Structures of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases provide essential details in a sentence, helping to clarify relationships of time, place, direction, manner, and more.

The core structure of a prepositional phrase is simple but flexible, depending on the nature of its object.

Basic Structure of Prepositional Phrases

1. Preposition + Noun

The most straightforward structure consists of a preposition followed by a noun. This type of phrase typically indicates location, direction, or time.

Example: "She walked to the store."

• Preposition: "to"
• Object: "store" (noun)

2. Preposition + Noun Phrase

A noun phrase can also serve as the object of a preposition. A noun phrase consists of a noun and its modifiers (articles, adjectives, etc.). This structure is common when the object of the preposition is more complex.

Example: "He sat on the old wooden chair."

• Preposition: "on"
• Object: "the old wooden chair" (noun phrase)

3. Preposition + Pronoun

A prepositional phrase can also be constructed with a preposition followed by a pronoun. Pronouns replace nouns, so they can function in place of a specific object in the sentence.

Example: "The gift is for her."

• Preposition: "for"
• Object: "her" (pronoun)

4. Preposition + Gerund (Verb + -ing)

In some cases, a gerund (a verb in its -ing form that functions as a noun) can act as the object of the preposition. This structure is common when expressing actions or activities.

Example: "He is interested in swimming."

• Preposition: "in"
• Object: "swimming" (gerund)

Functions of Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases often provide more information by modifying nouns or verbs in a sentence. They can act as:

Adjectival Modifiers: Modifying a noun by describing it more fully.

• Example: "The book on the table is mine." (The prepositional phrase "on the table" describes the noun "book.")

Adverbial Modifiers: Modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often answering questions like where, when, how, or why.

• Example: "She left after lunch." (The prepositional phrase "after lunch" modifies the verb "left," indicating when the action occurred.)

More Complex Structures

In some cases, prepositional phrases can become more intricate, involving combinations of prepositions and multiple objects or modifiers. These often occur in complex sentences or more detailed descriptions.

5. Preposition + Adjective + Noun:

Example: "He jumped over the high fence."

• Preposition: "over"
• Object: "the high fence" (adjective + noun phrase)

6. Preposition + Noun + Complement:

Example: "She is worried about her health."

• Preposition: "about"
• Object: "her health" (noun phrase with possessive determiner)

Conclusion

By combining a preposition with various types of objects, prepositional phrases enrich sentences with additional information, whether it's indicating where, when, or how something happens.