Prepositional Phrases
Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.
Common Core Language Standard 1
We had better learn to identify and use prepositional phrases. Almost 30% of writing consists of them. One of the biggest controversies is whether to end sentences with prepositions or not. Most English-language arts teachers would say “No,” but most writers use them where they wish.
Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on prepositional phrases. Remember that a phrase is a group of related words without a noun and connected verb.
Now let’s read the grammar and usage lesson and study the examples.
A preposition shows a relationship between the preposition and its object. The relationship may be that of location, position, or time. The preposition is always part of a phrase and comes before its object. The preposition asks “What?” or “Whom?” and the object provides the answer. Examples: past the cloud, next to him, over there
Following are the most common prepositions: aboard, about, above, according to, across, after, against, along, among, around, as, as to, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, but, by, despite, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, instead of, into, in place of, in spite of, like, near, next, of, off, on, onto, outside, out of, over, past, regardless of, since, than, through, throughout, to, toward, under, underneath, unlike, until, up, upon, with, within, without
Place a comma after introductory prepositional phrases with more than four words. Example: Through the deep and dark forest, I followed the bread crumbs.
Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.
Practice: Around the house, ran the dog. The dog ran past the gate and jumped over the fence.
Let’s check the Practice Answers.
Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: Around the house ran the dog. The dog ran past the gate and jumped over the fence.
Now let’s apply what we have learned.
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Mark Pennington, M.A. Reading Specialist
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