What are Agent Prepositions? | Examples, Tip & Trick & PDF
Definition of Agent Preposition
An agent preposition is a type of preposition that shows the person or thing that performs the action of the verb in a sentence. The agent preposition is used in sentences with the active voice. It’s important to note that not all prepositions that introduce an agent are agent prepositions. For example, prepositions like “with” and “by” can also introduce an agent in a sentence, but they are not considered agent prepositions.
Agent prepositions are used in sentences with an active voice. In an active voice sentence, the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the cat is the subject and is performing the action of chasing.
Agent Preposition in Passive Voice
Agent prepositions are also used in passive voice sentences, where the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb. In a passive voice sentence, the agent preposition is often introduced by the preposition “by.” For example, in the sentence “The mouse was chased by the cat,” the mouse is the subject and is receiving the action of being chased by the cat.
Examples in Simple Sentences
The teacher was impressed by the student’s presentation. The baby was carried by her mother. The house was built by a team of construction workers.
Examples in Complicated Sentences
The research paper was written by the team of scientists who conducted the experiment. The concert was enjoyed by the audience, who were mesmerized by the talented musicians. The election was won by the candidate who promised to improve the economy.
Tips and Tricks for Using Agent Preposition
Using agent prepositions correctly can be challenging, but here are a few tips and tricks to help you get it right:
Be Clear and Specific: Make sure you are clear and specific about who is performing the action in your sentence. Use the agent preposition to clearly indicate the subject of the sentence.
Use Active Voice: Whenever possible, use the active voice in your sentences. This will help you to use agent prepositions more effectively and create stronger sentences.
Don’t Overuse Agent Prepositions: While agent prepositions can be useful, it’s important not to overuse them. If you use too many agent prepositions in a sentence or paragraph, your writing can become repetitive and awkward.
Using Agent Preposition in Writing
Agent prepositions are commonly used in academic writing, journalism, and technical writing. They are particularly useful when you need to be clear about who is performing an action.
Using Agent Preposition in Speech
Agent prepositions are also important in spoken English. When you are speaking, using the agent preposition can help you to communicate more clearly and avoid ambiguity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing agent prepositions with instrumental prepositions Using the wrong preposition to introduce an agent Using passive voice incorrectly
Short Sentence Examples of Agent Preposition
The cake was eaten by the dog, who then blamed the cat. The book was written by the author, who is now hiding from the critics. The car was driven by the teenager, who had just gotten their license.
Some common mistakes include confusing agent prepositions with instrumental prepositions, using the wrong preposition to introduce an agent, and using passive voice incorrectly.