Prepositions: function, usage, and type
This concise introduction to prepositions explores their function, usage, and types, allowing students to comprehend this important component of grammar with clarity and confidence.
Introduction to Prepositions
Definition:
Prepositions, crucial elements of language, establish relationships between various components within a sentence. They typically precede nouns or pronouns but can also relate to verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
Purpose: Prepositions provide vital information about spatial, temporal, or logical relationships, enhancing coherence and clarity in communication.
Examples:
"There is a cow in the field." (Spatial relationship)
"He is fond of tea." (Expresses relationship)
"The cat jumped off the chair." (Indicates movement or direction)
Function of Prepositions
Establishing Relationships:
Prepositions link different parts of a sentence to convey connections.
Objects and Accusative Case:
The noun or pronoun following a preposition acts as its object and is typically in the accusative case.
Examples:
"The preposition joins a noun to another noun." (Noun-noun relationship)
"The preposition joins a noun to an adjective." (Noun-adjective connection)
"The preposition joins a noun to a verb." (Links noun and action)
Placement and Usage
Prepositions Before and After Objects:
Prepositions usually precede their objects but may occasionally follow them for emphasis. Emphasizing
Object Placement:
Objects can be positioned first for emphasis. Omission of Prepositions: Some prepositions like "for, from, in, on" are commonly omitted in informal speech.
Examples:
"Here is the watch that you asked for." (Preposition at the end)
"That is the boy (whom) I was speaking of." (Omission of preposition)
"What are you looking at?" (Preposition before object)
"Which of these chairs did you sit on?" (Preposition after object)
Types of Prepositions
Single Prepositions:
Basic prepositions like "at, by, for, from, in, of, off, on, out, through, till, to, up, with." Compound Prepositions: Formed by prefixing a preposition to a noun, adjective, or adverb.
Phrase Prepositions:
Groups of words acting as single prepositions.
Examples:
Single:
"The cat is on the table." (Basic preposition)
Compound:
"She walked across the bridge." (Prefixed preposition)
Phrase:
"They arrived in front of the building." (Group of words as a preposition)
Usage in Context
Demonstrating Relationships in Sentences:
Applying prepositions to convey specific relationships within sentences.
Practical Examples:
Utilizing prepositions to express various relationships in everyday language.
Examples:
"He succeeded by dint of perseverance and sheer hard work." (Compound preposition)
"In case of need, 'phone to No. 32567." (Phrase preposition)
"With reference to your letter of date, we regret we cannot allow any further rebate." (Single preposition)
Participial Prepositions
Understanding Usage and Examples:
Recognizing participial prepositions derived from participles and their function in sentences. Functioning as Prepositions: Words derived from participles used as prepositions in sentence structures.
Examples:
"Barring (= excepting apart from) accident, the mail will arrive tomorrow." (Participial preposition)
"Concerning (= about) yesterday's fire, there are many rumours in the bazaar." (Participial preposition)
"Considering (= taking into account) the quality, the price is not high." (Participial preposition)
Adverbial Prepositions
Understanding Dual Functionality:
Recognizing words functioning as both adverbs and prepositions depending on usage.
Differentiating Between Adverbial and Prepositional Usage:
Identifying when a word serves as an adverb or a preposition in a sentence.
Examples:
"Several words are used sometimes as adverbs and sometimes as prepositions." (Dual functionality)
"A word is a preposition when it governs a noun or pronoun; it is an adverb when it does not." (Differentiating usage)
