Object of a Preposition

A person, place, or thing always follows a preposition. We call this word the object of the preposition. Every preposition must have an object. Otherwise, it is not a preposition. We italicize prepositions and star their objects in the phrases below.

at the *corner
on the *table
around the *lake
within a *year
across *town
except *her
in the *library
aboard the *ship
beneath a *crag
concerning this *issue
despite the *frustration
in addition to *Molly
during this *session
over the *clouds
via *pony express

down the *stairs
through the *tunnel
like a *rocket
for your *homework
behind *him
with *admiration
considering the *snow
in regard to a *complaint
on behalf of the *team
round about *me
owing to some *delays
according to the *law
across from our *home
in addition to *Sylvester
by means of *impeachment

Prepositions may have compound objects:

  • Ivy hikes through *rain and *sleet.
  • Gus thinks about *villains and *heroes.
  • They settled the argument by means of *discussion and *compromise.
  • Opposite *Ben Franklin and *Alexander Hamilton sat John Adams.

Example 1

Star the object (or objects) of each preposition in these sentences.

  1. Before dark, I went to the store for milk and water.
  2. I walked over the bridge and toward the sunset.
  3. Before lunch, I chased after my runaway dog and cat.
  4. I noticed them hiding near the big tree neighbor's past the garage and driveway.
  5. In addition to the beauty, we appreciate the meaning of paintings and sculptures.
  6. Despite the mess, don't cry over spilled milk.

Solutions

  1. Before *dark, I went to the *store for *milk and *water.
  2. I walked over the *bridge and toward the *sunset.
  3. Before *lunch, I chased after my runaway *dog and *cat.
  4. I noticed them hiding near the big neighbor's *tree past the *garage and *driveway.
  5. In addition to the *beauty, we appreciate the meaning of *paintings and *sculptures.
  6. Despite the *mess, don't cry over spilled *milk.

Example 2

Underline each preposition and star each object of a preposition in these sentences.

  1. In addition to the freedoms of speech and press, Amendment I guarantees the freedom of religion.
  2. Without Amendment V, people would testify against themselves.

Solutions

  1. In addition to the *freedoms of *speech and *press, Amendment I guarantees the freedom of *religion.
  2. Without *Amendment V, people would testify against *themselves.