LoginPrepositional Phrases
What are prepositional phrases? Generally, as its name requires, prepositional phrases are phrases made of prepositions. To get to know them, read the article.
What Is a Prepositional Phrase?
Prepositional phrases (or postpositional phrases, adpositional phrases) are groups of words that contain a preposition, its object, and any modifying words that follow the preposition. They provide additional information about the relationship between different elements in a sentence.
Prepositional Phrase: Structure
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and the object that follows it. This object of a preposition can be:
Prepositions + a Noun Phrase
A large number of prepositions can be followed by a single noun, a noun phrase, or a pronoun.
- preposition + noun (phrase)
- preposition + pronoun
I'm worried
Preposition + Noun
Have you heard anything
Preposition + Pronoun
Preposition + Noun Phrase
Prepositions + a Noun Clause
Not all prepositions are followed by noun phrases. Some need a noun clause as their object. These noun clauses can be:
- Nominal Relative Clauses
- Participle Clauses
- Bare Infinitive Clauses
Prepositions + Nominal Relative Clauses
Nominal relative clauses can appear immediately after certain prepositions and act as their object.
I'm not sure
Tip!
When a relative pronoun is the object of a preposition, there are two possibilities:
- In informal English, the preposition is placed at the end of the relative clause and the relative pronoun can be omitted.
- In formal English, the preposition is placed before the relative pronoun, and the relative pronoun cannot be omitted.
| Informal English | Formal English |
|---|---|
| Was that the girl (who) he came with? | Was that the girl with whom he came? |
| It is a golf club (which) many collage students belong to. | It is a golf club to which many collage students belong. |
| I love the family (that) I live with. | I love the family with whom I live. |
| Do they know the boy (that) Mary is talking to? | Do they know the boy to whom Mary is talking? |
Prepositions + Participle Clauses
A noun in the form of the present participle of a verb can also appear after prepositions. Present participles can also be used as an object of prepositions.
Certain prepositions require a participle as their object and cannot be used with a bare infinitive. These prepositions are commonly used with:
- prepositional verbs: interested in, keen on, proud of, sick of, sorry about/for, etc.
- certain adjectives: advantage of, chance of, choice between, etc.
- nouns that require prepositions: accuse of, agree with, apologize for, etc.
I'm interested in cook.')
You have a choice between watch ...')
I apologize lose my temper.')
Prepositions + Bare Infinitive Clauses
The object of certain prepositions can only be a bare infinitive, which is the base form of the verb. For example:
winning...')
We should all rejoice,
Tip!
A single word in a sentence can be modified by multiple prepositional phrases acting as adjuncts.
cheese
Prepositional Phrases: Functions
A prepositional phrase can function as four different types of elements:
Prepositional Phrases as Adjuncts
Prepositional phrases as adjuncts are optional, descriptive elements in a sentence that provide additional information about the manner, time, place, frequency, purpose, or degree of the main action or clause. Here are some examples:
He left
Mason played his guitar
We walked
He studied all night
The team won the game
She practices yoga
'with great passion' is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb
Prepositional Phrases as Complements
Prepositional phrases can function as complements in sentences when they provide essential information that completes the meaning of a part of the sentence. In this case, prepositional phrases can act as all types of complements which are as follows:
- Subject complement: a prepositional phrase may function as a subject complement when it provides necessary information about the subject and follows a linking verb. For example:
An ideal time to visit the beach is
The idea seems
She is
- Object complement: When a prepositional phrase provides essential information about the direct object, it is acting as an object complement. For example:
She has a fear
She always puts her family
- Adjective complement: a prepositional phrase that completes the meaning of an adjective or adjective phrase can function as an object complement. For example:
She is ashamed
He is happy
- Noun complement: Quantity words require a prepositional phrase that is usually headed by 'of' to complete their meaning. Take a look at some examples:
She gave me a beautiful pair
The tailor measured ten meters
Prepositional Phrases as Noun Modifiers
A noun modifier is a part of the sentence that gives additional information about a noun or noun phrase. Prepositional phrases are often used as noun modifiers when they appear after the noun. Here are some examples:
The notebook
The preposition phrase 'with the leather jacket' modifies the noun 'notebook'.
That dress
The teacher
Prepositional Phrases as Indirect Objects
A prepositional phrase can act as an indirect object to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of the action. It usually answers the question "to/for whom" or "to/for what" after the verb. Here are some examples:
He gave a gift
She wrote a letter
It depends
In this sentence, no direct object is needed.
Tip!
An adverb can come before a gradable preposition, particularly those indicating time or place, to modify it.
We stayed up talking far
The antique store you're looking for is just
Review
Prepositional phrases are made of a preposition and another term. As a result, they make a phrase. Prepositional phrases are mostly:
- Adjuncts
- Complements
- Noun modifiers
- Indirect objects
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