Lesson 176 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

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A preposition is a word that begins a prepositional phrase and shows the relationship between its object and another word in the sentence. A preposition must always have an object. A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition, ends with an object, and may have modifiers between the preposition and object of the preposition.

Here is a list of common words that can be used as prepositions: about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, besides, between, beyond, but (when it means except), by, concerning, down, during, except, for, from, in, inside, into, like, near, of, off, on, out, outside, over, past, since, through, to, toward, under, until, up, upon, with, within, and without.

These words can be used as other parts of speech. What part of speech it is depends on how it is used in that sentence. Many of the common words used as prepositions can be used as adverbs. They are prepositions if they have an object to complete them. 

 

To decide which it is, say the preposition followed by whom or what. If a noun or a pronoun answers the question, the word is a preposition. If there is no noun or pronoun to complete the phrase, the word is not a preposition.

Example: The boy stood up and ran down the street. Up what? There is no object; therefore up is not a preposition. Down what? Street answers the question; therefore, down is a preposition. Down the street is the prepositional phrase starting with the preposition down and ending with the object street with a modifier the in between.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adjective telling which or what kind and modifying a noun or pronoun. An adjective prepositional phrase will come right after the noun or pronoun that it modifies. If there are two adjective prepositional phrases together, one will follow the other. Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase.

Instructions: Pick out the adjective prepositional phrases in these sentences and tell what they modify.

1. Do you remember the title of the new book about morals?

2. Our work on the planning commission covers all kinds of ideas and concepts.

3. Those immense houses on the west side of town were built recently.

4. The man in the next room is the mayor.

5. Few of the citizens had ever seen that plan.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Do you remember the title of the new book about morals?

- of the new book modifies title

- about morals modifies book

 

2. Our work on the planning commission covers all kinds of ideas and concepts.

- on the planning commission modifies work

- of ideas and concepts modifies kinds

3. Those immense houses on the west side of town were built recently.

- on the west side modifies houses

- of town modifies side

4. The man in the next room is the mayor.

- in the next room modifies man

 

5. Few of the citizens had ever seen that plan.

- of the citizens modifies few

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Lesson 376 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Use quotation marks around the titles of short stories, short plays, short poems and short musical compositions; of art works, articles, chapters, essays, and speeches; of radio and television programs. 

 

Example: 

My favorite painting is "Blue Boy."

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. I was very interested in the article Our Missing President.

2. I loved the old television program Maverick.

3. Have you read Miniver Cheevy, the short narrative poem?

4. At Christmas time I love to read The Gift of the Magi, a short story by O. Henry.

5. That song playing is Greensleeves, isn't it?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I was very interested in the article "Our Missing President."

2. I loved the old television program "Maverick."

3. Have you read "Miniver Cheevy," the short narrative poem?

4. At Christmas time I love to read "The Gift of the Magi," a short story by O. Henry.

5. That song playing is "Greensleeves," isn't it?

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Quiz for Lessons 171 - 175 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verb, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, and adverbs in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives or adverbs, then tell what word they modify.

1. Soon John will be too big and will need far more time.

2. The city council usually runs this city fairly efficiently.

3. Unfortunately all people are not free.

4. The boat owner started the engine up and cast off the lines.

5. Mom, can I go and watch the game?

6. How can you be so slovenly?

7. Yogurt is almost completely nonfattening.

8. Mrs. Carter, that is my cousin David.

9. Art Buchwald, a humorous writer, has a really good column.

10. Did anyone call, Ann?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. will be/will need = verbs; John = subject; big = predicate adjective; time = direct object; more = adjective modifying time; far = adverb modifying more; too = adverb modifying big; soon = adverb modifying both verbs

2. runs = verbs; city council = subject; city = direct object; the = adjective modifying subject; this = adjective modifying city; usually/ efficiently = adverbs modifying verb; fairly = adverb modifying efficiently

3. are = verb; people = subject; free = predicate adjective; all = adjective modifying subject; unfortunately/not = adverbs modifying verb

