Prepositions. TLC/College of the Canyons. Prepared by Kim Haglund, M.Ed: TLC Coordinator

Transcription

1 Prepositions TLC/College of the Canyons Prepared by Kim Haglund, M.Ed: TLC Coordinator

2 What is a Preposition? A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in a sentence. A prepositional phrase must begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun which acts as the object of that preposition. Prepositional phrases function as adverbs or adjectives in a sentence. Prepositions connect their following nominal with some other word in a sentence. Prepositions can either show spatial (through, across, between, outside, near, etc.) or time (during, after, around, by, etc.) relationships. Here is a list of the most common English prepositions with examples of their use:

3 Aboard To be on a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle She is aboard the ship. About Around or related to I am happy about vacation. Above Over or higher than The lamp is above me. According to In agreement with, as stated by According to Joy, dogs are great. Across In motion on or over; from one side to another We swam across the lake. After Later in time or place I ate dinner after work. Against Opposition or conflict with someone or something I voted against John. Ahead of In front of somebody or something The car ahead of me is blue. Along Among Around Indication that something moves or is situated over all or part of the length of something Something or somebody is surrounded by people, things, ideas, or circumstances Surrounding a place or object, moves from place to place on all sides of a lace or object I ran along the highway. His idea is among the best. The store is around the corner. As Far as To a limited extent As far as I know, he is wealthy. At General positions or location He is at the movie.

4 Back of Behind something The car is in back of the building. Because of Reason or cause of something Because of Joe, Nancy got fired. Before Behind Event or situation precedes another in a sequence A position at the back or rear of something I eat breakfast before work. I am behind my school work. Below Beneath or lower than something It is 8 degrees below zero. Beneath A position underneath or lower than something The titanic is beneath the ocean. Beside A position next to something The cup is beside the plate. Besides In addition to; what is more I like her. Besides, she is honest. Between Intermediate point between two places people and time I am between jobs. Beyond On the other side or something The equation is beyond me. By Concerning Down Beside or close to somebody or something else Relating to or involving something or somebody Movement or position toward ground or a lower level The chair is by the lake. I am happy concerning the job. Sandy is walking down the stairs.

5 During Throughout a period or event I fell asleep during the exam. Exempt The only person or thing that doesn t apply I like popsicles exempt from red ones. For On behalf of I went shopping for my grandma. From The Source or beginning of something I read form page 4 to 10. In Within or inside of something Sherry is in the car. In place of Instead of I took Jane in place of nick. Inside Interior part of something She looked inside the book. Into Someone/ something moves inside He went into the store. Like Sharing characteristics, features, or qualities Her hair is like straw. Near Close to something/ someone COC is near the mal. Of Providing more information about a preceding word/ phrase usually with a noun He is a member of Congress. Off Separation or distance between two points She got off the bus. On A position above and in contact with the surface something else The pen is on the table.

6 Onto Something/ someone located on something else or moving toward It The dog got onto the couch. Out The leave/ exit The boy took out the trash. Over Position directly above The cloud hangs over the city. Past On the farther side or beyond something We walked pasted the library. Since Happening after a period or event We haven't spoken than Through Passing from one side or end to another The cat ran through the gate. Throughout Through or during the whole event She yawned throughout the whole class. To Direction, Destination, or position Take me to the movies! Toward Moving/ facing a particular direction The dog ran toward the ball. Under Positioned beneath The fork fell under the table. Until At a high level The elevator went up one floor. Upon Same as ON but more formal The book is upon the table. Via By means of I got to Hollywood via the 5 fwy. With In company of He went to the store with sally.

7 Within Inside or enclosed The heart is within the body. Without Not Having I left without my purse.

8 One way to understand prepositions is to imagine all the ways an airplane can relate to a cloud. An airplane can be above a cloud, under a cloud, over a cloud, or beyond the clouds. An airplane can fly through a cloud, beneath the clouds, or around the clouds. NOTE: When you are trying to maintain agreement between the subject and verb in a sentence, mentally remove the prepositional phrases. They will not determine subject-verb agreement. (S) (V) Example: That tray [of pies] looks delicious. (not look )