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In grammar, a "prepositional phrase" refers to a preposition, its object, and any modifiers. Here in this article, we’ll answer the basic questions people most often have about prepositional phrases, such as "What is a prepositional phrase?" and "How do I use a prepositional phrase?" We will also provide plenty of prepositional phrase examples for you to practice with.

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a part of a sentence that consists of one preposition and the object it affects . The object of a prepositional phrase can be either a noun, gerund, or clause.

Here’s an example of a prepositional phrase (in italics):

She caught the bus on time .

"On time" is the prepositional phrase. It consists of a preposition ("on") and a noun ("time").

Here’s another example of a prepositional phrase at work:

Mark is going out with that beautiful woman .

In this example, the prepositional phrase is "with that beautiful woman." The preposition is "with," while the object it affects is "woman."

As shown in this example, prepositional phrases can govern more than one word—they can govern any words that modify or describe the object of the preposition, too .

Here’s a final example of a prepositional phrase:

Before going home , go to the bank.

The preposition in this prepositional phrase is "before." The word that it governs is "going," which is a gerund.

Remember that prepositional phrases can govern nouns, gerunds, or clauses .

Prepositional Phrase Examples: Modifying Nouns

There are a number of different types of prepositional phrases.

The first type of prepositional phrase modifies a noun. In that way, this type of prepositional phrase acts as an adjective and is therefore known as an adjectival phrase.

Here are some examples of prepositional phrases acting as adjectives:

That puppy at the park is so happy.

The prepositional phrase "at the park" acts adjectivally because it’s providing more information about the puppy.

I like to go grocery shopping at the Whole Foods behind my house .

Here, the prepositional phrase "behind my house" acts adjectivally because it modifies the noun "Whole Foods."

In both of these examples, the prepositional phrases give more information about the nouns to enhance our understanding.

Prepositional Phrase Examples: Modifying Verbs

Just as prepositional phrases can act as adjectives that modify nouns, they can also act as adverbs that modify verbs . Let’s look at some examples:

Jane cheered for her team with excitement .

The prepositional phrase "with excitement" acts adverbially because it provides more information about how Jane is cheering.

Here’s another example:

Mark looked behind his brother .

In this sentence, the prepositional phrase "behind his brother" gives us more information about exactly where Mark looked.

Prepositional Phrase Examples: Acting as Nouns

Prepositional phrases can act as nouns, too. Here’s an example:

During the commercials is the best time to go to the bathroom.

The prepositional phrase "during the commercials" acts as a noun and is in fact the subject of the sentence.

Prepositional Phrase Examples: Different Types

Let’s take a look at some more examples of prepositional phrases acting as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.

Prepositional Phrases Acting as Adjectives

The girl in the middle is the best dancer.

The grocery store across town has a great produce selection.

The park near the lake has an off-leash dog area.

The restaurant behind my house is loud.

The neighbors to my right have a lot of parties.

Prepositional Phrases Acting as Adverbs

She went to the store .

My dad took his boat to the lake .

My sister clapped for her team .

My brother ran to his girlfriend’s house .

Prepositional Phrases Acting as Nouns

Behind the school is a park.

After the movie is the perfect time to get dinner.

During the flight is a good time to catch up on work.

Common Words That Start Prepositional Phrases

If you’re looking to find the prepositional phrase in a sentence, keep an eye out for these words that often signify the start of prepositional phrases :

Final Thoughts: What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

What's the prepositional phrase definition? A prepositional phrase is a part of a sentence consisting of a preposition and the word it governs. Prepositions in prepositional phrases can govern nouns, gerunds, or clauses.

There are three main types of prepositional phrases:

• Those that act as nouns
• Those that act as adverbs
• Those that act as adjectives

Looking at prepositional phrase examples can help you keep each of them straight!

What’s Next?

Trying to brush up on your grammar to prepare for your AP English exam? We've got tons of resources for you! Start by reviewing our AP English exam guide and then check out the complete list of practice tests and books you should read for the essay portion of the test.

Looking for information about writing? Take a look at our guides on literary elements , sonnets , and similes vs metaphors .

Wondering about the role grammar plays on the SAT? Learn the most important SAT grammar rules and check out our complete prep guide to the SAT Writing section .

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

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Prepositional Phrases: Examples, Sentences, & Usage Tips

What is a prepositional phrase.

Prepositional phrases are groups of words starting with a preposition, that describe nouns, verbs, and adjectives. We’ll see lots of examples in this lesson!

Prepositional phrases can function as adjectives, modifying nouns or pronouns by providing additional information about them. For example, in the sentence “The book on the shelf is mine,” the prepositional phrase “on the shelf” modifies the noun “book” by telling us where it is located.

They can also function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by answering questions such as “where,” “when,” “how,” or “why.” For instance, in the sentence “ He ran to catch his train ,” the prepositional phrase “to catch his train” modifies the verb “ran” by telling us why he was running.

Prepositions can indicate direction, location, time, manner, and much more, and using prepositional phrases correctly can help you create better sentences! In this lesson, we’ll see lots of prepositional phrase examples, how they function within sentences, common uses, and common mistakes.

Common Prepositions Used in Prepositional Phrases

In / on / at.

These three prepositions are commonly used to indicate place or location. Here are some examples – the prepositional phrases are in bold:

• In: The book is in the bookcase.
• On: The pen is on the table.
• At: I’ll meet you at the park.

These two prepositions are often used to show movement from one place to another. For example:

• To: We’re going to the mall.  (destination)
• From: She came from Japan.  (origin)

“With” indicates association or accompaniment, and “by” shows how something was done. For example:

• With: I went to the beach with my friends.
• By: The cake was made by my sister.

ABOUT / FOR / THROUGH / UNDER / OVER

These prepositions are also frequently used. Here are some examples:

• About: He talked about his favorite movie.
• For: This gift is for you.
• Through: We walked through the forest.
• Under: The cat slept under the bed.
• Over: The plane flew over the mountains.

Check out this list of 600+ prepositional phrases!

Now let’s look at the different types of prepositional phrases.

Adjective Prepositional Phrases: Modifying Nouns

This type of prepositional phrase modifies nouns or pronouns in a sentence. It usually answers questions such as “what kind?” or “which one?” For example:

• I like cakes  with buttercream frosting. (prepositional phrase answers “what kind?”)
• The window in my bedroom needs to be repaired. (prepositional phrase answers “which one?”)

In some cases, an adjective prepositional phrase may be essential to understanding a sentence’s meaning. For example, consider this sentence: “The man with the red hat is my uncle.” Here, without the prepositional phrase “with the red hat” describing the subject “man,” we wouldn’t know which man is being referred to.

Here are some more examples of prepositional phrases functioning as adjectives. The prepositional phrases are in bold, and the nouns they describe are underlined:

• The boy with blue eyes looks rather sad.
• I watched a show about South American history.
• She opened the gifts   from her grandmother.
• This information is  out of date.
• All the products   on display  are beautiful.

Adverb Prepositional Phrases: Modifying Verbs or Adjectives

Prepositional phrases act as adverbs when they modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in a sentence. These typically answers questions such as “when?” “where?” “how?” and “why?”

Here are some examples of prepositional phrase modifying verbs:

• He drove to work at 7 am . (when did he drive?)
• I put the milk  in the fridge. (where did I put the milk?)
• She sang with joy. (how did she sing?)
• We’re learning English  for fun. (why are we learning English?)

And here are some examples of prepositional phrase modifying adjectives:

• You’re very good   at grammar. (how are you good?)
• This shirt is too tight in the sleeves. (where is it tight?)
• Honey is perfect   for sweetening tea. (why is it perfect?)

A prepositional phrase can even modify another adverb, for example: I like to get up early in the morning.

More Prepositional Phrase Examples

Prepositional phrases describing time:.

• in the morning
• in the afternoon
• on Friday afternoon
• on the 15th of the month
• in the winter
• during class
• before breakfast
• until the 30th
• from 8 AM to 4 PM
• for three hours
• for fifteen years
• since January

Learn when to use IN, ON, and AT for different times and places

Prepositional phrases describing place:

• in the park
• in New York
• in the kitchen
• on Main Street
• on the couch
• on the roof
• on the ground
• on an island
• at the corner
• at the doctor’s office
• at a concert
• under the bed
• behind the school
• near a hospital
• beside the airport
• between the two buildings
• inside the closet
• outside the country

Prepositional phrases describing manner / way of doing something:

• without hesitation
• with regret
• without precedent
• in a friendly way
• in a polite manner

Prepositional phrases describing reason / purpose:

• for cooking
• to meet new people
• to find a job
• because of the delay
• due to the weather

Learn how to use TO and FOR correctly

How to use Prepositional Phrases Correctly in English

Prepositional phrases are essential components of a sentence that provide additional information about the subject, verb, or object. However, using them correctly can be difficult, especially for non-native English speakers. In this section, we will learn some tips on how to use prepositional phrases correctly in writing.

The first tip is to use the correct preposition. For example, consider these sentences with a similar prepositional phrase, but a different preposition:

• The book is on the table.
• The book is beside the table.
• The book is  under   the table.

The different prepositions make these three sentences mean completely different things! “On” the table means “on top of the table,” “beside” means “next to the table,” and “under” means lower than the table. This is why it’s important to learn common prepositions in English , what each one means, and how they are used.

Second, avoid using too many prepositional phrases, because it can make the sentence confusing. For example:

• The first part of the new movie about space travel in theaters now was rather boring.

This sentence is not very clear because it has three prepositional phrases in a row, and the subject (“part”) is very far separated from the verb (“was”). We should divide up the sentence so that it is easier to understand.

• There’s a new movie about space travel in theaters now . The first part of it was rather boring.

