A GOVERNING WORD

312. The preposition shows the relation between two words. In this way it enables us to use a noun or a pronoun as a modifying word. For example, in the sentence given above, I see the bird in the tree, the preposition in shows the relationship between bird and tree, and makes of tree a modifying word. It expresses a different meaning than if we used the word tree as an adjective. For we do not mean that we see a tree bird, but a bird in a tree. So with the help of the preposition in, we have used tree as a modifying word.

But the preposition in also governs the form of the word that follows it. Since nouns have the same form whether they are used as subject or object, this does not mean any change in the form of the nouns. But pronouns have different forms for the subject and object, so when we use a pronoun with a preposition, we must use the object form. There are seven object forms of the personal pronouns, and after a preposition, always use one of these object forms.

313. Be careful to always use the object form of the pronoun following a preposition. Observe this also in the use of the relative and interrogative pronoun "who." The object form is "whom." For example:

Where to Put the Preposition

314. The preposition generally precedes its object. This is the reason it was given its name, preposition, meaning to place before. Sometimes, however, the preposition is separated from its object. This is often true when it is used with an interrogative or relative pronoun. With these pronouns, the preposition is often thrown to the end of the sentence. For example:

The sentence, To whom shall I give this letter, is grammatically correct; but in ordinary usage we use the form, Who shall I give this letter to?

While the rule calls for the object form of the relative pronoun after a preposition—so that the use of to whom is grammatically correct—in common usage we use the subject form of the pronoun when it is used so far away from the preposition which governs it. So we find this use common. For example, instead of saying, For whom is this letter? we say, Who is this letter for?

315. In poetry also, we often find the object coming before the preposition. For example:

"The interlacing boughs between

Shadows dark and sunlight sheen,

Alternate, come and go."

Boughs is here the object of the preposition between, but in this poetic expression the object is placed before the preposition. Note also in the following:

"The unseen mermaid's pearly song,

Comes bubbling up the weeds among."

"Forever panting and forever young,

All breathing human passion far beyond."

316. After an interrogative adjective, the preposition is also often thrown to the end of the sentence. As, for example:

With these few exceptions, however, the preposition usually precedes its object, as:

POSSESSIVE PHRASES

317. Review Lesson 4, in which we studied the possessive use of nouns. You will recall that we make the possessive form of the nouns by the use of the apostrophe and s. But instead of using the possessive forms of the name of inanimate things; that is, things without life, we generally denote possession by the use of a phrase. Thus we would say, The arm of the chair, instead of, The chair's arm; or, The roof of the house, instead of, The house's roof.

318. We also use a possessive phrase when the use of a possessive form would give an awkward construction. As, for example: Jesus' sayings. So many hissing sounds are not pleasant to the ear and so, we say instead, The sayings of Jesus.

319. We use a phrase also where both nouns are in the plural form. In many words, there is no difference in the sound between a single noun in the possessive form and a plural noun in the possessive form. We can readily tell the meaning when it is written, because the place of the apostrophe indicates the meaning, but when it is spoken the sound is exactly the same. As, for example:

Written out in this way, you know that in the first instance I am speaking of the hats belonging to one lady, but in the second instance of the hats belonging to two or more ladies. But when it is spoken, you can not tell whether I mean one lady or a number of ladies. So we use a phrase and say, The hats of the lady; or, The hats of the ladies. Then the meaning is entirely clear.

320. Sometimes we want to use two possessives together, and in this case it is better to change one of them into a phrase; for example, This is my comrade's father's book. This is an awkward construction. Say instead, This is the book belonging to my comrade's father.

321. Do not overlook the fact, however, that the phrase beginning with of does not always mean possession. Consider the following examples and see if there is not a difference in meaning:

In the first instance, I mean the history of Wilson's life is interesting; in the second instance I mean the history belongs to or written by Wilson is interesting. So there is quite a difference in the meaning. The phrase of Wilson used in the first example does not indicate possession.

Note the difference in meaning between the following sentences:

Would you say: