Function of Prepositions

Prepositions are small words with big jobs: they tell you where, when or how something happened. They relate a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence.

According to this passage, the purpose of a preposition is to

• tell you if a sentence is a question or a statement.

• replace the noun in the subject of a sentence.

• tell you the subject of a sentence.

• tell you where, when or how something happened.

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. The noun or pronoun is called the object of the preposition.

What is the prepositional phrase in the following sentence?

Slowly and steadily, the magician pulled a rabbit from her hat, completely stunning the audience.

• “Slowly and steadily”

• “the magician pulled”

• “from her hat”

• “completely stunning the audience.”

Prepositions are often hard to define on their own. Imagine trying to explain the meaning of the word “out” or “between.” You can’t really explain what those words mean without explaining how they relate to space or time. Looking for words that point to where, how or when something happens is a good way to identify which words are prepositions.

Which words from the following passage are prepositions?

Faraneigh often walked home through the park instead of walking on the sidewalk. She would make her way by the swing set, the slide and the jungle gym. Once she crossed the park, she headed down the street towards home.

• Faraneigh, often, home, the

• through, by, down, towards

• park, set, slide, gym

• walked, would, crossed, headed

You shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition. If your sentence would make sense without it, cut the preposition.

Which sentence uses a preposition correctly?

• Where do you go to school at?

• I can’t agree with you.

• Where did you get that dress from?

• I will sleep until.

Want other ways to think about prepositions? They tell us where one noun is in relation to another, and sometimes they are used to contrast ideas.

Which of the following sentences includes a preposition?

• The train rumbled over the tracks.

• She is this country’s queen.

• “I could be the best if I wanted,” she shrugged.

• “So, you know that new tall kid?” he asked.

What is the preposition in the following sentence?

Henry jumped onto the couch.

• Henry

• jumped

• onto

• the

What is the preposition in the following sentence?

Rachel hiked through the thick woods.

• Rachel

• hiked

• through

• thick

What is the prepositional phrase in the following sentence?

Jack and Jill went up the hill.

• Jack and Jill

• Jack and Jill went

• up the hill

• the hill

What is the prepositional phrase in the following sentence?

Can you put your dirty laundry in the washing machine?

• Can you put

• your dirty laundry

• put your dirty laundry

• in the washing machine

What is the prepositional phrase in the following sentence?

During the movie, you need to turn off your phone.

• During the movie

• you need to

• to turn off

• to turn off your phone