PARTS OF SPEECH:
Prepositions
Interjections
And
conjunctions
An LSCC Learning Center
Self Paced Tutorial
What are the Parts of Speech?
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This is the common term for the various categories of words that make up
the English language.
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They are:
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Nouns
Pronouns
Adjectives
Prepositions
Interjections
Verbs
Adverbs
Articles
Conjunctions
The good news is – this is the entire list!
The bad news is - many of these categories
have multiple subgroups.
Today we will discuss prepositions, interjections and conjunctions.
Let’s do the easiest one first – interjections.
INTERJECTIONS
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An interjection is word or phrase that does not add to
the general grammar of a sentence, but indicates strong
feelings. It is usually punctuated by an exclamation
mark.
Examples: Ouch! Wow! Yikes! Bleep!
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Think of stubbing your toe, falling
down, seeing something scary –
What would you say?
Superman was walking along when, pow!
He was attacked from behind.
PREPOSITIONS
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Definition: word used before noun: a member of a
set of words used in close connection with, and
usually before, nouns and pronouns to show their
relation to another part of a clause. (Encarta)
What? Just remember this:
pre (comes before a noun or pronoun)
position (describes the location of the
noun/pronoun in time, space, or logical
construction
PREPOSITIONS
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The Positions of the Prepositions:
Like a course in physics, some of them take us through space
and time.
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Location fixed in physical space: over, under, in, on, by,
The cat is in the tree.
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Location moving through space. to, through, across
A river runs through the property.
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Location fixed in time: in, on, at, before
The train arrives every hour on the hour.
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PREPOSITIONS
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The Positions of the Prepositions:
Some of them point logically to show us how things are done.
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Agency: by, with
The book was written by Twain.
Combination: with
I like my fava beans with a nice Chianti.
Reason: for
He was prepared to fight for his freedom.
PREPOSITIONS
 More Positions of the Prepositions:
More that show us how things are done.
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Quantity: by, of
Gasoline is sold by the gallon.
Comparison: like
A bedlington terrier looks like a baby lamb.
Role: as
As a sportscaster, she gets to attend the Super
Bowl every year.
PREPOSITIONS
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Because prepositions must refer to a noun, it is
technically improper to end a sentence with one.
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NO: He is the person I am speaking to.
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YES: He is the person to whom I am speaking.
Even leaders often violate this rule:
As Winston Churchill said, “This is the sort of
English up with which I cannot put.”
PREPOSITIONS – in common use
Along
Around
As
At
Before
Behind
Below
Beside
Between
By
Down
For
From
Except
In
Near
Of
Off
On
Over
Since
Through
Till
To
Toward
Under
Up
With
PREPOSITIONS - COMPOUND
A compound preposition is two or more words that
form one meaning and act as one preposition.
According to
As of
As well as
Aside from
Because of
By means of
In addition to
In front of
In place of
In regard to
In respect to
In spite of
Instead of
On account of
Out of
Prior to
CONJUNCTIONS
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A conjunction connects words or groups
of words together logically.
There are four basic kinds of
conjunctions:
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–
–
Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)
Correlative conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions
Conjunctive adverbs
CONJUNCTIONS
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A coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or,
yet, so) connects
– single words or groups of words with the same
logical structure, such as all nouns:
F
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–
Peanut butter, pickles, ham, and jelly
two independent clauses (sentences)
Seattle is a wonderful city, but
it can be very rainy.
Use a comma before the conjunction when
joining two sentences or lists of three or more
items.
A
N
B
O
Y
S
CONJUNCTIONS
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FANBOYS rule!
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There are only seven coordinating conjunctions. You
can remember them using the mnemonic:
F
o
r
A
n
d
N
o
r
B O Y S
u r e o
t
t
CONJUNCTIONS
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A correlative conjunction relates or joins two or
more parallel words, and tells us if they share or
divide the action of the verb.
Shares:
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Not only…but also
both…and
Both Jen and Andrew
attend LSCC. plural
Divides:
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Either...or
Neither…nor
Either Jen or Andrew
attends LSCC. singular
CONJUNCTIONS
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A subordinating conjunction:
Places one clause below the other
in terms of logic and meaning, making it
dependent on the other clause for complete meaning.
Sub = below Ordinal = priority or level
Introduces a subordinate clause:
Because it was raining, we went home.
We went home because it was raining.
Note – use a comma if the subordinate clause begins the
sentence, but not if it is in the middle.
CONJUNCTIONS
A subordinating conjunction
Sets up a conditional idea:
Because it was raining
Although we were tired
What happened then??
What did you do??
“Kills” an independent clause (sentence):
It was raining.
(complete idea = sentence)
Because it was raining (incomplete = what happened?)
CONJUNCTIONS
Some common subordinating conjunctions:
After
Before
While
Although
Because
When
As
Since
Whenever
As soon as
Until
Be careful because some of these words can also be
prepositions. You need a subject +verb combination to
create a clause.
After the game = prepositional phrase (no sub + verb)
After I left the party = subordinate clause
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
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Conjunctive adverbs join two sentences and
show a relationship between their meanings.
They need a semicolon before and a comma after.
–
A poorly maintained car can be dangerous; therefore,
we should pay attention to the manufacturer’s
maintenance guidelines.
–
I was setting up for the surprise party; meanwhile, Maria
kept the guest of honor away from the room.
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
Commonly used conjunctive adverbs include:
Accordingly
Also
Besides
Consequently
Finally
Furthermore
However
Indeed
Instead
Later
Moreover
Nevertheless
Otherwise
Still
Therefore
Thus
Whereas
PREPOSITIONS, CONJUNCTIONS, and
INTERJECTIONS
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If you want more information about this
topic:
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Meet with your instructor
Visit the Learning Center or its web pages
Go online to the Purdue OWL