Nouns plus prepositions followed by the gerund

The following nouns + preposition are also followed by gerund.

Choice of       possibility of        excuse for       intention of Reason for       method for

• George has no excuse for dropping out of school.
• There is a possibility of acquiring this property at a good price.
• There is no reason for leaving this early.
• Connie has developed a method for evaluating this problem.

Any time a preposition is followed directly by a verb, the verb will be in the gerund form.

• After leaving the party, Ali drove home.
• He should have stayed in new York instead of moving to Maine.

Classification of prepositions

There are seven kinds of preposition

Simple Preposition 

A single worded preposition before a noun or a pronoun in a sentence  is known as a Simple preposition.

Note: in, on, at, by, for, etc.

Examples:

• The children are swinging in the river. 
• He was sitting on his case. 
• We can be in at a building. 
• I am benefited by his advice. 
• We are looking for his arrival.

Double preposition

When two simple prepositions are used as a simple preposition is known as a Double preposition. 

Note: into, within, upon, up to, without, upon, etc.

Here,

In + to = into, with + in = within, up + on = upon, up + to = up to, with + out = without.

Examples:

• The class was divided into two parts. 
• One should live within one’s means. 
• The cat sprang upon the table. 
• No living being can live without air.

Compound preposition 

A simple preposition adding before a noun or adjective or an adverb used as a preposition is called a compound preposition. 

Note: along, across, about, beside, before, above, outside, between, etc.

Examples:

• We are walking along the road. 
• He walked across the field. 
• We agree about most things. 
• We camped beside a lake. 
• The patient had died before the doctor came. 
• The sky is above our heads. 
• Divide the sweet between John and Jack.

Participle preposition 

When a participle is used as a preposition before a noun or a pronoun in a sentence it is known as a participle preposition.

Note: During, concerning, pending, respecting, touching, regarding, considering, etc.

Examples:

• The fisherman worked during the rainy season. 
• I have an information concerning this matter. 
• We know everything regarding this matter. 
• Father pardoned her considering her age.

Phrase preposition 

When a phrase is used as a preposition before a noun or a pronoun in a sentence, it is known as a phrase preposition. 

Note: By dint of, on behalf of, by all means, in order to, with a view, by virtue of, etc.

Example:

• She stood first by dint of merit. 
• He speaks on behalf of his team. 
• They will win the game by all means. 
• We study hard in order to make a good result. 
• We went to library with a view to reading books. 
• We can overcome any difficulty by virtue of perseverance.

Detached preposition

A detached preposition is a preposition which is related to an interrogative pronoun or interrogative adverb or relative pronoun or relative adverb but sites at end of the sentence.

Note: in, for, from, with, to, at, etc.

Examples:

• We cuckoo sings in the spring. 
• What is New York famous for? 
• Where have you come from? 
• Whom are you speaking with?
•  I come back home at sunset.

Disguised preposition 

A preposition which is used in disguise before a noun or a pronoun in a sentence is called a disguised preposition.

Note:  in, on, of, at, per, etc.

Examples:

• The hunter went out on a hunting. 
• The baby fell in fast sleep.

Introduction to prepositions

A preposition is a word which is used before a noun or pronoun to show the relation of the noun or pronoun with any other word in the sentence.

The following of preposition: in, on, at, of, for, by, about, off, up, into, from, with, after, since, without, away, down, behind, regarding, during, concerning, beside, below, through, since, beside, along, according , etc.

Examples:

• He is talking of emigrating. 
• They seceded in escaping. 
• Father goes to his office by train. 
• John has come from U.S.A 
• John studies in New York University. 
• She has been here for two hours. 
• I came here to study.

Preposition normally precede noun or pronoun

Examples:

• Preposition before adverb: The boys are moving about here and there. 
• Preposition before adjective: He got the articles is short. 
• Preposition before gerund: I am sure of passing the examination. 
• Preposition before phrase: We can depend on a man of words. 
• Preposition before clause: You can rely on what father says. 
• Preposition before infinitive: Uncle is about to leave house.

In questions beginning with a preposition + what/where/whom/which/whose

Examples:

• What is New York famous for? 
• Where do you live in? 
• To whom were you talking? 
• Which drawer does he keep it in?