Preposition – What Is a Prepositional Phrase?
A preposition draws a relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in a sentence. A prepositional phrase includes a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object. The preposition’s object is the noun or pronoun that follows the preposition. Prepositional phrases can function as either adjective phrases or adverb phrases to modify other words in a sentence.
Common prepositional phrase examples include about, after, at, before, behind, by, during, for, from, in, of, over, past, to, under, up, and with.
Prepositional Phrase Examples Functioning as Adjective Phrases:
(With is the preposition, and with him is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying boy.)
The bracelet in the storefront window is the one I want.
(In is the preposition, and in the storefront window is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying bracelet.)
We stayed at the cabin by the river.
(By is the preposition, and by the river is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying cabin.)
The store at the corner sells sandwiches.
(At is the preposition, and at the corner is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying store.)
(Behind is the preposition, and behind you is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying broom.)
I adopted a black cat with white paws.
(With is the preposition, and with white paws is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adjective phrase, modifying cat.)
Prepositional Phrase Examples Functioning as Adverb Phrases:
When you get to the sign, take a left.
(To is the preposition, and to the sign is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying get.)
We climbed up the hill to see the view.
(Up is the preposition, and up the hill is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying climbed.)
It annoys me when people talk during movies.
(During is the preposition, and during movies is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying talk.)
Hannah looked under the bed to see if she could find her necklace.
(Under is the preposition, and under the bed is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying looked.)
I’ll meet you after school.
(After is the preposition, and after school is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying meet.)
The sun rose over the mountain.
(Over is the preposition, and over the mountain is the prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase functions as an adverb phrase, modifying rose.)
Why are Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases Important?
Prepositions and prepositional phrases provide important details about the words they modify. This includes answering the following questions: Which one? What kind? How? Where? When? To what extent?
Learn more about prepositions and how to correctly use them in your writing with help from K12Reader!
Related Topics:
Prepositional Phrase Worksheets
Verbals
Infinitive Phrase
Participle Phrase
Gerund Phrase
Appositive Phrase
Adjective Phrase
Adverb Phrase
Verb Phrase
All Grammar Terms
