Prepositional Phrase | Examples, Definition & Uses
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition (e.g., “in,” “with,” “of”), an object, and any modifiers. It usually provides more information about a thing or an action. For example, prepositional phrases can tell us when, how, or where something is done, or they can clarify which person or thing is being talked about.
I saw a mouse and jumped on the table.
The dress with the gold stars is my favorite.
What is a prepositional phrase?
Prepositional phrases can modify verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs to provide additional information about actions, people, and things. For example, they can tell us when, where, or how something happens.
A prepositional phrase always contains at least two words: a preposition and an object. The object is a noun or pronoun, and the phrase can also contain modifiers such as adjectives. You can use multiple prepositional phrases in a single sentence.
Gerald called his mother after work.
I went for a long walk by the sea with my friend.
Prepositional phrases often act as adjectives or adverbs, but they can also act as nouns.
Adjective prepositional phrase
When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun (or pronoun), it is behaving as an adjective. Adjectival prepositional phrases tell us more about the noun they modify, such as who or what it belongs to, its material or characteristics, or its location.
The woman in the red car is waving at you.
I love movies with fantasy settings.
When the noun being modified is the subject of the sentence, the verb should agree with the noun, not the prepositional object.
- The box of DVDs were donated to the second-hand store.
- The box of DVDs was donated to the second-hand store.
The QuillBot Grammar checker can help you with subject-verb agreement.
Adverbial prepositional phrase
Prepositional phrases can also behave as adverbs by modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Paul was happy with the results.
Waking up early in the morning is difficult.
When modifying verbs, adverbial prepositional phrases describe the action. For example, they can tell us how, when, or where an action was performed; who an action was performed by; or what an action was performed with.
The case was solved by Sherlock Holmes.
I painted the picture with my new paintbrush.
For example, in the sentence “I hit the man with a banana,” does the prepositional phrase “with a banana” modify the verb “hit” to describe what the man was hit with? Or does it modify the noun “man” to tell us that the man with a banana was the one who was hit?
Try to rephrase the sentence or provide additional context in the surrounding sentences to make the intended meaning clear.
Prepositional phrases used as nouns
A prepositional phrase can sometimes act as a noun that is the subject of the sentence.
After lunch is the best time for a nap.
Prepositional phrases can also act as subject complements following the linking verb “be.”
The keys were under the bed.
Introductory prepositional phrase
Prepositional phrases can sometimes be used at the beginning of the sentence as an introductory phrase.
If the prepositional phrase is longer than four words or consists of multiple prepositions, follow it with a comma. If the prepositional phrase is short—just two or three words—the comma is optional; you can include it if you prefer or if it aids clarity.
- After driving around for several hours Eoin finally knew what to do.
- After driving around for several hours, Eoin finally knew what to do.
- At noon the bell struck 12 times.
- At noon, the bell struck 12 times.
Prepositional phrases list
There are over 100 prepositions with a wide range of meanings. They can be combined with nouns and modifiers to form an almost limitless number of prepositional phrases. Here are some examples of common prepositions, meanings, and phrases.
| Use | Prepositions | Example prepositional phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Location — where someone or something is located | in on at under over next to |
The book is in the drawer. The book is on the shelf. The book is at my house. The book is under the desk. The book is over there. The book is next to the laptop. |
| Direction—the movement of someone or something | to toward through |
We went to Turkey. The rat ran toward the hole. He punched through a wall. |
| Time—when something is happening | at in on after before |
We’ll meet at 5 o’clock. We’ll meet in the morning. We’ll meet on Thursday. We’ll meet after work. We’ll meet before dinner. |
| Manner—how something is done | with without |
She acted with decorum. She acted without thinking. |
| Instrument—what something is done with | with without |
She made the sculpture with recycled materials. They constructed the building without nails. |
| Purpose, reason, or cause—why something is done, what something is for, or what caused something | for due to because of by |
He gave me money for gas. They closed due to bankruptcy. They closed because of bankruptcy. I was surprised by her words. |
| Agent—who or what something is done by | by | Bleak House was written by Charles Dickens. |
| Possession or relationship—the ownership of something or the connection between two things | of with |
The Queen of England replied to my letter. The wall of the barn collapsed. The curtains with the floral pattern are pretty. |
| Source—where something comes from | from | I bought you some chocolate from Switzerland. |
Both infinitives and prepositional phrases can begin with “to.” However, an infinitive is “to” plus a verb, while “to” in a prepositional phrase is followed by a noun (which can include a gerund) or pronoun.
For example, in “I went to the library to study,” “to study” is an infinitive and “to the library” is a prepositional phrase.
Frequently asked questions about prepositional phrase
- Is “of” a prepositional phrase?
-
“Of” is a preposition that can be combined with nouns and modifiers to form prepositional phrases. It can express a range of meanings, including the following:
- Possession or relationship: “the wheel of my car.”
- Origin: “people of ancient Mesopotamia.”
- Material, contents, or construction: “a shard of glass.”
- About or relating to: “I told him of my travels.”
- Is “with” a prepositional phrase?
-
“With” is a preposition that can be combined with nouns and modifiers to form prepositional phrases. It has a few meanings, including the following:
- Who an action is performed with: “I went to the cinema with my brother.”
- A combination of items: “they served tea with milk.”
- What is used to carry out an action: “I wrote the letter with a fountain pen.”
- How something is done: “They danced with skill and grace.”
- Is “on” a prepositional phrase?
-
“On” is a preposition that can be combined with nouns and modifiers to form prepositional phrases. It has a range of meanings, including the following:
- Place: “Dinner is on the table.”
- Time: “My birthday is on Friday.”
- What is an example of a prepositional phrase?
-
An example of a prepositional phrase is “in the washing machine.” A prepositional phrase combines a preposition (e.g., “in,” “on,” “with”) with nouns and modifiers. They can act as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns in a sentence.
Here are some other examples of prepositional phrases:
- The party is on Tuesday.
- I can write with a quill.
- The cup of water fell to the ground.