Also, be careful with where you put a prepositional phrase in a sentence. It should be as close as possible to the word it modifies. For example:

• John woke up to a beautiful sunrise in his bed. This makes it sound like the sun was rising in his bed!
• Laura gave cards to the students with decorations on them. This makes it sound like the students were decorated!
• John woke up to a beautiful sunrise.  (“in his bed” is not really necessary)
• Laura gave the students cards with decorations on them. Now it is clear that the cards are decorated

Finally, remember that some verbs and adjectives require specific prepositions after them in order to convey their intended meaning correctly. For example, “depend on” instead of “depend of,” or “married to” instead of “married with.” Check out these lessons for common verb + preposition combinations and adjective + preposition combinations.

Now you’ve learned how a prepositional phrase can function like an adjective or an adverb, you’ve seen lots of sentences using prepositional phrases, and you’ve learned about common mistakes to avoid with them. Try putting it into practice by writing your own sentences using some of the prepositional phrase examples from this lesson!

Take your English grammar skills to the next level!

More Espresso English Lessons:

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Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

Understanding Prepositional Phrases (Definition, Examples, Exercises)

What is a prepositional phrase, and how do you use one in writing? How can you avoid the mistakes that are commonly made with prepositional phrases? The answer to each of these questions can seem daunting at first. However, once you learn what a prepositional phrase is, it becomes very simple to use them in your writing.

You need to know everything about prepositional phrases, including prepositional phrase examples, what constitutes these phrases, and much more.

What is a prepositional phrase?

The prepositional phrase definition is “a group of words consisting of a preposition and its object.”

Further , these phrases can consist of other terms that modify the object of the preposition.

Often, grammar rules note that these prepositional phrases will modify verbs or nouns .

What is a preposition?

A preposition is a word that indicates the position, relationship, or direction.

These words may seem little and unimportant, but they provide a lot of meaning in a statement.

With that, some examples of prepositions that express physical position include:

Prepositions that express a position in time include modifiers like:, lastly, some examples of prepositions that show a relationship with another thing or person include:, prepositions vs. prepositional phrases.

What’s the difference between a preposition and a prepositional phrase?

A preposition is a single word used to describe a position in time, physical position, or any other relationship with another person or thing.

Essentially, these are one word.

In comparison, a prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with either a noun or a pronoun.

So, while “between” and “in” are examples of prepositions , “between friends” and “in his car” are prepositional phrases.

A better way to think about it is that prepositional phrases are a group of words.

Prepositions are simply a part of that group.

How do you identify a prepositional phrase?

Before identifying any types of prepositional phrases, it is essential to understand what a preposition is ( see below).

Second, it helps to know what nouns and pronouns are.

With that, a noun is any person, place, or thing.

A pronoun is a word that is used instead of a noun (he, she, they, etc.).

Pronouns refer to things that were already mentioned or are understood by the reader.

Remember, prepositional phrases contain a preposition usually placed before nouns or pronouns.

Common prepositional phrases

The minimum requirement for a prepositional phrase is a phrase that contains at least one preposition and the object it governs.

That said, the object in question can be a noun, gerund , or a clause.

A gerund is a verb ending in “-ing” that acts as a noun.

For example, “studying” acts as a gerund in the following sentence :

“I needed to get to a quiet area so I could focus on studying .”

As you can see, “studying” acts as a noun phrase (person, place, or thing) in the previous statement, but it can also act as a verb in a different statement, such as :

“I am studying right now.”

Some of the most common prepositions that are placed at the beginning of prepositional phrases include:

A prepositional phrase modifies…

Prepositional phrases can be used for modifying nouns or modifying verbs.

With that, it is important to recognize the differences between these types of prepositional phrases, so you understand how to use them correctly.

Prepositional phrases that modify nouns

A prepositional phrase acts adjectivally when it acts upon a noun.

That said, adjectives modify nouns.

Essentially, the adjectival phrases provide more information about the noun in question to provide more under

standing for the reader.

“JoAnn thought the watermelon in the middle was the biggest.”

In the previous sentence, “in the middle” behaves adverbially because it describes which watermelon JoAnn thinks is the biggest.

“My friends always go the club on 27th street .”

This time, “on 27th street” is the prepositional phrase because it tells the reader more about the club the subject is describing.

“My brother wants to look at the house by the river .”

In this sentence, “by the river” is the prepositional phrase, as it tells the reader what kind of house “my brother” wants to look at.

Prepositional phrases that modify verbs

If a prepositional phrase acts upon a verb, it behaves adverbially.

That said, adverbs modify verbs.

Further, examples of prepositional phrases acting adverbially offer more information to the reader.

“If you want to find directions to the school, look behind you. “

In this sentence, the words “look behind you” act as the adverbial phrase because it answers the question “look where for directions.”

• “He ran up the court with intensity.”

“With intensity” describes how the subject traveled up the court.

Of course, one could write the statement as “He ran up the court.”

However, the “with intensity” portion gives the reader a better picture of how “he” traveled.

Take the following example for better context:

• “Katie answered the question truthfully.”

In this instance, “truthfully” describes how “Katie” answered the question.

Prepositional phrases acting as nouns

Sometimes, a prepositional phrase can act as a noun.

However, these circumstances are fairly rare.

Typically, these noun prepositional phrases act as the subject of the sentence or as the complement.

Take these sentences for example:

• “ In back of the room is the best place to be.”

In this case, “In back of the room” is the subject of the sentence.

However, one can rewrite this statement so the same phrase can function as the complement, such as:

• “The best place for me is the in the back of the room .”

Kinds of prepositional phrases

As previously mentioned, prepositional phrases can modify nouns or verbs.

With that, there are two kinds of prepositional phrases; adverbial and adjectival phrases.

What is an adjectival phrase?

An adjectival phrase is one that is used to describe adjectives.

In terms of prepositional phrases, an adjectival phrase is used when it acts upon a noun.

Essentially, these phrases provide more information about the nouns.

Although this information isn’t necessary to make the statement fit English grammar rules, it helps paint a clearer picture.

What is an adverbial phrase?

Sentences with adverbial phrases see the prepositional phrase act on a verb.

With these types of prepositional phrases, the adverb will modify the verb.

Overall, adverbial phrases offer more information for the reader, even though said information isn’t necessary to meet proper English grammar rules.

This sentence is one example of adverbs that modify verbs:

“We’re climbing the highest mountain tomorrow with care.”

In the previous example, “with care” answers the question, “How did they climb the mountain?”

Adjective vs. adverb

There is often confusion about the distinction between adverbs and adjectives.

An adjective is a modifier of nouns and pronouns.

Further, an adjective provides the reader with more information about a certain object.

Take the following example:

• “The hungry kids ate the savory food.”

In this instance, the adjective “hungry” describes the state of the kids, while “savory” is the adjective used to express the food more in-depth.

In comparison, an adverb modifies an adjective, verb, clause, or another adverb.

Typically, adverbs provide information that answers questions like “When?,” “How?,” and “Why?”

• “Jon took the exam quietly .”

In this case, the object of the adverb “quietly” is to depict how Jon completed his exam.

Further, “quietly” answers the question, “How did Jon take the exam?”

Prepositional phrases in active voice

In writing, active voice means that the sentence’s subject is doing the action.

So, “I ran the same way as my dog” is active.

An active voice is typically used in writing more often because it is more precise and efficient.

The following is an example of a prepositional phrase written in active voice:

• “Kyle threw the ball with focus.”

In this statement, “with focus” offers an understanding to the reader of how Kyle threw the ball.

Prepositional phrases in passive voice

Passive voice means that the object of the sentence behind a preposition is doing the action.

This rule applies even if there is no prepositional phrase present.

Here is an example of passive voice in context:

“The ball was thrown by Hilda.”

If you are unsure whether a sentence is written in passive voice, use these indicators:

• The subject of the sentence is doing the action
• Passive verbs use the third form of the verb (ending in -ed) or a helper verb
• When the object after the word “by” or “to” does the action, the statement is passive

Prepositional phrase examples

It can be tricky to identify a prepositional phrase in daily writing.

So, here are some prepositional phrase examples in a variety of sentences.

• “ During the concert is the most inconvenient time to go to the bathroom.”
• “ After our class there won’t be any time to stretch before practice.”
• “Michael ran his workout class with intensity .”
• “To locate the person who can help you, look to your right .”
• “The child furthest left is the best at sports.”
• “He always plays soccer at the field next to Kim’s grocery store .”
• “Jaden’s dream house has always been the green house by the lake .”

Avoiding excessive prepositional phrases

It is easy to get carried away and use more than one preposition or prepositional phrase in writing.

If you become aware of more than one preposition for every ten words, it is best to remove some prepositions.

Fortunately, there are several ways to edit your writing, so there aren’t as many prepositions.

Replacing prepositional phrases

Let’s use this first sentence as a base:

“It is best to act with confidence when working with a best friend in the presence of the teacher.”

As you can see, there are several prepositional phrases in this example, including two “with” phrases, an “of,” and an “in” phrase.

Even though this statement is wrong, it can be written more efficiently.

For instance, the statement can still function the same when it is written like this:

• “ In the teacher’s presence, act confidently when working with a best friend.”

Now, the only two examples of prepositional phrases are “in” and “with.”

Even when you write a statement like this, you still refer to and express the same thing as the original statement.

Writing in active tone

Another way to reduce prepositional phrases is to write in an active tone (one of the many tones in writing).

Using this type of speech, you can reduce the number of words in the statement.

Take this sentence, for example, which is written in a passive tone:

• “The ball was thrown by Tim.”

Here, the prepositional phrase is “by Tim.”

Although this statement is grammatically correct, it reads awkwardly.

