Grammar-Quizzes › Adverbials › Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional Phrases (complements)
Add modifying information within a clause
A prepositional phrase:
- expresses—timing (in the morning), location (on the sidewalk), manner (in a quick manner) possession or source (of ours), person affected by an action (to me, for me) or an expression (in a flash).
Connective prepositions express: reason (because, since, as), concession (though, despite), purpose (in order, so that), timing (after, before, when, while, until), condition (if , unless), purpose, intent (so that). See Connective Prepositions. - functions as:
- a determiner in a noun phrase [After sunrise] is the time that we walk.
- a modifier to a noun (noun complement — an element that specifies which noun) Our walk in the morning wakes us up.
- a complement to the verb (predicate complement — an element required to complete the meaning of the subject and predicate.) We begin in the morning. Our walk is in the morning.
- an adjunct phrase to the main clause (A phrase that adds information to the clause but is not required to complete the meaning of the subject and predicate.) We walk. / We walk after we finish eating. See Connective Prepositions.
- takes form as a preposition (the head or primary element of the phrase) and its complement (the dependent of the preposition), which is often a noun phrase but may also be a variety of other structures—at home (N), in the house (NP), out of the house (PP), in stead of later (NP+PP), after leaving (Ger), because we left (Cls). A prepositional phrase may include a clause. See Connective Prepositions.
*An important note about the category Preposition
The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (2002) published some major changes to the category of Preposition. While at first look the recategorization of several adverbs and conjunctions as prepositions may upset what we thought we knew about prepositions, on closer look the recategorization makes a lot of sense. Linguistic research has yielded a more logical and concise description of English than traditional Latin-based analyses of the past.
- One result is that the category Preposition has been widened to include words such as—before after, while, because, though, than, and as. Linguistic analysis determined that these words functioned more similarly to prepositions than to conjunctions, adverbs or other categories in which they had previously been placed. See Cambridge Grammar of the English Language.
- Another result is that prepositional complements (structures that can follow prepositions) have been widened. No longer is a preposition limited to a noun as its "object". The complement of a preposition could be a word, phrase or clause—at home (N), in the house (NP), out of the house (PP), in stead of later (NP+PP), after leaving (gerund), because we left (clause). See Prepositions–Range of Complements for details and source. See Connective Prepositions.
See Connector Overview for full source citations.
Prepositional Phrase
Preposition Lists
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Moved to this category are adverbs for time and adverbs for place.
Also see: Connective Preposition—relates additional information to a clause (adjunct information)
Prepositional Phrases (complements)
Summary of Practices
Prepositional Phrases—Diagnostic Quiz
Prep Diagnostic: identify specific points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning – intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate – advanced
A Preposition: recognize how prepositions function in clauses
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Prep as Determiner (adding specifying info)
Prep as Complement (adding necessary info)
Prep as Adjunct (adding optional info)
Prep Properties (uses in clauses)
Words & Structures that Complement Prepositions
Grammar Notes (expand arrow)
Practice 1 – identify the preposition
Practice 2 – identify the function
Under the canyon floor is a stream of water.
Jack is in the middle. (location)
Jack climbed down. (location)
Jack explores with enthusiasm. (manner)
Jack gets up early in order to go climbing. (purpose)
Prepositions for Time: relate temporal information—when the activity occurs (temporal modifiers)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Temporal Expressions ("part of speech")
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct - incorrect
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
In the morning is the best time to water plants.
Watering plants was a chore until recently. (Adv)
We water our plants before leaving. (Ger)
We will water them before we leave the house. (clause)
For now, they are fine.
Modifiers to Prepositions: specify more precisely the timing, location or manner of the action (adverb phrases)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Location—Precisely vs. Approximately
Point of View (Deixis)
Time—Precisely vs. Approximately
Practice 1 – select all that apply
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
The batter hit the ball right here.
The player threw the ball over here.
The player threw the ball straight ahead.
The pitcher threw the ball smack into the batter's head.
He batted the ball clear out of the park.
He hit the ball way over in the bay.
Awhile v. A while: is it a short time or something that occurs briefly?
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
We've been stuck here in traffic for a while. (a period of time)
We've been stuck here in traffic awhile. (briefly, for a short period of time)
Prepositions for Place: relate locational information—where the activity occurs (locational modifiers)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Inside is a kitchen, bathroom and bed.
The table unfolds in the middle.
The bed is in the back of the trailer.
Bedding storage is overhead.
The mini-trailer can easily move from place to place.
Preposition Paragraph Practice: use in, on and at for time and place
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – multiple choice paragraph
Michael Phelps made sports history by winning eight gold medals ___ the 2008 Olympics ___ Beijing, China.
At / In Expressions: indicate location, enrollment and other concepts
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
She is at school. (location)
She is in school. (enrolled in)
Her father is working in the school.(within the space)
He's in hot water.
For / Since: express duration with a quantity of time vs. a starting time
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 –complete the sentence (MC)
We have been coming to this beach for fifteen years.
We have been coming to this beach since July, 1995.
