Prepositional Phrases


A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a pronoun. This noun or pronoun is called the “object of the preposition.”

Here are some sample prepositional phrases:


* By the ocean
* Near the window
* Over the cabinet
* With us
* In your ear
* Under your hat

You can connect two or more prepositional phrases with a coordinating conjunction. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. For example

* The resort is beside the mountain and by the lake.
The coordinating conjunction is and.

* You can usually find Macho Marvin in the steam room, on the exercise bike, or under the barbells.
The coordinating conjunction is or.


Adjectival Phrases

When a prepositional phrase serves as an adjective, it's called an adjectival phrase. (That was a no-brainer, eh? Who says you don't get a break in this English biz?)

An adjectival phrase, as with an adjective, describes a noun or a pronoun. Here are some examples:

* The manager with the pink slips terrorized the employees.
The adjectival phrase “with the pink slips” describes the noun “manager.”

* The price of the promotion was much too steep.
The adjectival phrase “of the promotion” describes the noun “price.”

* Something in the corner of the desk was moving.
The adjectival phrase “in the corner” describes the noun “something”; the adjectival phrase “of the desk” describes the noun “corner.”



Adverbial Phrases


Like Meryl Streep or Kevin Kline, the prepositional phrase is a versatile creature, able to slip into different roles. Depending on how it is used in a sentence, a prepositional phrase can function as an adverbial phrase by modifying a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. For example:

* She lost her head at the retro love-in.
The adverbial phrase “at the retro love-in” describes the verb “lost.”

* The salesperson skimmed over the product's real cost.
The adverbial phrase “over the product's real cost” modifies the verb “skimmed.”

* The boss was thrilled at their attitude.
The adverbial phrase “at their attitude” modifies the adjective “thrilled.”

* The rock climbers arrived late at night.
The adverbial phrase “at night” modifies the adverb “late".