4. started/cast = verbs; owner = subject; engine = direct object to verb started; lines = direct object to verb cast; the/boat = adjectives modifying owner; the = adjective modifying engine; the = adjective modifying lines; up = adverb modifying started; off = adverb modifying cast

5. can go/(can) watch = verbs; I = subject; game = direct object to verb (can) watch; Mom = noun of address; the = adjective modifying game

6. can be = verb; you = subject; slovenly = predicate adjective modifying verb; how = adverb modifying verb; so = adverb modifying slovenly

7. is = verb; yogurt = subject; nonfattening = predicate adjective modifying subject; completely = adverb modifying nonfattening; almost = adverb modifying completely

8. is = verb; that = subject; cousin = predicate nominative; David = appositive; Mrs. Carter = noun of address; my = adjective modifying cousin

9. has = verb; Art Buchwald = subject; column = direct object; writer = appositive; a/humorous = adjectives modifying writer; a/good = adjectives modifying column; really = adverb modifying good

10. did call = verb; anyone = subject; Ann = noun of address

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Quiz for Lessons 371 - 375 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Instructions: Use quotation marks and capitals where needed in these sentences.

1. That is an interesting story, said Sarah.

2. Could you, asked Jack, tell us some more stories?

3. I like old stories from long ago, remarked Jane. My mother used to read them to me.

4. Joe said that he had heard the story before.

5. I doubt that you know what your are talking about, stated Charlie. Well, replied Joe, you are incorrect this time. Charlie looking at Joe then said, I apologize for my unkind remark.

6. The children said that they would look for more books with interesting old stories.

7. Have you ever been to Persia? asked Henry. No, I haven't, said Bill, and it is not called Persia now. What is is called now, inquired Jane.

8. Look, cried Sarah, Mom is bringing refreshments!

9. This sure has been a fun day, guys, giggled Jack.

10. I hope we can do this again soon, said Bill. There is so much to learn from good stories.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "That is an interesting story," said Sarah.

2. "Could you," asked Jack, "tell us some more stories?"

3. "I like old stories from long ago," remarked Jane. "My mother used to read them to me."

4. Joe said that he had heard the story before.

5. "I doubt that you know what you are talking about," stated Charlie.

"Well," replied Joe, "you are incorrect this time."

Charlie looking at Joe then said, "I apologize for my unkind remark."

6. The children said that they would look for more books with interesting old stories.

7. "Have you ever been to Persia?" asked Henry.

"No, I haven't," said Bill, "and it is not called Persia now."

"What is is called now?" inquired Jane.

8. "Look," cried Sarah, "Mom is bringing refreshments!"

9. "This sure has been a fun day, guys," giggled Jack.

10. "I hope we can do this again soon," said Bill. "There is so much to learn from good stories."

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Lesson 175 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verb, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, and adverbs in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives or adverbs, then tell what word they modify.

1. My friend called me once or twice yesterday.

2. Pam left the market slowly and very unhappily.

3. Collette, did you just have your sixth birthday?

4. Happy children never become really unhappy grownups.

5. Have you taken often that trip, an Alaskan cruise?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. called = verb; friend = subject; me = direct object; my = adjective modifying friend; once/twice/yesterday = adverbs modifying verb

2. left = verb; Pam = subject; market = direct object; the = adjective modifying market;

slowly/unhappily = adverbs modifying verb; very = adverb modifying unhappily

3. did have = verb; you = subject; Collette = noun of address; birthday = direct object; your/sixth = adjectives modifying birthday; just = adverb modifying verb

4. become = verb; children = subject; grownups = predicate nominative; happy = adjective modifying subject; unhappy = adjective modifying grownups; never = adverb modifying verb; really = adverb modifying unhappy

5. have taken = verb; you = subject; trip = direct object; cruise = appositive; that = adjective modifying trip; an/Alaskan = adjectives modifying cruise; often = adverb modifying verb

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Lesson 375 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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If a quotation has more than one paragraph, use quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the last paragraph of the quotation.

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. This is one person's quoted idea about happiness:

Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it.

Pleasure is often confused with happiness but is by no means synonymous with it. Pleasure, unlike happiness, is that which pleases us or gives us gratification. Usually it endures for only a short time.

