Prepositions that show Logical Relationships

The following examples deal with some common problems with prepositions but they do not cover all meanings of each preposition.

1.Preposition “of” shows the relationship between a part or parts and the whole. (When “one” comes before “of” “one “ is the subject of the clause and takes a singular verb even though the noun after “of” must be plural.)

One of our friends has a car.

One ofthe best methods is the one that you used yesterday.

But: Much of the water is polluted. (uncountable)

Plural nouns must be replaced by plural pronouns.

One of them has a car.

One of themis the one that you used yesterday.

Many of them have cars.

Ten of them are missing.

Some of them are here.

An uncountable noun can follow “of”and can usually be replaced by “it”.

Some of the rice (it) has been burned.

Much ofthe advice (it) that I get is useless.

All ofthe news (it) is good today.

None of the information (it) was helpful.

Chris is a doctorof dentistry.

Bart is a professor ofbiology.

2. Prepositions “of; out of; from” are used to show origin and material.

Willis is a citizen ofAustralia.

Sara is a student from Mexico.( her home is Mexico)

George is a student of Mexico .( He studies about Mexico)

They are residents ofthe United States.

Amanda is a doctor fromMassachusetts.( Her home is in Massachusetts).

Amanda is a doctor of medicine.( kind of doctor).

The desk is made of/from/out of wood.

This cloth comes from India ; it is made of/from/out of silk.

This jam is made of/ from/ out of strawberries. Butter is made of/ from/ out of cream.

Ofcan also show material or content.

We bought a basketoftomatoes. (Tomatoes were in the basket).

We bought a basket ofstraw. (The basket was made out of straw).

3.Foris used to show purpose

Thelma is going for an interview tomorrow.

Larry needs a new casefor his camera.

4.OnandAbout are used to show a subject.

I just bought a book on/about botany.

Walter has read many articleson/about opera.

5.Prepositions except andbutshow omission.

No one but/except Catherine saw the new schedule.

Everyone is ready except/but Arthur.

6. Prepositionsbyand with show an agent and preposition without shows the lack of the agent.

They traveledby foot, car, plane, train, etc.

The small boy tied his shoesby himself.(without any help. With no help from anyone).

7. Prepositions on account of, because of, owing to, due to are used to show the cause.

Owing to

Due to

On account of

Because ofhis age, he couldn’t get the job he wanted.

Do not confusebecause of withbecause. Because introduces a dependent clause; it must be followed by a subject and a verb.

Because he was too young, he couldn’t get the job he wanted.(Conjunction)

Because of his age , he couldn’t get the job he wanted.

8. Prepositions besides, together with, as well as, with, in addition to show ideas and information. Do not confusebeside andbesides.

Three teamsbesides/in addition to/ together with/as well as ours played in the tournament. (Besides is usually the best choice to avoid wordiness).

The teamswith their supporters filled the gym.

9. Preposition without shows lack or omission.

Withouttheir supporters, the teams played in an empty gym.

10. Prepositions in spite ofor despite show concession.

Despite

In spite of the bad weather, our trip to the mountains was a success.

Many people are cheerfulin spite oftheir problems.

11. Preposition like shows similarities. Prepositionas is used only in the meaning “in the role of”, otherwise , useas a conjunction.

Likefather, like son.

He looks like his father, walks like his father, and eats like his father.

Now I am speaking not as your doctor but as your friend.(prepositions)

She is not as friendly as her brother is. (conjunction).

12. Do not confuse toas a preposition withto in the infinitive phrase.

Prepositions of space are often used in a figurative sense to show logical relationships.

What are the reasonsbehind your proposal?

Cliff’s reputation isabove reproach.

The costs have goneabove/beyondthe estimate.

Participial Prepositions

A number of –ing forms can be followed by nouns or pronouns in a construction similar to that of a prepositional phrase.