Page 72 - Grammar for Great Writing B

Common Uses

5.2 Using Prepositions: Functions

Prepositions and prepositional phrases are necessary in all types of writing. They are often used to
clarify ideas or to express specific information. They are used:

1. to show location above Germany / at school / by the sea / in Florida
near an urban center / on the Internet

2. to show time as soon as possible / at night / for three days / in May
in the morning / since 2012
3. to show direction or movement along the coast / down the road / into the woods
out of town / to the moon / up the hill

4. to show a logical relationship according to the boss / because of the problem
in case of an accident / instead of the first idea
rather than the original plan / without becoming a problem

Note
In academic writing, subjects are often followed by prepositional phrases. The verb agrees with the subject, not the
object of the preposition.
People in the back of a large room often have difficulty seeing a presenter’s slides.

5.3 Using Prepositions: Combinations

Prepositions commonly occur in combination with other words. They are used:

1. with certain nouns One advantage of the first plan is its lower cost.
noun + prep. The reason for replacing the two elements is explained in the
following chapter.

2. with certain verbs In today’s economy, it is difficult for parents to provide for their
verb + prep. families.
Of the university entrance exams that students take today, only
a few concentrate on testing critical thinking skills.

3. with certain adjectives A few engineers are concerned about the trend in some cities
adj. + prep. toward extremely tall buildings.
Many consumers are not interested in completing online
surveys.

62 Unit 5 Writing with Prepositions

Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Copyright 2018 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. WCN 02-200-203
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