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 “higher” than something else—physically, 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.
You’re only allowed in if you’re 21 or above.
The position above mine has become vacant, so I’m 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 it’s used for a subject or a predicate nominative. The nominative case pronouns (aka subject pronouns) are “I,” “we,” “she,” “he,” “it,” “they,” “you,” and “who.”
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., “I” or “me”). For example, when a pronoun is an object rather than a subject, it needs to be in the objective case (e.g., “me”). 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 “concerning” or that indicates a topic or subject, as well as an adverb meaning “approximately” or “nearly.”
About examples in a sentenceI need to talk to David about the marketing budget.
Published on
March 26, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A preposition of place (e.g., “in,” “on,” or “at”) begins a prepositional phrase that describes a location (e.g., “under the sofa”). 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., “The sock was under the sofa”).
The location can be physical (e.g., “in Paris” or “on the table”) or abstract (e.g., “on the radio” or “in the TikTok video”).
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 examples Maria left her wallet at home, so she couldn’t 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 “main clause” 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 doesn’t communicate a complete idea because it begins with a dependent marker (e.g., “if” or “which”). A subordinate clause needs a main clause in order to make complete sense.
Main clause examples If Moira can’t 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 preposition (e.g., as a preposition of direction indicating a destination). “To” is also part of the full infinitive verb form (e.g., “to eat”).
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 “together in the same place as” (e.g., “Keep it with you at all times”), “having/featuring” (e.g., “The one with the polka dots”), and “using” (e.g., “Crush the biscuits with a rolling pin”).
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., “for,” “on,” “in,” “to,” and “by”).
With examples in a sentenceI put it here with all the other travel documents.
Who did we see that movie with?
It’s 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 don’t convey very much meaning on their own. They express meaning as a result of their grammatical relationship with the other words in the sentence.