Instead, the active tone would change the statement to this:

• “Time threw the ball.”

Even with a simple statement like this, fewer words made it easier to read while making it much more clear for the reader.

Can you start sentences with a prepositional phrase?

No grammatical rules in English say one cannot start a statement with a prepositional phrase.

Recall that some of the most common of these prepositions (which start a prepositional phrase) include words like:

Unfortunately, the only way to identify a preposition is to memorize them.

So, how can one use a prepositional phrase at the start of a statement?

One way to use a prepositional phrase at the start of a statement is like this:

• “In general, the school allows kids to wear whatever they want.”

In the previous example, “in general” is the prepositional phrase.

As you can see, there are no grammar mistakes in the sentence.

The misconception that prepositional phrases acting as an introduction are incorrect is outdated.

A hanging or dangling preposition was often taught to be a writing mistake.

In the past , it was considered informal to end a sentence with a dangling preposition or start one with a hanging preposition.

However, today, writing experts do not consider these two things mistakes.

Many people are unaware of this and are therefore unsure whether or not they can write a clause with a preposition at the start of a statement.

Still, no matter where a prepositional phrase is placed, one must be aware not to overuse these modifiers in a single statement.

• What Is a Gerund? – Grammarly
• What Is a Prepositional Phrase? – Grammarly
• What Is an Adjective Phrase? – Grammarly
• What Is An Adverbial Phrase? – Oxford Dictionary
• Prepositional Phrases as Nouns – English Grammar 101
• Adjectives vs. Adverbs: What’s The Difference? – Thesaurus.com
• Can You Start a Sentence With a Presposition? – Pro Writing Aid

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

Core lessons

• Abstract Noun
• Accusative Case
• Active Sentence
• Alliteration
• Adjective Clause
• Adjective Phrase
• Adverbial Clause
• Appositive Phrase
• Body Paragraph
• Compound Adjective
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• Common Noun
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• Dative Case
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• Direct Object Pronoun
• Direct Object
• Dangling Modifier
• Demonstrative Pronoun
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• Direct Characterization
• Definite Article
• Doublespeak
• Equivocation Fallacy
• Future Perfect Progressive
• Future Simple
• Future Perfect Continuous
• Future Perfect
• First Conditional
• Gerund Phrase
• Genitive Case
• Helping Verb
• Irregular Adjective
• Irregular Verb
• Imperative Sentence
• Indefinite Article
• Intransitive Verb
• Introductory Phrase
• Indefinite Pronoun
• Indirect Characterization
• Interrogative Sentence
• Intensive Pronoun
• Inanimate Object
• Indefinite Tense
• Infinitive Phrase
• Interjection
• Intensifier
• Indicative Mood
• Juxtaposition
• Linking Verb
• Misplaced Modifier
• Nominative Case
• Noun Adjective
• Object Pronoun
• Object Complement
• Order of Adjectives
• Parallelism
• Prepositional Phrase
• Past Simple Tense
• Past Continuous Tense
• Past Perfect Tense
• Past Progressive Tense
• Present Simple Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Personal Pronoun
• Personification
• Persuasive Writing
• Parallel Structure
• Phrasal Verb
• Predicate Adjective
• Predicate Nominative
• Phonetic Language
• Plural Noun
• Punctuation
• Punctuation Marks
• Preposition
• Preposition of Place
• Parts of Speech
• Possessive Adjective
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• Proper Adjective
• Proper Noun
• Present Participle
• Quotation Marks
• Relative Pronoun
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Prepositional Phrases: Definition, Examples, & Exercises

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: March 1, 2022

What is a preposition? A preposition expresses relationships between nouns. It can be used to indicate location, time, direction, and position. Usually, the preposition is part of a prepositional phrase.

For example:

• In this case, on is the preposition. It tells us where the hat was.
• In this case, behind is the preposition. It tells us where the hat is.

In this post, we’re going to go over what prepositional phrases are, tips for understanding prepositional phrases, and how to use them effectively in a sentence.

Once we’ve reviewed the fundamentals, you’ll be able to test yourself with a post-assessment quiz , and practice with our high quality, standards-aligned questions here .

What We Review

What is a Prepositional Phrase?

A phrase is a group of words that work together conceptually as part of a sentence, but cannot stand on its own. It can have either a subject or a verb, but not both. It cannot stand on its own as a complete thought.

A prepositional phrase contains a preposition, its object, and any modifiers. It usually acts as an adverb or an adjective; however, it can sometimes act as a noun.

I edged closer to the wall.

• To is the preposition. To the wall is the prepositional phrase. This prepositional phrase is acting as an adverb, modifying closer.

They ‘d formed a committee of teachers from the district.

• Of and from are the prepositions. The prepositional phrase “of teachers” acts as an adjective, modifying committee. The prepositional phrase “from the district” acts as an adjective, modifying teachers.

In the middle of the bustling crowd , I saw him.

• In and of are the prepositions. The prepositional phrase “in the middle” acts as an adverb, modifying saw. “Of the bustling crowd” acts as an adjective, modifying crowd.

Pro tip: Think space and time! Prepositional phrases (minus some exceptions) will always give you more information about space and time.

The Ultimate List of Prepositions

Return to the Table of Contents

3 Tips for Understanding Prepositional Phrases

Here are some important tips to help deepen your understanding of prepositional phrases:

Tip #1: Remember that prepositional phrases need an object.

When considering prepositional phrases, it is important to remember that they need an object. 

• In this case, below is an adverb modifying gazed.
• In this case, below the deck is a prepositional phrase. Below is the preposition, and it modifies “gazed.” “Deck” is the object of the preposition. The phrase acts as an adverb would, but is considered a prepositional phrase because it includes an object.

Tip #2: Prepositional phrases add additional non-essential information.

There can be multiple prepositional phrases in a sentence or none at all. Prepositional phrases add additional-not essential-information.

The rover landed (1) on the planet’s surface immediately (2) after losing communication (3) with mission control. (As you can see, there are three prepositional phrases in this sentence.)

The rover landed. (There are none here, but this still counts as a complete sentence with a subject and verb.)

Tip #3: Master all the other parts of speech in order to then master prepositional phrases.

Honestly, learning about prepositions (and prepositional phrases) without learning about the other parts of speech will make it much more difficult. 

Learning about all of the parts of speech and how they work together will help immensely. Practice with Albert’s Grammar course here .

Think about prepositional phrases as details that give writing clarity. While they’re not essential, they’re helpful for painting a more vivid picture with your words.

Prepositional Phrases Exercises for Review

Identify the prepositional phrases in the sentences below.

1. I doodled in my notebook .

a. In my notebook is the prepositional phrase. It acts as an adverb, modifying “doodled.”

2. The boat navigated the choppy waters with purpose .

a. With purpose is the prepositional phrase. It acts as an adverb, modifying “navigated.”

3. They made raucous noise during the show .

a. During the show is the prepositional phrase.  It acts as an adverb, modifying “made.”

4. The sight of the beach made me exhale deeply.

a. Of the beach is the prepositional phrase. It acts as an adjective, modifying “sight.”

5. After the party , I strolled home happily.

a. After the party is the prepositional phrase. It acts as an adverb, modifying “strolled.”

Try for Yourself: Prepositional Phrases Quiz

1. True or false: Prepositional phrases only contain prepositions.

• Answer: False
• Correct Explanation: Correct! Prepositional phrases include prepositions, their objects, and any modifiers.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that is incorrect. Prepositional phrases include prepositions, their objects, and any modifiers.

2. True or false: Prepositional phrases are an essential part of a complete sentence.

• Correct Explanation: Correct! You don’t need a prepositional phrase to write a complete sentence, but they do add more important detail.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that is incorrect. Prepositional phrases add important but nonessential information to a sentence.

3. How many prepositional phrases does this sentence contain?

She slid the king across the chessboard.

• Answer: One
• Correct Explanation: Correct! “Across the chessboard” is the only prepositional phrase. It tells us where she slid the king.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that is incorrect. “Across the chessboard” is the only prepositional phrase.

4. What is the preposition in this sentence?

The poodle sprung onto the couch.

• Answer: Onto
• Correct Explanation: Correct! “Onto” is the preposition. “Couch” is the object of the preposition.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s incorrect. “Couch” is part of the prepositional phrase, but it is not the preposition. It is the object of the preposition.

5. What is the prepositional phrase in this sentence?

After awhile, the tiny sapling grew tall.

• Answer: After awhile
• Correct Explanation: Correct! “After awhile” is the prepositional phrase. It acts as an adverb, modifying “grew.”
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s incorrect. “Grew” is a verb, and “tall” is an adjective, not a preposition.

Remember, Albert’s grammar course can help you gain confidence in identifying prepositional phrases and better understand how language works. Give it a try!

Teacher’s Corner for Prepositional Phrases

The Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart shows that students must “choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely” from grades four through six. They then must “ choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy ” through high school. 

As prepositional phrases are used to add detail, they can be incorporated into a developmentally-appropriate curriculum at any age.

Grammar skills require consistent, low-stakes practice and quality feedback. Students benefit enormously from working at their own pace, as well. Albert’s grammar course is an invaluable resource that allows students the practice they need at the pace that’s best for them.

You can use our assessments to measure student progress, or create your own using our assignments feature.

Summary on Prepositional Phrases

A preposition expresses relationships between nouns. It can be used to indicate location, time, direction, and position. 

A prepositional phrase contains a preposition, its object, and any modifiers.

In writing, prepositional phrases are details that paint a clearer picture in the reader’s mind. Although they aren’t essential as part of a complete sentence, they are an important part of well-crafted writing.

