What Are Prepositional Phrases?

Prepositional phrases show the relationship between the object of the phrase and another word in the sentence.

I got my book from school.

Here from school is the prepositional phrase in which from is the preposition and school is the object. The purpose of the prepositional phrase in this sentence is to show the relationship between the book and the school.

HOW TO RECOGNISE A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

A prepositional phrase in its simplest form will follow the rule PREPOSITION + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE/GERUND/PRONOUN. Everything after the preposition, except modifiers will be the object of the phrase.

at church (at = preposition, church = noun) in the morning (in = preposition, the morning = noun phrase) by walking (by = preposition, walking = gerund) with me ( with = preposition, me = pronoun) A prepositional phrase always needs an object which is usually a noun/ noun phrase and less frequently a pronoun or gerund. There may be modifiers between the preposition and its object.

The drinks are with Sara. with = preposition + Sara = noun The drinks are in the large freezer. in = preposition+ the, large = modifiers + freezer =noun In this case the object of the prepositional phrase is the freezer

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE?

Prepositional phrases always function as an adverb or adjective in a sentence.

As an adverb the phrase will answer how, when or where?

My teacher fell over the chair. The phrase describes the verb It is adverbial. Where did she fall? Over the chair.

He walked in a strange manner. The phrase describes the verb It is adverbial. How did he walk? In a strange manner.

As an adjective the phrase will answer which one?

The girl in the poster has blonde hair. The phrase describes the noun It is an adjective. Which girl? The one in the poster.

Send your letter to Santa. The phrase describes the noun It is an adjective. Which letter? The one to Santa.

Another point to remember is that prepositional phrases will NEVER CONTAIN THE SUBJECT OF THE SENTENCE.

Natalie