Tamilnadu State Board Class 10 English Grammar Prepositional Phrases
♦ Prepositional Phrases (Text Book Page No.: 42-44)
A prepositional phrase is a series of words made up of a Preposition and its object. The object may be a Noun, Pronoun, Gerund or Clause. A prepositional phrase functions as an Adjective or an Adverb.
These prepositions are formed by two-word or a three-word combination such as according to, along with, at the time of, because of, owing to, instead of etc. These kinds of prepositions are used frequently in our day to day life.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
| according to | as stated by, on the authority of | According to the weatherman, we can expect more cold weather this week. |
| along with | together with | We have to give importance to Physical Education along with all the academic subjects. |
| because of | on account of | We stayed at home because of the bad weather. |
| owing to | because of | I can’t accept your invitation owing to a previous engagement. |
| instead of | in place of, substituting for | I wish I were going to a party instead of my brother. |
| in the event of | in case of | The match will be stopped in the event of heavy rain. |
Here are some commonly used Phrasal prepositions.
- According to : Cut your coat according to your cloth.
- Along with : She came to the party along with her friend.
- Because of : He won the case because of his sincere efforts to find the truth.
- By means of : He was pulled out of the well by means of a long rope.
- Due to : Kamal was refused hail ticket due to lack of attendance.
- In spite of : In spite of facing hardships, he gave money to his friend.
- Instead of : I gave the children pizza instead of idijes for breakfast today.
- On account of : He got a promotion on account of his hard work.
- In case of : In case of any emergency, dial loo to call the police.
- With reference to: He gave details to the police with reference to his complaint regarding the theft.
- In the event of : Dont use elevators in the event of fire in this building.
- In order to : He burnt midnight oil in order to score more in the exams.
- On behalf of : I thanked the sponsors on behalf of all participants.
Exercise
Choose the appropriate prepositional phrase and complete the sentences
Question 1.
He succeeded ___________ hard work.
(a) in case of
(b) by dint of
(c) in course of
(d) on behalf of
Answer:
(b) by dint of
Question 2.
___________ rain, take an umbrella.
(a) In case of
(b) On behalf of
(c) Due to
(d) On account of
Answer:
(a) In case of
Question 3.
____________ his illness, he retired from hisob.
(a) In spite of
(b) In case of
(c) According to
(d) Owing to
Answer:
(d) Owing to
Question 4.
He realized his mistake ___________ time.
(a) in spite of
(b) in case of
(c) according to
(d) In course of
Answer:
(d) in course of
Question 5.
He presented the report ____________ his colleagues.
(a) in case of
(b) on behalf of
(c) due to
(d) on account of
Answer:
(b) on behalf of
Question 6.
He persevered ____________ difficulties.
(a) in spite of
(b) in case of
(c) according to
(d) in course of
Answer:
(a) in spite of
Question 7.
Prove your worth by doing something ___________ talking.
(a) in spite of
(b) due to
(c) instead of
(d) in case of
Answer:
(c) instead of
Question 8.
Act ___________ my instructions.
(a) in view of
(b) in lieu of
(c) according to
(d) looking to
Answer:
(c) according to
Question 9.
Why don’t you go ___________ your parents?
(a) along with
(b) with in
(c) in to
(d) on to
Answer:
(a) along with
Question 10.
There is a big tree ___________ his house.
(a) In case of
(b) in behind to
(c) in front of
(d) on front to
Answer:
(c) in front of
Question 11.
They migrated to America ___________ higher studies,
(a) for the safe of
(b) for the sake of
(c) in front of
(d) in case of
Answer:
(b) for the sake of
Question 12.
He gave theudgement __________ his eldest son.
(a) with reference to
(b) with respect to
(c) in favour of
(d) on favour to
Answer:
(c) in favour of
Question 13.
He attended school ___________ his illness.
(a) in spite of
(b) in case of
(c) according to
(d) owing to
Answer:
(a) in spite of
Question 14.
The company suffered huge losses ___________ his incompetence.
(a) in view of
(b) in lieu of
(c) on account of
(d) looking to
Answer:
(c) on account of
Question 15.
___________ your advertisement, ¡ apply for the vacant post.
(a) With reference to
(b) with respect to
(c) in favour of
(d) on favour to
Answer:
(a) With reference to