional phrases introducing an independent clause or one prepositional phrase with many words. Note to self: The first sentence has a comma because all the prep phrases introduce the independent clause. The second sentence does not have a comma because the prep phrases come at the end of the independent clause (no longer introductory). • After four days of exhausting labor in the midst of a blizzard, the rescue party reached the survivors. • The rescue party reached the survivors after four days of exhausting labor in the midst of a blizzard. • During the extremely long and tiring intermission, the crowd became restless. • The crowd became restless during the extremely long and tiring intermission. Your sentence:

Although the following sentence is introduced with only one prep phrase without a comma, the reader would need to back up and reread to understand the sentence. Unclear: In the book review pages 235 and 236. Better: In the book, review pages 235 and 236. In 1996 twenty-four students were arrested. Note to self: Always go for sentence understanding if you can justify the use of a comma for this reason.

Rule 3 (transitional elements): A prepositional phrase which introduces the independent clause (main sentence). A prepositional phrase which interrupts the independent clause (main sentence). • In fact, the more I look at the sculpture the more I like it. • I don’t believe, on the other hand, I’d want it in my home. Your sentence:

Preposition Practice Place the prep phrases in parentheses, underline the subject once and the predicate twice: 1. Nine tenths of our knowledge of past events have come down to us on manuscripts. 2. For centuries the stars have been used by sailors in most parts of the world as reliable guides in nighttime navigation. 3. In spite of the threat of war, outstanding girl scouts and boy scouts from many nations traveled by fast trains, ships, and planes to the week-long conference in Switzerland. 4. To learn the language of his native country, Ross went to Ireland took lessons from his aunt. 5. Some bosses solve problems by discussing with employees in advance of the problem.

Find the prepositions which distract from clarity or are incorrect: 1. Where is the club meeting at? 2. The class is divided up into three sections. 3. Where was he living at when you last heard from him? 4. The speech ended up with a plea for money for the hospital. 5. Where was he going to when you met him? 6. On our way to the concert we met up with friends. 7. Where shall we go to this evening? 8. She should of reacted sooner. 9. Where were you at when I called you up on your cell phone?

Circle the best choice: 1. Her solution was different (than, from) mine. 2. I was late because I had to wait (on, for) a train. 3. I must (of, have) fallen asleep. 4. He parked his car (in back of, behind) the office. 5. I borrowed the library book (off of, from) David.

Add commas where needed for clarity: 1. After an unusually loud clap of thunder the storm broke. 2. I feel more determined in fact than I did before the change. 3. The children raced down the lane through the gate and into the pasture. 4. In the first place you never asked her opinion. 5. During the celebration of the anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth scenes from his plays were presented in classrooms in outdoor theaters and in civic auditoriums. 6. The teacher seemed relaxed in spite of the confusion around him. 7. To the French Americans must seem dull. 8. At the top of a peak in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver they were married.