How many prepositions can you find? Circle the prepositional phrases in the following literature selections.

On a warm October night in Chicago, three deliveries were made in the same neighborhood. A plump tangerine moon had just risen over Lake Michigan. The doorbell had been rung at each place, and an envelope propped outside. Each front door was opened on to an empty street. Each of the three people who lived in those homes lived alone, and each had a hard time falling asleep that night. Selection taken from: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, pg. 1

To her surprise, Calder was right behind her To her surprise, Calder was right behind her. He had obviously seen what she was doing. Petra cupped her hand quickly as if to cover his mouth, but stopped before she touched him. They looked equally shocked. Calder, recovering first, peered around the corner. He ducked back in a flash. “She’s coming!” If felt too late to do anything but hide, so they hurried out of History and into Fiction. Ms. Hussey was at the front desk now. She plopped down her books and began talking to Mr. Watch, the man with red suspenders who was usually at the cash register. They were laughing? Did they know one another? Selection taken from: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet, pg. 16

So….what do prepositions do for our writing?