VII. PREPOSITIONS A preposition connects a noun or its equivalent with Prepositions the word which the noun modifies, and shows various relations,-time, place, agency, purpose, reference, separation, opposition, possession, instrument, and the like. The mcdified word may be a noun, a pronoun, an adjective, a verb, an adverb. The modifying noun or pronoun is called the object of the preposition and is in the object objective case: pronoun, etc. The equivalent of a noun after a preposition may be object a pronoun, an adjective in certain idioms, an adverb of time or place, a phrase, an infinitive, a clause: The natural place of a preposition is before its object Place of or the expression which it governs; but in poetry the preposition object sometimes precedes; and in familiar prose the object is often placed before the verb, the preposition following the verb: — I've travelled much this weary world around. Simple, etc. Converted prepositions Simple Prepositions are, like other parts of speech, simpl derivative, and compound; some groups of words ar used as prepositions: Prepositions, the object not being expressed, are ofter used with the force of adverbs. A few participles are substituted for prepositions. Many words are either prepositions or conjunctions, being used to introduce either a word modifier or a clause. The commonest simple propositions are: at after but ere by for in off through under on over till against down from of since to up with The parsing of a preposition involves only giving Parsing its form-simple, derivative, compound, or word group -and pointing out the object and the word modified. After a study of syntax, the construction of the prepositional phrase and the relation expressed by the preposition should be included in parsing. EXERCISES Select the adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions, give t class on various bases, and tell their use in the sentence. 1. You and I are to go in the same boat. 2. They were on the roof; but they quickly came down sight of us. 3. Neither the girl nor the mother knew about the fire. 4. He laughed as he dipped his pen into the inkstand. 5. Though they differ from us in some way, they resembl us in this, that they go to church regularly. 6. We shall take the bull by the horns, if we cannot throw him over the fence. 7. Look out for yourself; for this is the madman that I spoke to you about. 8. I will ask whether she has anything to reproach me with. 9. He is not only frivolous, but also drunken; nor can he be reformed by mild persuasion. 10. Who knows save heaven how his audit stands? 11. Live well that men may think you know how to live. 12. Words without thoughts never to heaven go. 13. Love not slumber lest ye come to want. 14. Seeing you have been through the war, you deserve rest as well as recompense. 15. The more one knows, the more one suspects one's ignorance. 16. He was seen both before and after the battle. 17. Unless reason preside over inclination and passion, we shall pick up chaff instead of grain. 18. Love of learning and of truth should stimulate study. From peak to peak the rattling crags among 20. Wherefore watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. 21. Now you are here my fears subside. 22. I will look unto the hills whence cometh my help. 23. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. 24. I will wait until midnight; I will wait until you return. 25. They have been here before. They left before nightfall. They will return here before they go abroad. 26. Jack came tumbling after. He came after his brother. He will go after his work is done. 27. I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows. 28. The more he tried to please her, the worse she treated him. 29. Jones worked hard enough, but hardly with success. 30. They fold their tents like the Arab, And as silently stole away. 31. Love me little, love me long. 32. Thus when the lamp that lighted The traveller first goes out, And looks round in fear and doubt. |