It is easier to learn about prepositional phrases as you are learning the other parts of speech. Visit Albert’s grammar course for in-depth explanations, practice quizzes, and assessments on nearly every grammar concept.

Need help preparing for your Grammar exam?

Albert has hundreds of grammar practice questions with detailed explanations to help you master concepts.

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Mastering Preposition Phrases: Your Ultimate Guide to Flawless English Writing

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: August 17, 2023

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Preposition phrases are an essential aspect of English grammar, and they can be found in almost every sentence. A prepositional phrase is a group of words that starts with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as location, time, or direction.

In this article, we will explore prepositional phrases in depth and provide you with examples of how to use them correctly in your writing. We will discuss the different types of prepositional phrases and how they can modify verbs, adjectives, and other nouns. Additionally, we will provide exercises to help you practice using prepositional phrases correctly in your writing.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of prepositional phrases and be able to use them effectively in your writing. So, let’s dive in and explore this important aspect of English grammar together!

Preposition Phrases – Image

Understanding Preposition Phrase

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with its object. The preposition shows the relationship between the object and another word in the sentence. Prepositional phrases can modify nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

Let’s look at some examples:

• The book is on the table. (The prepositional phrase “on the table” modifies the verb “is.”)
• The girl with the red hair is my sister. (The prepositional phrase “with the red hair” modifies the noun “girl.”)
• The man in the black suit is the CEO. (The prepositional phrase “in the black suit” modifies the noun “man.”)

Prepositional phrases can also consist of more than one preposition. For example, “in front of” and “next to” are two-word prepositions that are commonly used in English.

Prepositional phrases are important because they add detail and precision to your writing. They can help you describe the location, time, manner, or reason of an action or event. By using prepositional phrases, you can make your sentences more interesting and informative.

Here are some examples of how prepositional phrases can be used:

• Location: The dog is under the table.
• Time: I will meet you at the restaurant at 7 pm.
• Manner: She sings with a beautiful voice.
• Reason: He left because of the noise.

Prepositional phrases can also be used to create complex sentences. By combining two or more prepositional phrases, you can create a sentence with more than one idea. For example:

• The house on the hill with the red roof is for sale.

In this sentence, there are two prepositional phrases: “on the hill” and “with the red roof.” Together, they modify the noun “house” and give more information about it.

Types of Preposition Phrases

Preposition phrases are groups of words that begin with a preposition and end with an object. There are two types of preposition phrases: single preposition phrases and compound preposition phrases.

Single Preposition Phrase

A single preposition phrase is a group of words that consists of a preposition and its object. The object can be a noun, pronoun, or a gerund. Here are some examples:

• She is sitting on the chair.
• He is talking to his friend.
• The cat is hiding under the bed.
• They are walking towards the beach.

Compound Preposition Phrase

A compound preposition phrase is a group of words that consists of two or more words acting as a single preposition. Compound prepositions are formed by combining a preposition with an adverb, adjective, or noun. Here are some examples:

• According to the weather forecast, it’s going to rain.
• She is standing in front of the mirror.
• The book is on top of the table.
• He is sitting next to his sister.

Usage of Preposition Phrases

Preposition phrases are a fundamental part of English grammar. They are used to provide additional information about nouns and verbs, such as location, time, direction, and manner. In this section, we’ll explore how preposition phrases are used in sentences and paragraphs.

In Sentences

Preposition phrases are often used to provide context and detail to a sentence. They can be used to describe where something is happening, when it’s happening, or how it’s happening. Here are a few examples:

• “The cat is on the roof.” In this sentence, the preposition phrase “on the roof” describes where the cat is located.
• “We’re meeting at the park at noon.” Here, the preposition phrase “at the park” describes the location of the meeting, while “at noon” describes when it’s happening.
• “She walked down the street slowly.” The preposition phrase “down the street” describes the direction of the walk, while “slowly” describes how it was done.

Preposition phrases can also be used to modify verbs, providing additional information about how an action was performed. Here’s an example:

• “He spoke with confidence.” In this sentence, the preposition phrase “with confidence” modifies the verb “spoke” and describes how he spoke.

In Paragraphs

Preposition phrases can be used effectively in paragraphs to provide coherence and clarity. They can be used to link ideas and provide transitions between sentences and paragraphs. Here are a few examples:

• “After finishing his breakfast, John went for a walk in the park. He enjoyed the fresh air and the sound of the birds singing. Eventually, he sat down on a bench and read a book for an hour.” In this paragraph, the preposition phrase “after finishing his breakfast” provides a transition between the first and second sentences, while “in the park” and “on a bench” provide additional detail about where John went and what he did.
• “The company’s profits have been steadily declining for the past year. Despite this, the CEO remains optimistic about the future. He believes that by implementing new strategies , the company can turn things around.” Here, the preposition phrase “despite this” links the first and second sentences, while “about the future” and “by implementing new strategies” provide additional detail about the CEO’s perspective.

Tips and Tricks for Using Preposition Phrases

As a writer, using prepositional phrases correctly can enhance your writing skills and improve the flow of your text. Here are some tips and tricks to help you master the use of prepositional phrases in your writing.

Improving Writing Skills

Using prepositional phrases correctly can help you create more concise and effective sentences. One way to improve your writing skills is to avoid using too many prepositional phrases in a sentence. Instead, try to use one or two prepositional phrases to modify a noun or verb.

Another tip is to use prepositional phrases at the beginning or end of a sentence for emphasis. For example, “In the park, I saw a beautiful butterfly” or “I saw a beautiful butterfly in the park.” This can help you create a more varied sentence structure and keep your writing interesting.

Enhancing Text Flow

To enhance the flow of your text, try to use prepositional phrases to link ideas and create a smooth transition between sentences. For example, “After finishing my homework, I went for a walk” or “In addition to studying, I also work part-time.”

Using prepositional phrases can also help you avoid repetition in your writing. Instead of using the same noun or verb multiple times, you can use a prepositional phrase to describe it. For example, “The book on the shelf” instead of “The book that is on the shelf.”

Here are some additional tips for using prepositional phrases effectively:

• Use prepositions correctly. Make sure you understand the meaning of each preposition and use it in the right context.
• Avoid ending sentences with prepositions. Instead, try to rephrase the sentence to avoid ending with a preposition.
• Vary your sentence structure. Try using prepositional phrases at the beginning, middle, and end of sentences to keep your writing interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a prepositional phrase and how is it used in English grammar?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. It is used to show the relationship between the noun or pronoun and other words in the sentence. In English grammar, prepositional phrases are used to indicate time, location, direction, manner, and other relationships.

Can you provide examples of prepositional phrases in sentences?

Sure, here are some examples:

• He walked to the store.
• The book on the shelf is mine.
• She gave the gift to her friend.
• The cat jumped off the table.

What are some common prepositional words used in English?

Some common prepositional words used in English include: in, on, at, to, from, with, by, of, about, for, and through.

How does an adverb prepositional phrase function in a sentence?

An adverb prepositional phrase functions as an adverb in a sentence. It modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb by answering questions such as: how, when, where, why, and to what extent.

What are the rules for correctly placing a prepositional phrase in a sentence?

A prepositional phrase should be placed as close as possible to the noun or pronoun it modifies. It can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, but it should not split the subject and verb. It is important to use correct prepositions and to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition.

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There are three types of prepositional phrases: adjective, adverb, and noun. An adjective prepositional phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, an adverb prepositional phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, and a noun prepositional phrase acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

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That's it for the frequently asked questions on prepositional phrases. Keep practicing and using them correctly in your writing and speaking!

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A Prepositional Phrase Guide, with Examples

Prepositional phrases outline the relationships between a sentence’s nouns, pronouns, and other supporting words.

Main Prepositional Phrase Takeaways:

• Prepositional phrases help show the relationships between the nouns , pronouns , and other supporting words in a sentence.
• Prepositional phrases contain a preposition , an object , and sometimes one or more modifiers .
• There are two types of prepositional phrases : adverbial and adjectival .
• “Before I leave,” is an example of an adverbial prepositional phrase .
• “The sandwich on the table” is an example of an adjectival prepositional phrase .
• Simple prepositions are just one word.
• Complex prepositions contain two or more words.
• Some words can be both adverbs and prepositions . Prepositions always relate to an object.

Prepositional phrases give your content power. Instead of simple, drab sentences that lack color, you can create an entire world of detail. Here’s a look at prepositional phrases , how they work, and the best way to use them.

What Is a Preposition?

Before we start discussing prepositional phrases , let’s first define what a preposition is. Prepositions are words that show the relationships between words in sentences. They usually come before nouns, pronouns, gerunds, or clauses to show place, location, time, and direction or introduce an object in a sentence. For example:

On , near , over , since , and under are all prepositions. These words allow readers to visualize where an object is located or when something happened. If you want to know more about prepositions, feel free to check our article 5 Types of Prepositions: An Easy Guide . Now, moving on to our main topic, what is a prepositional phrase ?

What Is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words composed of a preposition, an object ( noun or pronoun ), and the word that modifies the object. Prepositional phrases function as information-givers in a sentence. Let’s take this sentence as an example: “ With a sharp knife in hand, the man freed the dog from its leash.” “ With ” is the preposition, “ knife ” is the object, and “ sharp ” is the word that modifies the object. Together as a prepositional phrase , it tells the readers what the man used to free the dog off its leash.

In most cases, writers use a prepositional phrase to modify a verb or a noun .

For example, why say “you went out” when you can say that “you went out to an incredible party?”

Then, you have the option to add a modifier.

“A bit” modifies or further describes the time of departure.

