Hello and welcome! Today, we will be talking about object of preposition. If you’re learning English, you may have come across prepositions and their objects. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows the preposition and completes its meaning.
In this article, we’ll explain what the object of a preposition is and provide examples to help you understand how to use it correctly. So, let’s dive in and explore this important aspect of English grammar together!
Object of Preposition – Image
Object of Preposition Explained
Definition of Object of Preposition
In English grammar, a preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition and completes its meaning. The preposition and its object, along with any modifiers, form a prepositional phrase.
For example, in the sentence “I am sitting on the chair,” the preposition is “on,” and the object of the preposition is “chair.” Together, they form the prepositional phrase “on the chair.”
Function of Object of Preposition
The object of a preposition serves to provide more information about the noun or pronoun in the sentence. It tells us where or when something is happening, or how something is being done.
Here are some examples:
- She walked through the park. (The object of the preposition “through” is “park,” which tells us where she walked.)
- He ate the pizza with a fork. (The object of the preposition “with” is “fork,” which tells us how he ate the pizza.)
- They will arrive at the airport on Friday. (The object of the preposition “on” is “Friday,” which tells us when they will arrive.)
It’s important to note that the object of a preposition must be in the objective case. This means that if the object is a pronoun, it must be in the objective form. For example, “He gave the book to her” is correct, while “He gave the book to she” is incorrect.
Examples of Object of Preposition
In English grammar, the object of a preposition is a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that follows a preposition and completes its meaning. To better understand this concept, let’s take a look at some examples of objects of prepositions:
- She sat on the chair.
- The cat is hiding under the bed.
- I am going to the store.
- He is talking to his friend.
- The book is on the table.
In each of these sentences, the preposition (on, under, to, etc.) is followed by a noun (chair, bed, store, friend, table) that completes the meaning of the preposition. These nouns are the objects of the prepositions.
It’s important to note that the object of a preposition can also be a pronoun. For example:
- She gave the book to me.
- He is talking to you.
- They are waiting for us.
In these sentences, the pronouns (me, you, us) are the objects of the prepositions (to, for).
Common Prepositions and Their Objects
Here are some of the most common prepositions and their objects:
Preposition | Object |
---|---|
in | room, car, box, house, city, country, state |
on | table, chair, floor, wall, ceiling, bed, train, bus, plane |
at | party, meeting, concert, school, home, work, bus stop, airport |
from | school, work, home, city, country, person |
to | school, work, home, city, country, person |
with | friend, family, colleague, teacher, book, pen, phone |
by | car, train, bus, plane, bike, foot |
for | birthday, Christmas, dinner, lunch, breakfast, present |
of | book of poems, cup of tea, piece of cake, bag of chips |
In the table above, you can see some of the most common prepositions and their objects. However, there are many other prepositions that you may encounter in English. It is essential to understand the meaning of each preposition and how it is used in a sentence.
For example, “in” is used to indicate a location within a space, while “on” is used to indicate a location on the surface of an object. “At” is used to indicate a specific location, such as a place or an event. “From” is used to indicate the starting point of an action, while “to” is used to indicate the destination of an action. “With” is used to indicate a person or thing that is accompanying someone or something, while “by” is used to indicate the means by which something is done. “For” is used to indicate a purpose or a duration, while “of” is used to indicate possession or a relationship between two things.
Understanding the meaning of each preposition and how it is used in a sentence is essential for effective communication in English. Practice using prepositions in different contexts to improve your grammar skills. For example:
- I’m in the car on my way to work.
- I’ll meet you at the restaurant at 7 pm.
- I’m from New York, but I live in Los Angeles now.
- I’m going to the store to buy some milk.
- I’m studying with my friend for the exam.
- I arrived at the airport by taxi.
- I bought a present for my sister’s birthday.
- This is a book of poems by Robert Frost.
Common Mistakes When Using the Object of Preposition
Thinking the object of a preposition is always a noun
While it’s true that the object of a preposition is often a noun, it can also be a pronoun, a gerund, or even an entire clause. For example:
- Pronoun: She’s going to the store with him.
- Gerund: I’m interested in learning more about cooking.
- Clause: He’s afraid of what might happen if he tells the truth.
Using the wrong preposition
Choosing the correct preposition can be tricky, even for native speakers. Here are a few common mistakes:
- Saying “different than” instead of “different from”
- Using “between” instead of “among” when referring to three or more items
- Saying “based off of” instead of “based on”
Using the wrong case for pronouns
When a pronoun is the object of a preposition, it should be in the objective case. Here are a few examples:
- Incorrect: He gave the book to she.
- Correct: He gave the book to her.
- Incorrect: The teacher talked to my friend and I.
- Correct: The teacher talked to my friend and me.
Tips to Identify the Object of Preposition
Look for Prepositions
The first step in identifying the object of a preposition is to look for the preposition itself. Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. Some common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “to,” and “with.”
Identify the Noun or Pronoun That Follows the Preposition
Once you’ve identified the preposition, the next step is to look for the noun or pronoun that follows it. This is the object of the preposition. In most cases, the object of a preposition will be a noun or pronoun, but it can also be a gerund or a noun phrase.
Check for Modifiers
Sometimes, the object of a preposition will have modifiers that provide additional information about it. These modifiers can include adjectives, adverbs, and other words that describe or qualify the object of the preposition. When identifying the object of a preposition, be sure to check for any modifiers that may be present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pronoun be used as the object of a preposition?
Yes, a pronoun can be used as the object of a preposition. For example, in the sentence “He gave the book to her,” “her” is a pronoun that serves as the object of the preposition “to.”
What is a prepositional phrase and how is it formed?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun called the object of the preposition. The prepositional phrase can function as an adjective or adverb in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “The book on the shelf is mine,” “on the shelf” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the noun “book.”
What is the difference between a direct object and an object of a preposition?
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb in a sentence. An object of a preposition, on the other hand, is a noun or pronoun that follows a preposition and shows the relationship between the preposition and other words in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “She threw the ball to him,” “ball” is the direct object of the verb “threw,” while “him” is the object of the preposition “to.”
How do you identify the object of a preposition in a sentence?
To identify the object of a preposition in a sentence, you need to look for the preposition and the noun or pronoun that follows it. For example, in the sentence “The cat is hiding under the bed,” “under” is the preposition and “bed” is the object of the preposition.
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