The Object of a Preposition

The object of a preposition is usually the noun that immediately follows the preposition. As noted below pronouns, gerunds, and even noun clauses can be the object of a preposition as well.

Ex. She told her mother that she would be in the library. ('library' (noun) is the object of the preposition 'in')

Ex. She threw it behind her as she boarded the bus. (her (pronoun) is the object of the preposition 'behind')

Ex. She handed in the test without finishing. (finishing (gerund) is the object of the preposition 'without')

Ex. She talked about what she was going to do in Hollywood. ('what she was going to do in Hollywood' is a clause and the object of the preposition 'about')

Sometimes the object of a preposition can be more than one noun. For instance, in the following sentence the object of the preposition 'on' is blue curtains and white carpet.

Ex. The decorator insisted on blue curtains and white carpet.

Object of a Preposition - SPECIAL NOTE

The word 'whom' is the objective case of 'who' and can sometimes cause confusion.

Ex. Steve saw the terrorists, all of whom were armed, through the smoke.
('whom' is the object of the preposition 'of')

Ex. To whom did you complain? It seems as nothing has changed.
('whom' is the object of the preposition 'to')