Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases

(And how knowing them can help you on

 Prepositions show TIME and LOCATION.

They tell where things are and when they happened.

 Prepositional phrases add DETAIL to our sentences. They begin with a preposition. They end with an object of the preposition, and, if in the middle of a sentence, they end before a verb.

Prepositional phrases are frequently inserted between subjects and verbs on both the SAT and the ACT in order distract from disagreements, so whenever you don't immediately see an error in a sentence, it's a good idea to cross out all the prepositional phrases.
(ultimateSATverbal.blogspot.com)

Sample SAT Question

Changes in the balance of trade seems remote A B from everyday concerns, but they can drastically C affect how we spend our money. No error. D E

B is the correct answer.

If you dont see an error the first time you read a sentence, try crossing out prepositional phrases and checking for subject-verb agreement ("Changes...seems remote from everyday concerns..." is much easier to spot).

Along the Loup Canal in Nebraska extends many A B lakes, parks, and trails owned and operated by C the Loup power district. No error. D E

B is the correct answer.

Ex: Along the Loup Canal in Nebraska extends (extend) many lakes, parks, and trails owned and operated by the Loup power district. Make sure you identify the complete subject! (Cross out prepositional phrases.)