Defines the functions of prepositions and explains how to identify those little hints about direction, location, or time.

1. When you look at the night sky the moon is above your head, in the sky. If there is no moonlight, darkness may be all around you. Words like above , in , and around are called prepositions. Prepositions show relationship between words in a sentence.

2. Put your hands behind your head. Put your hands on your knees. Place your finger next to your belly button. Sit in your chair. Turn towards the window. Sit in your seat Stand to the right of your desk. Stand in front of your desk. Put your finger by your nose. Place your finger between your eyes. SIMON SAYS What is the common trait here?

3. A preposition is a word that shows relationship between a noun or pronoun and some other word in the sentence. A preposition is always followed by an object, either a noun or pronoun. The article about insects is interesting. Here, the preposition about shows the relationship between the words article and insects What is a Preposition? Preposition

4. A preposition is a word that shows relationship between a noun or pronoun and some other word in the sentence. A preposition is always followed by an object, either a noun or pronoun. The article about insects is interesting. Here, the preposition about shows the relationship between the words article and insects What is a Preposition? Preposition

5. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between its object and another word in the sentence. Prepositions INTO Some prepositions have more than one word. Ahead of Instead of By means of In front of In addition to Outside Over Past Through To/toward Under Upon Until Up With In Inside Into Near Of Off On Out Below Beneath Beside Between Beyond By Down During Except For From Above About Across After Against Along Among Around At Before Behind COMMON PREPOSITIONS Bob ran the barricade!

6. Using Prepositional Phrases … to begin sentences. We watched the new DVD’s during film class. During film class, we watched the new DVD’s. We listened to the band’s new songs at the concert. At the concert, we listened to the band’s new songs

7. Using Prepositional Phrases Place them so they clearly refer to the word they modify (usually as close as possible). The boy in jeans carried his large tape recorder. The boy carried his large tape recorder in jeans.

8. To Toward Under Until Up With Within Without Like Near Of Off On Out Over Past Through Despite Down During Except For From In Inside Into At Before Behind Below Beneath Beside Between Beyond By About Above Across After Against Along Among Around As Common Prepositions

9. A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. The object of the preposition is the noun or pronoun following the preposition. Some people have depicted insects in art. Beetle images decorate the jewelry of many cultures. Some believed that dreams come from a butterfly. Prepositional Phrase Prepositional Phrases Object Preposition Modifier Preposition Object Article Preposition Object

10. When they write, they should try to place each prepositional phrase as close as possible to the word it modifies. Otherwise, you may confuse, or unintentionally amuse, your readers. With eight hairy legs , the bird chased the spider. (This must be the worlds weirdest bird!) The bird chased the spider with eight hairy legs . (Now the reader can tell who has the hairy legs!) Unclear Clear Placement of Prepositional Phrases

11. Circle all the prepositions in the following writing sample Prepositions FLOOD HITS BELOW THE DAM As heavy rains continued reporters arrived at the scene. Scores of people were evacuated from their homes and moved to rescue centers. Hundreds of acres of croplands were under water. Herds of cattle can be seen moving up the mountains. Pictures of the flood are on TV and in this newspaper on page three. The Governor will arrive at the scene before nightfall.

12. Prepositions FLOOD HITS BELOW THE DAM As heavy rains continued, reporters arrived at the scene . Scores of people were evacuated from their homes and moved to rescue centers . Hundreds of acres of croplands were under water . Herds of cattle can be seen moving up the mountains. Pictures of the flood are on TV and in this newspaper on page three . The Governor will arrive at the scene before nightfall . Circle all the prepositions in the following writing sample.