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2. They met before lunch.

V. PREP. N.
(Before is a preposition relating the noun lunch to the verb met.)
To discover whether a word is a preposition, or an adverb, or

any other part of speech, see how it is used in its sentence.
Common Prepositions
Here is a list of words commonly used as prepositions.
(If you see one of the words below in a sentence, check whether it is in fact being used
as a preposition before concluding that it is one. See again sentences 1 and 2, above.)
about by out of
above despite outside
across down over
after during past
against except since
along for through
among from throughout
around in till
at inside to
because of in spite of toward
before instead of under
behind into until
below like up
beside of upon
between off with
beyond on within
but (meaning “except”) without
EXERCISE 1. Each of the following sayings may or may not contain a preposition.
If it contains a preposition, write that preposition in the space provided. If it does not,
write no prep.
Samples:
Do not put all your eggs in one basket. in

The early bird catches the worm. no prep.
PREPOSITIONS 95
1. A word to the wise is sufficient.
2. Do not judge a book by its cover.
3. Fools and their money are soon parted.
4. An apple never falls far from the tree.
5. Birds of a feather flock together.
6. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
7. Better late than never.
8. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
9. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
10. Necessity is the mother of invention.
EXERCISE 2. Change each sentence to a sentence that has the opposite meaning—
and do this by changing just one word, the preposition, to another preposition.
Sample:
The customer wanted coffee with cream.

The customer wanted coffee without cream.
1. We waited outside the library.

We waited ___________________ the library.
2. Take one tablet before each meal.

Take one tablet ___________________ each meal.
3. Did someone run into the house?

Did someone run ___________________ the house?
4. The trip to school took an hour.

The trip ___________________ school took an hour.
5. Most of the fans were against us.

Most of the fans were ___________________ us.
96 PA R T S O F S P E E C H
You have probably noticed by now that every preposition is followed by a noun or a
pronoun.
He slammed the ball out of the infield.

PREP. N.
Please do not leave without us.

PREP. PRON.
We now turn our attention to the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition.
Object of the Preposition

The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is the object
of the preposition.
He slammed the ball out of the infield.

PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.
(The noun infield is the object of the preposition out of.)
Please do not leave without us.

PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.
(The pronoun us is the object of the preposition without.)
EXERCISE 3. Find the preposition and the object of the preposition.
Samples:
PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.
Who was behind the wheel? behind wheel
Because of you, we could not go. Because of you
1. The story is about a teen.
2. Get out of this house!
3. Meet me outside the library.
4. She has been sick since Friday.
5. Wait until next week.
6. Do you want rye bread instead of a roll?
7. Everyone agreed except Ryan.
8. Drop the rental DVD in the nearest return

slot.
PREPOSITIONS 97
PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.
9. Football play continued in spite of the

snow.
10. I have never seen anything like it.
Prepositional Phrases
Every day we encounter hundreds of prepositional phrases. Suppose you lost a wrist-
watch—almost every one of us has done something like that—and you looked for it
in your pockets,
on the dresser,
under the sofa,
between the cushions,
and, finally,
on your wrist,
where you discovered it was all along.

All of the italicized expressions above, which describe locations, are prepositional
phrases.
What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that (1) begins
with a preposition and (2) ends with the object of the
preposition (a noun or pronoun).
EXAMPLE OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE ENDING WITH A NOUN:
I wrote with a pen.

PREP. PHR.
(The prepositional phrase with a pen begins with the preposition with and
ends with the noun pen. The noun pen is the object of the preposition with.)
A word that modifies the object of the preposition is considered part of the preposi-
tional phrase:
I wrote with a new pen.

PREP. PHR.
(The adjective new modifies the noun pen and is a part of the prepositional
phrase.)
EXAMPLE OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE ENDING WITH A PRONOUN:
Without her, they would have lost the game.

PREP. PHR.
(The prepositional phrase Without her consists of the preposition without
and the pronoun her. The pronoun her is the object of the preposition with-
out.)
EXERCISE 1. Underline the prepositional phrase. Then, in the spaces at the right, en-
ter the preposition and the object of the preposition.
Sample:
PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.

I bought a ticket for the first performance. for performance
1. With your help we cannot fail.
2. The Jacksons live above us.
3. Take the train instead of the bus.
4. Nate swims like a fish.
5. In spite of her failure, she will try again.
Composition Hint
Sometimes we can express an idea through either an adverb or a prepositional
phrase.
Handle the glassware carefully.

ADV.
Handle the glassware with care.

PREP. PHR.
If you know more than one way to express your ideas, you will be a better writer.
EXERCISE 2. Replace the italicized adverb with a prepositional phrase.
Samples:
He acted selfishly. in a selfish manner

Luckily, the bus was waiting. By luck
You cannot stay here. in this place
PREPOSITIONS 99
1. Does the motor run quietly?
2. It happened accidentally.
3. Who lives there?
4. She replied angrily.
5. We worry always.
6. The child slept restlessly.
7. You are doubtlessly right.
8. Few of us face danger fearlessly.
9. The meetings are conducted democratically.
10. Instantly, the fire was extinguished.
Another Composition Hint

Sometimes we can express an idea through either an adjective or a prepositional
phrase.
An unsigned check is valueless.

ADJ.
An unsigned check is of no value.

PREP. PHR.
EXERCISE 3. Rewrite the sentence, replacing the italicized adjective with a preposi-
tional phrase.
Samples:
You may find yourself penniless.

You may find yourself without a penny.
A mayor is an important person.

A mayor is a person of importance.
1. Many European tourists visit the United States each year.

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miiiijx

2. They met before lunch.

To discover whether a word is a preposition, or an adverb, or

Do not put all your eggs in one basket. in

2. Do not judge a book by its cover.

3. Fools and their money are soon parted.

4. An apple never falls far from the tree.

5. Birds of a feather flock together.

6. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

7. Better late than never.

8. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

9. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

10. Necessity is the mother of invention.

The customer wanted coffee with cream.

1. We waited outside the library.

2. Take one tablet before each meal.

3. Did someone run into the house?

4. The trip to school took an hour.

5. Most of the fans were against us.

He slammed the ball out of the infield.

Please do not leave without us.

Object of the Preposition

He slammed the ball out of the infield.

Please do not leave without us.

EXERCISE 3. Find the preposition and the object of the preposition.

1. The story is about a teen.

2. Get out of this house!

3. Meet me outside the library.

4. She has been sick since Friday.

5. Wait until next week.

6. Do you want rye bread instead of a roll?

7. Everyone agreed except Ryan.

8. Drop the rental DVD in the nearest return

9. Football play continued in spite of the

10. I have never seen anything like it.

where you discovered it was all along.

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

EXAMPLE OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE ENDING WITH A NOUN:

I wrote with a pen.

I wrote with a new pen.

Without her, they would have lost the game.

PREP. OBJ. OF PREP.

1. With your help we cannot fail.

2. The Jacksons live above us.

3. Take the train instead of the bus.

4. Nate swims like a fish.

5. In spite of her failure, she will try again.

Handle the glassware carefully.

Handle the glassware with care.

EXERCISE 2. Replace the italicized adverb with a prepositional phrase.

He acted selfishly. in a selfish manner

3. Who lives there?

4. She replied angrily.

6. The child slept restlessly.

7. You are doubtlessly right.

8. Few of us face danger fearlessly.

9. The meetings are conducted democratically.

10. Instantly, the fire was extinguished.

Another Composition Hint