Skill 2: Be careful of objects of prepositions

Previous Skill: Subject and Verb (Skill 1)

An object of preposition is a noun or pronoun that comes after a preposition, such as in, at, of, to, by, behind, on and so on, to form a prepositional phrase.

(After his exams) Tom will take a trip (by boat)

This sentence contains two objects of prepositions. Exam is the object of preposition after and boat is object of preposition by.

An object of preposition can cause confusion in the Structure Section of the TOEFL Test because it can be mistaken for the subject of a sentence.

A word after a preposition is called object of preposition and If a word is an object of preposition, it is not the Subject.

Example:

With his friend .............found the movie theater.

(A) has

(B) he

(C) later

(D) when

Analysis:

• In the sentence you should look first for the SUBJECT and VERB. The Verb is found, but there is no Subject.
• Remember that friend is not a Subject, it is only object of preposition with.
• Because a Subject is needed in this sentence, so answer (B), he is the best answer.
• Answer (A), (C), and (D) are not correct because they can't be Subject.

 Exercise 2:

1. The interviews by radio broadcasters were carried live by the station. (C)

    Analysis:

• Subject is interviews and Verb is were carried. So, it is correct.
• radio broadcasters is not subject. It is object of preposition by.

2. In the last possible moment before takeoff took his seat om the airplane. (I)

    Analysis:

• Verb is took, but there is not Subject. So it is incorrect.
• Last possible moment and takeoff are not Subject. They are only Object of prepositions.

3. At the neighborhood  flower shop, flowers in quantities of a dozen or a half dozen can be delivered.

    Analysis:

• Subject is Flowers and Verb is can be delivered. So, it is correct.
• Neighborhood flower shop and in quantities of a dozen or half dozen are not Subject. They are only Object of preposition.

4. The progressive reading methods at this school are given credit for the improved test scores. ( C)

    Analysis:

• Subject is The progressive reading methods and Subject is are given. So, it is correct.
• this school is not a subject. It is only object of preposition at.

5. For the last three years at various hospitals in the country has been practicing medicine. (I)

    Analysis: 

• Verb is has been practicing, but there is no Subject. So, it is incorrect.
• Last three years, various hospitals and country are not subject. They are only object of prepositions.