Prepositional Phrase

What is a preposition?

Before we dive into prepositional phrases, let's take a quick refresher lesson on prepositions.

Prepositions are a special group of words that are used to show the relationship between other words in a sentence. Prepositions are most commonly used to indicate the relationships between time, space, location, and direction.

Here is a list of some common prepositions: across, behind, in, at, on, under, to, since, from, next to, in front of, for, and over.

The function of prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrases are used to modify (give extra information to) a noun, a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Prepositional phrases function in much the same way as prepositions and are used to show the relationship between certain words in a sentence in relation to time, space, location, and direction.

Prepositional phrases function as adverbs when they modify verbs and as adjectives when they modify nouns.

Here, the prepositional phrase modifies the noun (the bags); therefore, it functions as an adjective.

'Here, the prepositional phrase is modifying the verb (went) by answering the question 'why did she go to the counter?'. Therefore, it functions as an adverb.

Types of prepositional phrases

There are three types of prepositional phrases. There are the two we have already covered briefly: adjective prepositional phrases and adverb prepositional phrases, as well as prepositional phrases acting as a noun.

Adjective prepositional phrases and adverb prepositional phrases are the most common, so let's begin with those!

Adjective prepositional phrases

An adjective prepositional phrase acts as an adjective in a sentence, meaning it provides extra information about the noun.

Let's break this sentence down:

Noun = The server

Preposition = at

Object = the restaurant

Adjective prepositional phrase = at the restaurant

The phrase contains the preposition 'at' and gives more information about 'the server', which is the noun.

Noun = the extra cash

Preposition = inside

Object = the handbag

Adjective prepositional phrase = inside the handbag

The phrase features 'inside' as the preposition, providing more information about the extra cash by telling the reader its location.

Noun = a picture

Preposition = of

Object = his new car

Adjective prepositional phrase = of his new car

Adverb prepositional phrases

An adverb prepositional phrase acts as the adverb in the sentence, meaning it gives extra information about the verb.

Verb = have

Preposition = on

Subject = Saturday night

Adverb prepositional phrase = on Saturday nights

The prepositional phrase tells us when family dinner happens.

Verb = cooking

Preposition = at

Object = Emily's house

Adverb prepositional phrase = at Emily's house

Here, the prepositional phrase tells us where the verb (cooking) took place.

Verb = drove

Preposition = across

Object = the country

Adverb prepositional phrase = across the country

Prepositional phrases as a noun

It’s not very common, but sometimes prepositional phrases can function as the main noun within a sentence. In this case, the prepositional phrase is the subject of the sentence.

Prepositional phrases are able to act as the main subject of the sentence because the noun is usually implied, rather than being explicitly said.

Commas and prepositional phrases

Commas are sometimes used with prepositional phrases, but not always. Let’s look at some general rules when it comes to commas and prepositional phrases.

Commas with restrictive and nonrestrictive phrases

If the prepositional phrase is a restrictive phrase (i.e. it is essential to the meaning of the sentence), we don’t use any commas.

Without the prepositional phrase, the listener is unaware of which lights are faulty; therefore, it is a restrictive phrase and commas shouldn't be used.

When the prepositional phrase is not needed for the sentence to make sense (i.e. it is nonrestrictive), we can place two commas on either side of it.

The fact the lights are from Barcelona isn't essential information and simply gives us more detail. If the prepositional phrase was removed from the sentence, it would still make sense; therefore we place the phrase between two commas.

Commas with introductory phrases

When the prepositional phrase is being used at the beginning of a sentence (usually acting as an adverb) we should separate it from the rest of the sentence with a comma.

Commas with prepositional phrases containing gerunds

When a verb is acting as the noun in the sentence (we call these gerunds e.g ‘he went swimming’), the use of commas can be very important.

Take a look at the first sentence. Without the comma, the reader might be left wondering if someone cooked your sister!

Examples of prepositional phrases

Prepositional phrases are used to give insight and information to the reader. The most common type of information they give fits into two areas: place and direction, and time.

Below we will provide a list of prepositional words and phrases used to show the relationship between place, direction, and time, and will provide adjectival and adverbial examples for each.

Place and direction prepositional phrase examples

Here is a list of prepositions often used to show the relationship between two words in a sentence in terms of place and direction:

to, into, toward, towards, at, inside, outside, on, onto, around, beneath, by, past, close to, near, nearby, through, beside, among, behind, below, between, down from, up from, in front of.

Fig 2. Where are the shoes? In the wardrobe

Time prepositional phrases examples

Time prepositional phrases are useful as they allow the writer/speaker to give more context about when something is taking place. Giving information about the time can range from a specific hour to an entire period of time.

Here is a list of prepositions used to indicate time:

from, until, at, after, afterwards, before, beforehand, during, on, in

What is the difference between conjunctions and prepositional phrases?

The role of conjunctions is to link together words, phrases, clauses and sentences. Some examples of conjunctions are: whether, whoever, which, until, though, supposing, now.

It is common for conjunctions and preposition phrases to be mixed up. Although there is some crossover, they function very differently. For example, conjunctions are there to join together parts of the sentence whereas prepositions are specifically there to point out the relationship between words in the sentence.

Look out for words such as before, while, after, and until - they can be used in both conjunction or prepositional phrases.

Can sentences have multiple prepositional phrases?

Sentences often have multiple prepositional phrases. Below is a sentence that includes five prepositional phrases. It is important to realise that sentences often have many prepositional phrases and to make sure you are identifying all of them.

Using prepositional phrases in your writing

Below are just a few examples of common prepositional phrases. You most likely already use some of these in everyday conversation and in your writing. It is good to think about which ones you already use, and use this information to deepen your understanding of how prepositional phrases work.

Above all

On account of

Through the looking glass

At first glance

Between you and me

Around the clock

At a loss

After many tries

To a certain degree

In common

In other words

By accident

Keeping prepositional phrases simple

It is possible to have numerous preposition phrases in a single sentence. However, it is important to recognise that using fewer preposition phrases can make your sentences clearer. Your understanding and usage of preposition phrases can affect the quality and readability of your writing.

Take a look at this comedic quote from Groucho Marx that emphasizes the importance of being clear when writing prepositional phrases.

This quote highlights how easy it is for unclear prepositional phrases to send completely the wrong message. This is a reminder that we need to ensure sentences are clear and easy to read.