10.6
Prepositions
■ A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or a pronoun
to another word in a sentence.
The cat is under the desk. [Under shows the spatial relationship of the
desk to the cat.]
I saw my counselor before my first-period class. [Before expresses the
time relationship between the meeting and the class period.]
I read your poem to them. [To relates the verb read to the pronoun
them.]
COMMONLY USED PREPOSITIONS
Parts of Speech
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
amid
among
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
but*
by
concerning
despite
down
during
except
excepting
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
opposite
out
outside
over
past
pending
regarding
respecting
since
through
throughout
to
toward
under
underneath
until
unto
up
upon
with
within
without
*in the sense of “except”
■ A compound preposition is a preposition that is made up of more than one
word.
COMPOUND PREPOSITIONS
according to
ahead of
along with
apart from
aside from
as to
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Unit 10 Parts of Speech
because of
by means of
in addition to
in front of
in spite of
instead of
next to
on account of
on top of
out of
owing to
Exercise 64
Using Prepositions in Sentences
Write a preposition or compound preposition that would make sense in each sentence
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
The exterminator was reluctant to spray insecticide ______ the confines of the room.
_______ the infestation, the tenants decided to move.
There was little disagreement __________ the tenants and the landlord.
The infestation was found to have originated _________ the window of the first-floor
apartment.
5. ____________ next month, everyone will be able to return home.
Exercise 65
Identifying Prepositions
On your paper, list the prepositions that appear in each of the following sentences.
Remember that some prepositions are made up of more than one word. (The numeral
in parentheses at the end of each item indicates the number of prepositions in that
sentence.)
Jackson Hole Valley
10.6 Prepositions
Parts of Speech
1. Scenic Jackson Hole Valley lies at the foot of the Teton Mountains. (2)
2. Towering above Jackson Hole, the Tetons have many peaks that are more than ten thousand feet high. (1)
3. According to reports, the first white trapper in Jackson Hole was John Colter. (2)
4. With the exception of hardy mountaineers who hunted game, early pioneers stayed outside the valley during the harsh winter. (3)
5. In the 1880s some homesteaders became concerned about the survival of Jackson Hole
elk. (3)
6. As a result, in 1912 the National Elk Refuge was established within the valley. (3)
7. In addition to the elk problem, there was the question of conservation. (2)
8. By 1929 Congress had established the Grand Teton National Park along the eastern
slopes of the Tetons. (3)
9. In the meantime, John D. Rockefeller Jr. had acquired acres of Jackson Hole land for
public use. (3)
10. Through the intervention of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jackson Hole National Monument,
which included over 200,000 acres, was established in 1943. (3)
11. The monument was abolished in 1950, and most of it was added to the Grand Teton
National Park. (3)
12. Some Jackson Hole residents opposed outsiders’ coming into the valley. (1)
13. Very little of Teton County’s land is now in private hands. (2)
14. Visitors come to the Grand Teton National Park throughout the year. (2)
15. Flying above Jackson Hole, you see vistas of truly breathtaking splendor. (2)
16. Beyond a doubt, Jackson Hole’s lakes and mountains are spectacular. (1)
17. Because of the many clear streams, the fishing alone draws a host of visitors. (2)
18. Along the shore of Jackson Lake, a campground overlooks the marina of Colter Bay. (3)
19. Amid the soaring peaks of Mount Moran, Grand Teton, and South Teton lies little Jenny
Lake. (2)
20. Throughout Jackson Hole, wildflowers carpet summer foothills with a riot of color. (3)
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Object of the Preposition
Prepositions are found at the beginning of phrases that usually end with a
noun or a pronoun called the object of the preposition.
Exercise 66
Eli told me about the fire.
Owen sat opposite me.
They read the report
concerning him.
Sook came here from Korea.
All but Jane agreed.
All waited outside the door.
The birds flew beyond
the clouds.
The books were thrown upon
the bed.
Everyone arrived except Bill.
The house remained in the family.
He left without notice.
She parked between the signs.
Finding the Object of the Preposition
For each phrase, write the preposition and its object.
Parts of Speech
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
a seat in the last row
ventured through the night
the presentation of the award
riding on the early train
the man without a name
crashing down the mountain
soaring high above the clouds
all of them
running against the wind
anyone besides you
Exercise 67
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
the grass on the front lawn
lasted for an hour
a bird outside my window
reading to all the children
hiding behind the old tree
a rabbit running over a bridge
impressed by the hard work
walking past the fence
far beyond the tracks
the wheel above the deck
Creating Sentences with Prepositions
Choose five prepositions from the lists on page 468. Use each preposition in a sentence.
Exercise 68
Using Prepositions and Their Objects in Sentences
Write a sentence for each pair of words listed. Use the first word as a preposition in the
sentence and the second word as its object, adding adjectives and adverbs wherever
necessary.
SAMPLE
ANSWER
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
470
outside, town
The travelers decided to stay outside the town.
from, sister
without, money
about, accident
of, page
pending, agreement
Unit 10 Parts of Speech
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
during, show
before, appointment
over, land
at, top
through, glass
Exercise 69
Review: Compound Prepositions
Write the compound preposition in each of the following sentences.
SAMPLE
ANSWER
This is not the right tool according to the instruction book.
according to
Mickey Mouse
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Next to toys, cartoons are probably the most popular means of childhood amusement.
Walt Disney is certainly on top of the list of contributors to childhood fantasies.
Walt Disney, along with his brother Roy, set up a studio producing animated cartoons.
Disney first thought of making his new character a mouse because of field mice that
came into his studio.
In spite of his initial idea to name the mouse Mortimer, Disney decided to name the new
character Mickey Mouse.
Disney’s cartoon Steamboat Willie was a worldwide success, owing to its use of a sound
track.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse appeared on movie screens in front of audiences around the
world.
Disney created a succession of cartoon movies in addition to the Mickey Mouse movies.
Walt Disney continued to build on his dream in spite of many difficult times.
Because of his determination and foresight, Walt Disney overcame the monetary setbacks he encountered over the years.
Parts of Speech
Exercise 70
Review: Expanding Sentences with Prepositions
Expand each sentence by adding the preposition indicated in the parentheses, plus an
object for the preposition.
SAMPLE
ANSWER
The chemist developed a new antidote. (in)
The chemist developed a new antidote in the laboratory.
Health Care
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
The operation was a success. (in spite of)
The patient phoned the doctor’s office. (for)
Emergencies seem to occur most often at home. (during)
As a paramedic, she understands emergency procedures. (for)
As the ambulance sped, cars dashed out of its path. (along)
The nurse decided to work three hours overtime. (instead of)
Caring for patients requires dedication and sympathy. (because of)
Difficult decisions are commonplace in the life of a doctor. (despite)
Medical insurance has become a necessity. (on account of)
Preventive medicine is the best insurance. (against)
Nursing homes provide care. (for)
Patients in the hospital often complain. (about)
Some people should visit a hospital emergency room. (with)
Patients should not have to sit for long periods. (in)
The patient is recovering. (from)
10.6 Prepositions
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