Preposition Examples

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Preposition - Glossary of Terms


Prepositions

Prepositions are placed before a noun to show that noun's relationship to something else in the sentence.  The noun governed by a preposition is known as the object of the preposition

Examples:

It is a tray for appliances.
                   
          preposition       object of the preposition

("For" shows the relationship between "appliances" and "tray".)

The harrier hovered over the field.
                                  
                          preposition       object of the preposition

("Over" shows the relationship between "the field" and "hovered".)  

Common prepositions are: about, above, across, after, along, among, around, as, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, except, for, from, in, in front of, inside, into, of, off, on, onto, out of, outside, over, past, since, through, to, toward, under, up, upon, with, within, without. 
 
Interactive example:
 
A woman from Bath was awarded the crown after winning the title. [show me the prepositions]
Many readers do not like to see a sentence end in a preposition. This "rule" is considered a little outdated these days, but it is still best adhered to. (Oops, "to" is a preposition.)

Put the cherries in.
Put in the cherries.
Prepositions are not always required - especially with verbs.  For succinctness, avoid unnecessary prepositions

I cannot face up to the facts.
I cannot face the facts.
 
The object of a preposition is always in the objective case.  Therefore, who never follows a preposition. Use whom.

You're pregnant by who?
Associated pages:
 
What are prepositions?
Ending a sentence in a preposition
The object of a preposition
Verbs with prepositions - succinct writing
Glossary of grammatical terms
 
  

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