Prepositions of Agancy
Prepositions of Agancy
Prepositions of Agancy
These prepositions are usually placed to connect the doer and the doing, basically
the noun and the verb. Agent, as you know, is the connector. It’s that which
makes something happen. So that means Preposition of Agency or
Instrumentality are placed in a sentence to fulfil the purpose of showing an
agent. Let’s see which words do this and how:
1) By:
The much acclaimed song “Something” was written by none other than Sir
George Harrison.
We drove away the mosquitoes with the repellant spray. (A doing was
done with something- Drove away is the action and the repellant spray is
the noun that the preposition with is connecting. The purpose of the
preposition here as you can see is to show the agent of the action-
Preposition of Agency or Instrumentality.)
We flushed out the dirt from the terrace with water. (The verb or the action
here is flushed out and the noun is water. The act was done using the noun,
water and the word showing this agency is shown using the the
preposition- with.)
Mother chopped onions with a knife.
Of: This preposition of possession is usually used for cities, countries, people, and
possessive pronouns. Of is placed in a sentence to show possession of a place like
a city, country or people or possessive pronouns like mine, yours, etc.
explains to whom the person or an object belongs to. In this case Let’s see a few
examples:
A train is used for travelling to different places. (Why is a train used? The
purpose of a train is to travel. The preposition for is the preposition of cause
in this sentence as it is showing the purpose of a train.)
Virat Kohli received a Padma Shri for his exceptional performance in the
field of cricket. (Why was Virat Kohli given Padma Shri? The award was
given because of his exceptional performance. The reason of the Padma Shri
award is being indicated by the preposition for.)
1. To: Usually used to show the purpose of the noun. This preposition joins a
noun with a verb.
Thank you for bringing us a casserole while our mom is out of town.
On account of the flight delay caused, the Prime minister will reach the
office later than expected.
4. Owing to: Shows a cause
Owing to the brilliant example set by Ellen Degeneres, she received a Medal
of Freedom by President Obama.
Concession are words like “though”( despite the fact that) or “although” that are
used to show a different idea than suggested by the main part. For example:
Although my best friend is very tall and atheltic, she didn’t make it in the
basketball team.
Used after an adjective or adverb, the preposition as can be used in the place
of though. Let’s see how that works:
In spite of attracting an income tax raid last year, the minister kept his scams
going.
Well, these are not exactly words that connect clauses. They usually mark
discourses between sentences. Let’s see that with an example:
This cat is quick at its feet; however, it can’t catch a mouse.
I love to sleep all day long; nonetheless, I also like to play football.
5. All the same (despite what has just been said) and At the same time
(ამავდროულად)
Just like the above category of Preposition of contrast and concession, these
prepositions do not connect two clauses. They are used after a semicolon to show
the contrast of ideas in the two clauses. Let’s see an example:
Elephants are huge; all the same, they are very calm creatures.
Elephants are huge; at the same time, they are very calm creatures.
Lions are the strongest; all the same, they keep the hunting for their
lionesses.
Lions are the strongest; at the same time, they keep the hunting for their
lionesses.
Prepositions of Manner
The most commonly used Prepositions of Manner are “by” and “with”. We make
use of By whenever we talk about actions and it is usually followed by the gerund
(verb + -ing) or a noun, while we make use of With to talk about objects or tools
that are used to achieve something and it is often followed by a noun.
1. Prepositions of form- By, With. They have the same purpose in the sentence
but not the same meaning. Both of them show the form of the noun. They
show what was used to make something happen.
By is used as –By + noun OR By + -ing + noun
With is used as – with + noun
For example:
He will die by the sword. (the sword will be the manner of his death)
He faces danger with courage. (he is courageous when faced with danger)
She left the room in tears. (she was crying when she left the room)
Answering the question of how:
She lost 2 pounds by going vegan. (how did she lose 2 pounds? by going
vegan)
They went through the blizzard with courage. (how did they go through the
blizzard? with courage)
2. Preposition of method- As if, like, on, as. These show the method with which
something was done.
For example:
She spoke as if she was the head of the team. (in the manner of the head)
He acted like there was no other option. (in a manner that there was no
other option)
I have worked as a teacher and counselor. (in the capacity of a teacher and
counselor)
Try answering the question of how from the following examples:
She went to South Bombay by cab.
1. From: Usually, this preposition joins two nouns in a sentence, or a verb and
a noun. Let’s see a few examples to understand this.
His dedication to crack JEE exam is rooting from his desire to excel in life.
2. Of/Out of: Now this preposition joins two verbs usually. Let’s see a few
examples to understand this.
From what we know of our father, he is a reliable man.
Task 1: Choose from the following prepositions at, below, by, in, on, to and
complete the sentences and questions.
Task 2: Choose from the following prepositions at, between, below, by, in,
on and complete the sentences and questions.
Choose from the following prepositions at, by, for, from, in, on, with and
complete the sentences.
Choose from the following prepositions across, at, from, in, on, to and complete
the sentences.
Choose from the following prepositions at, before, for, on, to, with and
complete the sentences.
EXAMPLE:
Look! The people are getting the train.
ANSWER:
Look! The people are getting on the train.
1. She was born 2004.
2. They are waiting the bus.
3. Don't forget to bring some flowers you.
4. I haven't smoked ages.
5. You can look up the word a dictionary.
6. She is allergic insect stings.
7. I'm looking my keys. Have you found them?
8. The song was written Madonna.
9. He likes to travel Spain in summer.
10.The police car chased the robbers the streets.
Task 3: Rewrite the following sentences using the preposition of contrast and
concession:
Although she is not very tall, she plays basketball remarkably well,
– In spite of ____________________________.