Welcome to our ninth week examining Grammar.  This week, we are hopping on Prepositions.

Preposition - connects a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence to show the relationship between the two.  It often indicates position such as: above, below, over, under, or beneath.

Joey went up the stairs. ( up connects went and stairs) = verb and noun connected

Sally sat in the corner. (in connects Sally and corner) = two nouns connected

Ending Sentences with a Preposition

Most of us had this grammar rule smacked into our faces when we were children.  It is more frowned upon in formal writing, but it is still allowed.  More importantly for story writers, dialog often has sentences ending in prepositions.  For example: "Whom are you talking about?" or "Don't look so put upon!"

Not Always What they Appear

Some prepositional words can be used in other parts of grammar.  The word alone does not a preposition make.

For example.  The pirate flag went up the pole.  (Up is a preposition here connecting went and pole)

The pirate flag was up.  (Up is an adjective here modifying flag)

Some Prepositions

There are many prepositions.  Here are a few:

Above, below, up, down, among, as, at, away, between, over, under, through, next, inside, outside, around, onto, unto, via, within, without, and aside.

• References:
  • Kern, Jara. (2020). The Infographic Guide to Grammar. Adams Media
  • Venolia, Jan. (2001). Write Right! (4th ed.). Ten Speed Press