Prepositional Phrases

WHAT IS A PHRASE? A GROUP OF WORDS WITHOUT A SUBJECT AND A VERB THAT FUNCTIONS IN A SENTENCE AS ONE PART OF SPEECH A GROUP OF WORDS WITHOUT A SUBJECT AND A VERB THAT FUNCTIONS IN A SENTENCE AS ONE PART OF SPEECH

WHAT IS A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE? A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE IS MADE UP OF A PREPOSITION AND A NOUN OR PRONOUN, CALLED THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION. A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE IS MADE UP OF A PREPOSITION AND A NOUN OR PRONOUN, CALLED THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION.

PREPOSITIONMODIFIERS OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION INTOTHEWOODS BESIDE THE COOL BABBLING BROOK UNDER THE COMPUTER TABLE

FUNCTIONS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES CAN FUNCTION AS ADJECTIVES BY MODIFYING A NOUN OR PRONOUN PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES CAN FUNCTION AS ADJECTIVES BY MODIFYING A NOUN OR PRONOUN

EXAMPLES OF PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES ACTING AS ADJECTIVES The tepee of buffalo hide was sturdy. The tepee of buffalo hide was sturdy. The decoration on the hide was painted carefully. The decoration on the hide was painted carefully. The opening in the front was narrow. The opening in the front was narrow.

FUNCTIONS PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES CAN FUNCTION AS ADVERBS BY MODIFYING A VERB, ADJECTIVE, OR ADVERB PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES CAN FUNCTION AS ADVERBS BY MODIFYING A VERB, ADJECTIVE, OR ADVERB WHEN ACTING AS AN ADVERB, A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE WILL POINT OUT WHERE, WHEN, IN WHAT WAY, OR TO WHAT EXTENT. WHEN ACTING AS AN ADVERB, A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE WILL POINT OUT WHERE, WHEN, IN WHAT WAY, OR TO WHAT EXTENT.

EXAMPLES OF PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES ACTING AS ADVERBS Abstract animal figures were carved in totem poles. (carved where?) – V Abstract animal figures were carved in totem poles. (carved where?) – V Southwestern act dates back before Columbus. (dates back when?) - V Southwestern act dates back before Columbus. (dates back when?) - V The forest was quiet before dawn. (quiet when?) – Adj The forest was quiet before dawn. (quiet when?) – Adj They are happiest at the playground. (happiest where?) - Adj They are happiest at the playground. (happiest where?) - Adj He arrived late for lunch. (late to what extent?) - Adv He arrived late for lunch. (late to what extent?) - Adv

Example from TKAM “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums…” (p. 170) “Against the fence, in a line, were six chipped-enamel slop jars holding brilliant red geraniums…” (p. 170) Why did Harper Lee write this sentence with a prepositional phrase at the beginning? Why did Harper Lee write this sentence with a prepositional phrase at the beginning?