We are enticed daily to pursue worldly pleasures that may divert us from the path to happiness. But the path to true happiness is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.

2. This is a quoted story about Ali Hafed:

Ali Hafed was a wealthy ancient Persian who owned much land and many productive fields, orchards, and gardens, and loaned money out at interest.

One day an old priest came to him and told him that if he had a diamond the size of his thumb, he could purchase a dozen farms like his. He told Ali Hafed where to find such a diamond.

Ali Hafed sold his farm, collected his money that was at interest, and left his family in the charge of a neighbor. He left in search of diamonds. After years of searching, his money was spent, and he passed away in rags and wretchedness.

The man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm one day led his camel out into the garden to drink, and as the animal put his nose into the shallow waters, the farmer noticed a curious flash of light in the white sands of the stream. Reaching in, he pulled out a black stone which proved to be a diamond. This marked the discovery of the diamond mines of Golconda, the most valuable diamond mines in the history of the ancient world.

Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own cellar, or anywhere in his own fields, rather than traveling in strange lands where he eventually faced starvation and ruin, he would have had acres of diamonds.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. This is one person's quoted idea about happiness:

 

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it.

"Pleasure is often confused with happiness but is by no means synonymous with it. Pleasure, unlike happiness, is that which pleases us or gives us gratification. Usually it endures for only a short time.

"We are enticed daily to pursue worldly pleasures that may divert us from the path to happiness. But the path to true happiness is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God."

2. This is a quoted story about Ali Hafed:

 

"Ali Hafed was a wealthy ancient Persian who owned much land and many productive fields, orchards, and gardens, and loaned money out at interest.

"One day an old priest came to him and told him that if he had a diamond the size of his thumb, he could purchase a dozen farms like his. He told Ali Hafed where to find such a diamond.

"Ali Hafed sold his farm, collected his money that was at interest, and left his family in the charge of a neighbor. He left in search of diamonds. After years of searching, his money was spent, and he passed away in rags and wretchedness.

"The man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm one day led his camel out into the garden to drink, and as the animal put his nose into the shallow waters, the farmer noticed a curious flash of light in the white sands of the stream. Reaching in, he pulled out a black stone which proved to be a diamond. This marked the discovery of the diamond mines of Golconda, the most valuable diamond mines in the history of the ancient world.

"Had Ali Hafed remained at home and dug in his own cellar, or anywhere in his own fields, rather than traveling in strange lands where he eventually faced starvation and ruin, he would have had acres of diamonds."

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Lesson 174 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verb, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, and adverbs in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives or adverbs, then tell what word they modify.

1. The small children stumbled clumsily and tumbled down.

2. Shortly the weather could be bitterly cold again.

3. Wait here patiently and remain perfectly silent.

4. The chipmunk darted in quickly and instantly grabbed the fallen acorn.

5. The new friend was the tall, handsome boy.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. stumbled/tumbled = verbs; children = subject; the/small = adjectives modifying children; clumsily = adverb modifying stumbled; down = adverb modifying tumbled

2. could be = verb; weather = subject; cold = predicate adjective; shortly/again = adverbs modifying verb; bitterly = adverb modifying cold; the = adjective modifying subject

3. wait/remain = verbs; you (understood) = subject; silent = predicate adjective to verb remain; here/patiently = adverbs modifying wait; perfectly = adverb modifying silent

4. darted/grabbed = verbs; chipmunk = subject; acorn = direct object to verb grabbed; the = adjective modifying chipmunk; the/fallen = adjectives modifying acorn; in/quickly = adverbs modifying darted; instantly = adverb modifying grabbed

5. was = verb; friend = subject; boy = predicate nominative; the/new = adjective modifying friend; the/tall/handsome = adjectives modifying boy

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Lesson 374 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Begin a new paragraph with each change of speaker in dialogue.

Example:

"Can I count on you?" asked Carl.

"Yes, you can," said Matthew.

"You cannot fail us," replied Claudia.

Instructions: Make new paragraphs and place quotation marks where needed in the following dialogues.

