THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, DUBAI

WS 7 - WORDS USED AS PREPOSITIONS OR AS ADVERBS NOTES & EX

SUBJECT: LITERACY
NOTES
Many words that we use as prepositions can also be used as adverbs. A number of
them are also conjunctions and adjectives. To recognize the difference in using them,
we need to remember that there is a noun or pronoun after the preposition. The noun
or pronoun is the object of the preposition. An adverb does not take an object.

A small stream flows across the plain. (Preposition)

This river has no bridge, we have to swim across. (Adverb)

In the first sentence above, we have the noun plain coming after the word
across (across the plain). The noun plain is the object of the preposition across. The
second sentence has the verb swim which doesn't have an object. The
word across that comes after the verb is easily recognized as an adverb as it doesn't
take an object and it also modifies the verb swim.
EXERCISE
1. The railway runs the highway.
2. We wondered what the driver wanted when his car came ..
3. Who is that person . you and your brother on the photo?
4. This is a photo of that famous footballer's legs with a football ..
5. There are too many prisoners the prison.
6. Who says you can just come ?
7. This is the second time he's fallen his horse.
8. All of us were at the airport to see her .
9. Your puppy is sleeping my car.
10. His left eye was swollen with a bruise ..
ANSWERS
1. The railway runs alongside the highway. (Preposition)
2. We wondered what the driver wanted when his car came alongside. (Adverb)
3. Who is that person between you and your brother on the photo? (Preposition)
4. This is a photo of that famous footballer's legs with a football between. (Adverb)
5. There are too many prisoners in the prison. (Preposition)
6. Who says you can just come in? (Adverb)
7. This is the second time he's fallen of his horse. (Preposition)
8. All of us were at the airport to see her of. (Adverb)
9. Your puppy is sleeping underneath my car. (Preposition)
10. His left eye was swollen with a bruise underneath. (Adverb)