Pauline
Christiansen – English 092
Prepositions
Read thoughtfully through
the lists and information that follow to increase your awareness of
prepositional phrases.
Prepositions: a sampling
about |
because of* |
for |
of* |
underneath |
above |
before |
from* |
off |
until |
according to* |
behind |
from among* |
out of* |
up |
across |
below |
from between* |
outside |
upon* |
after |
between |
from under* |
over |
with |
against* |
beyond |
in |
over against* |
within |
along |
but |
in front of* (a unit) |
past |
without |
along with* |
by |
inside |
since |
|
among* |
concerning |
inside of* |
through |
|
around |
despite* |
in spite of* (a unit) |
throughout |
|
as for* |
down |
instead of* |
to |
|
as to* |
during |
into* |
toward |
|
at* |
except |
|
under |
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* always a
preposition. Words not starred can be
used other ways. |
The Prepositional Phrase: What is it?
Test for prepositional
phrases by asking the preposition the question “What?” or “Whom?”
The preposition + the answer
= the prepositional phrase.
|
Preposition |
Question |
Answer: Prepositional Phrase |
|
for |
“For what?” |
for glory |
|
In |
“In what?” |
in the light |
|
by |
“By what?” |
by creating an engine |
|
in front of |
“In front of what?” |
In front of his house |
|
for |
“For whom?” |
for the writer |
Prepositional phrases explain:
When? |
by |
Where? |
beneath the hills |
|
during the day |
|
in the chair |
|
in the evening |
|
under the floor |
|
from the Middle ages/to
the present |
|
among the leaves |
|
|
|
|
Why? |
for joy |
How? or |
by bending the edges |
|
because of his weight In order to find out |
In what
way? |
by machine (young) in attitude |
|
for no good reason |
|
(stale) with sweat |
|
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|
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Recognizing prepositional
phrases is important ONLY so that pieces of them don’t sneak into your
subject/verb identifications.
|
Prepositional phrases add
depth/texture/specificity/detail/richness to your lines. Prepositional phrases are
vital – but ignore them when you’re finding your subject/verb combinations. |
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Mentally omitting prepositional
phrases from your lines helps to locate your subject/verb combinations in
what remains. |