During / In: indicate a period of time vs. a calendar time
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
During v. In – Indicate period of time
During v. In – Differentiate period of time
Take Place vs. Last (verbs having duration)
Practice – multiple choice
We are on vacation during July.
*We went to the beach several times in our stay.
They are on vacation in July.
*They stayed there during July, not during May.
*The work has lasted during this year. (pres. perf.)
The work has lasted throughout the year.
By vs. With: state means or instrument
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – by-with
Practice 3 – complete sentence (MC)
Practice 4 – edit for errors
You can open it by using a knife.
You can cut the string with a knife.
By vs. With Practice: state means, instrument or device
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
You can get there by following a map.
You can find your way with a map.
For + Gerund Clause: state function vs. purpose
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
What's it for? for tying boxes.
Why do you use it? to tie boxes.
How do you close boxes? with string / by using string.
By the time: view relative progress or completion
Intermediate—Adv ESL, Native Speaker
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – read and edit
[adverbial clause, PP + clause]
By the time I leave work, the sun will be setting. (ongoing)
By the time I leave work, the sun will have set. (completed)
Prepositional Phrases as Noun Complements (modifiers)
Noun + Prep Phrase: add modifying information before or after a noun
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
The house next door belongs to my cousin.
Our next-door neighbor is on vacation.
The man on the street was shouting
The on the street man was shouting.
Prepositional Phrases as adjective complements (modifiers)
Adjective + Prep Phrase: describing emotional reactions
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice– complete the sentence
Jason is good at many things.
He is anxious about his future.
He would like to be independent of his parents.
He is optimistic about his future.
Verb + Preposition: complete the idea expressed by the subject and predicate
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
Unspecified vs. Specified Preposition
One vs. More than One Prep Phrase
Verb + Prep List–Ordered Alphabetically
Verb + Prep List–Ordered by Preposition
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
He put out the cat.
He put out the fire.
The company put out a fine product.
I don't want to put you out.
Verb + Prep + Gerund: express opinion or comment on activities
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Verbs with Specified Prepositions
Verb + Specified Preposition List
Practice – multiple choice
Related practices: Verb + PP Prac 1, Verb + PP Prac 2, Verb + PP Prac 3
He talks about leaving.
He accused us of complaining.
He keeps on making trouble.
He puts off and worries about making deadlines.
Participle + Prep Phrase: describing emotional reactions
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Participle Modifier & Preposition List
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
The children were interested in hearing his story.
The press was excited about the President's speech.
The President is pleased with the response.
The President is pleased with how the people responded.
Verb + Prep Phrase Practice 1: Stating attitudes, opinions, and intentions about activities
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
She dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.
She dreamed about becoming a ballet dancer.
Verb + Prep Phrase Practice 2: commenting on activities and plans
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
I put off going to college.
Instead, I took care of raising my two children.
Verb + Prep Phrase Practice 3: commenting on activities and plans
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Verbs/Participles + Prepositions
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
Most people aren't accustomed to working hard.
If you try, you can succeed in doing anything you want.
Verb/Participle + Prep Phrase Practice 4: pair past-participles with prepositions
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Practice – complete sentence (MC)
Celebrities are concerned ____ the activities of the Paparazzi.
Ending with a Preposition: consider placement options
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
Preposition Placement in an Infinitive or Passive Clause
Preposition Placement in a Modifying Clause
Preposition Placement for Verbal Idioms
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – formal or informal
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
Who did you give your number to?
To whom did you give your number? very formal
Can you tell me — what kind of person you are interested in?
Can you tell me — in what kind of person you are interested?
The word — that you looked up — is not in my dictionary.
The word — up which you looked — is not in my dictionary.
Prepositional Phrases—Giving Examples
For Example: add an example or a clarification
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Punctuation Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – correct/incorrect
Calcium is in green leafy vegetables, for example, broccoli, kales, arugula, and spinach.
There is calcium in vegetables such as broccoli, kales, arugula, and spinach.
Cruciferous vegetables (i.e., Brassicaceae) have flowers shaped like a cross.
Place Adverbs: indicating movement in a direction
Beginning–Advanced ESL (Note that these adverbs were recategorized as prepositions.)
Grammar Notes (expand arrow)
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (mc)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (mc)
He went inside.
He went inside the house.
He went there.
Verbal Idioms: express activities with verb-prep combinations (phrasal verbs)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Look up.
Look up the word in the dictionary.
The airplane took off.
He took his coat off.
He took off his coat.
Ditransitive Verbs–Indirect Objects (to me, to you, to him, to her, to us, to them)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Grammar Notes (show-hide arrow)
Practice 1 – complete the sentence
Practice 2 – complete the sentence
Practice 3 – complete the sentence
My friend is bringing me a letter.
My friend is bringing a letter to me.
My friend is bringing me it.
For because, though, despite, in spite of, after, before, when, while, if, unless and so, see Connective Prepositions (also called Adjunct Prepositions,Adverbial Prepositions, Subordinating Conjunctions, or just Adverbials. )