Grammar Week 17

Which Prepositional Phrases Need Commas?

*"If it's five or more and it comes before, it needs a comma!"* *Rule 1:* Prepositional phrases that come at the end of the sentence do NOT need to be set off with commas regardless of their length. Ex) I like watching the birds *in the morning.* *Rule 2:* Prepositional phrases that come at the beginning of the sentence, need a comma ONLY if they are five words or longer. Ex) *In the early morning light,* I like watching birds. OR *(In the early morning) (during the summer),* I like watching the birds.

How prepositions are used

-Can be located at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. -Prepositions begin phrases that act as adverbs answering the where? and when? -Preposition begin phrases that act as adjectives and answer the question which ones?

Identifying Prepositional Phrases

-Prepositions are positioned as the first word for a prepositional phrase. -Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun called the object. -Additional words in the prepositional phrase between the preposition and the object support the preposition to make it more accurate or complete. -Never include a verb!

Preposition Definition

A word or group of words that begins a prepositional phrase. -Ex) *After lunch* I read my book.

Common Prepositions

About, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, by, down, during, except, for, from, in, in front of, inside, into, near, of, off, on, on top of, onto, out of, outside, over, past, since, through, to, toward, under, underneath, until, up, upon, with, without, within, in back of.

Time Prepositions

Begin phrases that tell when. Ex) Emily was tired *after* the weekend sleepover.

Location Prepositions

Prepositions begin phrases that tell where. Ex) Dad found the remote *between* the couch cushions.