Name: ________________________ Date: ___________________ H.W. #
THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE
Here are some key facts about prepositional phrases:
1. A phrase is a group of words without a subject and verb, used as one part of speech.
Prepositional phrases are one type of phrase. Each prepositional phrase always
begins with a preposition. A prepositional phrase NEVER, EVER contains a
verb.
2. The prepositional phrase consists of the preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the
object. The object of the preposition is always a noun, pronoun, or a group of words
used as a noun and comes after the preposition. To find the object of the preposition,
first say the preposition, then ask, "Who/Whom or What?"
The coin fell between the cracks.
Between is the preposition in the above sentence. To find the object of the preposition
ask "Between what?" The noun "cracks" answers the question, so it is the object of
the preposition.
3. Prepositional phrases are used as adjectives or adverbs.
When prepositional phrases are used as adjectives, the phrase comes immediately after the
noun or pronoun it modifies. The phrase answers one of the following questions about the
word it modifies: Which one? What kind? How many/how much? Whose?
My check for the dress is in the mail.
The prepositional phrase, "for the dress," tells which check. The phrase is used as an
adjective modifying the noun "check."
B. When prepositional phrases are used as adverbs, they may be found any place in the
sentence. The adverb phrase tells how, when, where, or to what extent about a verb,
adjective, or adverb.
The boy fell on the steps.
The phrase "on the steps" tells where the boy fell. It modifies the verb "fell" and is used as an
adverb because it answers the question “where” he fell.
Later on, we will discuss the difference between when some words are used as an adverb
versus as a preposition.
4. The following is a list of frequently used prepositions:
(This is only a sample of the MANY prepositions in the English language.)
about
above
across
after
against
around
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
beyond
by
down
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
like
near/nearby
of
off
on
out
outside
over
since
through
throughout
till
to
toward
under
until
up
upon
with
without
according to
away from
because of
by way of
in addition to
in front of
in place of
in regard to
in spite of
instead of
on account of
out of
Directions: Underline all the prepositional phrases in the following sentences. Highlight the
prepositions. The number after the sentence indicates the number of prepositional phrases in
the sentence. The first one is done for you.
1. After the movie the group of teenagers went to McDonalds for a burger. (4)
2. Without sugar the blueberries were too sour for the dinner guests. (2)
3. Sally worked from midnight to noon on her science project. (3)
4. Over the river and through the woods to grandfather’s house we go. (3)
5. He ate three boxes of popcorn with butter during the movie. (3)
6. Despite his fear of water Jack saved the drowning puppy. (2)
7. Janet took her lunch with her to the seminar. (2)
8. At the Country Fair, the child with the freckles won the talent contest. (2)
9. For breakfast she likes bananas with strawberries. (2)
10. Down the dark alley, the cat chased a rat with long whiskers. (2)
11. The police searched throughout the apartment complex for the escaped criminal. (2)
12. During the summer, Gordie fishes under the large oak tree beside Silver Creek. (3)
13. By noon, Jimmy decided a nap on the hammock would be nice. (2)
14. Geese live in flocks while cattle live among herds. (2)
15. Around the world, people of all nationalities are brought together through music. (3)
16. He likes movies about war; she prefers movies with a romantic theme. (2)
17. Away from home for the first time, Mary wrote numerous letters to her family. (3)
18. Mud squished beneath her feet as Ann walked through the woods during a rainstorm. (3)
19. A nineteenth century artist from Italy designed the sculpture above the entrance. (2)
20. Inside the auditorium, a group of dancers was practicing. (2)
21. Martin arrived with the others before the opening act of the play. (3)
22. The children searched for the Easter eggs beneath the porch and inside the house. (3)
23. Outside his apartment, Thomas struggled to find the key to the building. (2) (Be careful!)
24. According to the news, plenty of volunteers walked in the heavy rain to raise money for
cancer research. (4) (Be careful!)
25. Between you and me, I am starting to get into this grammar stuff. (2) (Be careful!)
Source: Some sentences are copied or adapted from: M:\9-TLC\TLC Web Design\Handouts
Worksheets\Grammar.Punctuation.Writing\Prepositional Phrase.doc orange
