Grammar

Prepositional Phrases in English with Examples

Prepositional Phrases in English

What is A prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition (like “in,” “on,” “under”) and includes a noun or pronoun. It adds details about time, location, or direction.

  • She sat on the bench.
    ( The phrase on the bench shows where she sat.)
  • The cat hid under the table.
    ( Under the table tells us where the cat hid.)
  • We met at noon.
    (At noon gives the time when we met.)
  • He walked through the park.
    (Through the park” explains the path he walked.)
  • They left before sunset.
    (Before sunset tells us when they left.)

How to Identify Prepositional Phrases

Find the preposition:

Look for words like in, on, after, or between.

Look for the object:

The word or group of words right after the preposition is the object (usually a noun or pronoun).

Check for meaning:

If the phrase provides extra information about when, where, or how something happens, it’s likely a prepositional phrase.

Examples to find Prepositional Phrases:

  • She lives near the lake
    Near is the preposition, and the lake is the object, telling us where she lives.
  • They left before dawn
    Before is the preposition, dawn is the object, giving us time information.
  • He walked through the crowd
    Through is the preposition, the crowd is the object, describing where he walked.
  • The book is on the table
    On is the preposition, the table is the object, telling us where the book is placed.
  • We met after the meeting
    After is the preposition, and the meeting is the object, showing when we met.

Common Prepositions Used in Phrases

  • On the table – shows location
  • In the room – indicates where something is
  • At the park – points out a specific place
  • By the window – describes location near something
  • For the team – gives purpose or reason
  • With my friends – shows who you’re with
  • About the movie – gives a topic or subject
  • Over the bridge – describes movement or position
  • Under the bed – shows a lower position
  • Through the door – describes movement across
  • Between the trees – indicates a position in the middle
  • Around the corner – shows a nearby location

Prepositional Phrases that Modify Nouns

When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun, it acts like an adjective, giving extra information about the noun. This helps clarify details such as location, ownership, or characteristics.

Examples:

  • The book on the shelf
    on the shelf describes where the book is located.
  • The girl in the red dress
    in the red dress gives more details about which girl.
  • The house by the lake
    by the lake tells us which house.
  • The bag with the blue stripes
    with the blue stripes describes what kind of bag.
  • The man from Spain
    from Spain indicates where the man is from.

Prepositional Phrases that Modify Verbs

When a prepositional phrase modifies a verb, it functions like an adverb, adding more detail about how, where, when, or why an action takes place.

Examples:

  • She walked through the park
    through the park describes where she walked.
  • They met after school
    after school indicates when they met.
  • He laughed with joy
    with joy describes how he laughed.
  • We waited for an hour
    for an hour tells us how long we waited.
  • She danced under the stars
    under the stars shows where she danced.

Prepositional Phrases with Pronouns

Prepositional phrases often use pronouns to give more information about people, places, or things in a sentence. When a prepositional phrase includes a pronoun, the pronoun becomes the object of the preposition and adds detail to the action or description. Common pronouns used in prepositional phrases include him, her, them, us, me, and it.

  • The gift is for her
    for her tells us who the gift is for.
  • He walked beside me
    beside me indicates who he walked with.
  • They waited for us
    for us shows who was being waited for.
  • Please sit with them
    with them describes who to sit with.
  • The message was from him
    from him gives details about who sent the message.

Function of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases play an important role in sentences by adding extra details. They often tell us where something happens, when it happens, or how something is done, making sentences more complete and interesting.

Location:

Prepositional phrases can describe the place or direction of an action.

  • She sat on the bench.
    Here, “on the bench” shows where she sat.

Time:

These phrases can tell us when something occurs.

  • The class starts at 9 a.m..
    “At 9 a.m.” gives the time.

Manner:

They can explain how something is done.

  • He spoke with confidence.
    “With confidence” shows how he spoke.

Purpose or Reason:

Some prepositional phrases tell why something happens.

  • She came for an interview.
    “For an interview” tells the reason for her coming.

Example Sentences with Prepositional Phrases

  • The cat is sleeping under the table.
  • We will meet at the park.
  • She walked through the forest.
  • He put the book on the shelf.
  • The dog ran around the yard.
  • They sat in the classroom.
  • I found the keys in my bag.
  • The picture hangs above the fireplace.
  • She waited for her friend.
  • He arrived before dinner.
Prepositional Phrases in English with Examples

You May Also Like

About the author

GrammarSphere Publisher

Leave a Comment