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("Between" shows the relationship between "stupidity" and "genius.") The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.Note that a preposition can sit before a noun, a noun phrase, a noun clause, or a pronoun.) ("Behind" shows the relationship between "every great man" and "a woman." The term "every great man" is a noun phrase. Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.("With" shows the relationship between "wine" and "cook." "To" shows the relationship between "food" and "add it.")
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Here are some real-life sentences featuring prepositions. ("Of" shows the relationship between "the United States" and "the President.") He is the President of the United States.("Above" shows the relationship between "the clouds" and "the eagle.") ("For" shows the relationship between "butter" and "a container.") In the examples below, each preposition (highlighted) sits before the noun "the wizard" to show us the relationship between "the wizard" and "the book." (Here, the preposition "for" shows purpose.) (Here, the preposition "of" shows possession.) For example, they might show possession or purpose. above, about, across, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, since, to, toward, through, under, until, up, upon, with, withinĮxpressing where and when are two key roles for prepositions, but they have other roles too.(In this example, the preposition "except" sits before the noun "the teacher" to show the relationship between "the teacher" and "everyone." So, this example is not about where or when either.) (Here, the preposition "for" sits before the noun "the dog" to show the relationship between "the dog" and "a bone." This example is not about where or when.) The word "preposition" means "positioned before." A preposition sits before a word (either a noun or a pronoun) to show that word's relationship to another nearby word. (In this example, the preposition "under" tells us where "a mouse" is in relation to "the stairs.") (Here, the preposition "behind" tells us where "the boy" is in relation to "the bush.") Here are some more examples of prepositions that tell us where something is in relation to something else (prepositions highlighted): More Examples of Prepositions that Tell Us Where
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For example, they might show possession (e.g., collar of the dog) or purpose (e.g., a tool for digging). Not all prepositions tell us where or when things are. (The preposition "at" precedes "7 o'clock" to tell us when the bell will ring.) (This time, the preposition "on" precedes Saturday to tell us when the meeting is.) (The preposition "at" precedes "lights" to tells us where the lorry is.)Įxamples of prepositions that tell us when:
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Our lorry is stuck at the traffic lights.(The preposition "on" precedes "table" to tell us where the cat is.) Lots of prepositions precede words to tell us where or when things are.Įxamples of prepositions that tell us where: Above, about, below, for, from, in, inside, into, of, to, until, and with are all common prepositions. Prepositions precede words to link them to nearby words.
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