Preposition- The Position Word- Elementary Grammar

Here we are, with yet another flashback topic- The Preposition. A sentence needs a preposition so that the subject does not feel lost. More about that further in this lesson. But, before we go on, did you check out our last lesson on Adverbs? If not, click here to read now.

Preposition

1. What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relation between the subject and something else in the sentence. Sometimes it shows the relationship between one noun and another noun. Or, it could be between a noun and an adjective. In other cases, the relationship is also between a noun and a verb.

For example, the cat jumped off the chair. In this sentence, the cat is the noun and we come to know of its relationship with the chair.

2. How to position a preposition?

Most times, you will find a preposition placed before a noun or pronoun which we otherwise called the object of the sentence. Whenever it wants to make an Emphasis then it could be played at the beginning of the sentence. Of course, in use of disposition word based on many other factors such as the pronouns and nouns.

3. How many types of position words do we have?

There are five types of prepositions. They are simple, compound, participle, phrasal, and double.

4. What is a simple proposition?

It is the word that joins two parts of a clause or a sentence, it ends of showing a relationship between the nouns and pronouns. For example, my brother is walking behind me. In the sentence, the preposition is behind.

Some other words that fall in this category are till, with, up, down, at, bye, from, in, at, on out, etc.

5. What is a double preposition?

Words that join two prepositions define this category. For example, the dog peeped out of the window. In this sentence “out of” are the words in context.

6. Define a compound preposition.

These are the words where you get to prefix something before a noun or an adjective. They sound complex to understand but they are not very different from double prepositions. Let us take a look at an example. At that point in time, I didn’t know the answer. “In time” is an example of a compound preposition. Some other words you can use are according to, along with, alongside of, as for, due to, except for, etc.

7. What do we know about participle prepositions?

Words that end with the suffixes “ed” and “ing” fall in this category. They are the simplest ones to identify and understand. An example will help you understand better. The baby usually sleeps during these hours of the day. “During” is the participle preposition.

 8. Discuss prepositional phrases.

Prepositional phrases are very interesting and intriguing. When you find a group of words which does not have a subject or it becomes a prepositional phrase. They make the sentence sound more interesting with the addition of adjectives. For example, the puppy ran through the lush green grass. If you observe this sentence you will find that to the lush green grass is a prepositional phrase without a verb or subject.

9. What are the common relations that a preposition indicates?

Preposition could indicate a relationship between the different words in a sentence in various ways. Let’s take a look at some of them.

a) Place: When a word indicates the exact position of the placement of the subject it discusses the place. Some examples are: around, on, in, at, into, near, round, to, under, upon, etc.

b) Manner: Take a look at this sentence: The soldier fought with courage. The sentence speaks of the manner of courage by using the word “with.”

c) Possession: The boy with red hair is who you need. In this sentence, with shows its relation by representing possession.

d) Time: This is the word that shows the time relation. For example, I lasted through the night. Here the word expresses the time relation. Words like since and for are commonly used words of time.

Exercise:

We thought, why not leave you with a simple preposition exercise. You can leave the answers in the comment section below. It will boost your confidence in getting complete clarity of the topic.

1. I will sit _____ my desk to do my lessons.
2. The moon does not shine ____ its own light.
3. He died ____ his country.
4. I have not seen him _____ Wednesday.
5. I am tired _____ walking.
6. What is that ____ me?
7. The river flows ______ the bridge.
8. He has not ____ recovered from his illness.
9. This is a matter ____ little importance.
10. The steam engine was invented ____ Steve Watt.

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