Structure: Prepositional Phrase

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

1. Preposition + Noun

• He is in trouble.
• Trust in me.

1. Preposition + Pronoun

• Please, bear with me.
• Go after them.

1. Preposition + Noun Phrase

• She is always yelling at the girls.
• We are at the farm.

 

Other Types

1. Preposition + Wh clause e.g. He was surprised at what she told his friend.
2. 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.

1. Modifier (adjective)

The man with a hat is our teacher.

(modifies the noun “man”)

 

1. Modifier (adverb)

The police caught the thief in the garden.

(modifies the verb ‘caught’)

 

1. Complement of a verb

We believe in what you said.

(Complement of the verb “believe”)

 

1. 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