Prepositional Phrases for intermediate learners
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 Are Prepositional Phrases?
Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition, its object, and some modifiers. Below, we are going to learn all about them.
Prepositional Phrase: Structure
A prepositional phrase must have one preposition and its object. The object of a preposition can be a noun, a noun phrase, or even a clause. Look below:
I found these papers
I want Anna to put these books
Common Prepositions
Below is a list of some common prepositions in the English language. Look:
Types of Prepositional Phrases
We mainly use prepositional phrases to modify verbs or nouns. However, we have different kinds of prepositional phrases. Look at the list below:
- Objects of Prepositions
- Noun Phrases
- Adjectival Phrases
- Adverbial Phrases
Now, let us analyze each one:
Objects of Prepositions
As it was mentioned above, a preposition always comes with its object. In some cases, an object of a preposition can be a prepositional phrase which means that it comes with another preposition. Look at the examples below:
I finally pulled it out
As you can see, 'under her bed' is the prepositional phrase of 'from'.
They could see her
Noun Phrases
Adjectival Phrases
When we have a prepositional phrase that is describing and modifying a noun, it is an adjectival phrase because it is taking the place of an adjective. Look at the examples below for more clarification:
The magical book
Here, 'under the chair' is an adjective modifying the noun.
The pink shoes
Adverbial Phrases
We can sometimes have prepositional phrases to modify verbs or adverbs. In this case, it is an adverbial phrase. Look at the following examples for more clarification:
Joanna put her head
He decided to run