<p>What is a Preposition?</p><p>A preposition links nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition.</p><p>A preposition usually indicates the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence as in the following examples:</p><p>The book is on the table. The book is beneath the table. The book is leaning against the table. The book is beside the table. She held the book over the table. She read the book during class. </p><p>In each of the preceding sentences, a preposition locates the noun “book'' in space or in time.</p><p>A prepositional phrase is made up of the preposition, its object and any associated adjectives or adverbs. A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. The most common prepositions are “about,'' “above,'' “across,'' “after,'' “against,'' “along,'' “among,'' “around,'' “at,'' “before,'' “behind,'' “below,'' “beneath,'' “beside,'' “between,'' “beyond,'' “but,'' “by,'' “despite,'' “down,'' “during,'' “except,'' “for,'' “from,'' “in,'' “inside,'' “into,'' “like,'' “near,'' “of,'' “off,'' “on,'' “onto,'' “out,'' “outside,'' “over,'' “past,'' “since,'' “through,'' “throughout,'' “till,'' “to,'' “toward,'' “under,'' “underneath,'' “until,'' “up,'' “upon,'' “with,'' “within,'' and “without.''</p><p>Each of the words in bold in the following sentences is a preposition:</p><p>The children climbed the mountain without fear. </p><p>In this sentence, the preposition “without'' introduces the noun “fear.'' The prepositional phrase “without fear'' functions as an adverb describing how the children climbed.</p><p>There was rejoicing throughout the land when the government was defeated. </p><p>Here, the preposition “throughout'' introduces the noun phrase “the land.'' The prepositional phrase acts as an adverb describing the location of the rejoicing. The spider crawled slowly along the banister. </p><p>The preposition “along'' introduces the noun phrase “the banister'' and the prepositional phrase “along the banister'' acts as an adverb, describing where the spider crawled.</p><p>The dog is hiding under the porch because it knows it will be punished for chewing up a new pair of shoes. </p><p>Here the preposition “under'' introduces the prepositional phrase “under the porch,'' which acts as an adverb modifying the compound verb “is hiding.''</p><p>The screenwriter searched for the manuscript he was certain was somewhere in his office. </p><p>Similarly in this sentence, the preposition “in'' introduces a prepositional phrase “in his office,'' which acts as an adverb describing the location of the missing papers.</p><p>Exercise Correct the following sentences.</p><p>1.The pitch of a tuning fork depends of the size and shape of its arms.</p><p>2.The Alskan Pipeline runs between Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Coastal Plain to the port of Valdez, a distance of 789 miles.</p><p>3.Candles were mankind’s chief source of illumination since at least 2000 years.</p><p>4.According many critics, Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn is his greatest work and is one of the greatest American novel ever written.</p><p>5.Some of the most of spectacular waterfalls in the eastern United States are found in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.</p><p> l. We must defend our country against the enemy all circumstances. (A) at (B) on (C) for (D) under 2. The dictionary is sold three hundred yuan a copy. (A)for (B) by (C) in (D) at 3. The house was finished the morning of February 4th. (A) in (B) at (C) on (D) during 4. Mrs. Johnson's old cat likes to sit the sun. (A) near (B) in (C) under (D) underrn 5. He lives 87 Nanjing Road. (A) at (B) in (C) on (D) along 6. the age of twenty , she was married to an old man. (A) In (B) On (C) At (D) During 7. How did he go to Keelung? He went bus. (A) by (B) in (C) on (D) at 8. listening to conversation, you can learn something u everyone. (A) By (B) With (C) On (D) In 9. Which candidate are you voting ? (A) at (B) to (C) for (D) in 10. Please come to see me the day tomorrow. (A) on (B) before (C) after (D) in 11. He lost hia job doing something wrong. (A) for (B) with (C) by (D) at 12. Can you swim the river? (A) over (B) through (C) crossing (D) across 13. John will go to college high school. (A) before (B) after (C) when (D) until 14. You must keep it