Prepositions and Phrases — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Combine: The book is on the shelf. The shelf is in the library. The book is on the shelf in the library.
Both phrases stay; on the shelf describes location, in the library narrows it further.
2. In 'The dog ran across the field,' the object of the preposition across is field.
Field is the noun directly after across, making it the object of the preposition.
3. Combine: The keys are under the table. The table is by the door. The keys are under the table by the door.
By links the table to the door, joining both sentences into one smoother thought.
4. In 'She walked with her sister to school,' the object of with is sister.
Sister is the noun directly after with, so it is the object of that preposition.
5. Combine: The cookies are in the jar. The jar is on the counter. The cookies are in the jar on the counter.
Both phrases stack to show the cookies' location: inside a jar that sits on the counter.
6. In 'They played until dinner at the park,' name one object of a preposition: dinner.
Dinner follows the preposition until, making it the object of that prepositional phrase.
7. Combine: The cat sat on the windowsill. The windowsill is near the lamp. The cat sat on the windowsill near the lamp.
Stacking both phrases shows the cat's exact spot: on a sill that is near the lamp.
8. In 'The bird flew over the trees during the storm,' the object of during is storm.
Storm follows during, making it the object of that prepositional phrase about timing.
9. A prepositional phrase always begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun.
Pronouns like him or them can be objects of prepositions, just like nouns can be.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
with my friend
→ shows accompaniment
shows accompaniment
in the basket
→ shows location inside
shows location inside
before lunch
→ shows time order
shows time order
across the room
→ shows direction across space
shows direction across space
Prepositions can show company, place, time, or direction; each phrase fits one purpose.