Do you know what a prepositional phrase is? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on prepositional phrases, including its definition, usage, example sentences, and more!
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According to Grammarly, in English grammar, a prepositional phrase is a group of words that consists of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object/modifiers of the object. A prepositional phrase consists of at least one preposition and the object of the preposition. This can be a noun, a gerund (ends in ing), or an adjective clause/adjectival phrase or adverb clause/adverbial phrase. Prepositional phrase can modify nouns, pronouns, modify verbs, act as nouns, and more. Common prepositions that begin prepositional phrases are the following words to, of, about, at, before, after, by, behind, during, for, from, in, over, under, and with. There are many prepositional phrases acting as different parts of speech. Prepositional phrases function as nouns, adjective phrases, nouns, adverbs, and more. Once can use active voice or passive voice with a prepositional phrase. Different kinds of prepositional phrases or types of prepositional phrases use basic elements like connectors or conjunctions to modify the object of a prepositional phrase and make a long sentence or complete clause.
What are examples of prepositional phrases?
Take a look at these prepositional phrase examples from Your Dictionary and see how many you can recognize! The first sentence and second sentence/second example use different prepositions. See if you can identify the complete sentence and where it uses adverbial clauses, a comma to connect clauses, a correlating adverb, a past tense verb form, adverb phrases, a basic prepositional phrase, the subject of a sentence, adjective prepositional phrases, adverb prepositional phrases, and more in these following sentences.
Amid the confusion, everyone panicked that we were stuck in the elevator.
I love to take my truck off the road and have the best time.
Tell me the story about the dragon slayer.
The clues within the first few chapters will lead to the murderer.
The car beside the red one is the one I want to buy.
The present inside the big rainbow box is mine.
The tiger crept over the grass.
Our boss put out a memo regarding the new rule and the kind of information we could share.
The puppy ran out the door.
I would like to live near the ocean.
I will climb up the highest mountain tomorrow.
We will order cheese pizza and a cupcake during halftime.
His is only one voice among many, but it will be heard.
All rooms below deck are for sleeping.
According to the weather forecast, it’s going to rain all week.
The extra blanket is in the box under the bed.
We kissed by the light of the moon.
My shopping list needs to be put into my purse.
The balloon drifted up the stairs.
I must obey the wishes of my boss, who teaches math to learners at the university level.
We went to the amusement park.
The path wound throughout the thick forest.
Across many deserts, people see mirages.
Put the fresh flowers on a high shelf.
Alice looks through the looking glass.
The book with the tattered cover has been read many times.
The baby cried well into the night.
I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with my social media.
The area outside the boundary is dangerous to cross.
Racing toward the finish line, Sarah realized she just might win.
She dances like a beautiful swan.
All the passengers aboard the runaway train were frightened.
I hope to travel around the world.
Our team won against all odds.
Saul, unlike many others, will remain there.
After many tries, we bust the door down.
The wind blew my hat off the top of my head.
Let’s introduce ourselves before we start the meeting.
What are other literary techniques and devices?
There are many different literary and grammatical techniques and devices that you might see when you are reading prose or poetry. It is important to recognize these terms because they are always used for some purpose. Knowing these devices can help readers understand the author’s deeper meaning and why they are using such a device. Take a look at the below list of grammatical devices from OED and see how many you know! Then try researching ones that are unfamiliar to you.
Overall, a prepositional phrase is a group of words that has a preposition, object, and modifiers. This can be adverbial prepositional phrases or adjectival prepositional phrases, amongst others.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.
Kevin
January 4, 2022
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