Published on
April 14, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
The word above typically functions as a preposition or an adverb indicating a position or location that is โhigherโ than something elseโphysically, numerically, hierarchically, or figuratively.
Above examples in a sentenceI think the canned tomatoes are at the bottom, below the rice and flour.
She looked up at the grey clouds above.
Youโre only allowed in if youโre 21 or above.
The position above mine has become vacant, so Iโm going to apply for it.
Please see above for more details.
This is because he demands loyalty above all else.
Published on
April 11, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
Nominative case (aka subjective case) is one of the three cases for English nouns and pronouns, and itโs used for a subject or a predicate nominative. The nominative case pronouns (aka subject pronouns) are โI,โ โwe,โ โshe,โ โhe,โ โit,โ โthey,โ โyou,โ and โwho.โ
Nominative case examples
Nominative case nouns
Nominative case pronouns
Subject
Miley bought herself flowers.
She painted her nails bright red.
Predicate nominative
The student with the highest grade is Ben.
The best singers at karaoke last night were you and I.
Learning about nominative case helps you use the correct version of English nouns and pronouns (e.g., โIโ or โmeโ). For example, when a pronoun is an object rather than a subject, it needs to be in the objective case (e.g., โmeโ). The following tips and examples show when the nominative case is necessary and how to use it correctly.
Published on
April 1, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
The word about can be a preposition meaning โconcerningโ or that indicates a topic or subject, as well as an adverb meaning โapproximatelyโ or โnearly.โ
About examples in a sentenceI need to talk to David about the marketing budget.
Itโs a film about aliens.
My school has about 1,000 students.
The gameโs about over; Iโll be home in an hour.
Published on
March 26, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A preposition of place (e.g., โin,โ โon,โ or โatโ) begins a prepositional phrase that describes a location (e.g., โunder the sofaโ). The prepositional phrase shows where a noun or action from another part of the sentence is located in relation to the object of the preposition (e.g., โThe sock was under the sofaโ).
The location can be physical (e.g., โin Parisโ or โon the tableโ) or abstract (e.g., โon the radioโ or โin the TikTok videoโ).
The English language has at least 22 prepositions of place and detailed rules about which preposition to use with different types of locations.
The examples and practice exercises below will help you choose the right preposition of place in conversation and writing.
Prepositional phrases of place examplesย Maria left her wallet at home, so she couldnโt buy food at the store.
I read about the eclipse in the New York Times and on the internet.
Published on
March 26, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
The word by typically functions as a preposition, indicating who or what performs the action in a passive voice sentence, how something is done, and information such as locations, deadlines, and dimensions.
By examples in a sentenceThe carrots are chopped by this machine.
Published on
March 19, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A main clause (also known as an independent clause) is a group of words in a larger sentence that could stand alone as a complete simple sentence. It contains a subject and a verb. In most cases, a main clause expresses a complete idea.
The term โmain clauseโ usually refers to the independent clause in a complex sentence, which also contains at least one subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause). All clauses include a subject and a verb, but not all clauses are independent.
For example, a subordinate clause doesnโt communicate a complete idea because it begins with a dependent marker (e.g., โifโ or โwhichโ). A subordinate clause needs a main clause in order to make complete sense.
Main clause examplesย If Moira canโt babysit, Jocelyn will miss the movie.
Alexis started a businessafter she finished high school.
The hotel got a great reviewbecause the staff was so friendly.
Published on
March 19, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
The word to typically functions as a prepositionย (e.g., as a preposition of direction indicating a destination). โToโ is also part of the full infinitive verb form (e.g., โto eatโ).
Published on
March 19, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
December 31, 2025
The word with is a preposition and conveys meanings such as โtogether in the same place asโ (e.g., โKeep it with you at all timesโ), โhaving/featuringโ (e.g., โThe one with the polka dotsโ), and โusingโ (e.g., โCrush the biscuits with a rolling pinโ).
Its part of speech is always a preposition in standard modern English, unlike many other prepositions, which can often fulfil a variety of other grammatical functions (e.g., โfor,โ โon,โ โin,โ โto,โ and โbyโ).
With examples in a sentenceI put it here with all the other travel documents.
Who did we see that movie with?
Itโs a kind of cabaret with music, dance, and comedy.
Published on
March 11, 2025
by
Tom Challenger, BA.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
The word on is typically a preposition. Function words like prepositions donโt convey very much meaning on their own. They express meaning as a result of their grammatical relationship with the other words in the sentence.
