Understanding the structure of a sentence is key to mastering the English language, and one important part of that structure is the prepositional phrase. Whether you’re writing an essay, speaking fluently, or analyzing grammar, knowing how prepositional phrases work can significantly improve your communication skills.
In this guide from Belekar Sir’s Academy, we’ll explore what a prepositional phrase is, how it functions in a sentence, and how you can identify and use it correctly in your writing.
What is a Prepositional Phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that starts with a preposition and ends with its object usually a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase. It may also include modifiers that describe the object.
Example:
on the table
- “on” is the preposition
- “the table” is the object
Prepositional phrases do not contain a subject or verb. Their main function is to show the relationship between the object and another part of the sentence. They often answer questions like:
- Where? (on the table)
- When? (in the morning)
- Which one? (with blue stripes)
Why Are Prepositional Phrases Important?
Prepositional phrases add detail, clarity, and context to sentences. They help modify nouns and verbs by showing location, time, direction, cause, manner, or possession.
Examples:
- The book on the table (modifies “book” by showing where it is)
- I run in the morning (modifies “run” by showing when)
Using prepositional phrases effectively can make your writing more precise and descriptive.
Components of a Prepositional Phrase
- Preposition
The word that begins the phrase and shows the relationship.
Common examples: in, on, at, by, with, from, to, under, over
Example: on the table (“on” is the preposition)
- Object of the Preposition
The noun or pronoun that completes the meaning of the preposition.
Example: on the table (“table” is the object)
- Optional Modifiers
Words that describe or add detail to the object, such as articles or adjectives.
Example: on the old wooden table
(“the old wooden” are modifiers describing “table”)
Prepositional phrases can play different roles in a sentence. Depending on how they function, they fall into three main types: adjectival, adverbial, and noun phrases.
1. Prepositional Phrases That Modify Nouns (Adjectival Phrases)
These phrases act like adjectives they describe or give more information about a noun or pronoun. They often answer questions like which one, what kind, or how many.
Examples:
- The cat in the middle is the cutest.
(“in the middle” tells us which cat)
- I always buy my milk from the convenience store on Main Street.
(“from the convenience store on Main Street” specifies which store)
- The student with the purple hair was absent today.
(“with the purple hair” describes which student)
2. Prepositional Phrases That Modify Verbs (Adverbial Phrases)
These phrases act like adverbs they describe the how, when, where, why, or to what extent of a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Examples:
- To find the person who stole the last cookie, look behind you.
(“behind you” answers look where?)
- Harry drank his butterbeer with fervor.
(“with fervor” answers drank how?)
- Josh hopped into the car, ready to head out of town.
(“into the car” answers hopped where?)
3. Prepositional Phrases Acting as Nouns
Though rare, some prepositional phrases can function as nouns, often serving as the subject of a sentence. These typically appear at the beginning and are essential to the sentence’s meaning.
Examples:
- During the national anthem is the worst time to blow your nose.
(“During the national anthem” is the subject)
- After the game will be too late for us to go to dinner.
(“After the game” is the subject)
- Around the fence is where she will plant the flowers.
(“Around the fence” functions as the subject)
Summary Table: Components of a Prepositional Phrase
| Component | Function | Example |
| Preposition | Begins the phrase; shows the relationship | on, in, with |
| Object | Noun/pronoun/gerund that completes the preposition | table, me, singing |
| Modifiers | Optional words that describe the object | the old wooden (table) |
Prepositional phrases are powerful tools in writing. They help build richer, clearer, and more detailed sentences by showing relationships between ideas and adding meaningful context
How to Use Prepositional Phrases in Sentences
1. At the Beginning of a Sentence
Placing a prepositional phrase at the start helps set the scene indicating time, location, or circumstance. This positioning adds emphasis and provides context for the main clause.
Tip: Use a comma after the phrase if it’s longer than three words or if a pause improves clarity.
Examples:
- After the concert, she went out for dinner.
- In the middle of the storm, the ship struggled to stay afloat.
- During the holidays, they visited family and friends.
2. In the Middle of a Sentence
Prepositional phrases in the middle often add detail about a noun or verb.
Punctuation Rules:
- Use commas if the phrase is non-essential (adds extra info).
- Don’t use commas if the phrase is essential (clarifies which one).
Examples:
- The student, with the purple hair, was absent today. (non-essential)
- The book on the table is mine. (essential)
3. At the End of a Sentence
The most common placement. These phrases provide details about time, location, manner, or reason and usually don’t require a comma unless needed for emphasis or clarity.
Common Structure: Subject + verb + prepositional phrase
Examples:
- She went out for dinner after the concert.
- The cat slept under the bed.
- We walked through the woods.
Summary:
Prepositional phrases can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Placement affects emphasis and punctuation, but the purpose remains the same: to add detail and context.
How to Find Prepositional Phrases
1. Identifying the Preposition
Start by spotting the preposition. These words show relationships usually of location, time, direction, or manner.
Common prepositions: in, on, at, with, from, to, about, for, under, over, by
Example:
- on the table → “on” is the preposition
2. Finding the Object
Next, look for the object the noun, pronoun, gerund, or noun phrase that comes after the preposition. This is essential to complete the phrase’s meaning.
Examples:
- on the table → “table” is the object
- with her → “her” is the object
3. Spotting Modifiers
Modifiers are optional words that add detail to the object. These often include adjectives, articles, or descriptive phrases between the preposition and its object.
Examples:
- in beautiful North Carolina → “beautiful” modifies “North Carolina”
- under the old wooden bridge → “the old wooden” modifies “bridge”
Quick Recap:
To identify a prepositional phrase:
- Find the preposition
- Locate its object
- Note any modifiers between them
This approach helps you spot and understand prepositional phrases clearly in any sentence.
