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这从上面的例句中可以看出，介词不能单独在句子中充当一个成分。当它和另外的词一起构成介词短语时，才能在句子中充当成分。与之构成短语的词称为介词宾语 （prepositional object） 。介词宾语可以是：
名词：
They dived into the water . 他们跳进水里。
代词：
There was a man standing in front of me . 我前面站着一个男人。
动名词：
He is keen on fishin . 他喜欢钓鱼。
由连接副（代）词引导的从句：
I’ll think over how I can convince them . 我要想一想怎样能说服他们。
由连接副（代）词引导的不定式：
The discussion centred on how to increase production . 讨论围绕着如何增产的问题。
另一个介词短语：
She won’t go home until after the exam . 她要考完试之后再回家。
副词或形容词：
The door was suddenly opened from within . 门突然从里面开了。
复合结构：
He had no objection to Dinny marrying him . 他不反对丁妮和他结婚。
介词短语经常用作状语，修饰谓语：
The train leaves in five minute . 火车五分钟之后开出。
Thank you for reminding me of it . 谢谢你提醒我。
在“ be + 形容词”结构后也常可跟介词短语：
She is quite different from her sister. 她和她姐姐完全不同。
Who is responsible for the project ? 谁负责这项工程？
She was quite aware of her current situation. 她很清楚她现在的处境。
介词短语也可修饰非谓语动词：
He saw a man coming into the house . 他看见一个人走进屋里。
Have you ever seen the mountains covered in snow ? 你看到过白雪覆盖的大山吗？
在不少情况下可用介词短语作定语，修饰一个名词：
There has been an increase in the number of road incidents recently .
最近交通事故的数目有增加。
What are the major differences between British and American English ？
英式英语和美式英语有什么主要差别？
有一些介词常常引导短语作定语，如：
of:
Four boys sat on the floor of the living room . 四个男孩坐在客厅的地板上。
a girl of middle height 中等身材的姑娘
with:
He was a little gentleman with glasses . 他是一个戴眼镜的小个子男人。
a man with a violent temper 脾气暴躁的男子
a sheet of paper with writing on it 一张写有字的纸
in:
The girl in blue is my cousin. 穿蓝衣裳的姑娘是我表妹。
He hasn’t a thing in common with his father . 他和他父亲毫无共同之处。
to:
Have you found an answer to the question ? 你找到这问题的答案了吗？
His devotion to the party is unquestionable. 他对党的忠诚是毋庸置疑的。
her contribution to science 她对科学的贡献
for:
My love for you is deeper than the sea. 我对你的爱比海深。
a thirst for knowledge 求知欲
about:
That’s my idea about friendship . 这是我对友谊的看法。
I am glad to hear news about the progress of your book . 我很高兴听到你的书进展情况的消息。
a debate about the question 关于这个问题的辩论
介词短语作表语的时候也很多：
The moon was now above the trees in the east . 月亮已在东边树林的上方。
有一些介词可以构成许多介词短语作表语：
at:
I was at a loss what to do. 我不知所措。
The country was at peace （war） . 国家处于和平时期（正在打仗）。
beyond:
Good advice is beyond price . 有益的忠告是无价之宝。（谚语）
It’s beyond human power . 这是人力所不及的。
The scene was beyond description . 景色之美无法形容。
in:
The poor girl was in tears . 可怜的姑娘满面泪水。
He was wounded and in pain . 他受了伤，处于疼痛之中。
of:
He was of middle height . 他是中等身材。
We are all of the same opinion . 我们的意见都是一致的。
on:
My mind was still on this research . 我的心思还在这项研究上。
I’ve always been on my guard since then. 从那时起我一直很警惕。
out of:
She knew she was out of danger now. 她知道她已脱离危险。
The bell won’t ring, it’s out of order . 铃不响，坏了。
under:
I know she is under thirty . 我知道她不到 30 岁。
The matter is under consideration . 这事正在考虑中。
介词短语还可用作宾语补语（一起构成复合宾语）：
He found himself in agreement with both sides. 他发现自己对双方的意见都同意。
We found the map quite out of date . 我们发现这地图已完全过时。