secret. It is only you and me. (A) for (B) to (C) among (D) between 15. Every night John studied hard and did his homework ll:30 pm. (A) at (B) since (C) until (D) for 16.This teacher writes his left hand. (A) with (B) for (C) in (D) by 17. our baseball teams , Jim is the best player. (A)Through (B) Between (C) Among (D) Around 18. My father will be back four. (A) since (B) for (C) till (D) by 19. Don't do things your will. (A) to (B) against (C) by (D) with 20. The boy and the girl come different parts of the country. (A) to (B) of (C) from (D) along 21. I can't find Jinan the map. (A) in (B) on (C) at (D) above 22. The main feature begain 9 o'clock. (A) on (B) at (C) into (D) for 23. When you get out of the room, don't forget to run the light. (A) at (B) on (C) of (D) off 24. I have no hobbies playing tennis. (A) without (B) beside (C) expect (D) except 25. The big fire his parents. (A) deprived him of (B) dePnved from (C) derived of (D) derived him of 26. They have known each other . (A) from last year (B) since 1976 (C) for many yeara (D) only a few years ago 27. A traffic accident prevented him coming. (A) to (B) from (C) in (D) at 28. She got a doctor degree . (A) in her twenty (B) in the age of twenty (C) in her twenties (D) at the age of twenty 29. The factory produces the most products the lowest cost. (A) at (B) for (C) in (D) on 30. My uncle left Africa last week. (A)off (B) for (C) beyond (D) to 31. He has lived here in Taichung many year.4 (A) for (B) since (C) until (D) during 32. The opening ceremony of the 23rd Olympiad was held Los Angeles on Saturday, July 28, 1984. (A)during (B) for (C) at (D) in 33. She is dressed a pink suit gold buttons. (A) with , has (B) on , has (C) in , with (D) on , with 34. We learn our own language hearing people apeak it. (A) of (B) in (C) on (D) by 35. The workers are paid . (A) by the week (B) for a week (C) to a week (D) in one week 36. They decided to take a walk the shore. (A) among (B) with (C) over (D) along 37. " When were you born?" "I was born December 8 , 1961 (A) in (B) at (C) on (D) by 38. You may gain priceless profit your studies. (A) of (B) under (C) from (D) on 39. The electronic computer has been in use only 1946. (A) since (B) for (C) on (D) in 40. Retailers sell goods higher prices than wholesalers do. (A)at (B) in (C) with (D)by 41. We can write letters simple English. (A) with (B) by (C) in (D)use 42. We are traveling a speed of 90 kilometers an hour. (A)at (B) of (C) on (D) in 43. a clear night we can look up at the sky and see into spaci . (A) On (B) Over (C) Through (D) At 44. They are leaving for Jinan . (A) at p. m. 3: 00 (B) during 2: 00 p. m. (C) at 1: 30 p. m (D) before p. m. 3: 00 45. They got over that difficulty of ditl'erent approaches. (A) in order to (B) by trying (C) have tried (D) try (E) by a number 46. In the sentence, "The size of the room is 12' x 14'. " the sigr~ is to read " ". (A) times (B) cross (C) by (D) and 47. The office is open Monday Saturday, and closed on Sundays (A)since (B) through (C) until (D) also 48. prices so high, I'll have to do without a new suit this year. (A) With (B) Because (C) Because of (D) As 49. In the photograph the man's face is focus but the rest is blurred. (A) at (B) on (C) in (D) off</p><p>In social life, time 1 a very important part. In the United States , guests 2 . feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation 3 . a dinner party is given only three or four days 4 . the date. The meaning of time differs 5 . different parts of the world too. 6 . example , promptness is valued highly in American. In the U. S. , no one would 7. keeping a business associate. 8 . an hour; it would be too impolite. When equals meet, a partner; who is five minutes late is 9 . to make a short apology. If he is more than five minutes late, he will say a few words of 10 .</p><p> l. (A)reaches (B) plays (C) provides (D) takes 2. (A) used to (B) only to (C) tend to (D) take to 3. (A) to (B) for (C) in (D) at 4. (A) during (B) after (C) within (D) before 5. (A) in (B) with (C) from (D) by 6. (A) As (B) For (C) On (D) In 7. (A) look for (B) make out (C) think of (D) lie in 8. (A) to wait (B) waited for (C) be waited (D) waiting for 9. (A) expected (B) demanded (C) requested (D) inspected 10. (A)complaint (B) explanation (C) expression (D) gratitude </p>