A prepositional phrase is a group of words, which begins with a preposition and ends with a noun pronoun or noun phrase called its complement.
Examples
- Preposition + Noun
- He is in trouble.
- Trust in me.
- Preposition + Pronoun
- Please, bear with me.
- Go after them.
- Preposition + Noun Phrase
- She is always yelling at the girls.
- We are at the farm.
Other Types
- Preposition + Wh clause e.g. He was surprised at what she told his friend.
- Preposition + ing clause e.g. He needs a truck for transporting gravel.
Grammatical Functions
A prepositional phrase can serve as a modifier (an adjective), an adverb or a complement of a verb or complement of an adjective.
- Modifier (adjective)
The man with a hat is our teacher.
(modifies the noun “man”)
- Modifier (adverb)
The police caught the thief in the garden.
(modifies the verb ‘caught’)
- Complement of a verb
We believe in what you said.
(Complement of the verb “believe”)
- Complement of an adective
We are sure of his chances.
(complements sure)
EVALUATION
Using examples to show the grammatical functions of prepositional phrases.
See also
Writing: Article Writing
Vocabulary Development: Prefixes
Structure: Active and Passive Voices
Speech Work: Stress Patterns
Essay Writing | Speech Writing, Explanation and Features