object of a preposition<\/em>.<\/p>\nSo, what exactly is the object of a preposition? How is it used in a sentence? What are some examples? And how is it related to a prepositional phrase? We will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let\u2019s take a closer look at the term \u201cobject of a preposition.\u201d<\/p>\n
What is the Object of a Preposition?<\/h2>\nObject<\/h3>\n
In order to properly define this term and provide an answer to the question above, we will need to break it down into separate parts.<\/p>\n
In English grammar, the object<\/em> is the thing that is acted upon by the subject. For example, let\u2019s look at the following sentence:<\/p>\nThe dog<\/strong> jumped over the fence<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nIn this example, \u201cdog\u201d is the subject, and \u201cfence\u201d is the object that is acted upon. Generally, the object comes after the subject in a sentence, though this is not always the case. Here is an example in which the object comes before the subject:<\/p>\n
The cat<\/strong> was chased by the dog<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nIn this example, \u201cdog\u201d is the subject, because it is the acting agent. Alternatively, \u201ccat\u201d is the object of the sentence, because it is the thing being acted upon by the subject. The cat (object) is being chased by the dog (subject).<\/p>\n
Preposition<\/h3>\n
A preposition is a word that expresses the relation between two things within a sentence. Many of the most common prepositions in English describe the physical relation between two things; where they are in relation to each other. Some common prepositions include on, in, after, with, under, to,<\/em> and from<\/em>. Here are some examples of prepositions in sentences:<\/p>\nThe dog is in<\/strong> the house.<\/em><\/p>\nThe cat is on<\/strong> the roof.<\/em><\/p>\nThe man is behind<\/strong> the tree.<\/em><\/p>\nThe woman is near<\/strong> the car.<\/em><\/p>\nIn each of these examples, the preposition describes a spatial<\/strong> relation between two nouns. However, prepositions can also describe temporal<\/strong> relations between nouns:<\/p>\nThe man has been sleeping since<\/strong> five o\u2019clock.<\/em><\/p>\nThe woman will go home after<\/strong> work.<\/em><\/p>\nThe boy doesn\u2019t talk during<\/strong> class.<\/em><\/p>\nThe girl likes to play before<\/strong> dinner.<\/em><\/p>\nPrepositions don\u2019t only express the relation between two nouns; they can also express the relation between a verb or adjective and a noun. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n
The girl is going to<\/strong> school.<\/em><\/p>\nThe man is coming home from<\/strong> work.<\/em><\/p>\nThe boy is afraid of<\/strong> ghosts.<\/em><\/p>\nThe woman is worried about<\/strong> her friend.<\/em><\/p>\nPrepositional Phrase<\/h3>\n
Before we define the object of a preposition<\/em>, we must also discuss prepositional phrases. In most cases, a prepositional phrase is a group of words that includes a preposition but lacks a subject or a verb (though there are some exceptions that contain a subject and verb). A prepositional phrase usually includes a preposition and a noun or pronoun. We can use some of the examples above to illustrate how prepositional phrases look in a sentence:<\/p>\nThe girl likes to play before dinner<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThe cat is on the roof<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThe man is coming home from work<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThe woman is worried about her friend<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThey worked until after the sun went down<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\nDefining the Object of a Preposition<\/em><\/h2>\nNow that we have an understanding of objects<\/em>, prepositions<\/em>, and prepositional phrases<\/em>, we can define the object of a preposition<\/em>. Much as an object completes the meaning of a sentence, the object of a preposition<\/em> completes the meaning of a preposition. The object of a preposition<\/em> is necessary because prepositions are inherently relational, and therefore require objects (though not necessarily subjects) to make sense.<\/p>\nIn short, the object of a preposition<\/em> is a noun, noun phrase, clause, or pronoun that follows a preposition and gives it meaning.<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Object of a Preposition<\/em> Examples<\/h2>\nBefore, we looked at a number of example sentences that show objects<\/em>, prepositions<\/em>, and prepositional phrases<\/em>. Now, let\u2019s look at a few examples that show how the object of a preposition<\/em> functions in sentences:<\/p>\n(The prepositional phrases are in bold<\/strong>, while every object of the preposition is in bold<\/strong> and underlined<\/span>.)<\/p>\nHer friend should be there by now<\/span>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nThe two men are in a hurry<\/span><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThe cat goes to sleep at night<\/span><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nThe dog walks to school with the girl<\/span><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\nIt is important to note that, while the object of a sentence does not always need to follow the subject, the object of a preposition must always follow the preposition. That said, a prepositional phrase does not need to come at the end of a sentence. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, regardless of where the subject appears. To illustrate this point, let\u2019s look at a few more examples:<\/p>\n
The man was not late for work<\/span><\/strong>. In fact<\/span><\/strong>, he arrived early.<\/em><\/p>\nThe woman went on the record<\/span><\/strong> during her testimony.<\/em><\/p>\nDogs are friendly by nature<\/span><\/strong>, but some dogs can be aggressive.<\/em><\/p>\nOn January 1st<\/span>, the new year will begin.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
English Preposition Cheatsheet (Video)<\/h2>\n
After reading so much about prepositions, do you feel a bit overwhelmed?\u00a0 Here’s a great visual aid from our lead instructor that will help you use prepositions followed by places and times with ease.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Blocks](\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/ielts\/files\/2021\/05\/927077448.png\")
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