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 relic lay beneath the cathedral for a century.

The convoy departed at first light.

The treaty held despite the long winter.

Telling Where and When

Telling WHERE (space)

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

The cache lay within the vault.

Telling WHEN (time)

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

The seal broke after the eclipse.

Library

Now you try

A preposition can point to when something happens, not just where. You could try during, since, 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 map of the harbor lay on the captain's desk.

The key to the gate hung by the door.

Library

Now you try

A preposition opens the phrase, then the object finishes it. You could try beneath, across, or beyond. 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 pressed on despite the storm.

The crew prepared for the crossing.

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 crossing was delayed due to the high water.

The summit lay ahead of the final ridge.

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 pushed through.

The climbers pushed through the pass.

Now you try

Every preposition needs an object to land on, so give through something to point to. You could try the pass, or the gate. 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.

Ending With a Preposition

You may have heard that a sentence cannot end with a preposition. That was never a real rule; what matters is clarity. The kind of nonsense I will not put up with reads clean; up with which I will not put reads stiff. When the natural sentence ends with the preposition, let it.

In a sentence

Each sentence ends with a preposition and reads clearly. Forcing a rewrite would only make it stiffer.

That is the kind of nonsense I will not put up with.

Show me the box he keeps his maps in.

Now you try

A preposition can land at the end of a sentence and still do its job. You could try for, or about. Let the natural sentence finish on it.

The Full Relationship Diagnosis

One sentence can carry several prepositional phrases at once. Diagnose every one: label each as space, time, or logic, then trace it to the word it serves, a noun or a verb.

In a sentence

Each sentence carries more than one phrase. Diagnose every one: name its function, then find the word it serves.

We hiked to the falls before noon for the view.

The cabin by the lake stood empty through the winter.

Now you try

A preposition opens one of several phrases here, telling where. You could try across, beyond, or near. Name the spot, then keep moving.

The Exact Relationship

The preposition you choose is the whole picture. The cat slept on the piano, under the piano, and inside the piano are three different scenes from one swapped word. Every preposition honors its object and names the exact relationship.

In a sentence

Same sentence, one swapped preposition, a different picture each time. The exact word is the whole meaning.

The cat slept on the piano.

The cat slept inside the piano.

Now you try

A preposition gives the object its exact place, and each one tells a different story. You could try under, beside, or behind. Pick the spot you mean.