LoginPrepositional Phrases
In this lesson we learn about prepositional phrases, which are essential groups of words that begin with a preposition and include its object and any modifiers. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.
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 about Margaret.
Preposition + Noun
Have you heard anything from him?
Preposition + Pronoun
With thorough studying, I can manage to pass this exam.
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:
Prepositions + Nominal Relative Clauses
Nominal relative clauses can appear immediately after certain prepositions and act as their object.
I'm not sure about what Tommy said earlier.
From where I stand, things appear pretty good.
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 college 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.
In spite of studying, she didn't pass the exams.
After eating breakfast, I waited for Elena.
I'm interested in cooking.
I apologize for losing 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:
In order to win, you have to try your best. (Not 'In order to winning...')
We should all rejoice, rather than complain.
Tip!
A single word in a sentence can be modified by multiple prepositional phrases. For example:
cheese from Belgium with live bacteria
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 after dinner. → modifying when he left (time)
Mason played his guitar with great passion. → modifying how he played (manner)
We walked through the forest. → modifying where we walked (place)
He studied all night for the exam. → modifying the purpose of studying (purpose)
The team won the game by a landslide. → modifying the degree of their victory (degree)
She practices yoga at sunrise. → modifying the the time of her yoga practice (frequency)
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 during the summer.
The idea seems beyond her understanding.
She is in a bad mood.
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 of death.
She always puts her family before her own needs.
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 of her actions.
He is happy with his new job.
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 of shoes.
The tailor measured ten meters of fabric for the dress.
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 with the leather cover is mine.
The preposition phrase 'with the leather jacket' modifies the noun 'notebook'.
That dress next to the black one is the one I want to buy.
The teacher of mathematics is very knowledgeable.
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 to me.
She wrote a letter to her friend.
It depends on you.
In this sentence, no direct object is needed.
Tip!
An adverb can be used to modify a preposition (usually one that shows time or place) by emphasizing its degree or intensity.
We stayed up talking far into the night.
"Far" is an adverb that modifies the preposition "into", emphasizing the extent of how late into the night they talked.
The antique store you're looking for is just around the corner.
"Far" is an adverb that modifies the preposition "into", emphasizing the extent of how late into the night they talked.
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
Quiz:
True of False?
"A prepositional phrase can only take a noun as its object."
True
False
Fill in the table with the correct type of object following each preposition in the sentences provided.
She apologized for losing her keys. | |
We walked through the park after dinner. | |
He talked about what happened yesterday. | |
She waited for the bus to arrive. | |
I had to run in order to catch the bus. |
Match each sentence to the correct type of prepositional phrase function it demonstrates.
Which sentence contains a prepositional phrase acting as a noun modifier?
She walked with confidence.
The painting of the sunset is breathtaking.
He worked tirelessly through the night.
They traveled across the country.
Sort the words to form an informal sentence with a relative pronoun as the object of preposition.
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