Download Prepositional Phrases

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
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.
PREPOSITION
MODIFIERS
OBJECT OF
THE
PREPOSITION
INTO
THE
WOODS
BESIDE
THE COOL
BABBLING
BROOK
UNDER
THE COMPUTER
TABLE
FUNCTIONS

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 decoration on the hide was painted
carefully.
 The opening in the front was narrow.

FUNCTIONS

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.
EXAMPLES OF PREPOSITIONAL
PHRASES ACTING AS ADVERBS





Abstract animal figures were carved in totem
poles. (carved where?) – V
Southwestern act dates back before Columbus.
(dates back when?) - V
The forest was quiet before dawn. (quiet when?)
– Adj
They are happiest at the playground. (happiest
where?) - Adj
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)

Why did Harper Lee write this sentence
with a prepositional phrase at the
beginning?