Definition & Meaning of Prepositional Phrases in English



A prepositional phrase, as the name suggests, contains a preposition (a grammatical word showing relationship between a noun or pronoun and other parts of a sentence) , an object (an object of a preposition→ a noun or pronoun) and usually a modifier ( a word, phrase or clause that affects, modifies and specifies the meaning of a sentence). 

Example: 

a. A boy with long hair was seen here last night.

b. I wake up early in the morning. 

Explanation: in the aforementioned example sentences, “A boy with long hair,” and “in the morning,” are prepositional phrases because they consist of three things: 

1. A preposition–“with” or “in”

2. An object–“long hair” or “morning”

3. A modifier –“A” or “the”


Types and Uses of Prepositional Phrases

In English, we use a prepositional phrase in order to modify, affect and enhance the meanings of nouns, adjectives, verbs or adverbs. Prepositional Phrases are of mainly three kinds. They are as under: 

a. Adverb Prepositional Phrases

b. Adjective Prepositional Phrases

c. Prepositional Phrases as Nouns 


1. An adverb prepositional phrase is a prepositional phrase that modifies and specifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective or an adverb. Like adverbs, adverb prepositional phrases answer the questions, when, where, why, how an action is performed.

Examples:  

a. My son is sitting under the tree. 

b. John is very good at dancing. 

c. John's a punctual guy. He likes getting up early in the morning. 

Explanation: 

The first sentence uses a prepositional phrase, “under the tree,”. The prepositional phrase, “under the tree” modifies the meaning of the verb, ‘sitting’. As this prepositional phrase modifies the meaning of the verb, ‘sitting’, it is called an adverb prepositional phrase or adverbial prepositional phrase. Like an adverb, this adverb prepositional phrase answers the question “where is my son sitting?” the answer is “under the tree”. 

The second sentence, “John is very good at dancing.” also contains a prepositional phrase– “at dancing”. The prepositional phrase, “at dancing” modifies the meaning of the adjective–good. So, as the prepositional phrase, “at dancing” modifies the meaning of an adjective, it is named an adverb prepositional phrase. 

The third sentence, “John's a punctual guy. He likes getting up early in the morning.” also consists of a prepositional phrase, “in the morning”. This prepositional phrase modifies the meaning of an adverb, “early”. So, the prepositional phrase, “in the morning” is an adverb prepositional phrase. 


2. An adjective prepositional phrase is a phrase that modifies and specifies the meaning of a noun or pronoun.

Examples: 

a. The birds on the tree flew away. 

b. You, with the blue cap, pay attention to what I'm saying.  

Explanation: 

The above-mentioned first sentence, “The birds on the tree flew away.” contains the prepositional phrase, “on the tree” which modifies the meaning of the noun, “the birds”. As this prepositional phrase modifies the meaning of a noun, it is an adjective prepositional phrase. 

The second sentence, “You, with the blue cap, pay attention to what I'm saying.” consists of the prepositional phrase, “with the blue cap” which modifies the pronoun, ‘you’. Hence it is an adjective prepositional phrase. 


3. Prepositional Phrases as Nouns

Sometimes, a prepositional phrase acts as a noun. As such, a prepositional phrase being used as a noun will act as the subject in the sentence. 

Examples: 

a. After the game will be late for you to go to bed. 

b. Before the exams is the worst time to maintain your diet.


Positions of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases are placed in three positions: at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a sentence. 

Examples: 

a. After the end sem examination, John is going to visit his village. 

b. The boy beside you is waiting for his girlfriend. 

c. Raman is likely to start gym after two days.


Summary of the Lesson

What is a prepositional phrase? 

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that consists of a preposition, its object and usually a modifier. 

Prepositional Phrases Modifying Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs and Nouns 

1. An adverb prepositional phrase modifying a verb

Example: My son is sitting under the tree. 

2. An adverb prepositional phrase modifying an adjective 

Example: John is very good at dancing. 

3. An adverb prepositional phrase modifying an adverb 

Example: John likes getting up early in the morning. 

4. An adjective prepositional phrase modifying a noun 

Example: The birds on the tree flew away. 

5. An adjective prepositional phrase modifying a pronoun

Example: You, with the blue cap, pay attention to what I'm saying.

How many types of prepositional phrases are there in English? 


There are three types of prepositional phrases in English. They are as follows: 

1. Adverb prepositional phrases

2. Adjective prepositional phrases

3. Prepositional phrases as nouns