Chapter 11
PREPOSITIONS What is a preposition? It is a word that connects other words, showing the relation between them. Note, the preposition is usually followed by a noun or pronoun, on which the preposition exercise its attaching or connecting force. This word is called the object of the preposition, and is in the objective case, thus, to them, on us.
Number 2. Are the prepositions a very large class? In English, they number considerably less than a hundred. 3. How are they classed with reference to form? Into simple, derivative, and compound prepositions. 4. Name some of the simple prepositions in common use. At, after, against, but, by, down, error, for, from, in, of, off, over, on, since, through, till, under, up, with, to. 5. State how some of the most important derivative and compound prepositions are made.
A. From nouns and adjectives. As, across, beside, along, a slant, around, below, despite. B. From other prepositional or adverbial element. Thus, into, unto, until, upon, before, behind, beyond, above, about, within, without, throughout. C. From verbs. Thus, past, concerning, save, saving, during, notwithstanding. 6. Explain such expressions as out of, as to, from, among. They are combinations of independent words used so like prepositions that they are properly treated
as such, or preposition phrases. Thus, this is by way of suggestion. He stood in front of his enemy. 7. How can we tell between which words the preposition shows the relation? 8. Place what after the preposition and ask yourself the question. The answer will be the object of the preposition. Then ask yourself another question by placing what before the preposition and its object, and the answer will be the other word. As, I went into the country.
Question, into what? Answer, country. Country is therefore the latter word or object of the preposition, and into shows the relation between went and country. 8. What are the words called between which the preposition shows the relation? The former of the two is called the antecedent term of relation, as they stayed until night. The latter of the two is called the subsequent term of the relation, as they stayed under shelter. Note, a preposition often has more than one
subsequent term of the relation, as true gentleness is opposed to harshness, severity, and arrogance. 9. What may be the subsequent term of a preposition? Either a noun, a pronoun, an infinite, or a participle, as I live in St. Louis. I know that the Lord is with me. The hermit was about to return to the cave. I have objections to reading law. 10. What may be the antecedent term of a preposition? The former or antecedent term may be a noun, an adjective, a pronoun, a verb,
a participle, or an adverb. Give examples illustrating. Noun. Sunday is the first day of the week. Adjective. Be diligent in your business. Pronoun. His father wished him upon the deck. Verb. The hermit dwelt in a cave. Participle. A city is a large town incorporated with special privileges. End of Section 11.
