Prepositions

modified from Language Skills & Usage TE, page 83, 84 file found in Prepositions

Prepositions.introductionLangSkillUseTE.page.83

learning to identify

prepositions, prep phrases, & object of prepositions

Where are the airplanes in relation to the

clouds?

Compare the pictures with the sentences beside them.

The plane is over the clouds.

The plane is in the clouds. between ~ among

The plane is under the clouds.

Compare the pictures with the sentences beside them.

The plane is over the clouds.

The plane is in the clouds. between ~ among

The plane is under the clouds.

underlined words are

prepositions

preposition: shows how the noun/pronoun that follows relates to another word or words in the sentence

• The plane is over the clouds. • The plane is under the clouds. • The plane is in the clouds.

preposition phrase: • begins with a preposition & ends

with a noun/pronoun

• The plane is over the clouds. • The plane is under the clouds. • The plane is in the clouds.

preposition phrase: • the ending noun/pronoun in the

phrase is called the object of the preposition

• The plane is over the clouds. • The plane is under the clouds. • The plane is in the clouds.

bees in relation to the bottle

Prepositions

words that show position, direction, or

how two words or ideas are related to each

other

prepositional phrase

A bike without pedals and handlebars is hard to ride.

objects of the preposition

preposition

Take a ride on your bike.

preposition

object of the

preposition

prepositional phrase

After lunch, we’ll go shopping.

preposition

object of the preposition

prepositional phrase

Take a ride on your bike in the park after lunch.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition preposition

Identifying the preps

modified from Language Skills & Usage TE, page 84

I learned about the development of modern vehicles today.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

1

I found texts in the library about vehicles.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

2

First, I looked for a book on the history of bicycles.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition preposition

3

Along the shelf were books on many vehicles.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

4

During my search I flipped through several books.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

5

I reached above my head for more books.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

6

I tugged at one that was stuck between two larger books.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

7

It tumbled off the shelf above me, crashing onto my head.

preposition

objects of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition preposition

8

I moaned and staggered across the room.

object of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

9

The title of the book was Freak Accidents.

object of the preposition

prepositional phrases preposition

10

Be careful where you place items so

the meaning is clear.

modified from Language Skills & Usage TE, page 84

I found texts on vehicles in the library.

• What is incorrect about how this is worded? • Hint: what type of vehicles is the book

about? • vehicles found in the library

• Is that what the writer meant? • no

• the prep phrase is a misplaced modifier • it seems to be describing (adjective)

where the vehicles are—but that is not what the writer intended

• How could this sentence be fixed by moving the prepositional phrase?

from #2

I found texts in the library about vehicles. other ways to fix it...

In the library, I found texts about vehicles. OR

I found, in the library, texts about vehicles.

• notice, that in the second one, a comma is needed because the prep phrase is acting as an introductory element to the sentence

• in the third sentence, it’s in the middle and in this case, commas are needed since it seems to be acting like an interruption

other ways to fix it