What type of word connects a noun to another word in a sentence?

A preposition is the type of word that connects a noun to another word in a sentence, typically indicating a relationship in time, place, direction, or manner. For example, in the sentence "The book is on the table," the preposition "on" connects the noun "book" with the noun "table," highlighting the spatial relationship between them. Prepositions often precede a noun (or a noun phrase) and can be crucial for establishing clarity and meaning in a sentence.

In contrast, a noun names a person, place, thing, or idea and does not serve to connect other words directly. An article defines or limits a noun, while an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, affecting how an action is carried out but not connecting nouns. Therefore, prepositions play a vital role in sentence structure by linking nouns to other elements effectively.