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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of prepositions in a sentence?
What is the primary function of prepositions in a sentence?
What type of preposition indicates motion, direction, or change of location?
What type of preposition indicates motion, direction, or change of location?
What is the term for the combination of a preposition with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase?
What is the term for the combination of a preposition with a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase?
Can a preposition be used to identify the indirect object of a sentence?
Can a preposition be used to identify the indirect object of a sentence?
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What is the grammatical category that prepositions are part of?
What is the grammatical category that prepositions are part of?
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What type of preposition indicates a static and unchanging location?
What type of preposition indicates a static and unchanging location?
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Can a sentence end with a preposition?
Can a sentence end with a preposition?
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What is the role of prepositions in indicating the syntactic function of a noun phrase?
What is the role of prepositions in indicating the syntactic function of a noun phrase?
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What is the primary function of prepositions of time?
What is the primary function of prepositions of time?
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What is the term for the category of words that includes 'on', 'into', and 'over'?
What is the term for the category of words that includes 'on', 'into', and 'over'?
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Study Notes
Prepositions
Prepositions are words or groups of words that are used to show relationships between other words in a sentence. They indicate the location, direction, or time of an action or event. In English grammar, prepositions are considered one of the eight parts of speech.
Types of Prepositions
Prepositions can be categorized into several types, including:
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Prepositions of Movement: These indicate motion, direction, or change of location. Examples include "on," "into," "onto," and "over."
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Prepositions of Place: These indicate a location that is static and unchanging. Examples include "in," "inside," "on," and "behind."
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Prepositions of Time: These add a time reference to a sentence. Examples include "at," "in," "during," and "until."
Prepositions may also indicate the syntactic function of a noun phrase. For example, the preposition "to" or "for" is sometimes used to identify who or what receives the direct object of the action.
Prepositional Phrases and the Placement of Prepositions
A preposition, by definition, must govern a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. The combination of a preposition with such a word or phrase is called a prepositional phrase. Examples of prepositional phrases include:
- "into the box"
- "of X as a cure for Y"
- "in X is a common disease"
Can You End a Sentence with a Preposition?
Yes, it is possible to end a sentence with a preposition. The idea that sentences cannot end with prepositions originated in the 17th century, but it is not a hard and fast rule in English grammar. However, it is generally discouraged in some circumstances, such as when it would make the sentence's meaning less clear. Additionally, a sentence cannot end with a preposition if the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that it governs is not present in the sentence at all (a circumstance known as a dangling preposition).
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Description
Test your understanding of prepositions in English grammar, including types of prepositions, prepositional phrases, and sentence construction. Learn how to use prepositions to show relationships between words and convey meaning in sentences.
