A prepositional object is a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that is linked by a preposition to other elements of a sentence. For example, in the sentence, I don’t want to go on the plane, the noun phrase the plane is the object of the preposition on. In the sentence, I’m going on a date with him, the noun phrase a date with him is the object of the preposition on, while the pronoun him is the object of the preposition with.
1. Position of prepositional objects: Prepositional objects usually immediately follow their prepositions, but their are exceptions. For example, a preposition sometimes comes at the end of a clause:
This is the book I was talking about.
Here, the object of the preposition about is the book.
If you’re ever having trouble identifying the object of a preposition, try rephrasing the sentence to make it more straightforward—for example:
I was talking about this book.
Here, it’s obvious that this book is the object of about.
2. Prepositions and pronouns: When a pronoun is a prepositional object, it needs to be in the objective case. So, for example, this is incorrect:
Mom found out about he and I.
He and I are nominative pronouns. The correct version of this sentence would be,
Mom found out about him and me.
