A Preposition is a relation word that joins a noun or pronoun to some part of a sentence. With this noun or pronoun and its adjuncts the preposition makes a phrase adjunct.

The phrase is called a prepositional phrase. The noun or pronoun that the preposition joins to some other part of the sentence is called the principal term of the prepositional phrase, or the object of the preposition.

You have seen that verbals are often used in some noun constructions (Exercise 72). They may be used as objects of prepositions; thus, After finishing the letter I took it to the mail box.

Occasionally a prepositional phrase is inverted, and the preposition comes after its object; thus, We sat the clean-winged hearth about.

Occasionally a prepositional phrase is used as predicate attribute; thus, The ring is of no value. Is the phrase of no value adjective or adverbial?

Exercise 134

Analyze the following sentences. Up to this time most adjuncts have been described as wholes. Now some of the prepositional phrases should be analyzed after they have been described as wholes.

Make a list of the phrases that begin with verbals instead of prepositions.

Model

He walked slowly towards the house of his enemy.

The phrase, towards the house of his enemy, shows the direction of walking; it is therefore added to the verb walked and is an adverbial phrase. The phrase is a prepositional phrase. The word towards is the preposition. The noun house is the principal term. The noun has as adjuncts the adjective the and the phrase of his enemy. The adjective the shows that some particular house is meant. The phrase shows whose house. It is a prepositional phrase. The word of is the preposition. The noun enemy is the principal term. It has one adjunct, the pronoun his. This is a possessive modifier.

1. Then they started on their journey towards the strange island of Japan.

2. In a very few days all things were in readiness for the march northward.

3. Each thought of nothing but his own safety.

4. The heralds, bearing good news, were on their way to the palace of the king.

5. Every Wealthy apple tree in the United States has sprung from that one old tree originated by Mr. Gideon.

6. All day the gusty north wind bore The loosening drift its breath before.

7. The grounds and buildings of a country or surburban home, carefully planned, will be an unfailing source of pleasure to the owner and to his appreciative neighbors.

8. The young man, on hearing the words of the venerable man, lowered his weapon.

9. Honeysuckles clustered thick on the old gray stone castle walls.

10. An enormous loss is sustained each year by the farmers of Indiana through lack of proper attention to the selection and preservation of their seed corn.

11. Add beauty to your home and reduce your winter fuel bill by well-considered planting.

12. Attracted by the song, the children walked toward the wood.

13. The woods are gay with the clustered flowers of the laurel.

14. John Allen, a contestant from the Richland district, has raised 130.5 bushels of corn on an acre this season.

15. Still stands the forest primeval; but under the shade of its branches Dwells another race with other customs and language.

16. Soon o'er the yellow fields, in silent and mournful procession, Came from the neighboring hamlets and farms the Acadian women.

17. In the midst of the strife and tumult of angry contention, Lo! the door of the chancel opened, and Father Felician Entered, with serious mien, and ascended the steps of the altar.

18. Birds of passage sailed through the leaden air, from the icebound Desolate northern bays to the shores of tropical islands.

Exercise 135

(1) Write a sentence containing an adjective prepositional phrase, (2) one containing an adverbial prepositional phrase, (3) one containing both kinds of phrases.

Show that a prepositional phrase may contain another prepositional phrase.

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