Download prepositional phrase

A phrase is a group of related words that lacks both a
subject and a predicate. Because it lacks a subject and
a predicate it cannot act as a sentence.
• A phrase typically functions as a single part of speech in a
sentence (e.g., noun, adjective, adverb).
• There are four types of phrases:
• 1. Prepositional phrases, which begin with a preposition and
include the object of the preposition.
• 2. Participial phrases, which begin with the participle and
include the object of the participle or other words that are
connected to the noun by the participle.
• 3. Gerund phrases, which begin with the gerund and include
the object of the gerund or other words that are acting as the
complete subject or complete object.
• 4. Infinitive phrases, which begin with an infinitive and include
the object of the infinitive or other words that are acting as part
of the phrase.
Prepositions
• A preposition is a word that links a noun or pronoun
following it to another word in the sentence.
about behind around against across as of
outside down except but by on over of
before beyond during despite for onto at
• A noun or pronoun always follows a preposition.
• A prepositional phrase is a preposition and its object
(remember, objects are always nouns or pronouns).
on the wing in the door
near the violently swaying oak trees
on account of his nearly-depleted bank account
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
•
The prepositional phrase includes the preposition and the object of the preposition as
well as any modifiers related to either.
[In the following examples, the preposition is bold and the prepositional phrase is underlined.]
•
The flying saucer appeared above the lake before it disappeared into space.
–
•
Crystal could hear her sister snoring across the room.
–
•
BEFORE is not a preposition because is not followed by an object that it links to the clause. It is followed
by another clause that is subordinate in meaning to the independent clause; therefore, it is a subordinate
conjunction.
Alix walk down the ramp to the beach.
–
•
BEFORE is not an adverb because it alone does not answer where about the verb.
You should consider reading the notes before you come to class.
–
•
UNDER is not an adverb because it alone does not answer where about the verb.
You should consider reading the notes before class.
–
•
Objects usually answer the question what. Therefore, we can ask across what? to determine the object
of the preposition.
Christine discovered a pile of books hidden under the staircase.
–
•
ABOVE is not an adverb because it has an object to complete its meaning; therefore, ABOVE is a
preposition and the entire phrase is an adverb phrase.
DOWN is not an adverb because it alone does not answer where about the verb.
Alix fell down.
–
DOWN is an adverb answering where about the verb. There is no object, so it cannot be a preposition.
More Prepositions and Phrases
• The manager with the pink slips terrorized
the employees.
• The price of the promotion was much too
steep.
• Something in the corner of the desk was
moving.
• She lost her head at the retro drive in.
• The salesperson skimmed over the product's
real cost.
• The boss was thrilled at their attitude.
• The rock climbers arrived late at night.
• Ms. Werner bribed the students with candy.