Introduction to Prepositions
and Prepositional Phrases
Copyright © 2011
Middle School Novel Units Inc
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Length: Approximately 10 minutes
A prepositional
phrase begins with
a preposition and
ends with a noun
or a pronoun.
Commonly Used Prepositions
about
above
across
after
against
along
among
around
as
at
before
behind
down
during
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near
of
off
on
onto
outside
over
past
since
through
to
toward
under
unlike
until
up
upon
with
within
without
Some Commonly Used Prepositions:
The prepositional phrase is not the
subject, and it is not the action (or
verb) of the sentence. It is extra
information added to the sentence
and often (but not always) shows
location.
Example 1:
Daniel and Chloe had a birthday celebration
(subject)
(action)
with their friends in January.
(prepositional phrase)
(prepositional phrase)
Example 2:
Emily and William enjoyed swimming in the creek
(subject)
(action)
at their cabin in northern Georgia.
(prepositional phrase) (prepositional phrase)
(prepositional phrase)
Pay attention as I identify the
prepositions and prepositional
phrases from the following
sentences.
1. My husband prefers to watch
television shows about history.
1. My husband prefers to watch
television shows (about) history.
2. If bluebirds fly over the rainbow,
why can’t I?
2. If bluebirds fly (over) the rainbow,
why can’t I?
3. Owen works at the store across
the street from his small apartment.
3. Owen works (at) the store
(across) the street (from) his small
apartment.
4. Alyssa and Elijah work nearly
every day after school.
4. Alyssa and Elijah work nearly
(every) day (after) school.
5. Our cat chases squirrels around
the shed, in the backyard, and on
the back porch.
5. Our cat chases squirrels (around)
the shed, (in) the backyard, and
(on) the back porch.
6. Nathan works at a grocery store
approximately two miles from his
house.
6. Nathan works (at) a grocery store
approximately two miles (from) his
house.
7. There is a safe hidden in the
room, but nobody knows where it is.
7. There is a safe hidden (in) the
room, but nobody knows where it is.
8. Dorothy noticed there was a man
behind the curtain.
8. Dorothy noticed there was a man
(behind) the curtain.