An LSCC Learning Center Self Paced Tutorial

PARTS OF SPEECH:Prepositions Interjections Andconjunctions

What are the Parts of Speech?

This is the common term for the various categories of words that make up the English language.

They are:– Nouns Verbs– Pronouns Adverbs– Adjectives Articles– Prepositions Conjunctions– Interjections

The good news is – this is the entire list!The bad news is - many of these categories have multiple subgroups.

Today we will discuss prepositions, interjections and conjunctions. Let’s do the easiest one first – interjections.

INTERJECTIONS

An interjection is word or phrase that does not add to the general grammar of a sentence, but indicates strong feelings. It is usually punctuated by an exclamation mark.

Examples: Ouch! Wow! Yikes! Bleep! Think of stubbing your toe, falling

down, seeing something scary – What would you say?

Superman was walking along when, pow!

He was attacked from behind.

PREPOSITIONS

Definition: word used before noun: a member of a set of words used in close connection with, and usually before, nouns and pronouns to show their relation to another part of a clause. (Encarta)

What? Just remember this:pre (comes before a noun or pronoun)

position (describes the location of the noun/pronoun in time, space, or

logical construction

PREPOSITIONS

The Positions of the Prepositions:Like a course in physics, some of them take us through space

and time.

Location fixed in physical space: over, under, in, on, by, The cat is in the tree.

Location moving through space. to, through, across A river runs through the property.

Location fixed in time: in, on, at, before The train arrives every hour on the hour.  

PREPOSITIONS

The Positions of the Prepositions:Some of them point logically to show us how things are done.

Agency: by, with The book was written by Twain. Combination: with

I like my fava beans with a nice Chianti. Reason: for

He was prepared to fight for his freedom.

PREPOSITIONS

 More Positions of the Prepositions:More that show us how things are done.

Quantity: by, of

Gasoline is sold by the gallon. Comparison: like

A bedlington terrier looks like a baby lamb. Role: as

As a sportscaster, she gets to attend the Super Bowl every year.

PREPOSITIONS

Because prepositions must refer to a noun, it is technically improper to end a sentence with one.

NO: He is the person I am speaking to.

YES: He is the person to whom I am speaking.

Even leaders often violate this rule: As Winston Churchill said, “This is the sort of

English up with which I cannot put.” 

PREPOSITIONS – in common use

AlongAround AsAtBefore Behind Below

BesideBetweenByDownForFromExcept

InNearOfOffOnOver

Since

ThroughTillToTowardUnderUpWith

PREPOSITIONS - COMPOUND

According to

As of

As well as

Aside from

Because of

By means of

In addition to

In front of

In place of

In regard to

In respect to

In spite of

Instead of

On account of

Out of

Prior to

A compound preposition is two or more words that form one meaning and act as one preposition.

CONJUNCTIONS

A conjunction connects words or groups of words together logically.

There are four basic kinds of conjunctions:– Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)– Correlative conjunctions– Subordinating conjunctions– Conjunctive adverbs

CONJUNCTIONS

A coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) connects – single words or groups of words with the same

logical structure, such as all nouns: Peanut butter, pickles, ham, and jelly

– two independent clauses (sentences) Seattle is a wonderful city, but

it can be very rainy.Use a comma before the conjunction whenjoining two sentences or lists of three or moreitems.

F

A

N

B

O

Y

S

CONJUNCTIONS

FANBOYS rule! There are only seven coordinating conjunctions.

You can remember them using the mnemonic:

F A N B O Y S

o n o u r e o

r d r t t

CONJUNCTIONS

A correlative conjunction relates or joins two or more parallel words, and tells us if they share or divide the action of the verb.

Shares: Not only…but also both…and

Divides: Either...or Neither…nor

Both Jen and Andrew attend LSCC. plural

Either Jen or Andrew attends LSCC. singular

CONJUNCTIONS

A subordinating conjunction: Places one clause below the other in terms of logic and meaning, making it dependent on the other clause for complete meaning. Sub = below Ordinal = priority or level

Introduces a subordinate clause:Because it was raining, we went home.

We went home because it was raining.Note – use a comma if the subordinate clause begins the

sentence, but not if it is in the middle.

CONJUNCTIONS

A subordinating conjunction Sets up a conditional idea:

Because it was raining What happened then??

Although we were tired What did you do??

“Kills” an independent clause (sentence):

It was raining. (complete idea = sentence)

Because it was raining (incomplete = what happened?)

CONJUNCTIONS

Some common subordinating conjunctions:AfterAlthoughAsAs soon as

Be careful because some of these words can also be prepositions. You need a subject +verb combination to create a clause.

After the game = prepositional phrase (no sub + verb)After I left the party = subordinate clause

Before While

Because When

Since Whenever

Until

CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

Conjunctive adverbs join two sentences and show a relationship between their meanings. They need a semicolon before and a comma after.

– A poorly maintained car can be dangerous; therefore, we should pay attention to the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines.

– I was setting up for the surprise party; meanwhile, Maria kept the guest of honor away from the room.

CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

AccordinglyAlsoBesidesConsequentlyFinallyFurthermoreHoweverIndeed

Instead ThusLater WhereasMoreoverNeverthelessOtherwiseStillTherefore

Commonly used conjunctive adverbs include:

PREPOSITIONS, CONJUNCTIONS, andINTERJECTIONS

If you want more information about this topic:– Meet with your instructor– Visit the Learning Center or its web pages– Go online to the Purdue OWL