Prepositional Phrases: Meaning, Examples, Practice Exercise with Answers

As mentioned above, a prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition (as in, on, under, with, etc) and ends with its object. The object is often accompanied by modifiers that describe it. Without the object, the preposition feels incomplete; hence, prepositional phrases are part of a sentence and can’t stand alone without an object. The purpose of this is to give additional information about the time, place, direction, reason, or manner,

Examples:

• The book is on the shelf.
• Susan left her glass at the table.
• Mary ran into the meadows.

Note that the prepositions (on, at, into) are accompanied by an object which makes the sentence comprehensive. Otherwise, the sentence would appear incomplete and would not make any sense.

Prepositional Phrases in English

Cambridge Dictionary defines prepositional phrases as “phrases consisting of a preposition and the words which follow it (a complement). The complement is most commonly a noun phrase or pronoun, but it can also be an adverb phrase or a verb in the –ing form or, less commonly, a prepositional phrase or a wh-clause:”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines prepositional phrases as “a phrase that begins with a preposition and ends in a noun, pronoun, or noun Phrase.”

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Understanding the structure of a prepositional phrase is the first step for mastering its use. A prepositional phrase is not just any random group of words joined to make a sentence. There’s a set pattern it follows, understanding which can aid you in spotting it easily. Knowing the structure also helps in learning the difference between a phrase and a clause. is a common error made by many learners.

Prepositional phrase structure is as follows:

• The preposition introduces the relationship (in/ on/ under/ with/ after, etc.)
• The modifier adds detail to the object.
• The object of the preposition is usually a noun or pronoun that completes the phrase in a cohesive sense.

Examples of Prepositional Phrase Structure:

• I went for a stroll in the evening.

Preposition (in) + Object (evening)

• She sat there with a pretty smile.

Preposition (with) + Modifier (pretty) + Object (smile).

• I wept under the night sky.

Preposition (under) + Modifier (night) + Object (sky)

Prepositional Phrases Example

Not all prepositional phrases work the same way. Depending on how they function in a sentence, they fall into different categories. By knowing about the types of prepositional phrases, one can figure out the role they are playing. The ‘roles’ here is whether the prepositional phrase is describing a noun, modifying an action, or adding more complex relationships. Let’s look at types of prepositional phrases in grammar:

Adjective Prepositional Phrase

An adjective prepositional phrase acts like an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun by giving more detail. These type of prepositional phrases can be spotted by asking “Which one?” or “What kind?” These phrases usually come right after the noun they describe, adding clarity to the sentence. By adding adjective prepositional phrases, one can enrich their writing and help the reader form a better picture of the subject.

Examples:

• The woman in the red gown (Which girl? – The one in the red gown)
• The vase on the glass table is hers. (Which glass? – The one on the glass table)
• Is Draco the one with platinum hair? (Which person? – The one with platinum hair)

Adverb Prepositional Phrases

An adverb prepositional phrase functions much like an adverb. It is used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and adds details about the action taking place. These phrases are often used as an answer to questions, such as when, where, how, why etc.  By adding adverb prepositional phrases, one can make the sentences more vivid and descriptive.

Examples of Adverb Prepositional Phrases:

• Darcy works with complete focus. (How does he work? – with complete focus)
• Lizzie arrived after the dinner. (When did she arrive? – after the dinner)
• They stood under the rain. (Where did they stand? – under the rain)

Complex Prepositional Phrases

A complex prepositional phrase starts with a multi-word preposition, such as in spite of, because of, according to, in front of, in between the, etc. These phrases add nuance showing the relationships between concepts with better clarity. This is helpful in highlighting causes, emphasising contrasts, or indicating positions more clearly than with the simple prepositions alone.  

Complex Prepositional Phrases Examples:

• The two of them stayed together in spite of the differences.
• Bill stayed home because of the heavy rain.
• Charlie hid the dogs under the shed due to the inspection.

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Without the use of prepositional phrase, a sentence may look incomplete. Usually overlooked, prepositional phrases play a big role in shaping the clarity, adding details, and improving the flow of a sentence or conversation.

Why are Prepositional Phrases Important?

Let us at the following points to know about importance of prepositional phrases:

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Functions of Prepositional Phrases

As Adjective Phrases: Modifies the noun or pronouns by specifying which one or what kind.

Example:

• The shoes at the door are mine. (Which shoes? – The ones by the door)
• The teacher from the new school is a former ballerina. (Which teacher? The one from the new school)
• She sat and cried by the river. (Where did she cry? – By the river)

Prepositional Phrases as Adverb Phrases: Used to modify the verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by providing information about place, time, manner, or degree.

Example:

• He ran through the park. (Where did he run? – Through the park.)
• I hid under the table. (Where did I hide? – Under the table)

Prepositional phrases enhance your sentences, especially in writing. However, if used carelessly, they can clutter a sentence. Here are some tips to use prepositional phrases:

1. Avoid Overloading Your Sentence

Using too many prepositional phrases in a single sentence can make it chunky and hard to read. Keeping the sentences simple and clear by limiting the number of phrases is important. By using the phrase preposition sparingly in a sentence, the clarity and intent become much clearer while providing more impact. Have a look at the following example to understand this better:

Incorrect: The keys under the table in the room near the balcony are missing.

Correct: The keys under the table are missing.

Incorrect: The girl in a red dress standing by the shelf in the corner of the library at the end is my cousin.

Correct: The girl standing by the shelf is my cousin.

2. Place Phrases Close to the Modifier

A misplaced prepositional phrase can confuse readers/ listeners or even alter the meaning of a sentence. Prepositional phrases should always be placed as close as possible to the word they modify. Always double-check to ensure that the prepositional phrase clearly describes the intent.

Example:

Incorrect: She saw a person on the balcony with glasses. (Ambiguous about who has the glasses.)

Correct: She saw a person with glasses on the balcony.

Incorrect: The chef prepared a meal for the guests with fresh vegetables. (Unclear)

Correct: The chef prepared a meal with fresh vegetables for the guests. (Clear)

Find below some of the best books for prepositional phrases in English:

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