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Object of a Preposition Examples

In today’s post we will look at prepositions, objects, and the relationship between the two. With that knowledge, you’ll have greater insight into another fine point of English grammar.

What Is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word that usually comes before a noun or pronoun and expresses a relationship to another word. In other words, a preposition will usually provide information such as what, where, when, and whom. Some common prepositions are in, at, on, beside, to, between, under, over, and within.

The prepositional object is the noun or pronoun that the preposition affects or describes. So, if you were to say “the apple in the tree,” the word in is the preposition and tree is its object. The full prepositional phrase modifies apple by telling us where it is.

Finding the Object of a Preposition

With that understanding of prepositions and objects, you can probably find them in sentences with ease. Let’s consider a few examples:

I put the pizza on the table.
In this sentence, on is the preposition and table is the object. The prepositional phrase describes where the pizza was placed.

My dog ran into the park at six o’clock.
This sentence has two prepositional phrases. Into is a preposition and park is its object; the phrase describes where the dog ran. In the second phrase, at is the preposition and six o’clock is the object; it describes when the dog ran.

Jackie handed the paper airplane to Jake.
In this sentence, to is the preposition and Jake is its object; the phrase identifies to whom Jackie gave the paper airplane.

You might notice that a descriptive prepositional phrase often appears next to the noun or verb it modifies, usually to its right. Sometimes, the prepositional phrase might be moved as a matter of style or effect:

On the desk you will find all of my notes about the next film project.

In this sentence, the prepositional phrase is on the desk (preposition: on, object: desk). However, it does not modify you; it modifies the verb find and answers question of where: You will find on the desk all of my notes…

Pop Quiz

Identify the preposition and the prepositional object in each sentence. Some sentences might have more than one preposition and object.

1. The knives go inside the drawer.

2. I have to turn in my paper before Tuesday.

3. The outdoor concert starts at sundown.

4. I stood behind a famous actor at the airport.

5. Jim refuses to cut paper with plastic scissors.

Pop Quiz Answers