Download Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases

24
Prepositions and
Prepositional Phrases
L.4.1.e
Getting the Idea
Prepositions are words that show relationships. The underlined words in
the sentences below are prepositions.
Wash your hands before dinner.
Alicia’s pencils fell onto the floor.
Prepositions are used to name a point in time.
Maya’s game begins at noon.
We will return on Sunday.
In August, they will visit their grandparents.
Notice that at is used with times, on is used with days, and in is used with
parts of the day (in the morning), months, seasons, and years.
Prepositions are used to tell about longer periods of time.
Prepositions are used to tell about direction or to show where something is.
Henry ran past the park and to the store.
The milk belongs in the refrigerator.
The cat is sleeping on the cool bathroom floor.
Desiree hit the ball over the fence.
The ground shook beneath our feet.
We live near the beach.
Other prepositions that are used to show direction or location are above,
among, at, below, beside, between, by, inside, through, toward, and under.
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Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
Notice that for is used with a specific length of time. During is used with
a general period of time. From and until are used with a period with a
specific beginning and ending. Since is used for a period with a specific
beginning but no end.
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We went swimming for two hours.
During the school day, Eric wears glasses.
Wendy practiced from 9:00 until noon.
The weather has been hot since last Saturday.
Lesson 24: Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases
Thinking It Through 1
Read the following sentences. Write them correctly on the lines provided. If
the sentence is correct, write “correct as is.”
1. At Friday, we will go on vacation.
HINT
What preposition is used with days?
2. Freda has been working on this project from three weeks.
HINT
What preposition is used with a specific length of time?
3. Let’s go in Shenandoah National Park this summer!
4. Robyn loves to see the cherry blossoms on the spring.
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
5. We like to sleep late in Saturdays.
6. At dinnertime, we talk about our day.
7. The birds flew high on our heads.
8. Tomas has gone to the park every day since last Wednesday.
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A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and
includes its object. The object of a preposition is always a noun or pronoun.
In these sentences, the prepositional phrase is underlined and the object of the
preposition is in italic print.
Why don’t you come with me?
At school, Nell is quiet, but at home, she has a lot to say.
We hiked up the path and through the woods.
A prepositional phrase can act as an adjective. It can tell more about a noun or
pronoun. In the sentences below, the prepositional phrase is underlined, and the
noun it describes is in italic print.
The books on the table do not belong there.
The birds in that tree sing every morning.
A prepositional phrase can also act as an adverb. It can tell more about a verb. In
these sentences, the prepositional phrase is underlined, and the verb it describes is
in italic print.
The mouse disappeared under the porch.
Their mother woke before dawn.
Be sure to put a prepositional phrase near the word it describes. Read this sentence.
Gene could see the wolf with his glasses on.
It sounds like the wolf is wearing glasses! That can’t be right. The prepositional
phrase needs to be closer to the noun it describes. The correct sentence is:
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Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
With his glasses on, Gene could see the wolf.
Lesson 24: Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases
Thinking It Through 2
Read the following sentences. Write them correctly on the lines provided. If
the sentence is correct, write “correct as is.”
1. They watched the birds fly with their binoculars.
HINT
A prepositional phrase can begin a sentence.
2. You may see fish from the boat under the water’s surface.
HINT
Is it likely that the boat is underwater? Where are the fish?
3. Before the final game, the team met for practice.
4. On the table, Dave put the books back.
6. In the park on long leashes, we keep the dogs.
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
5. Place the cheese inside two slides of bread.
7. We found a wildflower growing in the forest.
8. I’m going by Gloria’s house to play.
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