LESSON 116. - THE OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION

The word that depends upon a preposition is called the object of the preposition. The object of a preposition is a noun or a pronoun, or any word or group of words used

as a noun.

1. Noun. He rode to the city.

2. Pronoun. The coat belongs to him.

3. Adverb. He lives up there.

4. Adjective. He left before dark.

5. Infinitive. I want nothing except to sleep.

6. Verbal Noun. We were startled by the lion's angry roaring.

7. Phrase. He came from over the mountains.

8. Clause. Men differ on what we are discussing.

NOTE. The preposition is often part of the verb and must not be considered separately.

1. We traveled by train to Mobile.

2. This hat belongs to me, and that one belongs to you.

3. Who lives in this house?

4. The guest departed at midnight.

5. The boats were about to start.

6. After speaking an hour the lawyer rested.

7. The emigrant came from across the seas.

8. There was no doubt about who shot the king.
9. Give me a drink of water.

10. I pray you tell me the story of your life.

Exercise 2. Write a sentence containing a preposition having for its object: (1) a noun; (2) a pronoun; (3) an adverb; (4) an adjective; (5) an infinitive; (6) a verbal noun; (7) a phrase; (8) a clause.

LESSON 117. — EXERCISES ON THE USE OF PREPOSITIONS Certain words are followed by certain prepositions.

Exercise 1. Read this list and make sentences illustrating the proper use of prepositions after certain words:

angry at (a thing)

angry with (a person)
clear from (guilt)
clear of (harm)

contend against (an obstacle)
contend for (a principle)
contend with (a person)
differ about (a proposition)
differ among (themselves)
differ from (a person)
disagree to (a proposition)
disagree with (a person)
divide among (several)
divide between (two)
exasperated at (a thing)
exasperated with (a person)

Exercise 2. In these sentences choose the best preposition:

1. The estate was divided among (or between) the two boys. 2. The cake was divided among (or between) all the children. 3. I differ from (or with) you on that subject.

4. Two of the judges dissented from (or with) the decision.

5. The prisoners were killed with (or by) a sword.

6. He died by (or of) a stroke of apoplexy.

7. He depends on (or upon) his father for his support.

8. Are you mad with (or at) me?

9. Have you the key to (or of) the front door?

10. We arrived in (or at) London of a (or at) night.

11. The general was accompanied with (or by) his aides.

12. The man talked too much of (or about) his money.

13. The sailors lived on (or upon) sea bread.

NOTE. Avoid the use of the words at, to, at the end of sentences containing the word where.

To and into imply motion. At and in imply position.

Exercise 3. Complete the following sentences with to or into, at or in:

He is a man of great learning.
He spoke with great energy.

The preposition with its object and modifying words forms a phrase. Such a phrase is called a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase may be used as an adjective to describe a noun or a pronoun, as in the first sentence, where the words of great learning describe

man.

A prepositional phrase may be used as an adverb to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, as in the second sentence, where the words with great energy modify the meaning of the word spoke.

Exercise 1. — In the following sentences name the prepositional phrases and state how they are used:

1. The love of money is the root of all evil.

2. Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. 3. A great soul is above every thought of insult.

4. We hold the keys of heaven within our hands. 5. He leadeth me beside the still waters.

6. Milton rose at four o'clock in the morning.

7. The camel is called the ship of the desert.

8. The Indians live in small skin-covered tents called wigwams. 9. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

10. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

11. They tossed their hats in the air and shouted for pure joy. 12. A sportsman does not kill a bird on the ground.

Exercise 2. Add a prepositional phrase to each of these sentences:

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Exercise 4. Change the adjectives in these expressions to prepositional phrases:

1. An eloquent man.
2. An elegant woman.
3. A powerful speaker.
4. A forceful argument.
5. A prominent character.
6. A beautiful thing.

Exercise 5.

7. A diligent worker.
8. A ragged tramp.
9. A kind act.
10. A generous deed.
11. A gentle girl.

12. A brave soldier.

Change the adverbs in these sentences to

prepositional phrases:

1. We walked carefully.

2. He spoke easily and fluently.
3. The cowboys shoot accurately.
4. The girl dances gracefully.

5. I begged him earnestly.

6. He who acts prudently generally acts safely.

7. Speak politely to everybody.

8. Work diligently if you would live comfortably.

9. Live peaceably with all men.

10. Eat slowly and moderately.

LESSON 119.—PARSING PREPOSITIONS

To parse a preposition we need to tell :

(1) Its object. (2) Its relation. (3) Its phrase con

struction.

He rests in peace after a life of toil.

In is a preposition and shows the relation between rests and peace. In peace is a prepositional phrase used as as an adverb to modify rests. After is a preposition and shows the relation between rests and a life of toil. After a life of toil is a prepositional phrase used as an adverb to modify rests. Of is a preposition and shows the relation between life and toil. Of toil is a prepositional phrase used as an adjective describing life.