The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun governed by the preposition in a prepositional phrase. There are quite a few different grammatical concepts crammed into that not-so-long sentence! But don’t worry—by the time you finish this guide, you’ll have all the context you need to understand what the object of a preposition is and how to use one.
What is a preposition?
Prepositions express the relationship between a noun (or a word acting like a noun)—the object of the preposition—and another element of a sentence. The relationships prepositions can show include physical position (about, above, below, on, and under), direction (in, into, to, toward), time (after, before, during, until), and source (from, of, out of). Here are some example sentences using common prepositions:
The cat under the bed is sleeping quietly.
We headed into the gallery opening after chatting outside.
Before making a major decision, it’s a good idea to get enough sleep the night before.
Would you mind stopping to pick up some bread from that bakery we love?
The preposition, the object of the preposition, and any words that modify the object of the preposition together make up a prepositional phrase. In the above examples, the prepositional phrases are under the bed, into the gallery opening, before making a major decision, and from that bakery we love.
What is the object of a preposition?
The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun being acted on, referenced, or affected by the preposition in a prepositional phrase. It’s the word or group of words that has a relationship with something else in the sentence that the prepositional phrase is expressing. In almost every case, it’s the noun or pronoun that appears after the preposition. Here are the same examples from above, this time showing the objects of the prepositions:
The cat under the bed is sleeping quietly.
We headed into the gallery opening after chatting on the sidewalk.
Before making a major decision, it’s a good idea to get a solid night of sleep.
Would you mind stopping to pick up some bread from that bakery we love?
Compounds and clauses as objects of prepositions
Often, the object of a preposition isn’t a single noun or pronoun but a compound object or a noun clause.
When the object of a preposition is a compound, it includes two or more nouns or pronouns joined by a coordinating conjunction:
The pouch full of nickels and dimes weighed over a pound.
No one knew about the meetings, lunches, or workshops that were coming up.
A noun clause can also serve as the object of a preposition:
We will work with whichever contractor comes most highly recommended.
The soup kitchen serves food to whomever needs it.
What else is in a prepositional phrase?
Any words in prepositional phrases that are neither the preposition nor the object of the preposition work together to modify the object. Here is one of the sentences we’ve been looking at again, this time with only the words other than the preposition and the object of the preposition in bold:
Before making a major decision, it’s a good idea to get a solid night of sleep.
The words modifying the object of the preposition can come after it as well, and they can be clauses or phrases—even entire prepositional phrases contained within the main prepositional phrase. Here are a few more examples:
Would you mind stopping to pick up some bread from that bakery we love?
Here, in addition to the adjective that, the adjective clause [that] we love is also modifying bakery.
She took advantage of the lower-than-average interest rates and bought a house.
Here, the article the and the adjective phrase lower than average are modifying interest rates, which is the object of the preposition of.
We are learning everything to do with objects of prepositions.
Here, the prepositional phrase of prepositions is modifying objects, which is itself the object of the preposition with.
Tips for using objects of prepositions correctly
Staying alert about a couple of rules can help you use objects of prepositions confidently in your writing.
Subject-verb agreement
When a prepositional phrase modifies the subject of a sentence and appears between the subject and the verb, the entire phrase—not simply the object of the preposition—is the subject that the verb must agree with in number:
Pronoun case
When the object of a preposition is a pronoun, it should always be in the objective case.
Will you come with me to the party on Friday?
They explored the options near them before deciding where to eat.
I need to get in touch with whom?
More examples of objects of prepositions
It’s best to read the chapters of the book in the order they are presented.
When we got to the beach, we knew we had chosen the right destination.
I put the rest of your sandwich in the refrigerator.
Before coming to the party, they had gone to a movie.
He was away for what seemed like an unusually long time.
It’s never a good idea to park in front of a hydrant.
If you get there before me, will you light us a fire?
Object of a preposition FAQs
What is a preposition?
A preposition is a function word that links a noun or pronoun with another part of the sentence to show a relationship between them. The relationships they can express include physical position (about, above, below, on, and under), direction (in, into, to, toward), time (after, before, during, until), and source (from, of, out of).
What is the object of a preposition?
The object of a preposition is the noun or pronoun, usually following the preposition, that the preposition links to the other element in the sentence. When the object of a preposition is a pronoun, it should be in the objective case. The object of a preposition can be a compound or a noun clause, as well as a single noun or pronoun.
What is a prepositional phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that contains, at minimum, a preposition and its object.
What other words can appear in a prepositional phrase?
Besides the preposition and its object, a prepositional phrase can also contain words that modify the object of the preposition. They can be adjectives, adjective clauses, or adjective phrases, including prepositional phrases.
