Lesson 184 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

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.

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase. Notice that some prepositional phrases may be adverbs or adjectives because of their location in the sentence.

 

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

1. Do you have a reason for your absence from class?

2. The veterans from the war in Spain remained loyal.

3. The class was delighted by the outcome of the story.

4. Dozens of stories about heroes are in the school library.

5. In the afternoon Henrietta went to the library.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Do you have a reason for your absence from class?

- for your absence modifies reason (telling what kind)

- from class modifies absence (telling which)

2. The veterans from the war in Spain remained loyal.

- from the war modifies veterans (telling which)

- in Spain modifies war (telling which)

3. The class was delighted by the outcome of the story.

- by the outcome modifies was delighted (telling how or why)

- of the story modifies outcome (telling which)

4. Dozens of stories about heroes are in the school library.

- of stories modifies dozens (telling what kind)

- about heroes modifies stories (telling what kind)

- in the school library modifies are (telling where)

5. In the afternoon Henrietta went to the library.

- In the afternoon modifies went (telling when)

- to the library modifies went (telling where)

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 384 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Semicolons

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a semicolon to separate phrases or clauses of equal rank which contain commas. The semicolon in such sentences brings clarity of meaning. 

 

Example: 

We have lived in Logan, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Rio Claro, Brazil.

Instructions: Place semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. The new in-laws are Jay, Pam's husband, Wendy, Will's wife, and Mark, Terri's husband.

2. For the campout we took our raincoats, boots, and tarp, but we didn't use them.

3. The mayor of the city, who attended the conference, gave a report, and he suggested several ways to save money.

4. My son is a medical technician, my daughter, a postal worker, and my wife, an editor.

5. The class officers are Fred Ogden, president, Dan Royal, vice-president, and Jayne Allen, secretary.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The new in-laws are Jay, Pam's husband; Wendy, Will's wife; and Mark, Terri's husband.

2. For the campout we took our raincoats, boots, and tarp; but we didn't use them.

3. The mayor of the city, who attended the conference, gave a report; and he suggested several ways to save money.

4. My son is a medical technician; my daughter, a postal worker; and my wife, an editor.

5. The class officers are Fred Ogden, president; Dan Royal, vice-president; and Jayne Allen, secretary.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 183 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

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.

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase. Notice that some prepositional phrases may be adverbs or adjectives because of their location in the sentence.

 

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

1. The real owner of the property is not available for comment.

2. I have no time for your excuses or delays.

3. The manager came for the answer.

4. In this century we are preserving our forests.

5. You will always be one of my best friends.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The real owner of the property is not available for comment.

- of the property modifies owner (telling which)

- for comment modifies available (telling how)

2. I have no time for your excuses or delays.

- for your excuses or delays modifies time (telling what kind)

3. The manager came for the answer.

- for the answer modifies came (telling why)

4. In this century we are preserving our forests.

- in this century modifies are preserving (telling when)

5. You will always be one of my best friends.

- of my best friends modifies one (telling which)

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 383 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Semicolons

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb that introduces a clause in a compound sentence.

Common conjunctive adverbs are therefore, nevertheless, moreover, consequently, furthermore, besides, then, thus, instead, accordingly, otherwise, so, yet, still, hence, however. 

 

Example: 

Jill knew she could not win; nevertheless, she kept running.

Explanatory expressions (for example, namely, on the contrary, in fact, that is, on the other hand) are used similarly as conjunctive adverbs with a semicolon preceding them and a comma following. 

 

Example: 

The weather was wonderful; in fact, it was the best weather for a month.

Instructions: Place semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. I have not heard the latest comments therefore, I cannot render an opinion.

2. Our children have traveled throughout the world for example, Australia, Brazil, Korea, and Russia.

3. In Brazil we have seen many places on the other hand, we have never been to Africa.

4. We plan to return some day to Brazil therefore, we want to visit Rio, Sao Paulo, and Manaus.

5. Barbara is a diligent student she, in fact, is tops in her class.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I have not heard the latest comments; therefore, I cannot render an opinion.

2. Our children have traveled throughout the world; for example, Australia, Brazil, Korea, and Russia.

3. In Brazil we have seen many places; on the other hand, we have never been to Africa.

4. We plan to return some day to Brazil; therefore, we want to visit Rio, Sao Paulo, and Manaus.

5. Barbara is a diligent student; she, in fact, is tops in her class.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 182 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

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.

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase. Notice that some prepositional phrases may be adverbs or adjectives because of their location in the sentence.

