Prepositions can be tricky for learners of English, especially when they are paired with pronouns. These small but mighty words are essential for forming coherent and grammatically correct sentences. They show the relationship between different elements within a sentence, and when combined with pronouns, they can change the meaning and structure of the sentence significantly. This article will delve into the use of prepositions with pronouns, providing clear explanations and examples to help you master this aspect of English grammar.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. They typically indicate relationships of time, place, direction, cause, or manner. Examples of common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “for,” “with,” “about,” “against,” “among,” “between,” and “through.”
For example:
– The book is on the table.
– She arrived at 5 PM.
– They walked through the park.
What Are Pronouns?
Pronouns are words that replace nouns or noun phrases in a sentence. They help avoid repetition and make sentences easier to read and understand. There are several types of pronouns, including personal pronouns (e.g., he, she, it, they), possessive pronouns (e.g., my, your, his, her), reflexive pronouns (e.g., myself, yourself), and relative pronouns (e.g., who, which, that).
For example:
– John is a teacher. He loves his job.
– This book is mine.
– She made it herself.
Using Prepositions with Pronouns
When prepositions are used with pronouns, they form prepositional phrases. A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition followed by a pronoun or a noun. The pronoun used in a prepositional phrase must be in the objective case (me, you, him, her, it, us, them).
For example:
– She sat next to him.
– This gift is for you.
– The cat jumped over them.
Prepositions of Place with Pronouns
Prepositions of place indicate the location of something in relation to something else. When using prepositions of place with pronouns, the pronouns must be in the objective case.
Examples:
– The keys are with me.
– The dog is behind her.
– The ball rolled under it.
Prepositions of Time with Pronouns
Prepositions of time indicate when something happens. When these prepositions are used with pronouns, the pronouns must be in the objective case.
Examples:
– The meeting is before us.
– The event will be held after them.
– The project is due by her.
Prepositions of Direction with Pronouns
Prepositions of direction indicate the movement of something from one place to another. When these prepositions are used with pronouns, the pronouns must be in the objective case.
Examples:
– He ran towards me.
– She threw the ball to him.
– They walked around us.
Prepositions of Cause and Manner with Pronouns
Prepositions of cause indicate the reason for something, while prepositions of manner indicate how something is done. When these prepositions are used with pronouns, the pronouns must be in the objective case.
Examples:
– The decision was made because of her.
– The song was performed by them.
– The cake was baked for me.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using the wrong case of pronoun after a preposition is a common mistake for English learners. Remember, the pronouns used after prepositions should always be in the objective case. Here are some common errors and their corrections:
Incorrect: The book is between you and I.
Correct: The book is between you and me.
Incorrect: This secret is just between you and I.
Correct: This secret is just between you and me.
Incorrect: He gave the gift to she and I.
Correct: He gave the gift to her and me.
Incorrect: The conversation was about he.
Correct: The conversation was about him.
Incorrect: The responsibility lies with they.
Correct: The responsibility lies with them.
Prepositional Phrases with Reflexive Pronouns
Sometimes, prepositional phrases use reflexive pronouns to indicate that the subject and the object of the verb are the same person or thing. Reflexive pronouns include myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Examples:
– She did all the work by herself.
– I am proud of myself.
– They should take care of themselves.
Special Cases with Reflexive Pronouns
In some cases, reflexive pronouns are used for emphasis, to indicate that someone did something alone or without help.
Examples:
– He prepared the meal himself.
– The CEO opened the meeting herself.
– We built the treehouse ourselves.
Idiomatic Expressions with Prepositions and Pronouns
English is full of idiomatic expressions that combine prepositions with pronouns. These expressions often have meanings that are not immediately apparent from the individual words.
Examples:
– Out of sorts: Feeling unwell or in a bad mood.
– She has been out of sorts all day.
– Up to no good: Engaging in mischievous or dishonest activity.
– The children are up to no good again.
– On top of the world: Feeling very happy or elated.
– He felt on top of the world after winning the competition.
– In over one’s head: Involved in something that is too difficult to handle.
– She realized she was in over her head in the new job.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of prepositions with pronouns, here are some practice exercises. Try to fill in the blanks with the correct preposition and pronoun.
1. The gift is ________ (for, she).
2. The responsibility lies ________ (with, he).
3. The secret is ________ (between, you and I).
4. She completed the project ________ (by, herself).
5. The conversation was ________ (about, they).
Answers:
1. for her
2. with him
3. between you and me
4. by herself
5. about them
Conclusion
Mastering the use of prepositions with pronouns is crucial for anyone learning English. These small words can significantly impact the meaning and clarity of your sentences. By remembering that pronouns used after prepositions should be in the objective case and practicing with various examples, you can improve your fluency and confidence in using English. Keep practicing and soon you’ll find that using prepositions with pronouns comes naturally to you. Happy learning!
