A preposition is a word that relates a noun or a pronoun to other words in a sentence. It is usually placed before a noun or a pronoun.

Read the following sentences. Take note of the italicized words.

• The poem about a child's hopes and dreams is beautiful.

• The dreams of a child can be inspiring.

• It has been a child's hope for a long time.

• His life during his childhood days was carefree.

The italicized words about, of, for, and during are called prepositions. These words relate to the noun or pronoun in the sentence. They are usually placed before a noun or a pronoun.

The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition is called the object of the preposition.

Sometimes, there are words between the preposition and the object of the preposition. They describe or modify the object of the preposition. They are called modifiers.

The preposition, its object, and the modifiers of the object make up the prepositional phrase.

The preposition, modifier, object of the preposition, and the prepositional phrase in the following sentence are shown below.

• The poem about a child's hopes and dreams is beautiful.

Preposition: about

Modifier: a child's

Object of the Preposition: hopes; dreams

Prepositional Phrase: about a child's hopes and dreams

The preposition, modifier, object of the preposition, and the prepositional phrase in the following sentence are shown below.

• The dreams of a child can be inspiring.

Preposition: of

Modifier: a

Object of the Preposition: child

Prepositional Phrase: of a child

The preposition, modifier, object of the preposition, and the prepositional phrase in the following sentence are shown below.

• It has been a child's hope for a long time.

Preposition: for

Modifier: a long

Object of the Preposition: time

Prepositional Phrase: for a long time

The preposition, modifier, object of the preposition, and the prepositional phrase in the following sentence are shown below.

• His life during his childhood days was carefree.

Preposition: during

Modifier: his childhood

Object of the Preposition: days

Prepositional Phrase: during his childhood days