ENGLISH

Distinguishing Prepositions, Conjunctions and Adverb Particles.

Look at the image below.

Who can comment on the image using sentences with prepositions and conjunctions in them?

Who can comment on this other image ?

How does one distinguish among prepositions, subordinating conjunctions and adverb particles?

PrepositionsWords showing relationship between two parts of a sentence, people, items etc in terms of space, position, time etc. Are usually followed by prepositional objects or complements.E.g Boys rarely pray before they eat. (time.)

Can you identify prepositions in the story below?

WEPUKHULU "A Luhya man named Wepukhulu fainted outside Kenchic.A crowd gathered around him and someone said "Somebody please give him some water!"On hearing this, Wepukhulu opened one eye and said,"Toka apa bwana! If I wanted water I would have fainted outside Nairobi Water Company.”

Adverb ParticlesThese are prepositions or adverbs used in phrasal verbs. E.g look up, get over.

Describe what you see in the image below using prepositions and phrasal verbs.

Subordinating conjunctionsThese are words used to join two clauses. Examples are before, since, after etc.

e.g Mary made a short prayer.

Mary then went to bed.

Can be joined into one as:

Mary made a short prayer before going to bed.

Now read the story below and identify the prepositions, adverb particles and subordinating conjunctions used.

The confession

A priest was being honoured at his retirement dinner after serving the parish for 25 years. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and give a little speech at the dinner. He was delayed, so the priest took over. He decided to put in his own few words while they waited.

"I got my first impression of this parish from the first confession. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place because of what I heard. The very first person to enter my confessional told me he had stolen a television set although when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it.

He had stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his boss' wife, taken illegal drugs and he had transmitted a VD to his sister. He said so much until I was appalled. As the days went on however, I knew that my people were not all like that and I had, indeed, come to a fine parish full of good and loving people."

Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and gave his talk. "I'll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived," said the politician. "In fact, I had the honour of being the first one to go to him in confession....."

Everybody burst into laughter.

*Moral of the story: Don't be late for meetings.*

ConclusionQuizRespond to the questions below with either yes or no and explain your answer.

a. There is no difference among prepositions, conjunctions and adverb particles. Yes/ No.

b. Subordinating conjunctions are the only type of conjunctions in English. Yes / No.

c. The main difference between preposition and adverb particles is their use. Yes/ No.