Why two chapters on Prepositions? The website www.englishclup.com has a whole book called English Prepositions List (150 prepositions), so two chapters doesn't seem excessive to spend on this broad topic. (Note: I am not endorsing the website, one way or another, or the book, just showing the size of the topic and crediting their comprehensive list.)
One of the most difficult and rewarding areas of English grammar is using prepositions correctly. Vocabulary alone isn't enough for writers who are storytelling in English. Stories and the characters in them interact through changing relationships. Prepositions are the tool to create and change relationships between characters and to define and alter the scenes you place them in.
Assignment #1: When someone comments on your story suggesting you change a preposition or eliminate it, look the preposition up here or, if it's a multi-word preposition, in the next chapter. Try to see if you followed the 'use' examples I've given. Then look up the suggested alternative and see if it describes the relationship better than your original choice.
Syntax is: A set of rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases and sentences. Prepositions and their phrases are the 'meat and potatoes' of syntax. Misuse them and the meal is inedible, or, even by using phrases that are technically correct, you can make your prose so wordy no one wants to chow down on it either.
Rule #1: Use as few prepositions as possible (preferring simple to complex ones) and order most sentences (subject - noun or pronoun) -> (verb) -> (object - noun or pronoun).
Simple Prepositions are words used to create a relationship. If you don't understand each one's special relationship, you will use them incorrectly.
Prepositions vs. Adverbs: Each preposition must have an object (noun, pronoun, or noun-like part of speech. Without an object, the same word is just an adverb (verb modifier)).
Sample Examples: In or Within?
Ex: #1: In - Inside of (substantial things like 'his room')
Ex: #2: Within - Inside of (less substantial nouns or noun phrases like 'his rights', 'reason', etc.)
Ex: #3: Joe is in his room. Here, 'in' is a preposition showing the relationship 'inside of' between John and 'room' the object of the preposition.
Ex: #4: Joe is in. Here, 'in' is an adverb modifying 'is' and meaning Joe is present. Common usage: 'The doctor is in.'
Sample Example: Before: In front of (in time or in space) (the object) Ex: #5: Joe'd never seen Tom arrive before Mary. Before is a preposition (meaning - at a time prior to Mary's arrival)
Ex: #6: Joe'd never seen Tom before. Before is an adverb (meaning - at a prior time)
Sample Example: Between: Ex: #7: Who did you come between? Ending a sentence with a preposition is supposed to be wrong, but only when it doesn't have an object. Here, because it's a question, the object 'Who' came first. Tricky, right? 'You came between whom?' would also be correct, but nobody says that - ever.
Ex: #8: The agreement is between you and me (objective pronouns and never 'between she and I' - subjective pronouns).
Ex: #9: Several relationships:
Under - beneath (the object)
Towards - Moved toward of (the object)
For - to benefit (the object)
