Prepositions

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz Nawabzada MA.TESOL USA

 Prepositions:
A preposition is a word or group of words that shows the
relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word or
words in a sentence.

Example:
Who is the famous actress in the movie

Shan checked under the table and chair.

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA
 Note:
A preposition is always used with a noun or a pronoun.
The noun or pronoun it is used with is called the object of
the preposition. And both preposition and its object are
known as prepositional phrase.

Example: You may go with your brother. 

When you find a word that you think is a preposition, look
for the object. Say the preposition and then say, ‘what?’.
If there is a ‘what’ or ‘when’ you have a preposition.

Example: He jumped  in.

In what? there is no answer/object; therefore, ‘in’ is not a
preposition.

Let’s meet before noon. (before = preposition)

We have never met before. (before is not a preposition here)

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA
 Types of Prepositional Phrase
A preposition is usually combined with a noun or noun phrase to make a
prepositional phrase, such as in the class, at home.

1. Prepositional phrases of place: answer the question “where”

on the desk, under the bed, in front of the house.

2. Prepositional phrases of time: answer the question “when”

after class, at the beginning, before the exam.

3. Prepositional phrases of possession: answer the question “whose”

(the father) of the bride, (the director) of the company

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA
 Relationship shown by prepositions
Prepositions perform the important job of linking words
within a sentence. They indicate relationships between
separate things. The relationship may involve such things as
place/location/direction, time, cause, possession, or manner.

Examples:

She went to the store, “To” is a preposition which shows direction.

He came by bus, “By” is a preposition which shows manner. 

They will be here at 3:00, “At” is a preposition which shows time

It is under the table, “Under” is a preposition which shows place.

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA
 Types of preposition
1. Simple Preposition:
when a preposition is made of one word.
Example: in, on, at, to, with, from, of, under, till…

2. Double preposition:
when a preposition is made of two words and is written
as one word without space between the prepositions.
Example: within, into, without …

3. Compound preposition:
when a preposition is made of two or more words and is
written with space between the prepositions.
Example: near to, next to, up to, in front of ..

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA
Thank you!

Assistant Prof. Sarfaraz

Nawabzada. MA.TESOL, USA