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English - Connecting Words and Phrases Preposition

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    Study Guide English – Connecting Words and Phrases: Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections 1. Prepositions Prepositions are small but powerful words. They help show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. In simple terms, prepositions tell us where , when , how , or why something happens. Look at these examples. The prepositions are italicized, and the objects of the prepositions are underlined: • The cat under the fence • The cat between the fence and the house • Everyone except the girl in the blue dress • A letter about us Notice how each preposition connects one idea to another and helps give more detail. 1.1 Using Pronouns After Prepositions When a pronoun follows a preposition, it must be in the objective case . That means we use words like me, him, her, us, and them — not I, he, she, we, or they . For example: • A letter about us (not we ) 1.2 Recognizing Prepositions Prepositions aren't as obvious as nouns and verbs, so they are not always easy to recognize. Look for a word that establishes a relationship with another word. For example, in the previous phrases, how is cat related to fence? The cat is under the fence. How is Everyone related to the girl? The girl is left out of the group Everyone . How is girl related to dress? She is in it. Table 1 shows several words commonly used as prepositions.

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    Study Guide Most prepositions are single words, but some are made up of more than one word . These are called compound prepositions . Here are some common compound prepositions: • according to • because of • in front of • instead of • in spite of • next to Even though they have more than one word, they work together as a single preposition. 1.3 Avoiding Common Preposition Mistakes Prepositions are often overused. One common mistake is adding a preposition when it isn’t needed.

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    Study Guide Compare these sentences: • Correct: Where have you been? Incorrect: Where have you been at ? • Correct: Where is Nick going? Incorrect: Where is Nick going to ? The extra preposition doesn’t add meaning, so it should be left out. 1.4 Don’t Use More Than One Preposition When One Is Enough Sometimes writers accidentally use two prepositions when only one is needed. • Correct: Don’t go near the water. Incorrect: Don’t go near to the water. • Correct: The book fell off the table. Incorrect: The book fell off of the table. Keeping it simple makes your writing clearer and stronger. 1.5 Ending a Sentence with a Preposition You may have heard the rule that a sentence should never end with a preposition . Today, this rule is not strictly enforced . Many writers still avoid it, but ending with a preposition is acceptable — especially if it sounds more natural. Compare these pairs: • More formal: It is a comment to which I will not respond. • More natural: It is a comment I will not respond to . • More formal: with which to write • More natural: I bought a pen to write with . Both versions are correct. Choose the one that fits your tone and sounds best to you.

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    Study Guide 2. Quiz: Prepositions Question 1 Identify the preposition(s) in the following sentence. The dark ‐ haired boy sat beside the trailer parked on the abandoned lot. Answer Choices Which words in the sentence are prepositions? • sat, parked • dark - haired, abandoned • beside, on Correct Answer beside, on Why This Is Correct • beside shows where the boy sat in relation to the trailer. • on shows where the trailer was parked in relation to the lot. Both words connect nouns and help explain location , which is exactly what prepositions do. Question 2 Which group lists ONLY prepositions? Answer Choices • down, next to, above, through, in front of • jump, leap, walk, scream, laugh, sing, drive • light, blue, straight, best, dry, fast, coiled

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    Study Guide Correct Answer down, next to, above, through, in front of Why This Is Correct • All the words in this group show location or direction. • They connect nouns or pronouns to other words. • The other choices include verbs and adjectives, not prepositions. Question 3 Identify the prepositional phrase in the following sentence. According to the director, our salary increase is scheduled to take effect July 1. Answer Choices • to take effect • According to the director • is scheduled Correct Answer According to the director Why This Is Correct • According to is a compound preposition. • the director is the object of the preposition. • Together, they form a prepositional phrase explaining source or authority . Question 4 Which sentence shows an INCORRECT use of a preposition?

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    Study Guide Answer Choices • Where is she going to? • He parked his car beside of the house. • Both a and b Correct Answer He parked his car beside of the house. Why This Is Correct • beside already functions as a complete preposition. • Adding of is unnecessary and incorrect. • Sentence A is informal but commonly accepted in everyday English. Question 5 Which sentence shows a CORRECT use of a preposition? Answer Choices • The little boy was standing near to the front of the parked truck. • The little boy was standing in front of the parked truck. • Both a and b Correct Answer The little boy was standing in front of the parked truck. Why This Is Correct • in front of is a standard and correct compound preposition. • near to is generally considered incorrect in formal English.

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