Prepositional Phrases for English Language Learners

This is the second of two courses designed to be simple to learn English for Chinese students.

This article explains how prepositions are used in phrases, called prepositional phrases.

What are Prepositional Phrases

  • A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and
  • includes a noun (or pronoun)
  • (which is) the object of the preposition.

On the table

  • Preposition: On
  • Object : The table

It provides information about the relationship of the noun to the rest of the sentence.

  • the key is on the table
  • so the key is on the table
  • the dog is under the bridge
  • so the dog is under the bridge

sentence subjects: the key, the dog

It provides information about the relationship of the noun to the rest of the sentence.

  • the book is on the table
  • so the book is on the table
  • the river runs under the bridge
  • so the river is under the bridge

sentence subjects: the book, the river

For more information on what are prepositions and prepositional phrases visit out page on prepositions, and our page on ‘what is a prepositional phrase‘.

Prepositional Phrase Structure

prepositional phrase = preposition + the object

  • On the table
  • Preposition: on
  • Object of the Preposition: the table
  • “The book is on the table.”
  • In this example, “on” is the preposition, and “the table” is the object of the preposition.
  • At the park
  • Preposition: at
  • Object of the Preposition: the park
  • “We had a picnic at the park.”
  • In this example, “at” is the preposition, and “the park” is the object of the preposition.
  • Under the bridge
  • Preposition: under
  • Object of the Preposition: the bridge
  • “The river flows under the bridge.”
  • In this example, “under” is the preposition, and “the bridge” is the object of the preposition.
  • In the morning
  • Preposition: in
  • Object of the Preposition: the morning
  • “The sun rises brightly in the morning.”
  • In this example, “in” is the preposition, and “the morning” is the object of the preposition.
  • With my friends
  • Preposition: with
  • Object of the Preposition: my friends
  • “I enjoy playing with my friends”
  • In this example, “with” is the preposition, and “my friends” is the object of the preposition.

Prepositional phrase exercises

Exercise 1: which prepositional phases could be added to each sentence beginning

  1. The cat is
  2. We went for a walk
  3. She sat
  4. They played soccer
  5. The book is
  6. We traveled
  7. I found my keys
  • a)on the field.
  • b)between the cushions.
  • c)across the country.
  • d)under the bed.
  • e)in the park.
  • f)on the roof.
  • g)beside her brother.

Exercise 2: order the sentences that finish with the prepositional phrase

  1. the / desk / sitting / at / is / she
  2. the / the / blooming / garden / are / flowers / in
  3. the / meet / we / fountain / will / by
  4. into / the / jumped / he / pool
  5. the / under / table / is / hiding / the / cat
  6. found / on / my / chair / jacket / I / the
  7. the / river / along / walked / they

Answer #1: she is sitting at the desk

Exercise 3: create sentences with the verbs and prepositional phrases

walk – arrive – meet – find – is – sing – play

  1. We ____________ outside the house.
  2. The  ____________ on the kitchen counter.
  3. They  ____________  at the coffee shop.
  4. I  ____________ under the sofa.
  5. We  ____________ during the concert.
  6. He  ____________ along the path.
  7. She  ____________ at the airport.

Conclusion

If you want to learn more about prepositions visit the prepositions page, or visit the parts of speech page.

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