 

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

1. The early settlers were very careless of our forests.

2. We divided the candy among the children at the party.

3. I still live in that stucco house in the next block.

4. The rooms of the house were dark and dreary.

5. The sound of whispers came to us through the window.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The early settlers were very careless of our forests.

- of our forests modifies careless (telling how)

2. We divided the candy among the children at the party.

- among the children modifies divided (telling how)

- at the party modifies children (telling which)

- or -

- at the party modifies divided (telling where)

3. I still live in that stucco house in the next block.

- in that stucco house modifies live (telling where)

- in the next block modifies house (telling which)

4. The rooms of the house were dark and dreary.

- of the house modifies rooms (telling which)

5. The sound of whispers came to us through the window.

- of whispers modifies sound telling what kind)

- to us modifies came (telling where)

- through the window modifies came (telling how)

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 382 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Semicolons

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a semicolon between the two independent clauses of a compound sentence joined by a co-ordinate conjunction if commas are also used in the sentence. 

 

Example: 

Although the story is impossible, I believe you; and the others will, too.

Instructions: Place semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. Since you asked my opinion, I will tell you and I hope you will listen well.

2. Although he is highly qualified, he is not dependable and I am afraid to hire him.

3. Because Sarah is absent a great deal, she has a hard time keeping up but she is willing to work overtime.

4. Although I prefer English, I know that math is important and I will work hard in both classes.

5. When you arrive on the train, take a taxi to the bus station or I can meet you at the train.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Since you asked my opinion, I will tell you; and I hope you will listen well.

2. Although he is highly qualified, he is not dependable; and I am afraid to hire him.

3. Because Sarah is absent a great deal, she has a hard time keeping up; but she is willing to work overtime.

4. Although I prefer English, I know that math is important; and I will work hard in both classes.

5. When you arrive on the train, take a taxi to the bus station; or I can meet you at the train.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 181 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

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.

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase. Notice that some prepositional phrases may be adverbs or adjectives because of their location in the sentence.

 

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

1. The boys searched the beach for sand dollars.

2. The grass behind the house and near the fence is dying.

3. A deep ditch was dug near the boundary of the factory.

4. A pretty girl with brown hair and eyes sat near me at the banquet.

5. The three contestants listened carefully to each question.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The boys searched the beach for sand dollars.

- for sand dollars modifies searched (telling why)

2. The grass behind the house and near the fence is dying.

- behind the house and near the fence modify grass (telling which)

3. A deep ditch was dug near the boundary of the factory.

- near the boundary modifies was dug (telling where)

- of the factory modifies boundary (telling which)

4. A pretty girl with brown hair and eyes sat near me at the banquet.

- with brown hair and eyes modifies girl (telling what kind)

- near me and at the banquet modify sat (telling where)

5. The three contestants listened carefully to each question.

- to each question modifies listened (telling how)

 

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 381 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Semicolons

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Use a semicolon between two independent clauses of a compound sentence when they are not joined by a co-ordinate conjunction. 

 

Example: 

There was a sudden silence; everyone was stunned by the outcome.

Instructions: Place semicolons where they are needed in the following sentences.

1. Carl is tall his brother is short.

2. He knocked several times no one came to the door.

3. The siren blew loudly I rushed to the window the police raced pass as I looked out.

4. I waited several hours for you you did not return I became concerned.

5. My sister loves mysteries my brother likes technical manuals.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Carl is tall; his brother is short.

2. He knocked several times; no one came to the door.

3. The siren blew loudly; I rushed to the window; the police raced past as I looked out.

4. I waited several hours for you; you did not return; I became concerned.

5. My sister loves mysteries; my brother likes technical manuals.

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 176 - 180 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Quiz - Print Quiz

 

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

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

1. A tree with sharp thorns grew beside the wall.

2. The airplane soared above the people on the field.

3. My uncle, the owner of the ranch, rode his horse past the house.

4. We followed the cougar by its tracks in the snow.

5. The bear tumbled over the fence and into some bushes.

6. Tons of wreckage were left after the tornado.

7. The highway wound over a hill and through a beautiful valley.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. A tree with sharp thorns grew beside the wall.