How Do You Identify a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase starts with a preposition and ends with an object , which could be a noun, pronoun, gerund , or clause. The object at the end of the prepositional phrase is referred to as the “ object of the preposition .” For you to easily identify a prepositional phrase , you need to know the format or pattern it follows in a sentence. There are two ways to write a prepositional phrase, as illustrated below:

Here are some examples of prepositional phrases following the preposition + modifier + object format:

Now, the following are examples of prepositional phrases written in the preposition + object format:

If you can spot any of these two patterns, you’ll be able to identify prepositional phrases easily in any sentence.

What Is an Example Of a Prepositional Phrase?

Here are some examples of prepositional phrases in action. We’ll give you a sentence, identify the prepositional phrase , and explain how it works.

Here, we’re demonstrating the connection between the rainbow and where the Wicked Witch lives.

How are the couch and magazine related? One fell behind the other!

Why did Eliza jump? “For joy!”

“By the elevator” indicates where the room is.

Types Of Prepositional Phrases

There are two types of prepositional phrases , depending on the modifier describing the object: adverbial and adjectival . Adverbial prepositional phrases function as adverbs and answer questions like where , when , how , and why . Adjectival prepositional phrases act as adjectives and answer one of these two questions: What kind of? Which one?

In the succeeding sections, we’ll discuss the major differences and effective usage of these two types of prepositional phrases .

What Is an Adverbial Prepositional Phrase Example?

Adverbial clauses get their name from the fact that they function as adverbs .

For example, we use adverbial prepositional phrases to show timing or cause and effect. They might tell you when or where something happened. They might also detail how something happened or to what extent.

In this example, “because I went to the store early” is an adverbial clause . This is because it demonstrates how the action in the second part of the sentence came to be.

“Before it sold out” is also an adverbial phrase because it described when that action took place.

Here, “Since Marika left her wallet at home” demonstrates what caused her to have to borrow money.

What Is an Adjectival Prepositional Phrase Example?

On the other hand, an adjective phrase modifies the noun or pronoun that comes immediately before it.

“On the island” describes the man. The object of the prepositional phrase is the island. What’s more, the phrase itself indicates how the island and the man are connected.

In this case, the pantry is the object, and the prepositional phrase is describing the link between the cake and its location.

Prepositions That Begin Prepositional Phrases

Here are some examples of common prepositions that you often see at the start of prepositional phrases . Jump over to our types of prepositions guide to explore a full list of common, simple and complex prepositions.

There are also some multi-word prepositions . These contain two or more words that function together to create a complex preposition .

• According to
• In spite of
• On account of

Can You Begin a Sentence With a Prepositional Phrase?

The quick answer to this question is YES. You can begin a sentence with a prepositional phrase . Prepositional phrases appearing at the beginning of sentences are called introductory prepositional phrases . Besides giving additional information, introductory prepositional phrases also help provide a sense of flow to any written work. They make the text less choppy and pleasurable to read. Read the following paragraph:

The ones underlined in the paragraph above are introductory prepositional phrases . Notice how they provide extra information and help with the flow of the sentences? Now, you also need to pay attention to the placement of your comma when using introductory prepositional phrases .

Comma After a Prepositional Phrase

As a general rule, you can choose to use a comma after a short introductory prepositional phrase or forego using one. By “short,” we mean prepositional phrases that are no longer than four words. Prepositional phrases longer than four words automatically get a comma after them. For example:

Is It a Preposition or an Adverb ?

Some words can function as prepositions and as adverbs. You can easily figure out whether a word is acting as a preposition or an adverb by looking for the object.

Preposition or Adverb?

• If your word refers to an object, it’s probably a preposition.
• If your word doesn’t refer to an object, or there is no object in sight, it’s probably an adverb.

In the first sentence, “ up ” doesn’t refer to anything. There is not object. Therefore, “ up ” is acting as an adverb here.

However, in the second example, “ up ” does refer to an object. For example, “ up ” is followed by a noun (the hill). As a result, it’s a preposition in this case.

You can confirm that “ up ” is a preposition here by asking and answering this question: Where did she run? She ran up the hill!

Here’s another one:

In the first example, all we know is that Clark walked across something. We don’t know what that something is, because there is no object. Consequently, “ across ” is an adverb here.

In the second example, we find out that Clark walked across a courtyard. Since “c ourtyard ” is the object, and across becomes a preposition .

Quick Prepositional Phrase Grammar Quiz

Prepositional phrase question #1.

The answer is A. Under the bed shows the relationship between the monster and the whispers.

Prepositional Phrase Question #2

The answer is TRUE. Prepositional phrases can function as either adjective phrases or adverb phrases to modify other words in a sentence. For example, "The girl with him is his daughter."

Prepositional Phrase Question #3

The answer is C. A prepositional phrase must include a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of the object.

Prepositional Phrase Question #4

The answer is C. The object of the preposition can either be a noun or a pronoun.

Read More: When to Use Comma Before Such As: the Definitive Guide

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Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, Writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

Comments (4)

Written by heart !!

Hi, Saurabhn! Thank you for reading. We definitely put our heart, soul, and a lot of research into these pieces. I’m happy you found it valuable. Take care!

Thank you for this useful post.. Could you please write about functions of prepositional phrase and structure of prepositional phrase?

Hello Dinantha! Thank you for the positive feedback and we’re glad that you find our article helpful. Regarding your request, it’s already discussed in this post. Please check the section titled “How Do You Identify a Prepositional Phrase?” Have a great day!

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Prepositional Phrase

What is a prepositional phrase.

• a preposition
• the object of the preposition
• any modifiers
• The witch sat on her broom .

Table of Contents

More Examples of Prepositional Phrases

Video lesson, harder examples of prepositional phrases, the function of prepositional phrases, prepositional phrases as adjectives, prepositional phrases as adverbs, real-life examples of prepositional phrases, why prepositional phrases are important.

• A singer with passion
• A town near London
• Keep in time .
• He acts without thinking .

Are you a visual learner? Do you prefer video to text? Here is a list of all our grammar videos .

• It's a present from her .
• She stole it from the man across the street .
• It's obvious from what he said .
• I sat with Simba .
• I sat with the wonderful Simba .
• He beat Lee without trying .
• He beat Lee without overly trying .
• Do you mean that boy in the corner ?
• I know the policeman with the radio .
• I live near the stadium .
• She speaks with notable enthusiasm .
• Please buy the scarf with dots .
• The man on the radio has a boring voice.
• Give me one of the brown ones .
• Lee raised his small mackerel with utmost pride .
• Before the war , Chris played football for Barnstoneworth United.
• Dawn is tired from the hike .
• Lee lives in that fridge .
• The best defence against the atom bomb is not to be there when it goes off. (The 1949 British Army Journal)
• In 1938, Time Magazine chose Adolf Hitler for man of the year .
• Red sky at night , shepherds' delight. Blue sky at night , day.
• I used to work in a fire-hydrant factory . You couldn't park near the place . (Comedian Steven Wright)
• Never ruin an apology with an excuse . (American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin)
• This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force . (Satirist Dorothy Parker)
• A mathematical formula for happiness : reality divided by expectations . There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations. (Author Jodi Picoult)
• A raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top .

(Reason 1) Don't treat a prepositional phrase as the subject of your verb.

(Reason 2) The noun in a prepositional phrase influences the verb with an expression like "most of," "some of," "half of," "majority of" and "99 percent of."

(Reason 3) Avoid ambiguity when placing your prepositional phrase.

• One morning, I shot an elephant in my pyjamas . How he got into my pyjamas I'll never know. (Comedian Groucho Marx)
• Joe fed the shark in the cage .
• Never ruin an apology with an excuse . (Benjamin Franklin)
• Joe hit the burglar with a hammer .
• We will not sell paraffin to anyone in glass bottles .
• Simon and his mother were reunited after 52 years in McDonald's .
• Joe hit with a hammer the burglar.
• The noun in a prepositional phrase does not govern the verb.
• With an expression like "some of," "most of," "half of," and "majority of," the noun that follows determines whether the subject is singular or plural.
• Be careful with prepositional phrases because they can be ambiguous. If there's genuine ambiguity, put your prepositional phrase next to whatever it's modifying or reword your sentence.

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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Fun Activities for Teaching Prepositions & Prepositional Phrases

October 17, 2020 by Cristy

When Teaching  Prepositions, Start with a  Book or a Video 

Incorporating a book or a video into any lesson is sure to engage learners. Luckily, there are quite a few picture books and videos you can use when teaching prepositions. Quite a few include prepositional phrases and are perfect for upper elementary students.

• If you were a Preposition by Nancy Lowen has to be the top pick here as a read aloud for prepositional phrases. It is a quick story that highlights prepositions by describing them and changing the color of the text when one is used. It even goes into details about how prepositions do not work alone and create a prepositional phrase. 
• Under, Over, by the Clover: What is a Preposition?  by Brian Cleary is another fun book about prepositions that students always love. The illustrations and colored text captures their attention and makes it any fun and easy read aloud.
• Behind the Mask: A Book About Prepositions  by Ruth Heller introduces ALL of the different types of prepositions and includes a tremendous amount of examples. This book is best used by section if time constraints are a concern, but it is definitely a great one to have in your classroom to share with students.
• Brainpop has a quick two minute video that explains exactly what a prepositional phrase is. It’s an easy way to set up your lesson on prepositional phrases for students.
• Flocabulary has a longer video on prepositions, but students love the catchy rap and storylines used.

Whole Group Lesson

As with any new skill, explicit instruction is necessary. Whole group grammar lessons can incorporate posters, anchor charts, or interactive notebook activities. The trick is to use something that is visually appealing for students and that they can quickly transfer into their notebooks.

