Download Phrases Prepositional Phrase Adjectivals and Adverbials (Review)

Grammar Packet #3
Phrases
A phrase is nothing more than a group of words that constitutes a
grammatical unit in a sentence. A phrase cannot stand alone as an
independent unit and can only function as a part of speech.
Prepositional Phrase
A preposition is a short explanatory word that indicates things such as
location, direction, and possession. Prepositions are indeclinable words
(words that have only one possible form). For example, below is a
preposition, but belows or belowing are not possible forms of below.
Prepositions are combined with a noun, noun phrase (a phrase acting as a
noun), or pronoun (any of which acting as the object of the preposition) to
create a prepositional phrase.
The following table lists the most commonly used prepositions in English.
about
around
between
except
near
over
toward
within
above
at
beyond
for
off
past
under
without
across
before
but
from
of
since
underneath
after
behind
by
in
on
through
until
against
below
despite
inside
onto
throughout
up
along
beneath
down
into
out
till
upon
among
beside
during
like
outside
to
with
Prepositional phrases will have one of two functions in a sentence: to act
as an adjectival (modifying a noun or noun phrase and answering the
question Which one?) or to act as an adverbial (modifying a verb and
answering questions such as How? When? or Where?).
Adjectivals and Adverbials (Review)
An adjective gives more information about (modifies) a noun or a
grammatical structure acting as a noun. Both an adjective and a
grammatical unit acting as an adjective are adjectivals.
Example:
The short man runs.
If one replaces short with an equivalent prepositional phrase, one could
write:
The man of below average height runs.
Of below-average height is a prepositional phrase (of being the preposition
and height being the object of the preposition). The phrase still gives
more information about the noun, functioning as a grammatical unit
(adjective).
An adverb, by contrast, gives more information about (modifies) a verb,
adjective, or another adverb. Both an adverb and a grammatical unit acting
as an adverb are adverbials.
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Grammar Packet #3
Example:
He crawls slowly.
He is the subject.
how he crawls.
Crawls is the verb.
Slowly is an adverb, describing
If one replaces slowly with an equivalent prepositional phrase, one could
write:
He crawls in a slow manner.
In a slow manner is a prepositional phrase (in being the preposition and
manner being the object of the preposition). The phrase still gives more
information about the verb, functioning as a grammatical unit (adverb).
Prepositional Phrases Acting as Adjectives and Adverbs
Examples:
Please hand me the pen next to the telephone.
Next to the telephone is a prepositional phrase that modifies the direct
object pen. Because it modifies a noun or grammatical structure acting as
a noun (answering the question Which one?), it functions as an adjective.
modifies
Please hand me the pen
(
direct object
next to the telephone
preposition
).
object of preposition
The coyote runs after the rabbit.
After the rabbit is a prepositional phrase that modifies the verb runs.
Because it modifies a verb (answering questions such as How? When? Where?
Why? or To What Extent?), it functions as an adverb.
modifies
The coyote runs
verb
(
after the rabbit
).
object of preposition
preposition
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Grammar Packet #3
DIRECTIONS: For each of the following sentences (1) draw an arrow from the phrase to the
word or grammatical unit that it modifies (2) label the phrase with ADV or ADJ dependent
upon whether it functions as an adverbial or adjectival. The prepositional phrases are already
marked with parentheses.
1.
Scooby dropped a net (on yet another bootleg ghost).
2.
The Mystery Machine rumbled (down the road) and (up
the lane).
3.
The point (of splitting up) was to catch the ghost.
4.
The haunted amusement park was filled (with creepy
happenings).
5.
Daphne and Fred split off (from the main group).
6.
Always hungry, Scooby is (by the Scooby Snacks).
7.
(Throughout the show) Velma wears the same ugly
sweater.
8.
Motivated by fear, Shaggy leaped (into the empty
pickle barrel).
9.
Does anyone actually care (about Daphne)?
10. I would have gotten away (with it) if it weren’t (for
you meddling kids).
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Grammar Packet #3
Prepositional Phrases Give Extra Information
A prepositional phrase will never contain the simple subject of a sentence.
Examples:
Students at Spring Woods are lucky.
Students at Spring Woods is the complete subject. Students is the simple
subject. At Spring Woods is a prepositional phrase (adjectival) that
describes students.
The point of grammar exercises is to improve.
The point of grammar exercises is the complete subject. Point is the
simple subject. Of grammar exercises is a prepositional phrase
(adjectival) that describes point.
DIRECTIONS: For each of the following sentences (1) draw parentheses around the
prepositional phrases (2) draw an arrow from the phrase to the word or grammatical unit that it
modifies (3) label the phrase with ADV or ADJ dependent upon whether it functions as an
adverbial or adjectival. Some sentences have more than one prepositional phrase.
Grammar Grammar Doo!
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Grammar Packet #3
11. Fred often slides down dinosaur backs at the Slate
Rock and Gravel Company.
12. Men from Bedrock seem to enjoy bowling with friends.
13. While the birth of Pebbles marks a high point in the
show, the introduction of Bam Bam signaled a
worrisome decline in quality.
14. The great Mel Blanc of Bugs Bunny fame provided the
voice for Barney Rubble.
15. Wilma Flintstone’s maiden name on the show was given
first as Pebble and later as Slaghoople.
16. The Great Gazoo often used his powers to help Fred
and Barney against their will.
17. Though Fred is often a hothead, he is not so bad at
heart.
18. I am often irritated by Wilma and Betty when they
attempt to micromanage Fred and Barney’s actions.
19. However, Fred and Barney frequently make foolish
choices in their private lives.
20. The show’s original run concluded in 1966.
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