Final answer:
The correct preposition to complete the sentence 'The burglar entered the house ___ the basement window.' is 'through', as it indicates the burglar's movement from one side to the other side of the window.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence 'The burglar entered the house ___ the basement window.' requires a preposition to complete its meaning. Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence and govern the relationship between words, often indicating location, direction, or time.
In this sentence, the correct preposition is 'through' because it indicates the pathway taken by the burglar, who enters 'through' a point of entry (the window) to access the interior of the house.
Prepositions are a fundamental part of English grammar and can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence. Using 'through' denotes movement from one side to the other side of the window. Other prepositions would not properly convey this sense of movement or direction.
For instance, saying 'The burglar entered the house over the basement window' would incorrectly suggest that the burglar went above the window, which contradicts common understanding.