Definition #
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause known as the object of the preposition. Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives or adverbs in a sentence, adding detail and providing information about when, where, why, or how something happens.
Structure of a Prepositional Phrase: #
- Preposition: This is the first part of the prepositional phrase. Prepositions are words like “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “with,” “for,” “about,” “between,” and “through.”
- Object of the Preposition: This is the noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause that comes after the preposition and completes the prepositional phrase.
Examples of Prepositional Phrases:
- Adjectival Prepositional Phrase: “The book on the table is mine.” Here, “on the table” describes the book and functions as an adjective.
- Adverbial Prepositional Phrase: “She sang with passion.” Here, “with passion” describes how she sang and functions as an adverb.
Functions of Prepositional Phrases:
- Time: “We will meet at six o’clock.”
- Place: “The cat is under the table.”
- Manner: “She sings with joy.”
- Purpose: “He went to the store for some milk.”
- Direction: “She walked toward the door.”
- Cause: “He failed the test because of his laziness.”
