Parts of Speech · Today with Li'l Pete

Pre-Positioned for Greatness

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I'm Li'l Pete, and I place your things in space, in time, or in a logical relationship. Grab your map, and let's hit the trail.

Meet the Prepositions!

A preposition shows the relationship between its object, a noun or pronoun, and the rest of the sentence. It comes at the front of a prepositional phrase and points to that object. It can locate the object in space (where), in time (when), or show a logical relationship (how it connects).

One preposition places a thing in space, one places it in time, and one shows a logical relationship.

I left my keys under the book on my desk.

Sadie always reads before bedtime.

Helena only eats blueberries with whipped cream.

Telling Where and When

Telling WHERE (space)

A space preposition locates the object somewhere; it tells the exact spot.

Jake hit the ball over the fence.

Telling WHEN (time)

A time preposition puts the object on the clock; it tells the exact moment.

Please come home after school.

Library

Now you try

A preposition can point to when something happens, not just where. You could try before, after, or during. Place it on the timeline.

Prepositional Phrases

A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with the object of the preposition. The structure is: PREPOSITION + OBJECT. Examples: next to the couch, outside the teachers' lounge, at the exact time, in my wallet, with the blue collar.

In a sentence

Each phrase starts with the preposition and ends with its object, the noun or pronoun it points to.

The map is above my bed.

Pete hiked throughout the month.

Library

Now you try

A preposition opens the phrase, then the object finishes it. You could try on, over, or near. Lead, and the object follows.

Showing a Logical Relationship

A preposition does not always mark a place or a time. Sometimes it shows a logical relationship, telling HOW the object connects to the rest of the sentence. In blueberries with whipped cream, with shows how two things go together: a link, not a spot or a moment.

In a sentence

Each preposition here shows a logical link, not a place or a time. It tells how the object connects.

Stella left for college yesterday.

Helena only eats blueberries with whipped cream.

Now you try

A preposition can name a logical link, showing how two things go together. You could try with, or for. Trace how they connect.

Compound Prepositions

A compound preposition is more than one word but acts as a single preposition. Common compound prepositions include: next to, instead of, because of, due to, according to, ahead of, apart from, in front of, out of.

In a sentence

Each compound preposition is two words doing one preposition's job, leading to its object.

The class was canceled because of the snow.

Pete pitched his tent next to the creek.

Now you try

A compound preposition is more than one word acting as one. You could try because of, or due to. Two words, one relationship.

Preposition or Adverb?

Some words can be a preposition or one of Benny's adverbs. The test is the object: a preposition sits at the front of a phrase with an object behind it; with no object, the same word stands alone as an adverb. Find the object, and you find the preposition.

In a sentence

The same word twice. Alone it is Benny's adverb. At the front of a phrase with an object, it is my preposition.

The sled slid down.

The sled slid down the hill.

Now you try

Every preposition needs an object to land on, so give down something to point to. You could try the hill, or the slide. No object, no preposition.