Prepositions are
words that indicate the relationships between various elements within a
sentence. In formal English, prepositions are almost always followed by
objects.
e.g. The policeman shot (verb) the man (object) with (preposition identifying the man
being shot) a knife.
e.g. I put (verb) the pen (direct object) on (preposition indicating the position
of the pen) the table (indirect object).
e.g. I put (verb) the pen (direct object) under (preposition indicating the
position of the pen) the table (indirect object).
Prepositional
phrases always consist of the object and the preposition. Prepositional phrases
can act as adjectives or adverbs. When they are used as adjectives, they modify
nouns and pronouns in the same way single-word adjectives do. When
prepositional phrases are used as adverbs, they also act in the same way
single-word adverbs and adverb clauses do, modifying adjectives, verbs, and
other adverbs.
Prepositional words
and phrases are difficult, especially for ESL learners, because different
prepositions may impart different meanings to the prepositional words and
phrases. Even the same preposition may have different meanings to the same
verb.
Break in: enter without permission; interrupt; train;
get used to something new.
e.g. A burglar
attempted to break in last night but
without success.
e.g. Don’t break in while someone is talking; it’s
rude!
e.g. The manager has
to break the new employees in so that they may know what to do.
e.g. You should break your new car in before you drive on the highway.
This book has
hundreds of prepositional words and phrases with explanations and examples,
just like the ones illustrated above, for you reference. Improve your English
with your mastery of prepositional words and phrases.
Stephen Lau
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