Parts of Speech: Prepositions: Good Things Come in Small Packages

Prepositions: Good Things Come in Small Packages

Prepositions are the mighty mites of grammar and writing, small but powerful little puppies. Prepositions are words that link a noun or a pronoun to another word in the sentence.

Use this list to help you recognize some of the most common prepositions:

about	between
above	beyond
across	but
after	by
against	despite
along	down
amid	during
around	except
as	for
at	from
before	in
behind	inside
below	into
beneath	like
beside	near
of	since
off	through
on	toward
onto	under
opposite	underneath
out	until
outside	upon
over	with
past	within

You Could Look It Up

Prepositions are words that link a noun or a pronoun to another word in the sentence.

A noun always follows a preposition. A prepositional phrase is a preposition and its object. A prepositional phrase can be two or three words long, as these examples show:

on the wing
in the door

However, prepositional phrases can be much longer, depending on the length of the preposition and number of words that describe the object of the preposition. Here are two super-size prepositional phrases:

near the violently swaying oak trees
on account of his nearly depleted bank account

Joined at the Hip

Circle the preposition or prepositions in each sentence. Then write the noun or noun phrase that follows it. (Hint: Look for the noun markers a, an, and the.)

You are slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter.
A pat on the back is only a few centimeters from a kick in the butt.
He wants the magic fingers vibrating bed regardless of the cost.
Of course he will help himself to the biggest portion; he's a piggy.
If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done.

Answers
Preposition(s)	Noun(s)
of, through	peanut butter, turtles
on, from, in	the back, a kick, the butt
of	cost
to	the biggest portion
for	the last minute

A Note on Prepositions for Non-Native Speakers

Using prepositions correctly presents special problems for people whose first language is not English. That's because so many prepositional phrases are idiomatic: They have evolved through use and do not necessarily make logical sense. Here are some guidelines:

Use in before seasons of the year. Also use in with months and years not followed by specific dates.
- in the summer
- in January
- in 2003
Use on before days of the week, holidays, and months, if the date follows.
- on Wednesday
- on Thanksgiving
- on July 20
Like is a preposition that means “similar to.” Therefore, it is followed by an object (usually a noun or pronoun).
- like T'Aysha
- like you
Use the preposition of to show possession.
- The preposition of is often used to show possession instead of the possessive form of a pronoun.
- I hear a puppy's bark.
- Or:
- I hear the bark of a puppy.
- Never use the preposition of with proper nouns.
- Incorrect: I wore the dress of Nina.
- Correct: I wore Nina's dress.
Following is a list of idiomatic prepositional phrases and examples. Always use these prepositional phrases as units; don't substitute other prepositions.

Prepositional Phrases	Examples
acquainted with	Nico is acquainted with my cousin Raul.
addicted to	I am addicted to coffee.
agree on (a plan)	They finally agreed on a plan.
agree to (someone else's proposal)	Did Betty agree to their demands?
angry at or about (a thing)	The commuters are angry about the fare hike.
angry with (a person)	They are angry with the mayor.
apply for (a job)	Apply for a job.
approve of	Did she approve of the vacation plan?
consist of	The casserole consists of squirrel and noodles.
contrast with	The red shirt contrasts with the pink pants.
convenient for	Is Monday convenient for you?
deal with	How do you deal with that awful child?
depend on	Everything depends on the bus schedule.
differ from (something)	The airplane differs from the train.
differ with (a person)	I differ with your argument.
displeased with	Nina is displeased with the plan.
fond of	We are all fond of Mrs. Marco.
grateful for (something)	The child was grateful for a snow day.
grateful to (someone)	We are grateful to the doctor.
identical with	This cake is identical with hers.
interested in	Chris is interested in martial arts.
interfere with	Homework can interfere with your social life.
object to	We object to the income tax hike.
protect against	An umbrella protects against rain.
reason with	You can't reason with a two-year-old.
responsible for	I am responsible for bringing the salad.
shocked at	We are shocked at your hair color!
similar to	It is similar to a rainbow.
specialize in	The hairdresser must specialize in humor.
take advantage of	They surely take advantage of kids!
worry about	I worry about you.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style © 2003 by Laurie E. Rozakis, Ph.D.. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book direct from the publisher, visit the Penguin USA website or call 1-800-253-6476. You can also purchase this book at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

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See also:

Parts of Speech: Pronouns: Pinch Hitters