Exercise 10 Writing Appropriate Adverbs Write the following sentences. Then, fill in each blank with an appropriate adverb. Use a different adverb in each sentence. EXAMPLE 1. I learned some Spanish words. 1. Quickly, I learned some Spanish words. 1. I watch TV after school. 2. You will bait a hook yourself. 3. My little sister crept down the stairs. 4. Do you think that you can find the answer to the math problem? 5. She is eager for lunch. 6. In the evening, the African drums beat. 7. People in the highest balcony could hear the speakers onstage. 8. Does thunder follow lightning? 9. Would you dim the light for me? 10. The sky over Honolulu was clear that I could see for miles. The Preposition Many prepositions can be remembered as anywhere a cat can go. up the tree behind the sofa under the bed through the door 12c. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or a pronoun and another word in the sentence. Your math book is underneath your coat, Allen. [The preposition underneath shows the relationship of coat to book.] The one behind us honked his horn. [The preposition behind shows the relationship of us to one.] Notice how changing the preposition in the following sentences changes the relationship between hit and net. I hit the ball over the net. I hit the ball into the net. I hit the ball under the net. I hit the ball against the net. I hit the ball across the net. 360 Chapter 12 Parts of Speech Overview
Commonly Used Prepositions 12 c aboard between past about beyond since above by through across down throughout after during till against except to along for toward among from under around in underneath at into until before like up behind of upon below off with beneath on within beside over without Some prepositions are made up of more than one word. These are called compound prepositions. Some Compound Prepositions according to in addition to next to aside from in place of on account of because of in spite of out of The Prepositional Phrase A preposition always has at least one noun or pronoun as an object. This noun or pronoun is called the object of the preposition. The preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object make up a prepositional phrase. Generally, the object of the preposition follows the preposition. The pile of dry leaves had grown much larger. [The preposition of relates its object, leaves, to pile. The adjective dry modifies leaves.] Reference Note For more information about prepositional phrases, see Chapter 13. The Preposition 361
He poured sauce over the pizza. [The preposition over relates its object, pizza, to poured. The article the modifies pizza.] When you are looking for the object of a preposition, be careful. Sometimes the object comes before, not after, the preposition. This is the movie that I told you about on Tuesday. [That is the object of the preposition about.] STYLE TIP Ending a sentence with a preposition is becoming more accepted in casual speech and informal writing. However, in formal writing it is generally best to avoid doing so. A preposition may have more than one object. Exercise 11 This flea collar is for cats and dogs. [The preposition for has the two objects cats and dogs.] My big sister had to decide between the University of Wisconsin and Carroll College. [The preposition between has the two objects the University of Wisconsin and Carroll College.] Identifying Prepositions and Their Objects Identify the prepositional phrase in each of the following sentences. Underline the preposition, and circle its object. EXAMPLE 1. Otters are related to weasels and minks. 1. to weasels and minks 1. Yesterday afternoon, we planted a sapling behind the garage. 2. I bought a pattern for a sari. 3. They live near the airport. 4. For his birthday, my brother wants a guitar. 5. The pictures won t be developed until Friday or Monday. 6. I received a letter from my aunt and uncle. 7. The largest of all falcons is the arctic falcon. 8. What are the answers to the third and fourth questions? 9. There are many uses for peanuts. 10. I think that you might need a graphing calculator for that problem. Exercise 12 Using Prepositions Using the treasure map on the next page, give an appropriate preposition for each of the following sentences. Be sure to use a variety of prepositions. EXAMPLE 1. Can you find the X this map? 1. on 1. Our rowboat rests Mournful Beach. 2. Follow the path the treasure. 362 Chapter 12 Parts of Speech Overview
3. Notice that Skull Rock lies the cliff. 4. A sandy path leads the stone ruins. 5. Did you jump the fallen tree along the cliff? 6. Don t slip the path up Lookout Hill! 7. Walk the river. 8. Go the waterfall! 9. You need not walk the woods. 10. The treasure is the open field and the gnarled oak tree. Preposition or Adverb? Some words may be used as both prepositions and adverbs. Remember that a preposition always has at least one noun or pronoun as an object. An adverb never does. If you can t tell whether a word is used as an adverb or a preposition, look for an object. PREPOSITION ADVERB Clouds gathered above us. [Us is the object of the preposition above.] Clouds gathered above. [no object] The Preposition 363
PREPOSITION ADVERB Meet me outside the gym tomorrow morning. [Gym is the object of the preposition outside.] Meet me outside tomorrow morning. [no object] Exercise 13 Identifying Adverbs and Prepositions Identify the italicized word in each of the following sentences as either an adverb or a preposition. EXAMPLE 1. Above us, wispy clouds filled the sky. 1. preposition 1. Before it rains, bring your bike in. 2. Had you ever seen an authentic Chinese New Year Parade before? 3. Bright red and green lights sparkled down the street. 4. Smoke from the campfire quickly disappeared in the heavy fog. 5. Andy turned the log over and found fat, squirming worms. 6. A submarine surfaced next to an aircraft carrier. 7. Will we read a poem by Nikki Giovanni next? 8. Turn that stereo down right now! 9. Millicent, did you remember to send a thank-you note to Mr. Bernstein? 10. What kind of dog is that? The Conjunction You can remember the coordinating conjunctions as FANBOYS: For And Nor But Or Yet So 12d. A conjunction is a word that joins words or groups of words. A coordinating conjunction joins words or word groups that are used in the same way. Coordinating Conjunctions and but for nor or so yet CONJUNCTIONS beans and rice movies or television JOINING WORDS sad but true Egypt, Italy, and Spain 364 Chapter 12 Parts of Speech Overview