• Displaying posters in the classroom or on your white board is a quick way to showcase the grammar skill.
• Anchor charts usually take a little more time, but students usually love to incorporate these in their notebook. You can create one in class and have them follow along, or you can create a notebook sized one, copy it, and give it to the students to glue into their notebooks.
• My favorite way to incorporate notes into their interactive notebook is to use print and fold grammar booklets . The prep involved is only printing and students love highlighting the notes and completing the activities.

Provide Practice Activities

Activities for teaching prepositions and prepositional phrases are a fan favorite when it comes to students and teachers. This is because it can involve as much movement as you’ll allowed. Get ready for a ton of engagement and lots of learning.

1.  Prepositional Charades

Choose a student to start off. Give them an index card with a prepositional phrase on it. (Ex. under the desk, next to the computer, on the chair) Have the student act it out and have other students raise their hand and try to guess what the prepositional phrase is.

2.  Flying Objects  

Yes, you read correctly, but don’t cross this one of the list because it is one of the students’ favorite activities and gets EVERYONE in on the action at once. I promise you, students will LOVE either one of these activities.

• Flying Airplanes : In this version which I first discovered from Stephanie from Teaching in Room 6, students fold a sheet of paper into a paper airplane. Students will throw the paper airplane across the room. Wherever it lands or where it flew, students write it on the paper airplane as a prepositional phrase. (Ex. on the table, under the chair, between the desks, behind the bookshelf)
• Snowball Fight : This version is exactly like the airplane version except that students will crumble a sheet of paper and toss it across the room. Once it lands, students unwrinkled their paper and write the prepositional phrase inside the snowball.

It is best to give students different colored paper for the snowballs, so they can easily identify them when they land next to someone else’s. It is also best to have students use a marker to write. (Pencil may make it more difficult to read as the paper gets more and more wrinkled.)

3.  Detective Work

Have students take out the book they are currently reading. Give them each 2-3 sticky notes. Have the students look for 2-3 sentences in their book that contain a prepositional phrase. Have them write one sentence on each sticky note and place them on a prepositional phrase anchor chart.

4. Digital Task Cards  

Digital task cards are an easy, no prep, and engaging way to have students practice prepositional phrases. They can be used during centers, in small groups, or as a whole group activity.

• Assign as an activity to complete technology center
• Give one laptop or tablet to a pair of students and have them work on the task cards together
• Project the digital task cards on the board and have students answer using independent white boards

Assessing Students’ Understanding

Quick and short assessments allow you see who has understood the skill and who still needs further practice.

• Have students create and write 5 sentences on their own. Tell them to include one prepositional phrase in each sentence.
• Give students a standards-based quick check quiz that is quick and easy to grade.

Prepositional Phrase: List of Useful Prepositional Phrases in English

Posted on Last updated: January 5, 2024

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Prepositional Phrase! A prepositional phrase is a group of words that lacks either a verb or a subject, and that functions as a unified part of speech . In this lesson, you will learn important prepositional phrase list in English.

Table of Contents

Basics of Prepositional Phrases

When we explore the structure of a sentence, we often encounter prepositional phrases. These are simply groups of words that start with a preposition and end with the object of that preposition, which can be a noun, pronoun, gerund, or even a clause.

The preposition typically indicates a relationship, such as direction, time, or location, between its object and another part of the sentence. For example, in the phrase “at the beginning,” “at” is the preposition and “beginning” is its object.

Here’s what we need to remember about prepositional phrases:

• They  must  start with a preposition.
• They  must  end with an object of the preposition.

The structure of a basic prepositional phrase looks like this:

• Preposition  +  Modifier (optional)  +  Noun/Pronoun/Gerund/Clause

Modifiers are words like adjectives or adverbs that provide more information about the object. Here’s an illustration to make this clear:

We use prepositional phrases to add detail to our sentences, making them more informative and interesting by clarifying  when ,  where ,  how , and  why  something happens. Look out for these phrases—they’re an essential tool in our language toolbox!

Prepositional Phrase

Prepositional phrases – by, prepositional phrases – at, prepositional phrases – for, prepositional phrases – without, prepositional phrases – in, prepositional phrases – on, prep ositional phrases – out, prep ositional phrases list – to, prep ositional phrases – under, prep ositional phrases – with, prepositional phrases – within, prepositional phrases list | infographic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of phrases including prepositional phrases?

Prepositional phrases, along with noun phrases, verb phrases, and adjective phrases, are one of the key types of phrases in English. We use prepositional phrases to provide additional information about time, location, direction, or to modify another part of the sentence.

Can you list different parts of speech that are typically involved in prepositional phrases?

Typically, a prepositional phrase includes a preposition and its object, which can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund. We may also add modifiers to the object to provide more detail.

How can I identify a prepositional phrase within a sentence?

We can identify a prepositional phrase by locating the preposition, which often indicates location or time, and finding its object. For example, in the sentence “After the show, we went to the restaurant,” “After the show” is a prepositional phrase.

Could you provide some examples of sentences using prepositional phrases?

Sure! “The book on the desk belongs to her,” and “She looked under the table for her purse.” In these sentences, “on the desk” and “under the table” are prepositional phrases offering more details about the location of the objects.

Wednesday 11th of March 2020

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• Writing Tips

Grammar Tips: Prepositions

3-minute read

• 12th March 2023

In the English language, prepositions can be tricky to master because they’re usually idiomatic. However, there are some rules and tips for how to use them correctly. In this article, we’ll look at some of these rules, how to use prepositions in sentences, and some common prepositional phrases.

What Is a Preposition?

A preposition or prepositional phrase goes before a noun , pronoun , or noun phrase to indicate the time, location, or spatial position. There are many prepositions in English, and they all have specific uses and meanings with some general rules of use.

Prepositions of Direction

Prepositions of direction include to , in , into , on , and onto . These are used when describing the motion or direction of a person or thing.

Prepositions of Time

The most common prepositions of time are at, in, and on . They each have specific uses, as described in these examples.

At is used with a specific time of day or with noon, night, or midnight.

In is used for unspecific times of the day (e.g., evening, morning, afternoon), months, years, or seasons.

On is used in relation to days of the week.

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Prepositions of Place

There are several prepositions of place, all of which are used to indicate where someone or something is. For example, in is used to refer to the exact location, at is used in relation to a general area, on is used for surfaces, and inside is used when talking about containers.

For objects that are above something else or overhead, use over or above . On the other hand, you should use below , beneath , under , or underneath for objects that are lower.

For objects that are close by or near something else, use by , near , next to , between , among , or opposite .

Verbs and Prepositions

As mentioned earlier, many prepositions are idiomatic, meaning they work with specific verbs. Here’s a short list of some common verb + preposition combinations to remember.

Verb + From

Verb + with, verb + about.

There are many prepositions in English. Some have clear rules, and others may need memorizing if you want to use them correctly. If you’re struggling with English grammar in your writing, check out our Common ESL Writing Errors guide. Or why not have a proofreader help? We offer a free trial to help make your writing clean, clear, and professional. Try it out today!

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👉 100+ Prepositional Phrase Sentences List ✅ & Prepositions

Have you ever thought about the different things that a frog could do to a log? The frog could be on the log, on top of the log, below or under the log, beside the log, between two logs, or any other infinite number of possibilities.

When I was younger, my teacher used the silly image of frogs and logs to help us remember what prepositions are.

While this is a very simply explanation of the different prepositions, it does serve as a remind of what they are for: describing how different parts of a sentence are in relation to each other.

👉 Preposition Definition

A preposition is a word that tells you how words are related in a sentence. It could often follow a verb, but it does not always. The example of the frog and a log can tell you a lot of them, but those are only one of two categories of prepositions .

In fact, there are two types of prepositions : ones that tell about place and ones that tell about time and time order.

Regardless of which preposition you use, you can change the meaning of a sentence. Be careful about saying that you are coming in, coming from, coming after, coming before, or coming at something!

Each of these prepositions , when they come after the right verb, changes the relationship of the two nouns that would complete that sentence.

👉  List of Common Prepositions

Prepositions of place, prepositions of time, 👉  prepositions example.

Many of these prepositions can be in phrases, both for prepositions of space and time. These are typically known as prepositional phrases . This includes any descriptor of the space or time that something is in.

For example:

• Under the table
• Along the fence
• Beyond the meadow
• Unlike her peers
• Except for Taylor
• After the show
• During the game

👉  What is a prepositional phrase?

These prepositional phrases serve to show the reader or listener where or when something happened.

Some phrases that have prepositions actually function as subordinate conjunctions . This means that the words that follow the preposition have both a subject and a verb .

The prepositions that can form these subordinate clauses are after, as, before, since, and until .

• After she realized she want to eat cake , she decided to stop by the bakery.
• I walked in the door just as my mom was getting ready to head out .
• Since I decided that medicine was not for me , I had been looking for different careers that might be interesting and fit my personality.
• Until the visa process is easier to navigate , I will not travel to those countries.

Note that, if you take away the preposition in each of these subordinate clauses, you end up with a complete sentence. If you add them in, you need to connect the clause to another independent clause that is related in some way.

Prepositional Phrase Examples

👉 prepositional phrase by.

👉 Prepositional Phrase FOR

• I haven’t been abroad for ages . I hope I can go to the seaside for a holiday this year. 
• I’m not hungry, I ate a lot for breakfast .
• I know for certain I put my car key in my bag, but I can’t find it. 
• I don’t want to work here forever . I’ll quit, as soon as I get a better job. 
• Not everybody likes cats. For example , I prefer dogs. 
• I don’t go to zoos for fear of huge animals.
• Don’t be mad, I did it for fun . 
• We broke up for good . I won’t let him back even if he begs me.
• He will definitely help you. Take it for granted .
• For instance , she prefers tea instead of coffee. 
• I bought you a necklace. Take it with you to the exam for luck . 
• Being a mother is a job for life .
• I love this job, but the salary is low. I can’t do it for love . 
• Could you hold my glass for a moment ? I need to find something in my bag. 
• I can’t believe he fired me. I worked so hard for nothing . 
• I love this place so much. I can imagine I live here for the rest of my life. 
• We moved to the seaside for Joe’s sake , because he is suffering from asthma in the city. 
• Is it for sale ? No, I don’t want to sell it.
• I don’t live here. I came for a visit . 
• I go for a walk with my dogs every morning. 
• I haven’t visited her for a while . 
• I will go for a walk every day from now on.
• I have a headache from time to time , and I don’t know why. 