- with sharp thorns modifies tree (subject)

- beside the wall modifies grew

2. The airplane soared above the people on the field.

- above the people modifies soared

- on the field modifies people

3. My uncle, the owner of the ranch, rode his horse past the house.

- of the ranch modifies owner (appositive)

- past the house modifies rode

4. We followed the cougar by its tracks in the snow.

- by its tracks modifies followed

- in the snow modifies followed (telling where we followed it)

- or -

- in the snow modifies tracks (telling which tracks)

5. The bear tumbled over the fence and into some bushes.

- over the fence and into some bushes modify tumbled

6. Tons of wreckage were left after the tornado.

- of wreckage modifies Tons (subject)

- after the tornado modifies were left

7. The highway wound over a hill and through a beautiful valley.

- over a hill and through a beautiful valley modify wound

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 376 - 380 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View Quiz - Print Quiz

Instructions: Rewrite the following, changing all indirect quotations to direct quotations and punctuating and paragraphing them correctly.

We had an interesting discussion last night. Mr. James who is a quiet, unassuming man said that he hasn't read about the election. I am afraid that I trust no one. Pam asked if he had voted for the president in the election. She said that everyone should vote each time. He replied that he had voted this time, but didn't think his vote would count for much. She asked if he had read in a popular magazine the article Every Vote Counts. We now know that every vote counts! Mr. James stated that he never knows how to vote. He needs to find an expert. Pam laughed and told him that he could come to her since the experts on television never agree on anything. I know better than the experts!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

(The following answer is not the only way that you could correct the writing, but it will give some idea as to what should be done with the paragraph.)

We had an interesting discussion last night. Mr. James who is a quiet, unassuming man said, "I haven't read about the election. I am afraid that I trust no one."

Pam asked, "Did you vote for the president in the election? Everyone should vote each time."

He replied, "I voted this time, but I don't think my vote will count for much."

She asked, "Have you read in a popular magazine the article 'Every Vote Counts'? We now know that every vote counts!"

Mr. James stated, "I never know how to vote. I need to find an 'expert.'"

Pam laughed and told him, "You could come to me since the 'experts' on television never agree on anything. I know better than the 'experts'!"

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 180 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

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.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning.

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

1. A number of javalinas appeared at the edge of the forest.

2. In the cage we saw a huge jaguar from the jungles of Brazil.

3. Everyone in the class finished the test at the same time.

4. The children were awakened by a sudden clap of loud thunder.

5. You can go to the Jazz game with us.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. A number of javalinas appeared at the edge of the forest.

- of javalinas modifies number (subject)

- at the edge modifies appeared

- of the forest modifies edge

2. In the cage we saw a huge jaguar from the jungles of Brazil.

- In the cage modifies saw

- from the jungles modifies jaguar (direct object)

- of Brazil modifies jungles

3. Everyone in the class finished the test at the same time.

- in the class modifies Everyone (subject)

- at the same time modifies finished

4. The children were awakened by a sudden clap of loud thunder.

- by a sudden clap modifies were awakened

- of loud thunder modifies clap

5. You can go to the Jazz game with us.

- to the Jazz game and with us modify can go

View Quiz
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 380 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Quotation Marks

View Lesson - Print Lesson

Place question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they are part of the quotation. Place question marks and exclamation points outside the quotation marks if they pertain to more than the quotation.

Examples: 

Jim asked, "Where are you going?" 

Did Ann say, "I won't do it"?

"Are you sure!" exclaimed Becky. 

How happy she was to say, "I do"!

Instructions: Use quotation marks where needed in these sentences.

1. When Dad said that we were going camping, I shouted, What a great idea!

2. Mary asked, When are you going?

3. Didn't you hear me say, I will think about it?

4. Didn't you hear the policeman shout, Stop!?

5. We need protection from his kindness!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When Dad said that we were going camping, I shouted, "What a great idea!"

2. Mary asked, "When are you going?"

3. Didn't you hear me say, "I will think about it"?

4. Didn't you hear the policeman shout, "Stop!"?

5. We need protection from his "kindness"!

View Quiz

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 179 - Parts of the Sentence - Prepositional Phrases

View Lesson - Print Lesson

 

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 adverb telling how, when, where, how much, and why and modifying the verb and sometimes an adjective. Adverb prepositional phrases can come anywhere in the sentence and can be moved within the sentence without changing the meaning. Only adjective prepositional phrases modify the object of the preposition in another prepositional phrase.

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

1. We are proud of the Jazz team and of their record.

2. The dark shadows stretched across the road and the park.

3. On the hill stands an old castle.

4. The employee came for his money.

5. Bill walked down the trail during the rain storm.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We are proud of the Jazz team and of their record.

- of the Jazz team and of their record modify proud (predicate adjective)

2. The dark shadows stretched across the road and the park.

- across the road and the park modifies stretched

3. On the hill stands an old castle.

- on the hill modifies stands

4. The employee came for his money.

- for his money modifies came

5. Bill walked down the trail during the rain storm.

- down the trail and during the rain storm modify walked

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.