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.

The lantern above the doorway lit the whole porch.

We finished the survey before the storm rolled in.

The cabin with the green shutters belonged to the ranger.

Telling Where and When

Telling WHERE (space)

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

The kayak drifted toward the falls.

Telling WHEN (time)

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

The troop set out at dawn.

Library

Now you try

A preposition can point to when something happens, not just where. You could try during, after, or until. 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 path wound along the river.

The compass needle swung toward the mountain.

Library

Now you try

A preposition opens the phrase, then the object finishes it. You could try across, beyond, or behind. 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.

The expedition turned back because of the blizzard.

The ranger packed a kit for the climb.

Now you try

A preposition can name a logical link, showing how the object connects. You could try with, or for. Trace the connection.

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 detour was added due to the washout.

The lookout stood ahead of the tree line.

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 climbers pressed on.

The climbers pressed on the rope.

Now you try

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

Building the Phrase

In a sentence

Each phrase was built on purpose: a preposition, then an object, placing something exactly.

The canoe rests under the dock.

We launched the raft because of the calm tide.

Now you try

A prepositional phrase needs the preposition first, then its object. You could try beside, or behind. Set the relationship, and the object completes it.

Explain the Function

Spotting a preposition is the easy part; explaining its function is the next move. For each one, name two things: the object it grabs, and the relationship it shows, which is always space, time, or logic.

In a sentence

For each preposition, name two things: its object, and the relationship it shows (space, time, or logic).

We waited until noon.

The keys are under the mat.

She smiled because of the good news.

Now you try

A preposition shows a relationship to its object. You could try under, after, near, or beyond.

Which Word Does the Phrase Serve?

A prepositional phrase always serves one word. When it modifies a noun, it describes that noun, like the book on the shelf: an adjectival phrase. When it modifies a verb, it tells about the action, like we read on the porch: an adverbial phrase. Find the word it points at.

In a sentence

The same phrase, two jobs: in one it modifies a noun, in the other it modifies a verb. Find the word it points at.

The trail past the ridge was the steepest one.

The scouts camped past the ridge.

Now you try

A preposition can start a phrase that modifies a noun, telling which cabin you mean. You could try near, beside, or behind. Locate the cabin, then name the spot.