👉 Prepositional Phrase IN

👉 Prepositional Phrase OF and more

👉 OF Preposition Examples

We normally use the preposition OF when we want  to connect things to one another , for example:

• The highlight of the holiday was the walking tour of the ancient city.
• The new movie was excellent, but some parts of the movie were very violent.
• The pictures of earth taken from space are incredible.

We can also use OF to show an  amount , for example:

• Studies show that 7 hours of sleep per night is the recommended amount of sleep an adult requires.
• Dieticians recommend 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
• To pass the driving test a score of 35 out of 40 is required in the theory part of the test.

👉 TO Preposition Examples

The preposition TO is often used when talking about  movement . For example:

• Every evening, the children run to their parents when they get home from work.
• The CEO is flying to Hong Kong this week to visit the new office there.
• The letter was sent to the wrong address.

TO  is very often used to indicate  a time period . For example:

• From January to July there will be training days every second Friday.
• Most employees work from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
• The English course is from 10 am to 1 pm every day for three months.

👉  There are about 150 prepositions in English

Most common ones are here

• to the left
• to the right
• in front (of)

👉 Use of AT IN ON in English Grammar (Time)

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A preposition is a word that connects a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other parts of sentence.

Prepositions can be confusing and difficult for English learners because there is no definite rule or formula for choosing the right preposition!

In the early stages of learning English, you should just try to identify a preposition when you’re reading or listening in English and recognize how it is used.

• to the supermarket
• at the dinner table
• on the sofa
• about myself

A preposition is used to show direction, location, time, or to introduce an object.

Some more examples are listed above!

• at 9 o’clock
• at Christmas
• at the weekend
• at the moment
• in the evening
• in the Christmas holiday
• in the summer
• on that day
• on June 17th

👉 Difference Between the Prepositions IN and ON!

If my keys are  IN  my bag, you can’t see them. You have to open my bag first and look inside to see them.

If my bag is  ON  the table, you can see it- it’s on the surface. You look at the table and see my bag  ON  the top.

If my husband is  IN  the house, you can’t see him from outside. He is behind the walls. He may be  IN  the kitchen.

If he’s  ON  the roof, he’s fixing our satellite dish. You can see him from the street. You look up and there he is,  ON  the top.

Cats love sitting  ON  our roof. They never come  IN  the house.

When you’ve ironed your shirts, you put them  IN  the wardrobe. You close the doors and you can’t see the shirts anymore.

I have a box of old photographs that I like to keep ON the wardrobe. You can see this box when you enter my bedroom- it’s  ON  the top.

IN  my wardrobe, there are my clothes.  ON  the wardrobe there is this box. And some dust.

👉  Prepositions IN / ON / AT with words like Playground / Field / Beach

1. Use ‘IN’ when talking about enclosed places. So, if it is a playground (with swings and slides) enclosed by a fence:

• We spent all morning IN the playground.

The same goes for field: if it is an enclosed one, you can say  IN  the field, However,

2. ON the playground and ON the field are both correct

when talking about the SURFACE:

• I found this watch on the playground.

when the places are OPEN (not enclosed/defined):

• The kids were running on the playground.

3. AT means something like ‘very near’ or ‘next to’:

• Let’s meet AT the playground.

(You don’t have to go inside, but have to be there, very near, so that I can see you if I look at the playground from a distance)

Regarding the BEACH, because it’s an open area, we never say in the beach. It’s not enclosed, we are on its surface, so the correct form is:  ON the beach.

👉 Prepositions Phrases:  14 Nouns plus a Preposition

Nouns are often followed by prepositions in English. They form something similar to a phrase that is used over and over again by native speakers. Here is a sampling of popular nouns followed by a preposition.

1. Credit for

this refers to the person who will get the benefit or the praise for something positive being accomplished.

• I didn’t think it was fair that she got all of the credit for the entire team’s hard work.  

2. Belief in

refers to someone trusting in or having faith that another person,   entity, or organization exist or will do what they say they will do.

• I have a strong belief in the system. Everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

3. Anxiety about

refers to someone being nervous or anxious that something will or won’t happen. When someone has anxiety about something, the situation is making them uncomfortable.

• I have a lot of anxiety about tomorrow’s math test, even though I’ve been studying all week.

4. Addiction to

refers to someone not being able to be without a person, object, or a substance. When someone has an addiction it is usually unhealthy. This is often used to speak about an addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, or some other health issue. While one can have an addiction to something positive, it’s not discussed as often.

• I have an addiction to chocolate, once I start eating one piece, I eat entire bags full every day.

5. Advantage of

refers to someone having a   leg up or benefit over someone else. If someone has an advantage they have something extra to help them succeed. The advantage can be anything including physical appearance, money, or connections.

• He had the advantage of height over all of the other players, considering he was five inches taller than all of them.

6. Talent for

means that someone has the potential to be good at something. Someone who has a talent for something may already be established in that thing, or it may be something that they’ve only tried one time.

• He has a newly discovered talent for playing the piano.

7. Responsibility for/ Responsibility to

refers to someone having a duty or obligation to do something. Someone may be being told that they have an obligation to do something or someone may feel like doing something is their obligation.

• You have to take responsibility for your actions.
• It’s not your responsibility to justify his actions.

8. Regret for

means that someone   wished something had not happened, or that they did not do something.

• The man had so much regret for his actions, he knew it would be a long time before he would be forgiven.

9. Reason for

refers to why someone is doing something or why something has   happened. It doesn’t matter if the reason is good or bad, and it doesn’t matter if the action is positive or negative.

• You better have a good reason for letting the dog in the house right after he played in the mud.

10. Love of / Love for

means that someone really likes something. Someone can have a love for or love of anything. When someone does have a love for something or someone they are really passionate about it.

• He has such a strong love for her, and it’s so beautiful to see.
• The love of money has lead to the downfall of many.

11. Reaction to

refers to someone having a certain feeling or doing a certain action because of something that happened. It can   be a physical or emotional reaction.

• He had a reaction to peanuts that caused him to go to the hospital.
• Her squeals of joy were in reaction to seeing her dad after such a long period of time.

12. Ability to

refers to someone or something being able to do something. A person can have an ability to do something, or a machine can have the ability to do something.

• Does this copier have the ability to make copies in color?

13. Memory of / Memory from

refers to remembering something from the past.

• I have so many memories of us playing together as kids.
• I don’t have a lot of memories from that night.

14. Chance of / Chance to

refers to there being a likelihood of something happening or of someone being able to do something. When there is a chance it means something might happen, there isn’t a guarantee that it will happen.

• Is there any chance of us being able to meet tomorrow afternoon.
• Will we have a chance to see each other while you’re on vacation?

Question: Why is the preposition IN used instead of FOR?

Could you please help me? I read this sentence in a grammar book ” Last week, I encountered a friend I hadn’t seen IN five years”.

I got confused about the usage of the preposition. My question is: why the preposition IN is used instead of FOR? Which one is correct? In 5 years OR for 5 years?

Thank you very much in advance!

IN is correct, of course, when referring to a period of time. It’s not so frequent as FOR in perfect tenses, but it’s correct.

Look at this slight change:  ‘I haven’t seen him in the past five years.’  Doesn’t it sound better?

On the other hand, IN is often used with future forms:

• Talk to you IN 5 days!
• I’ll be back IN an hour.
• I have to find a new job in a month.

IN means NOT LATER THAN in these examples.

Question: Is AT a preposition?

Answer:  Yes, AT is a preposition.

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Prepositional Phrase: A Big List of 160+ Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases are groups of words that begin with a preposition and end with a noun or pronoun. They function as adjectives or adverbs in a sentence, modifying nouns or verbs. In this lesson, we will learn what is a prepositional phrase, a prepositional phrase list, and prepositional phrase examples in English.

What is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun , called the object of the preposition. The object of the preposition is the noun or pronoun that the preposition introduces. Prepositional phrases function as adjectives or adverbs in a sentence, modifying nouns or verbs .

For example:

• The book on the table is mine. (The prepositional phrase “on the table” is modifying the noun “book.” It tells us where the book is.)
• She is running around the block. (The prepositional phrase “around the block” is modifying the verb “running.” It tells us where she is running.)

Prepositional phrases can also include additional modifying words. For example:

• The cat with the fluffy tail is mine. (The prepositional phrase “with the fluffy tail” is modifying the noun “cat.” It tells us which cat is being referred to.)

Prepositional phrases can be short or long, and they can consist of just a preposition and its object or include other modifiers as well. They can also be made up of more than one word, such as “because of” or “in spite of.” Prepositional phrases are an important part of English grammar and are used to show relationships between words in a sentence.

Here are some basic examples:

• On the table
• Off the sidewalk
• To the beach
• Up the road
• With Steven
• In good condition

Prepositional Phrase List

Every  prepositional phrase  is a series of words made up of a preposition and its object. The object may be a noun, pronoun, gerund , or clause. A  prepositional phrase  functions as an adjective or adverb.

Here is a useful list of prepositional phrases with AT you should know.