Basic Usage Guidelines
Clarity and Sentence Flow
Use prepositional phrases to add detail and depth, but avoid overloading your sentences with too many at once this can make writing feel cluttered or hard to follow.
Make sure each phrase is clearly connected to the word it modifies. Proper placement and order help keep your writing coherent.
A good tip: read your sentences aloud. This helps you hear if something sounds awkward or unclear.
Placement Tips
- Keep phrases close to the words they describe to avoid confusion.
- Use logical order when writing multiple prepositional phrases typically: time → place → manner.
- Introductory phrases can set context or highlight important information.
- Ending with a prepositional phrase can add detail or focus naturally.
Avoiding Redundancy
- Cut out unnecessary phrases that repeat meaning or add no value.
- Example: Instead of “at the present time,” just use “currently.”
- Example: Instead of “at the present time,” just use “currently.”
- Replace weak prepositional phrases with stronger adjectives, adverbs, or verbs where possible.
- Example: Replace “with great speed” with “quickly.”
How to Avoid Excessive Prepositional Phrases
Tips for Tightening Writing
- Delete phrases that don’t add important meaning.
- Use single words (like adjectives or possessives) instead of phrases when appropriate.
- Choose strong verbs over verb + preposition combinations.
- Limit prepositions a useful rule is no more than one preposition every 10–15 words.
Examples of Excessive Usage
Wordy:
The report of the committee on the revision of the policy was submitted to the board of directors in the meeting of March.
Improved:
The committee’s policy revision report was submitted to the board in March.
Wordy:
The work of cultural mapping has been further enhanced by the cabinet decision in March 2006.
Improved:
The cabinet’s March 2006 decision further enhanced cultural mapping.
How to Rewrite for Clarity
- Remove non-essential phrases that don’t change the sentence’s meaning.
- Condense ideas by using adjectives, verbs, or combining related thoughts.
Example:
Original:
The financial reports could not explain to board members why profits declined so drastically in the past year.
Leaner:
The year-end financial reports could not explain why profits declined so drastically.
Using fewer, clearer prepositional phrases helps your writing stay sharp, focused, and effective.
Examples of Prepositional Phrases
Simple Examples
- in the bag
- on the wall
- at the park
- with a fork
- from my friend
- to the store
- about the weather
- for her friend
Complex Examples in Context
- Although she was tired, she continued to work on the project with her team.
- After he finished his chores, he went to bed.
- Despite the rain, they continued to play soccer in the park.
- Before the movie starts, we will have dinner at the restaurant.
- Since he lost his job, he has been looking for a new one.
- Lucy missed the championship game as a result of her knee injury.
- Martin stayed up late playing video games at the expense of his math test.
Examples by Function (Noun, Adjective, Adverb)
| Function | Example Phrase | Example Sentence |
| Noun | during the national anthem | During the national anthem is the worst time to sneeze. |
| Adjective | with the purple hair | The student with the purple hair was absent today. |
| Adverb | because of bad traffic | We were late because of bad traffic. |
| Adverb | in the park | They played soccer in the park. |
| Adjective | adjacent to Ron | The girl adjacent to Ron is Karen. |
| Noun | in common with Tom | Mark has little in common with Tom. |
Exercises
1. Identify the Prepositional Phrase
Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence:
- The cat slept under the bed.
- She is eating with a fork.
- Lucy missed the championship game as a result of her knee injury.
- The flowers in the garden are beautiful.
- During the holidays, they visited family.
2. Classify the Phrase (Noun, Adjective, or Adverb)
Determine the function of each prepositional phrase:
- under the bed – ____________
- with a fork – ____________
- as a result of her knee injury – ____________
- in the garden – ____________
- during the holidays – ____________
3. Rewrite the Sentence Without the Prepositional Phrase
Remove the prepositional phrase and rewrite the sentence:
- The cat slept under the bed.
- She is eating with a fork.
- Lucy missed the championship game as a result of her knee injury.
- The flowers in the garden are beautiful.
- During the holidays, they visited family.
Answer Key
1. Identify the Prepositional Phrase:
- under the bed
- with a fork
- as a result of her knee injury
- in the garden
- during the holidays
2. Classification:
- under the bed – Adverb (modifies slept)
- with a fork – Adverb (modifies eating)
- as a result of her knee injury – Adverb (modifies missed)
- in the garden – Adjective (modifies flowers)
- during the holidays – Adverb (modifies visited)
3. Revised Sentences Without the Phrases:
- The cat slept.
- She is eating.
- Lucy missed the championship game.
- The flowers are beautiful.
- They visited family.
Conclusion
Prepositional phrases may seem small, but they carry big meaning. They help us describe where, when, how, and why things happen—bringing clarity, detail, and precision to our sentences. By recognizing the parts of a prepositional phrase and practicing their use, you’ll gain more control over your writing and grammar. At Belekar Sir’s Academy, we believe that a strong foundation in English starts with mastering these essential building blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a prepositional phrase?
A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and includes its object (a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) along with any modifiers. It adds detail and shows relationships in a sentence.
What is the definition of a prepositional phrase?
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers. It helps express relationships such as time, place, direction, or manner.
Example: on the table, by the sea
What are some examples of prepositional phrases?
in the morning
on the table
with her friends
by the sea
under the bed
after the meeting
through the park
for her team
Can a prepositional phrase start a sentence?
Yes. Prepositional phrases often begin sentences to set the scene or give context.
Examples:
After the meeting, we went for coffee.
In the morning, she jogs around the park.
How can you tell if a phrase is prepositional?
To identify a prepositional phrase:
1. It begins with a preposition (e.g., in, on, by, with, under).
2. It includes an object (noun, pronoun, or noun phrase).
3. It may include modifiers that describe the object.
4. If all these elements are present, it’s a prepositional phrase.
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
