Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its object, which can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
These phrases function within sentences to provide additional information, such as indicating location, time, direction, or manner, thereby enhancing clarity and detail in communication.
What Is a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with the object of the preposition. The object can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund. Here are some examples:
In the office
With enthusiasm
Under the bed
Types of Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs in sentences.
Adjectival Prepositional Phrases These phrases modify nouns, providing more detail about them. For example:
The book on the shelf
A man with a beard
The house by the lake
Adverbial Prepositional Phrases These phrases modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating how, when, where, or why something happened. For example:
She ran with speed
He speaks in a low voice
They arrived after dinner
Common Prepositions and Their Usage
Here is a list of common prepositions: about, above, across, after, against, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beside, between, by, during, for, from, in, near, of, off, on, over, through, to, under, with.
Examples:
She sat on the chair (location)
He left after the meeting (time)
They traveled by car (method)
Usage tips:
At vs. In: Use "at" for specific locations (at the store), and "in" for enclosed spaces (in the room).
On vs. Over: Use "on" for surface contact (on the table), and "over" for something higher but not touching (over the table).
More Rules and Examples:
Between vs. Among: Use "between" for two items or groups (between you and me), and "among" for more than two (among the students).
To vs. For: Use "to" for direction or destination (to the park), and "for" to indicate purpose (for the project).
How to Identify and Use Prepositional Phrases in Sentences
To identify a prepositional phrase, look for the preposition and its object.
Steps:
Find the preposition.
Identify the object of the preposition.
The words in between form the prepositional phrase.
Examples:
The cat is under the table (under the table)
She arrived after the show (after the show)
Using Prepositional Phrases Effectively:
Enhance descriptions: The cake on the counter looks delicious.
Provide context: We met during lunch.
Clarify relationships: The report is for the manager.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Dangling Prepositions: Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition when it's unnecessary. "Where is he at?" should be "Where is he?"
Redundant Prepositions: Avoid using extra prepositions. "Where are you going to?" should be "Where are you going?"
Misplaced Modifiers: Ensure the prepositional phrase is placed correctly to modify the intended word. "She read the letter to her friend that was very long" should be "She read the very long letter to her friend."
Practice Exercises
Identify the prepositional phrases in the following sentences:
The keys are on the table.
She walked through the park.
He works at the new office.
Rewrite the sentences to correct the prepositional errors:
Where are you at?
She is the person I gave the book to.
He drove to over the bridge.
Create sentences using the following prepositional phrases:
Under the bridge
With a smile
In the morning