• at high speed
• at one’s side
• at a fraction of
• at the outset
• at the double
• at one time
• at a discount
• at a distance
• at a glance
• at a loose and
• at a low ebb
• at a rate of
• at a speed of
• at a standstill
• at all costs
• at all events
• at one’s leisure
• at one’s request

List of some common prepositional phrases with OUT in English.

• out of fashion
• out of print
• out of step
• out of breath
• out of context
• out of control
• out of curiosity
• out of jealousy
• out of date
• out of doors
• out of duty
• out of hand
• out of ideas
• out of one’s mind
• out of order
• out of pity
• out of place
• out of practice
• out of reach
• out of respect for
• out of sight
• out of spite
• out of stock
• out of the ordinary
• out of the question
• out of work

This is a useful list of prepositional phrases – IN for ESL Learners.

• in of focus
• in an uproar
• in answer to
• in anticipation of
• in defense of
• in disgrace
• in disguise
• in fairness to
• in favor of
• in good condition
• in good faith
• in harmony (with)
• in high spirits
• in honor of
• by the name of
• by accident
• by all accounts
• by all means
• by any standard
• by appointment
• by coincidence
• by courtesy of
• by definition
• by marriage
• by means of
• by my watch
• by no means

• on schedule
• on the record
• on the road
• on a journey
• on a large scale
• on a small scale
• on a pension
• on a regular basis
• on account of
• on an expedition
• on an island
• on approval
• on behalf of
• on business
• on suspicion of
• on the agenda
• on the brink of
• on the edge of

Types of Prepositional Phrases

Adjective prepositional phrases.

Adjective prepositional phrases modify or describe a noun or a pronoun. They act as adjectives in a sentence. These phrases answer the questions “which one?” or “what kind?”.

Here are some examples of adjective prepositional phrases:

• The book on the shelf is mine.
• The girl in the red dress is my sister.
• The house with the blue door is for sale.

As you can see from the examples, the prepositional phrases “on the shelf”, “in the red dress”, and “with the blue door” modify the nouns “book”, “girl”, and “house”, respectively.

Adverb Prepositional Phrases

Adverb prepositional phrases modify or describe a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. They act as adverbs in a sentence. These phrases answer the questions “how?”, “when?”, “where?”, “why?”, or “to what extent?”.

Here are some examples of adverb prepositional phrases:

• She walked to the store.
• He was happy with his new car.
• The dog barked at the mailman .

In these examples, the prepositional phrases “to the store”, “with his new car”, and “at the mailman” modify the verbs “walked”, “was”, and “barked”, respectively.

Functions of Prepositional Phrases

Direction and location.

Prepositional phrases can indicate direction and location. For instance, in the sentence “She walked to the park,” the prepositional phrase “to the park” shows the direction of the action. Examples of prepositions that indicate direction and location include “at,” “in,” “on,” “under,” “beside,” “over,” and “through.”

Prepositional phrases can also indicate time. For example, in the sentence “I will meet you after class,” the prepositional phrase “after class” shows the time of the action. Examples of prepositions that indicate time include “before,” “after,” “during,” “since,” and “until.”

Means and Agency

Prepositional phrases can indicate means and agency. For instance, in the sentence “The book was written by a famous author,” the prepositional phrase “by a famous author” shows the agency of the action. Examples of prepositions that indicate means and agency include “by,” “with,” and “through.”

Reason and Purpose

Prepositional phrases can also indicate reason and purpose. For example, in the sentence “He went to the gym for his health,” the prepositional phrase “for his health” shows the purpose of the action. Examples of prepositions that indicate reason and purpose include “for,” “because of,” and “due to.”

Prepositional phrases can be complex and have multiple functions. It is important to understand the different functions of prepositional phrases to use them effectively in writing and speaking.

Examples of Prepositional Phrases

Adverbial Prepositional Phrase : These prepositional phrases modify verbs and answer questions like how, when, where, or why. For example:

• We went to the beach  during the summer .
• She sings  with great passion .
• He ran  away from the dog .

Adjectival Prepositional Phrase : These prepositional phrases modify nouns and answer questions like which one, what kind, or how many. For example:

• The book  on the shelf  is mine.
• The girl  with the red hat  is my sister.
• The man  in the black suit  is the CEO.

Compound Prepositional Phrase : These prepositional phrases consist of two or more prepositions. For example:

• He drove  through  the tunnel  under  the river.
• She put the vase  on  the table  in front of  the window.
• They walked  across  the field  toward  the sunset.

Participial Prepositional Phrase : These prepositional phrases contain a participle and function as an adjective. For example:

• The boy  sitting on the bench  is my friend.
• The woman  wearing a red dress  is the hostess.
• The car  parked in the garage  is mine.

Infinitive Prepositional Phrase : These prepositional phrases contain an infinitive and function as a noun, adjective, or adverb. For example:

• To learn English is my goal. ( noun )
• She has a lot of books  to read . ( adjective )
• He went to the store  to buy some milk . ( adverb )

Common Mistakes with Prepositional Phrases

Using the wrong preposition.

One of the most common mistakes with prepositional phrases is using the wrong prepositions. English has many prepositions, and they can be tricky to master. For example, some prepositions are used for time (e.g., at, in, on), while others are used for location (e.g., at, in, on, under, above). It’s important to pay attention to which preposition is correct in each situation.

Using Too Many Prepositional Phrases

Another mistake is using too many prepositional phrases in a sentence. While prepositional phrases can add important details to a sentence, using too many can make the sentence confusing and difficult to follow. It’s important to use prepositional phrases sparingly and only when necessary.

Misplacing Prepositional Phrases

Misplacing prepositional phrases is another common mistake. A prepositional phrase should be placed as close as possible to the noun or pronoun it modifies. For example, in the sentence “The book on the shelf is mine,” the prepositional phrase “on the shelf” modifies the noun “book” and should be placed directly after it.

Using Prepositions as Conjunctions

Finally, some learners may mistakenly use prepositions as conjunctions . While both prepositions and conjunctions can connect words and phrases, they are used differently. For example, in the sentence “I went to the store and bought some milk,” the conjunction “and” connects two independent clauses. Using a preposition instead, such as “I went to the store for buying some milk,” would be incorrect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify prepositional phrases in a sentence?

To identify a prepositional phrase, look for a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with an object. The object can be a noun, pronoun, or gerund. For example, in the sentence “The cat is on the table,” the prepositional phrase is “on the table.”

What is the function of a prepositional phrase?

A prepositional phrase functions as an adjective or an adverb in a sentence. As an adjective, it modifies a noun or pronoun. As an adverb, it modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

What are some examples of prepositional phrases used as adverbs?

Some examples of prepositional phrases used as adverbs are:

• She went to the store in a hurry.
• The dog barked at the mailman every morning.
• He drove to work with his windows rolled down.

What is a prepositional verb phrase and how is it used?

A prepositional verb phrase is a combination of a verb and a preposition that functions as a single unit. It can be used in different tenses and forms to express different meanings. For example, “look forward to” is a prepositional verb phrase that expresses anticipation or excitement.

What are some common prepositions used in prepositional phrases?

Some common prepositions used in prepositional phrases are:

Last Updated on November 7, 2023

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Elektrostal

Things to do in elektrostal.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
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• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Statue of Lenin

3. Electrostal History and Art Museum

4. Galereya Kino

5. viki cinema, 6. museum and exhibition center.

7. Park of Culture and Leisure

8. smokygrove.

9. Gandikap

10. Museum of Labor Glory

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.

• Statue of Lenin
• Electrostal History and Art Museum
• Park of Culture and Leisure
• Museum and Exhibition Center
• Museum of Labor Glory

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• Excellent 18
• Very Good 9
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" DIR: West; bigger nice evening sun but louder due to main street DIR:East; Quiter, very bright in the morning if sun rises "

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APELSIN HOTEL - Reviews (Elektrostal, Russia)

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Prepositional phrases

Prepositions and their complements.

Prepositional phrases consist of a preposition and the words which follow it (a complement). The complement (underlined below) is most commonly a noun phrase or pronoun, but it can also be, an adverb phrase (usually one of place or time), a verb in the - ing form or, less commonly, a prepositional phrase or a wh- clause:

They first met at a party . (preposition + noun phrase)

She was taken ill during the film . (preposition + noun phrase)

Would you like to come with me please? (preposition + pronoun)

From there , it’ll take you about half an hour to our house. (preposition + adverb)

Until quite recently , no one knew about his paintings. (preposition + adverb phrase)

She’s decided on doing a Chinese language course . (preposition + - ing clause)

Not: … decided on to do …

It’s a machine for making ice-cream . (preposition + - ing clause)

If you can wait until after my meeting with Jack , we can talk then. (preposition + prepositional phrase)

We were really surprised at what they wrote . (preposition + wh- clause)

We can put an adverb before a preposition to modify it. This applies mainly to prepositions of time or place which are gradable ( above, before, far, deep, down, opposite ):

They’ve moved far into the country.

They left the party just before us.

You can’t miss it. His office is almost opposite the coffee machine.

Prepositional phrases after verbs

Prepositional phrases can be complements of verbs. If we need a special preposition to introduce the complement of the verb, we call such verbs ‘prepositional verbs’:

Do these keys belong to you?

We’re not happy but we do approve of their decision.

We sometimes use an adverb particle before the preposition. The verb + adverb particle + preposition structure forms a verb which has a single meaning. We call such verbs ‘phrasal prepositional verbs’. Their meaning is often not related to the meaning of the original verb:

She really looks up to her grandfather. (admires)

We’re all looking forward to having a few days’ holiday together. (anticipate with pleasure)

Verbs: multi-word verbs

Word of the Day

multitasking

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a person's or product's ability to do more than one thing at a time

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

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