Grammar: Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases

Overview

What is a prepositional phrase? 

A prepositional phrase is an element in the clause, just like groups are:

Although there are several types of groups (noun group, verb group, adjective group, adverb group), there is only one type of phrase, namely a prepositional phrase. For more information on groups and phrases, see Grammar: Groups & phrases: Overview

A prepositional phrase always consists of at least two elements, ie a preposition + a noun group :

in + the car
for + two weeks                     
behind + the school                 
with + his best friend

In a prepositional phrase the preposition is always the first element and the noun group is the second element. 

For more information on prepositions, see Grammar: Word classes: Prepositions: Overview

How can these files help me?

Here you will find answers to some of the difficulties your students might have. All learners of English have problems choosing the correct preposition, and these are addressed in the files dealing with expressing time, place and so on. In addition we discuss prepositional phrases with functions such as providing more information about a Participant in the clause, and connecting two clauses. Lastly, we discuss prepositional phrases whose preposition is 'deferred', ie which does not immediately precede the noun group to which it belongs.

For more information, see:

	Text types: General Descriptions: Describing time, place and manner
	Text types: Recounts: Locating events in time and place
	Text types: Stories: Locating events in time and place
	Text types: Stories: Telling how and why things happen

 

Tell me more ... What is the difference between (prepositional) phrases and groups? What does a prepositional phrase do?