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The Preposition
3h. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship
of a noun or pronoun to another word.
EXAMPL
ES
The helicopter flew above the mountains.
[The preposition above shows the
relationship of mountains to flew. ]
The rug near you needs cleaning. [The
preposition near shows the relationship of
you to rug. ]
By using a different preposition, you can change the
relationship of mountains to flew and of you to rug.
EXAMPL
ES
The helicopter flew behind the
mountains.
The rug underneath you needs cleaning.
Commonly Used Prepositions
about before for out unlike
above behind from over until
across below in past up
after beneath inside since upon
against between into through with
along beyond like throughout within
among by near to without
around down of toward
as during off under
at except on underneath
Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
EXERCISE A HIGHLIGHT the prepositions in each of the following sentences. Hint: Some sentences have more than one preposition.
Exam
ples
1. During the break, Felicity rested her head upon her
arms. [The preposition During shows the
relationship between rested and break. The
preposition upon shows the relationship
between head and arms. ]
2. Clint looked for the healthiest puppy of the litter.
[The preposition for shows the relationship
between looked and puppy. The preposition of
shows the relationship between puppy and
litter. ]
1. Are gloves and hats on sale this week? [Which word shows
the relationship between Are and sale ?]
2. Tommy’s parents will serve as chaperones during the dance.
[Which word shows the relationship between serve and
chaperones? Which word shows the relationship
between serve and dance ?]
3. Saturday is the busiest day of the week for our family.
4. We rested underneath the huge branches of a shady tree.
5. The dump truck rumbled into the construction site.
6. Noises from another classroom came through the walls.
7. Everyone except Erik returned to the sideline.
8. I have not felt well since yesterday.
9. The raccoon scampered across the yard and disappeared into
the hedge.
10. Diane saw a dragonfly outside the window.
Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
EXERCISE A Underline the preposition in each of the following sentences. Example 1. This article about oceans is surprisingly interesting.
1. The bottom of the ocean is very dark. 2. In most places, it is also cold. 3. However, in some places the ocean floor is warm. 4. One such place is near the Galapagos Islands. 5. Scientists discovered a crack in the ocean floor. 6. They found that heat poured from this crack. 7. The heat was rising from the earth. 8. Many plants and animals lived around this spot. 9. Tiny bacteria lived near giant worms. 10. These life forms lived eight thousand feet below the water’s surface.
EXERCISE B Write a preposition that correctly completes
each blank in the following sentences.
Example 1. My pet lizard ran behind the door.
11. Should the dog be allowed__on___the sofa? 12. You will find a patch of flowers__under___the bridge. 13. Please store the fruit__in front___the vegetables, Gary. 14. __Behind___the water, I saw a faint light glowing. 15. I finished the race several seconds__before___Jay. 16. Both cats came racing__around___the corner. 17. Did your parents park the car__near___the building? 18. The squirrel quickly climbed the trunk__of___the tree. 19. __At___the beginning of the school year, we have been assigned to the same seats. 20. The runner__behind___me almost tripped just before the finish line. Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Prepositional Phrases
A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, a noun or pronoun called the object of the preposition, and any modifiers of that object. EXAMPL E Dr. Okana peered through the huge telescope. [ Through is the preposition, and telescope is the object of the preposition. The adjectives the and huge modify telescope .] EXERCISE A Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence. Then, HIGHLIGHT the preposition. Exampl e
1. I looked for a key under the muddy doormat. 1. A copper-colored snake slithered along the rotting log. 2. During a crisis David sometimes loses his temper. 3. The pigs found their food under the shallow water. 4. That ancient bridge was built 155 feet above the Gard River. 5. The newscaster slipped on the ice as he hurried along. EXERCISE B Prepositional phrases can be used to add interesting information to sentences. Add prepositional phrases to the following sentences. Rewrite the sentences on the lines provided. Example 1. We sailed slowly. At dawn, we sailed slowly through the rocky channel. 6. The frightened soldier hid under the tank. 7. Canditha wore a beautiful scarf around her neck. 8. Suddenly, the prisoners heard a faint scratching noise on the wall 9. The creature had hideous green tentacles all over their body 10. The noisy helicopter landed on top of the Heli Pad. Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
20. With the dog close behind, the cat scrambled up the fence and out of its reach. Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying content are the responsibility of the instructor.
