Prepositional Phrases

Phrases A phrase is a group of words that is missing a subject, a predicate, or both. In most cases, a phrase works as a modifier in a sentence (it describes or specifies)

Prepositional Phrases The most common type of phrase is the prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun

Example The birds sat under the trees and searched for food. Prepositional phrases: under the trees for food The noun or pronoun that ends this type of phrase is called the “object of the preposition” Prepositions Objects of Prepositions under trees for food

Notes The main part of a sentence (like a subject and verb) are NEVER inside a prepositional phrase. When analyzing a sentence, find all the prepositional phrases first and eliminate them (to shorten and simplify the sentence) To remove the prepositional phrases from a sentence, simply place brackets around the phrase, beginning with the preposition and ending with the object.

Prepositions Prepositions are often words that indicate location. Usually, prepositions show physical location (where/place). For example:

Prepositions Prepositions can also show location in time/when

Because there are so many possible locations, there are quite a few prepositions...

Commonly Used Prepositions aboard below for past about beneath from since above beside in through across besides inside throughout after between into to against beyond like toward along but (meaning except) near under underneath amid by of until among concerning off unto around despite on up as down onto upon at during out with before except outside within behind over without

Practice The first word in a prepositional phrase is the preposition, and the last word is the object of the preposition. The words in between are adjectives and adverbs. To find the beginning of a prepositional phrase, look for a preposition. To find the object of the preposition, look for a noun or pronoun that answers the question whom? or what?

Example One of the girls in the new blue car is my sister. Which words are prepositions? Whom or What are the objects of the prepositions? Then which words are adjectives?

Compound Prepositions Sometimes prepositions are compounds, which means more than one of them has been used in a single phrase.

Compound Prepositions according to in addition to in spite of ahead of in case of instead of aside from in front of on account of because of in place of out of by means of in regard to prior to by way of

Compound Prepositions Example: In case of fire, use the nearest exit. “In case of” is a compound preposition – multiple words acting as one preposition “fire” is the object of the preposition

Compound Objects of Prepositions Sometimes even the object of the preposition is a compound. If so, the objects will be joined by a conjunction (and, but, or, etc.) Example: Barb was walking with Steve and Nancy. With = preposition And = conjunction Steve & Nancy are both objects of the preposition

Writing with Prepositional Phrases

Expand Sentences with Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases act like adjectives and adverbs to add meaning to nouns and verbs. Add a prepositional phrase to a sentence to add more information to the subjects, objects, or verbs in the sentence. A prepositional phrase usually appears after the word it modifies You can add more than one prepositional phrase to a sentence.

Combine Sentences with Prepositional Phrases You can combine a pair or a short group of sentences into a single, clear sentence using at least one prepositional phrase. omit words that are needlessly repeated, but don’t leave out any important details

Sentence Building with Prepositional Phrases EXAMPLE: A mouse darted. It darted across the salad bar. This happened during the luncheon. During the luncheon, a mouse darted across the salad bar.

Types of Prepositional Phrases There are two kinds of prepositional phrases: Adjective phrases Adverb phrases

Adjective phrases WITH NOUNS: When a prepositional phrase is used as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun: It is called an adjective phrase It always appears immediately after the noun or pronoun it modifies.

Adverb phrases WITH VERBS: When a prepositional phrase is used as an adverb to describe a verb: It often appears immediately after the verb it modifies, but... Like adverbs, prepositional phrases that modify verbs can also be found at the very beginning or very end of a sentence.

Adverb phrases Like adverbs, prepositional phrases that modify verbs can also be found at the very beginning or very end of a sentence. EXAMPLE: In the morning, the students arrive at school. The students arrive at school in the morning. In both versions, the prepositional phrase modifies the verb arrive.

How to Arrange Prepositional Phrases

How to Arrange (and Rearrange) Prepositional Phrases Prepositional phrases act like adjectives and adverbs to add meaning to nouns and verbs. Prepositional phrases can be arranged o be more effective, or condensed or eliminated to cut the clutter.

Rearranging prepositional phrases Be careful not to confuse your readers by misplacing a prepositional phrase. Example: The Vesuvians swam for two hours after lunchi n my pool. Did the aliens eat lunch in the pool? Move one of the phrases for clarity: After lunch, the Vesuvians swam for two hours in my pool. The best arrangement is one that’s clear and uncluttered.

Don’t Over Do It Although several prepositional phrases may appear in the same sentence, avoid packing in so many phrases that you confuse the reader. Example: On a rickety stool in one corner of the crowded bar, the singer plays lonesome songs on his battered old guitar about warm beer, cold women and long nights on the road. This example is cluttered and awkward from the overuse of prepositional phrases and results in a run-on sentence.

Don’t Over Do It Example: On a rickety stool in one corner of the crowded bar, the singer plays lonesome country songs on his battered old guitar about warm beer, cold women and long nights on the road. This example is cluttered and awkward from the overuse of prepositional phrases and results in a run-on sentence. In this case, the best way to break up the excessive string of phrases is to make two sentences: On a rickety stool in one corner of the crowded bar, the singer sits with his battered old guitar. He plays lonesome country songs about warm beer, cold women, and long nights on the road.