1. Knock on the door. I will be right behind you, said John. I am afraid, said James. You are bigger and older so you knock. I will do it. Why are you worried about it? It is just Halloween, interrupted Matthew, and there is nothing scary about this house.

2. Chantelle said, I never get to be the mother when we play. You can be the mother today, replied Hayley. When will I get to be the mother? asked Alise. You are too little, replied Hayley and Chantelle.

3. We are going to have a new baby, said Ann. I hope it is a boy, said Chris. We need a boy in the family. I want it to be a girl, remarked Rebecca. I don't care, said Allison. I just hope it hurries up.

4. Do you want to play on the computer with me, Mark? asked Todd. I am too little, said Mark. Mommy won't let me. Todd, you wouldn’t let him play very much if he could, stated Stephanie. Todd said, I am going to change and let him now.

5. Lindsay asked, Do we have everything for the trip? I hope so, replied Boyd. Did you get everything for Celeste? I have had it ready all day, said Lindsay.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "Knock on the door. I will be right behind you," said John.

"I am afraid," said James. "You are bigger and older so you knock."

"I will do it. Why are you worried about it? It is just Halloween," interrupted Matthew, "and there is nothing scary about this house."

2. Chantelle said, "I never get to be the mother when we play."

"You can be the mother today," replied Hayley.

"When will I get to be the mother?" asked Elise.

"You are too little," replied Hayley and Chantelle.

3. "We are going to have a new baby," said Ann.

"I hope it is a boy," said Chris. "We need a boy in the family."

"I want it to be a girl," remarked Rebecca.

"I don't care," said Allison. "I just hope it hurries up."

4. "Do you want to play on the computer with me, Mark?" asked Todd.

"I am too little," said Mark. "Mommy won't let me."

"Todd, you wouldn’t let him play very much if he could," stated Stephanie.

Todd said, "I am going to change and let him now."

5. Lindsay asked, "Do we have everything for the trip?"

"I hope so," replied Boyd. "Did you get everything for Celeste?"

"I have had it ready all day," said Lindsay.

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Lesson 173 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verb, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, and adverbs in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives or adverbs, then tell what word they modify.

1. Ila and I diligently prepared the garden and planted carefully the corn seeds.

2. The legislators are heatedly debating the gun issue.

3. Have you ever seen that beautiful butterfly bush?

4. Eric looked around rather hastily and ran away quickly.

5. Suddenly the siren sounded loudly and sharply.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. prepared/planted = verbs; Ila/I = subjects; garden = direct object to verb prepared; seeds = direct object to verb planted; the = adjective modifying garden; the/corn = adjectives modifying seeds; diligently = adverb modifying prepared; carefully = adverb modifying planted

2. are debating = verb; legislators = subject; issue = direct object; the = adjective modifying legislators; the/gun = adjectives modifying issue; heatedly = adverb modifying verb

3. have seen = verb; you = subject; bush = direct object; that/beautiful/butterfly = adjectives modifying bush; ever = adverb modifying verb

4. looked/ran = verbs; Eric = subject; around/hastily = adverbs modifying looked; rather = adverb modifying hastily; away/quickly = adverbs modifying ran

5. sounded = verb; siren = subject; the = adjective modifying siren; suddenly/loudly/sharply = adverbs modifying sounded

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Lesson 373 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Use no quotation marks with indirect quotations. An indirect quotation often begins with the word that. 

 

Example: 

Betty said that she wished the election was final.

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. James stated that he had won the race.

2. Richard said, I was in second place until I fell.

3. Mom said that she was worried when she saw it happen.

4. Sue said, that was too bad.

5. I hope that you had fun, anyway, said his dad.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. James stated that he had won the race.

2. Richard said, "I was in second place until I fell."

3. Mom said that she was worried when she saw it happen.

4. Sue said, "That was too bad."

5. "I hope that you had fun, anyway," said his dad.

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Lesson 172 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, find the verb, subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, nouns of address, adjectives, predicate adjectives, and adverbs in the following sentences. If there are any adjectives or adverbs, then tell what word they modify.

1. Jerry, I arrived back just now.

2. This building has never seemed especially high before.

3. Today we ate an extremely good grapefruit, our breakfast.

4. A raccoon was busily washing its food.

5. The winding path had become somewhat steep and slightly uneven.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. arrived = verb; I = subject; Jerry = noun of address; back/now = adverbs modifying the verb; just = adverb modifying adverb now

2. has seemed = verb; building = subject; high = predicate adjective modifying subject; this = adjective modifying subject, never/before = adverb modifying verb; especially = adverb modifying adjective high

3. ate = verb; we = subject; grapefruit = direct object; breakfast = appositive; an/good = adjectives modifying grapefruit; our = adjective modifying breakfast; today = adverb modifying verb; extremely = adverb modifying adjective good

4. was washing = verb; raccoon = subject; food = direct object; a = adjective modifying raccoon; its = adjective modifying food; busily = adverb modifying verb

5. had become = verb; path = subject; steep/uneven = predicate adjectives modifying subject; the/winding = adjectives modifying path; somewhat = adverb modifying predicate adjective steep; slightly = adverb modifying predicate adjective uneven

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Lesson 372 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Use quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker. When the words identifying the speaker come between the parts of the quotation, put quotation marks around each part. 

 

Example: 

"Yes," said Jack, "I will be there."

Use one set of quotation marks for two or more sentences not broken by explanatory material. 

 

Example: 

"I know that. He has known for several days," said Jim. 

 

If part of the quotation is a new sentence use a capital letter. 

 

Example: 

"I know that," said Jim. "He has known for several days."

Instructions: Use quotation marks and capitals where needed in these sentences.

1. We will be in town tomorrow night. Don't wait up. We will come by the next day, said Jeanne.

2. We want you to stay with us, answered Barbara. we'll meet you at the station.

3. Okay, replied Chris, bring the car around.

4. Are the girls ready to go? asked Ann. they need to leave now.

5. Yes, replied Ila, that play was really enjoyable.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "We will be in town tomorrow night. Don't wait up. We will come by the next day," said Jeanne.

2. "We want you to stay with us," answered Barbara. "We'll meet you at the station."

3. "Okay," replied Chris, "bring the car around."

4. "Are the girls ready to go?" asked Ann. "They need to leave now."

5. "Yes," replied Ila, "that play was really enjoyable."

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Lesson 171 - Parts of the Sentence - Review

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Instructions: Using all the knowledge learned in the previous lessons, identify the words in bold as a verb, noun, pronoun, adjective, or adverb in the following sentences.

1. Did you see the oil well in Canada? Most of us have not been there.

2. I do my assignments well. Jeff is also fast and efficient.

3. Mother drives too fast. Surely she should drive better.

4. This isn't a long diet. Maybe you should fast more often.

5. Have you been here long? Did you come by the back way?

6. I often long for the good old days of the '50's.

7. State Street heads south, the most direct route.

8. Citizens, on most summer days we have a south wind each evening.

9. I once lived in the South. Our family still goes back for visits.

10. This highway is a better road than the dirt one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. well = noun, most = pronoun

2. well = adverb. fast = adjective

3. fast = adverb, better = adverb

4. this = pronoun, long = adjective, fast = verb

5. long = adverb, back = adjective

6. long = verb

7. south = adverb, most = adverb

8. most = adjective, south = adjective

9. South = noun, back = adverb

10. this = adjective, better = adjective

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Lesson 371 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

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Use quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker. 

 

Example: 

He said, "I saw that." 

"I saw it too," she said.

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. I wish the election were over, said Fred.

2. Will they finish this week? asked Frida.

3. Willard added, It is becoming a joke.

4. We can now see that every vote counts, concluded Sara.

5. Yes, we know that we should vote every time, commented Jeff.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "I wish the election was over," said Fred.

2. "Will they finish this week?" asked Frida.

3. Willard added, "It is becoming a joke!"

4. "We can now see that every vote counts," concluded Sara.

5. "Yes, we know that we should vote every time," commented Jeff.

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